DAY 7 - 6. Heresy (Kefirah)
Websites have been established for the express purpose of targeting frum Jews and turning them against their religion. This is in addition to the garden-variety secular sites that espouse atheism and other heresy. It may be simple curiosity that leads people to investigate such sites, but once exposed, maintaining emunah can become a struggle. Chazal tell us, “Heresy is unique in that it draws one in.”
7. Where the Wicked Meet (Kinus l’reshaim)
The Internet provides a platform for anyone and everyone to disseminate his ideas or feelings to the whole world — for free! In previous eras, a person having an occasional inappropriate thought was embarrassed to tell anyone, and it would usually pass quickly from his mind. Today, as soon as one is assailed by an unsuitable thought
he can Google it and find a support group of like-minded individuals.
A case in point: People who have left Yiddishkeit have designed a website to ease the transition for other unfortunate souls who are following in their path. Last year the website featured a writing contest in which people were encouraged to relate the story of their first aveirah — eating a cheeseburger, chillul Shabbos, eating on Yom Kippur, etc.
Other websites and blogs promote all manner of inappropriate ideas and attitudes. Often these sites are not dedicated to impermissible content; rather, they are open forums that host free-speech discussions on any issue. Due to their innocent guise, well-meaning people visit these sites and, whether unthinkingly or with the intent to debate people who are posting negative views, get drawn into very harmful discussions.
Until the advent of mass Internet use, mocking Gedolei Yisrael was almost unheard of. There was of course the occasional angry and bitter person, but these people were such outcasts that their voices were barely audible. No one wanted to be seen socializing with them, and in fact, interacting with them was difficult; their negativity was so pervasive that everyone just stayed away.
But the Internet “solved” the problem. They can now share their hateful and bitter words with other sick people, and “curious” outsiders can listen to their rants without being seen, and without the stench found in their proximity. Their negative, destructive perspective has wrought terrible damage upon the chashivus and deference accorded
our gedolim and leaders.