Dear Chevra,

Please excuse me if you read this already, but I felt that it deserved its own topic and headline.

I am delighted to share several pieces of very good news!

As you know from my previous posts, I have sent out anonymous letters and e-mails to a number of Rabbonim in my city.  I previously reported that one Rav published the letter (version #1) in his Shul bulletin, and a second Rav e-mailed the letter (also version #1) to his membership.

A third Rav just informed me by e-mail that he is sending the letter (version #2) to his entire membership list (hundreds of members).

But, it gets even better.


Drumroll . . .


The President of the Vaad HaRabbonim of my city has approved for both letters to be sent to the entire Vaad HaRabbonim list - approximately two dozen Rabbonim!

I am humbled to have a part in this incredible Zikui HaRabbim.  Perhaps this is the beginning of a new era in both Shmiras Einayim and in GYE (which are, in fact, one and the same!).

Both letters are duplicated below:



First Letter:

Dear Rav *******, Shlita [copies also being sent to Rav *******, Rav ********, and Rav ********],

As the Rav is surely aware, addiction to the Internet, especially (but not limited to) Internet pornography, is a very serious problem in the Frum world today.  It affects the full spectrum of Achainu B'nai Yisroel, regardless of background or synagogue affiliation.  It is unknown how many Frum people are leading double lives and crying out for help, with nowhere to turn.  Imagine the pain of a Frum, Heimishe father, attending his child’s Siddur party or Chumash Siyum.  It should be a moment of great Nachas.  Instead, the father is ridden with guilt because of where he was on the Internet the previous night.  And the night before.  

For some people, the answer is to have no Internet in the home (however, as the Internet becomes more and more essential, it is becoming increasingly difficult to suggest this as a long-term solution for Klal Yisrael).  For those who need it, however, there must be another solution.  My solution, in part, has been to install an Internet filter to which only my wife knows the password (furthermore, in case the password is lost, it will be sent to my wife’s e-mail account, to which I have no access).  While not a total solution, having an Internet filter has been very helpful.  My thanks goes to Rav ********, whose Shabbos Shuva Drasha I attended last year.  At his Drasha, Rav ******** strongly urged every member of his Shul, if they must have Internet access in the home, to install an Internet filter.  He went a step further, providing every member with information on how to obtain a free Internet filter ("K9" - see www1.k9webprotection.com/ ), and how to set it up.  Another Rav went still further, prohibiting his members from having Internet access without a filter.

As president of the Vaad HaRabbonim of *********, I strongly urge you to share my message with all of [our city's] Rabbonim.  If every Rav in [our city] strongly encourages the members of his Shul to install an Internet filter, and gives them guidelines how to set it up, who knows how many members of our community will be helped in a major way?

However, Internet filters do not completely solve the problem.  Therefore, it is important for all Rabbonim and their Mispallelim to be aware of an essential resource for those trying to break away from pornography: the website www.guardyoureyes.org  [1].  This site is a life preserver for those who are drowning in a sea of Tumah (I know this from personal experience – it has kept me clean, and gives me the opportunity to encourage others).  In conjunction with Rabbonim urging their Mispallelim to install filters, I urge them to mention the Guard Your Eyes website, which can literally save entire families from the destruction that Internet pornography often leaves in its wake.[2]

Rav ******, please share my message with all the Rabbonim in [our city] as soon as possible, and urge them to share the message with their Mispallelim, especially in these days of preparation for the Yamim Noraim.

In this Zechus, may the Ribbono Shel Olam grant our Kehila and Klal Yisrael Bracha v’Hatzlacha in all areas, and a Kesiva v’Chasima Tova.

Respectfully,

*******

[1]  The previous web address for this site was www.guardureyes.com.  Although that website is still functional, it contains much less content than does www.guardyoureyes.org.

[2]  Please also consider posting the linked flyer in your Shul, if it is not already posted.  www.guardureyes.com/GUE/Images/AD15X10.jpg
 



Second Letter:

Dear Rav *******, Shlita,

As you are certainly aware, addiction to Internet pornography is a very serious problem in the Orthodox world today.  It affects all spectrums of Orthodoxy, from Modern Orthodox to Chassidish.  It is unknown how many Orthodox Jews (men especially) feel that they are leading double lives, and are crying out for help, with nowhere to turn.  Imagine the pain of a father attending his child’s Siddur party or Chumash Siyum.  It should be a moment of great Nachas.  Instead, the father is ridden with guilt because of where he was on the Internet the previous night.  And the night before.

I was in this unfortunate position until recently.  Then, two things happened that have changed my life immeasurably.  First, Rav ********* urged all of his congregants at last year's Shabbos Shuva Drasha to install an Internet filter, and to entrust the password to someone else.  He went a step further, providing every member with information on how to obtain a free Internet filter for home use ("K9" - see below), and how to set it up.  I had reached the point where pornography had caused me untold pain and frustration, and I was more than ready to listen.  I installed the filter, and had my wife choose the password (in case the password is lost, it will be sent to my wife’s e-mail account, to which I have no access).  While not a total solution, having an Internet filter has been extremely helpful.

