by Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, MD
I believe that in our generation, the single greatest danger to Klal Yisrael is that of immorality. The plague of illicit material on the internet has affected the type of people we would never have suspected vulnerable: yeshiva bachurim, kollel yungeleit and shomrei mitzvos lemehadrin. The Satan has won a battle, hurting so many individuals and families.
But in every generation, G-d in his kindness, sends down someone to sustain Judaism such as the Baal Shem Tov with Chassidus, Rabbi Yisrael Salanter with the Mussar movement and the Chofetz Chaim with Shmiras Halashon.
We are extremely fortunate that several dedicated people have developed a network to help Jews who are caught in this trap: GuardYourEyes.com.
It’s one of my absolute favorite organizations and I have been involved with them in many ways since their founding (in 2007).
In my 40 years of psychiatric experience I can testify that traditional psychiatry and psychology are not effective on their own. GuardYourEyes provides a variety of anonymous tools, counseling and support for affected people, allowing thousands of Jews to get help.
I get an average of five calls a week about this issue, and before GuardYourEyes was around I didn’t have where to send people. Their success rate is phenomenal. I am personally aware of many, many people that have been saved.
The GuardYourEyes project is extremely important for Klal Yisrael today – it is truly a pikuach nefesh. Please open your hearts and give generously to help them continue their holy work. All of their services are free of charge and it’s a great mitzvah to support them.
Right now, during the days of repentance, your support means more than ever.
May you be inscribed in the book of life.
P.S. I would be happy to send an autographed copy of my new book “Teshuvah Through Recovery“, which I wrote together with GuardYourEyes, to anyone who donates $500 or more.
AUDIO:
#10’s computer and phones may be filtered. Please hear his point. Children are on their parents phones, tablets… It’s very common. What about us adults?
While it is very easy for someone to get caught into the mess just by moving our fingertips, for some the issue is way deeper. My spouse was not nurtured as a child, mom was never home, so he turns to other things to fill his needs. Self-image may not even exist. The damage is so deep. He may not know what a relationship even is.
I am writing this so we can have the awareness as parents that we need to be there for our children. Let them feel secure with us. Comfort them, soothe them, encourage them…
I would like to see the schools get stricter about children being on their parents’ devices. In some schools, the parents have to sign that they have filtered devices. While it is not foolproof, at least the message is to be careful. Devices have become part of our lives. Even though filters can be bypassed, let’s a least start with a filter and the awareness of the dangers. I think that schools can implement that. The schools can educate the parents as well.
I’m a very well respected and chassidishe Shliach. I’m also a Rov. I unfortunately fell into this immense and terrible shmutz and couldn’t get out of it. It’s a real addiction. Get gelp asap. Gaurd your eyes does amazing work.
Hello,
I just want to add to the above, from experience- any person who wants to view shmutz (especially from addiction) will find a way to get to it, period, despite any filters, or will find other venues. The point is to get onto a program where you will be able to connect to others and be open and responsible to them.
Yasher Koach to GYE – their work is truly pulling me through to live every day. And yes, this affects the “best” of them out there.
Filters did not help. It was fun figuring out ways to get around them, and I did. I just had to get the computer out of the house. When I need it, I go to a place where others can see what I am doing and,B”H, for me , that is a good deterrant.
As a girl who has been struggling with this herself since the age of 10, women are not ‘safe.’ in this battle.
Everyone needs to protect themselves, have a s filtered phone, Internet, WiFi. What Torah gives us is precious and the Internet just gives 5 minutes of distraction before you remember who you are…
My question to everybody is how are you stumbling upon these websites. I don’t think it’s a coincidence.
Agree with number 10. How can it be so accepted for Chssidim and Shluchim to have access to have the latest iphones and internet. Outside of Lubavitch they have been aware of this for years yet we are still in denial?
What are YOU doing on the web??
This is why i don’t understand that in Lubavitch they are not super strict with smart phones and internet in the home. With a lot of other Chassidum it is so extreme if someone goes around with cell phone that is not a kosher phone, or has internet in the home. But in lubavitch its more except able for everyone to have it. I think it should be so much stricter and we should be only using kosher phones and not have internet in the homes.
Anyone and that means anyone with a smartphone without a filter there’s a 90 percent chance that he’ll now or later fall into shmutz,
Now this is THE CANCER to idishkeit, and the goim will argue and say it’s THE CANCER to leading a normal productive life.
I agree that this is a horrible problem that has affected way too many. If people keep really busy with good things then their test is not as difficult. Unfortunately people have too much free time and this makes the test that much more difficult. One great suggestion is having husband and wives share their email addresses and phones which will make a man think twice. It is terribly painful for any women to find her husband busy with this shmutz. She can be young or old – it makes no difference but for sure when a young married girl… Read more »
the “12 steps” saved my life, go for it, on any addiction you may have
Thanks Rabbi Twersky
This is the hardest temptation out there. I am considered a Chassidishe guy and am on Shlichus. No one is immune from the machleh, there is help out there guys. People think we are in aseres yimei teshuvah this year will be different… yes iyh it will be but it’s not easy and a week after you tov people get back in to their regular routine and the demons can come out and it is hard to resist. I found some help and am clean for quite a few months. To the wives out there- you’re clueless as to what… Read more »
Thank you for endorsing and promoting this. I donated and will be installing a filter on my devices.
Tfs to comment one. For those of you who may think this article is an exaggeration. I am a “normal” chasidish girl who discovered it in our marriage.In the support groups i go to i know many lubavitch women who unfortunately had/are dealing with this too. It’s a plague and ein apitrophus larayus – there is no guardian for these matters, especially when you have it so easily accessible. I agree with comment number one-wives don’t think this isn’t a challenge for your husband. It was inconcievable to me that i would have been dealing with this issue and only… Read more »
As a current addict I can testify that it is the most difficult test for a teenager to withstand. There is maybe one in ten between the age of 13 and 20 that has not been at leadt mildly addicted to … I hope and beg that we all manage to defeat this obstacle and bring moshiach.
Is political correctness which promotes violence and anarchy.
Civilization cannot endure under such circumstances, and Jews are always the first target.
I have been married for a few years & had been addicted to internet shmutz since I was a teenager. Inappropriate Internet addiction believe it or not, is a mental disorder. The same neuro pathways that light up from drug addiction, light up the same way with inappropriate sites. Lustful viewings of Internet led my mind and heart to want more and more, to the point that I began looking for others outside marriage. I may be married to the most beautiful woman in 100 miles, but that wasn’t enough for me. I ended up checking into psych ward, had… Read more »