Several people have mentioned to me that the next Agudah convention, which I believe is the annual Thanksgiving weekend event, will feature as its theme, Orthodox blogs. I have no clue whether this is true or not. But I would love to be in attendance and hear the following keynote speech:
Gedolei Roshei Yeshiva, Chashuva Rabbanim, Morai V’Rabbosai.
I have been asked to speak on the subject of Orthodox Blogs. As you all know Agudah is opposed to the internet in all contexts, so this subject is a non-starter. (Speaker begins to sit down and then immediately arises and says…) Just kidding. (laughter)
Yes, today we have the unusual phenomenon of Orthodox Jews participating in blogs. Blogs, for those who don’t know is short for Weblogs which is a way in which opinions on any subject may be recorded much the same way a private journal or a diary might be written. The only difference is that on the internet, such “journals” are anything but private. The exact opposite is true. Blogs have become a way for many people to express their views in public for the entire world to read. The added facet of anonymity, that a blogger can avail himself of means that all inhibitions are eliminated. There is also another feature that applies to blogs that do not apply to private journals: a comments section. This can be accessed by anyone and if he or she wishes, he or she may respond. And the anonymity feature is there too. That gives the commenters the ability to say some very outrageous and even nasty things without consequence.
This has caused tremendous Bizayon HaTorah in many cases. And it is a very negative development in the world of Torah. Indeed, many a Ben Torah can be found commenting on some of these blogs. Who gave them permission?! Why do they not listen to Daas Torah about the internet?!… But I digress.
The key point which I wish to make is that are some blogs that are quite enlightening. And their value to the Torah world is immeasurable. I have been given printed copies of some of the discussion on the better blogs, those like Hirhurim and a few others, which have a tremendous amount of Torah content which can be accessed at any time and any place. But more importantly these blogs have opened up a window to segments of Orthodoxy here-to-fore closed off to the world of Yeshivos. They have shined the light of truth on a segment of the Orthodoxy who were until now, thought by many of us to be light on Torah observance. Those of us in Agudah have now been enlightened as to these Bnei Torah taht exist outside of our own Agudah community. We now realize that there are a great many serious Yirei Shamayim in all segments of the Torah world; and that Modern Orthodoxy does not mean a license to skimp on Halacha or cut corners in observance... as we have often accused it of. But that it is a legitmate Hashkafa, albeit different than our own. Bloggers who use the internet for these purposes are making huge Kiddush HaShem on a daily basis.
And even those blogs which some people feel are fostering Apikursus by talking about issues like the “age of the universe” are also providing a valuable service. After reading some of the discourse and debate on these blogs we have come to the conclusion that it indeed enables conversations between people with serious questions about Emunah and knowledgeable Talmidei Chacahmim who have studied these issues within the framework of a vast Torah and secular education. They can vent their doubts and frustrations anonymously, if they so choose, without fear of retribution by their respective communities and thereby get a better understanding about Torah. By participating with various Talmidei Chachamim from the entire spectrum of Torah Judaism, matters of faith and doubt can be aired out and addressed by many knowledge people in the context of an intelligent, if sometimes spirited and even heated debate. And this just scratches the surface of what some of the better blogs have done for Klal Yisroel. There is so much more to say… so little time to say it.
As a result of blogs like Hirhurim and Cross-Currents, we have come to appreciate these contributions and I can say with a clear concience, Kein Yirbu and may Hashehm grant Orthodox bloggers much Hatzlacha in all their future endeavors.
Thank you. (Polite applause turns to wild cheering as many in attendance take out their laptops hidden in their briefcases, lift them in the air and do a "wave".)
