At a gathering at the Belzer Beis Medrash in Yerushalayim in honor of the start of the summer z’man, the Belzer Rebbe described BlackBerrys as an “instrument of contamination” that should be avoided at all costs.
Likening the evils of the smart phone to the impurity that existed in biblical Egypt, the Rebbe told thousands of Chasidim that while there are many positive and appropriate uses for a BlackBerry, because it also has the capability to expose a person to immorality, it should be viewed as an impure object.
The Rebbe cautioned those assembled to not only avoid BlackBerrys, but to advise others about the dangers of the device as well.
“If you see someone who does not take this admonition seriously, you must tell them to stop using their BlackBerry,” said the Belzer Rebbe. This is something that each of us must be vigilant about.”
The Rebbe warned the assemblage about the new dangers that with the constant emergence of new technology.
“We need to be on guard, to ensure that the impurity of Mitrayim does not dwell in our midst, in our Talmud Torahs, our Yeshivos, our Kollelim and in our homes, while at the same time imploring Hakadosh Baruch Hu to look upon us mercifully.”
