Satmar Rebbe: no entry for kosher 'BlackBerry'

The battle against the "kosher" smart phone is reaching a precedential shift today.

The day before Pesach, there was a live broadcast of a call from the U.S., in which the Rebbe gave a conquering and penetrating speech for the Yom Tov. Among other things, the Rebbe set clear regulations for the avreichim of the community, that are prerequisite for further membership.

First, the Rebbe announced that he has appointed a special committee for computers and communications which will be headed by his nephew the Rosh Yeshiva, Hgrh"tz Meizlish.

The Rebbe ruled that it is forbidden to have a computer. Those who need a computer for their livelihood, it was allowed only if they receive approval from the Committee. Likewise, those who still needed Web services for livelihood, it will be allowed subject to approval from the Committee.

In addition to the prohibition to hold mobile devices which are not kosher, a regulation was determined that one should not keep in the Beis Midrash devices which are partially open to network such as the kosher BlackBerry and the like, because of 'maris ayin'.

The Rebbe explained that while in the U.S. there already exist barriers and filters for mobile devices, Israel has not yet found a satisfactory solution, and that when an avrech carries his kosher BlackBerry, the viewer might suspect that this is a device that is not kosher "to remove suspicion and crookedness, one should not hold such a device at all around the Beis Midrash", said the Rebbe.

So too, "whoever owns a cellular device not approved by the rabbis, must not go up to the amud."

All avreichim and parents received manifestos in which the regulations appeared. Parents were required to sign that they will fulfil them, as a condition for their children continuing at school day, during the summer time ahead.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!