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The problem is that -filters are not fool-
proof. This is why Michael Malach, a
haredi software programmer from
Jerusalem, is working on a product that
will work in the opposite way. Instead of
filtering out kosher content from every-
thing on the Web, it will only allow
access to a small number of specific, rab-
binically approved Web sites.
"I want to create the technical solu-
tion that will allow religious people to
use the Web, but of course, I will first
ask for the rabbis' approval," Malach
says. He realizes that a ban on the
Internet is unenforceable, but also
thinks that most haredim want to
obey_ the rabbis.
"We do not live in Iran, and anyway,
people do what they like in the privacy
of their homes," he says. "The ruling of
the rabbis is based upon an appeal to the
inner morals of the public."
Shabsi, a 25-year-old former yeshi-
va- student who prefers not to give his
last name, feels uncomfortable about
contradicting the rabbis — but has no
regrets about logging on.
The week the rabbis issued their rul-
ing, Shabsi joined an Internet service
provider so he could access the Net from
his office computer at a cellular phone
store in Geula. The access icon is hidden
deep in the bowels of his PC where
nobody, he hopes, can find it.
Shabsi says he wants to learn how
to use the Internet because he believes
it will be an important tool for busi-
ness in the future.
"I do not agree with the fact that
they put a total ban on the Internet,
like television," he says. "On televi-
sion, everything is bad, but here there
are good things as well.
"A frum (observant) Jewish boy has
to have somewhere to let himself out,"
he adds.
Raymond, a yeshiva student from
New Jersey who also asks that his last
name be omitted, has used the Internet
several times but only after asking his
rabbi and getting a study partner to
come along as a chaperone to ensure he
does not wander off into forbidden
cyber territory. He also believes the rab-
binical ruling from Israel will be taken
very seriously by fervently Orthodox
communities in the diaspora.
"Perhaps they cannot enforce the
ruling," he says. "But we can say that
if you want to be part of our commu-
nity, then you must stick to our rules.
It will put us in a technological ghet-
to, but Jews did not have the opportu-
nities ()Pother nations for thousands
of years and we are still around." ❑