Second, I discovered a remarkable website that has numerous resources to give Chizuk to those struggling in this area - www.guardyoureyes.org.  This site is a life preserver for those who are drowning in a sea of Tumah (I know this from personal experience – it has kept me clean, and gives me the opportunity to both receive encouragement and to encourage others).

Please urge your members to protect, not only their children, but themselves, by installing K9 (www1.k9webprotection.com/) or another Internet filter, and by entrusting someone else to choose the password.  Please also inform your members of the Guard Your Eyes website, and encourage them to make use of it.

The main concern, of course, is whether people will listen.  "Kesheim Shemitzvah Lomar Davar Hanishma, Kach Mitzvah Shelo Lomar Davar She'eino Nishma."  I submit, however, based on my personal experience, that there are at least two groups of people that will take your words seriously.  First, those who have hit (or are rapidly approaching) "rock bottom," whose college grades, marriages, livelihoods and, indeed, entire lives are becoming unmanageable.  Second, those who are doing better than the first group, but have the foresight to recognize that they are on a very slippery slope, which is likely to cause them a great deal of trouble in the foreseeable future.  Such people may be inspired to take action, even though they have not yet hit "rock bottom."  This is what the Guard Your Eyes website calls "hitting bottom while still on top."

Please consider sharing my message with your Kehilah.  If you do so, who knows how many people (and their families) will be helped in a major way?

Thank you very much.  Kesiva v'Chasima Tova.

Sincerely,

************  

 

habib613 wrote on 03 Sep 2009 18:34:



Efshar Letaken wrote on 03 Sep 2009 18:48:



Above are comments by Habib613 and Efshar Letaken to the previous version of my post.

Groisa yashercoach

Thank you, Cleareyes.

Rabbosai, I've done most of the letter-writing work.  Once again, I urge everyone to use my letters as a template, and send an appropriate letter to at least one influential Rav in your city.  Imagine if it takes you an hour, and causes one or more families to be saved from the dangers of the Internet that we are so familiar with.

Wow. that's super fantastic news! Can you imagine the merits you will have this coming Rosh Hashana? I hope many people learn from you. Ashrei Chelkecha.

Rabbosai, what are you waiting for? Is it so hard to send an anonymous letter to the Rabbanim in your community? Just copy and paste!!

Let's go. We can make a revolution in Klal Yisrael. We can help so many Yidden out there know that there is help and hope. We can save lives, marriages and give Yidden back their connection with Hashem. And we can bring Moshiach so much closer! And all it takes is a printer, an envelope and a few stamps!

Can we get Stamps with a pic. of Reb B. on it?

guardureyes wrote on 03 Sep 2009 20:25:


Besides copying and pasting, you will, of course, want to make some appropriate revisions.  That's why I estimated that it would take an hour.

Remember that, although we're not very strict about spelling on the GYE forum, it matters a great deal in these letters!

Also, remember not to include your return address!    :D

I would like to share part of a PM that I just sent to one of the Chevra:

At the very least, if a Rav receives this type of letter, it will put the issue (and one of the solutions - GYE) on the radar screen.

In my community, I feel like a revolution is coming.  For years Rabbonim have made occasional pleas for being careful with the Internet.  But it is possible, as lay people, that we can make the case far better.

guardureyes wrote on 03 Sep 2009 20:25:


You have to marvel at R. Guard's humility.  Imagine the merits he will have on Rosh Hashana!

To paraphrase Rebbi Akiva: Sheli v'Shelachem Shelo!

MY RAV DOES NOT HAVE EMAIL  >

bardichev wrote on 04 Sep 2009 14:40:


Dear Bardichev,

It takes a bit more effort if your Rav does not have e-mail.  But it's well worth it.  The Rav who is president of my city's Vaad HaRabbonim does not have e-mail either.  No big deal, so I used the USPS, AKA "snail mail."  Boruch Hashem, my efforts paid off big time: That Rav published my letter in his Shul bulletin and, more important, approved for the letter to be sent to every member of the Vaad HaRabbonim - (about 2 dozen Rabbonim).

One idea: Besides mailing the letter to your Rav, mail a copy of the letter to at least one other Rav, who has a relationship with your Rav, and who does have e-mail.  Then, send that Rav an electronic copy of your letter, in case that will help it be disseminated (don't attach the file, which could potentially identify you; instead, copy and paste the text to the e-mail message).

Finally I'm getting some recognition for my humility! I keep telling everyone that I'm an anav, but no one seems to realize just HOW big of one I am.

guardureyes wrote on 05 Sep 2009 18:06:


R. Guard is the world's second greatest Anav.  I've long held the title for first place!    :D  ;D

FYI, R. Guard forwarded my second letter to the Yated.  I sent it to the Hamodia and Mishpacha.  I began with the following introduction:

To the Editor:

I recently wrote the following letter, which the Vaad HaRabbonim of ****** has approved to be sent to all its member Rabbonim.  Please share the letter with your readership - doing so would be a tremendous Zikui HaRabbim, especially as we approach the Yomim Noraim.

Thank you very much - Kesiva v'Chasima Tova.

I sent a letter to the Jewish Press as well.

Chevra: Please help me out.  If you see my letter appear in any publication, including Hamodia, Jewish Press, Mishpacha, or Yated Ne'eman, please post the information here (including, if possible, the date and page number).  If possible, please send me a PM as well.

Thank you very much!