Rabbi Yisroel's Blog

Sunday, July 24, 2022 - 11:47 AM

It was 14 years ago that a Jewish technology engineer designed a new app feature.

Back then (most of our readers probably remember!) all parts of the internet were divided into pages, and when you got to the bottom of one page, you had to decide to click a button to get to the next page.

Aza Raskin was always looking for ways to make things faster and more efficient. And so, he developed "infinite scrolling." It's a feature used throughout social media and other sites. When you get to the bottom of a post or article, it will automatically load another chunk for you to flick through. And then again... You can never exhaust it. It will scroll infinitely.

He believed he was making life easier for everyone. He had been taught that increased speed and efficiency of access were always advances.

Fast forward to today. Aza Raskin feels guilt for his creation he now apologizes for. He realized that it was people, not productivity, that was changing as a result of this new feature. At a conservative estimate, infinite scroll makes you spend 50 percent more of your time on sites like Twitter. Aza went as far as making a calculation that every day the combined total of 200,000 human lifetimes is now spent scrolling through a screen!

I found it fascinating that a small change would make such a difference. But as I thought about it more, it made sense. Back when you had to click a button to get to the next page, you were given an active choice. It gave you a moment to pause and ask: Do I want to carry on looking at this? Today, however, you finish that video on Facebook and the next one loads immediately....

After reading the article, I immediately deleted social media apps from my phone.

And it got me thinking. How would Judaism look at the phenomena of "infinite scrolling"?

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There is a short verse in our Parsha that recently caught my attention. As the Torah discusses the census of the Jewish People, it recounts the tragic rebellion, and subsequent death of Korach and his gang. It then tells us:

“The Sons of Korach did not Die.”

The Talmud fills us in with the details of this dramatic story. Korach's sons had originally joined their father's plot. But then started to realize their Dad had it all wrong. As Korach’s sons were free-falling into the pit in the ground, they had deep feelings of regret and Teshuva. Their repentance was so sincere that G-d made a ledge miraculously jut out of the side of the chasm, which Korah’s sons safely landed on. They were spared.

”The sons of Korach did not die.” They went on to live spiritually rich lives, even authoring chapters of Psalms which we recite up until today.

I’ve always found the story powerful. It reminds us life is series of individual choices. At any point in time, a person can say “enough is enough” – I am ready to make changes in my life.

Next time you find yourself sliding down a spiritual cliff, think about the sons of Korach. Next time you feel stuck going in a certain direction, remember there is always a ledge ready to catch us. Next time you feel it's too late to start doing a certain Mitzvah at this stage of your life, remember there is no infinite scrolling in life. We are always free to change.

And when we have that moment of Teshuva, Hashem responds in kind. He will create that little ledge --- the opportunities, mentors, and resources to climb out of our hole and achieve great spiritual heights...

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One final thought on this "ledge" in our life:

A committed Jewish life is the ultimate protection in a society where it's so easy to fall prey to mindless interaction with technology. To be honest, everyone can fall prey to this addiction. (I know this all too well!) But in a Torah lifestyle there is always something to "wake you up" and offer you that ledge to stop the spiral downwards.

Mitzvot brings mindfulness and intentionality in all that we do. This is needed more than ever today. Blessings to be said before we eat. Lashon Hara considerations to think about before we talk or email. Tzedaka to give before we spend money on a non-essentials. Regular Torah study sessions to keep out the negativity and fill out mind with holiness.

And of course, the ultimate refresh each week- Shabbat!

Perhaps its time for Aza Raskin to come up with a good marketing campaign promoting Shabbat observance!

When Michael Jordan Called a Jewish Boy at Home (Parsha Chukat)

Sunday, July 10, 2022 - 2:21 PM

A mentor of mine, Rabbi Shais Taub, grew up in Chicago. Back then, the Bulls practiced in a simple facility called the Multiplex and he and his friends would gather around the building after school watching the basketball players come and go.

Once, after a practice in the mid 80’s, the boys followed Michael Jordan as he was leaving the building. Twelve year old Shais was the last in line. By the time he came to the front, Jordan was already entering his Corvette. He tried a last attempt to get his attention and signature, sticking his hands into the car, only to hear the famous athlete scream at him “Get your hands away from the car…or they're going to get slammed by the door!”

He was more than humiliated. Everyone else got an autograph and he got yelled at (talk about a flagrant foul!). He came home rejected and cried to his father how much he hated the local star.

Rabbi Taub’s father went into action. He found out Jordan's home address and sent him a handwritten letter. He explained how he knew Jordan was a better person than what transpired and he probably didn't realize how much he hurt a young boy's feeling. He finished by saying that he knows that he is a respected athlete and is sure he can find a way to earn back the love of a young fan.

Less than a week later, the phone rang and little Shais was told he had a phone call. The unmistakable voice of Michael Jordan was on the line. He asked the boy if he still considered himself a fan of his and invited him to go down courtside next time he was at a game. Indeed, a short time later, he met Jordan - this time with a smile, picture, and signature.

As Rabbi Taub got older, he realized this story was less about a great basketball player...and really about a great Dad. He was in awe of the way his Dad felt his hurt and went above and beyond to make him feel better. How in the world did he find a way to bring together a pained child and a world-famous athlete not exactly known for his sensitivity? That took love, sincerity, risk, and a great understanding of human nature (His Dad after all is a psychologist!)

Every year during this Parsha, I think of Aharon, the brother of Moshe. The Torah goes out of its way to highlight that he was universally mourned after his passing in this week's Torah portion.

Aharon was beloved by all. Because he made all capable of loving. Indeed, he was known as the ultimate peacemaker.

There wasn't a family-fight or business-disagreement that he couldn't resolve. He was the ultimate mediator known for saving marriages and repairing friendships.

How? Not only through clever communication or meditation tricks. Through his love, humility, and connecting to everyone with compassion.

Aharon's friendly shalom and warm gaze were so impactful that the person was lifted beyond petty disagreements and fights.

One famous Midrash puts it this way:

"Then two people were fighting with one another, Aaron would go and sit next to one of them and say: My son, look at the anguish your friend is going through! His heart is ripped apart..He is saying, How can I face my old friend?

Then Aaron would go to the other person in the fight and say: My son, look at the anguish your friend is going through...Aaron would sit with him until his rage subsided. When the two people saw each other, they would embrace...

Some might say Aharon was compromising on truth for the sake of peace. But it runs deeper than that. He brought out the true core of others. He lived higher and thus caused others to live higher. An encounter with him brought out your "Neshama," and it's no wonder that the "better you" emerged.

The world desperately needs more of this "Aharon" peace.

Peace does not mean you will agree on issues. It means going beyond any particular issues. Elevating a conversation to that place that we do agree.

Peace does not mean you do not see something wrong. It means having the "soul vision" to see past the negativity of another and into their Divine Soul.

And when we can do that, just like Aharon, the other often responds in kind...

Infinite Scrolling

When Michael Jordan Called a Jewish Boy at Home (Parsha Chukat)