Mizrachi SA Jewish Observer - Pesach 2016 | Page 40
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Torah has never been more accessible than it is now
- anyone with a computer connected to the net can
access Torah in any chosen language. The Rov spoke of
a time in Lithuania when a full set of Shas was elusive,
forcing one talmid to cement to memory each volume.
Today, with our wealth of accessibility, we can all have
it all - access to many Torah giants, many opinions and
many topics. ‘...technology now gives the power of direct
relationships to everyone...’ (Time Jan 18).
The quality of material is a phenomenon. Today, missing
a shiur is a non-calamity for it’s probably been filmed or
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“The
dissemination
of Torah has
undergone a
revolutionary
walk …”
voice recorded for a delayed digesting. Shiurim like Rabbi
Dovi Goldstein’s 2-minute Dirshu WhatsApp updates
are succinct, wrapped up in two minutes, chunked with
a wealth of information. And Rabbi Nossel’s Gemara on
the Parsha-shiur encourages responses and interaction.
Technology has no doubt assisted in the vast gains of
learning Torah. Of course, with the good comes the bad, and
it is still incumbent upon us to ensure the bad influences
of the Internet and technology are limited. But after all is
said about technology, the Jews will forever be known as the
People of The Book, for Shabbos is forever. ■
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