Why Do Orthodox Jews Use Flip Phones?

Dear Jew in the City,

Why do Orthodox Jews use flip phones?

Sincerely,

Smartphone User

Dear Smartphone User,

Thanks for your question. The short answer is pornography. The longer answer is somewhat more nuanced.

For starters, not all Orthodox Jews use flip phones; most probably use smartphones. The use of flip phones is pretty much limited to right-wing communities, such as certain Hasidic sects. These phones are commonly referred to as “kosher phones,” because they don’t have Internet access. But what’s wrong with Internet access?

If you were to ask me (which you did), I would say that all this originates with Numbers 15:39, which is recited as part of Shema: “You shall not stray after your hearts and after your eyes.” To explain, I’ll quote myself, from my book The Taryag Companion:

The gist of chasing after one’s hearts is not to pursue philosophies that are antithetical to Torah, since doing so ends up confusing our minds with heretical ideas. If an idea that is counter to Torah should pop into one’s head, one is not supposed to pursue it. Rather, the appropriate course of action is to nip it in the bud and focus one’s efforts on Torah. Not pursuing the desires of our eyes is even more self-evident: it refers to giving in to all of our physical urges, especially those of a sexual nature. … The reason for this mitzvah is obvious: if we give in to improper thoughts or urges, we will be led to sin. This mitzvah is the first line of defense to keep us from getting into even greater trouble.

So, we are supposed to avoid things that are inappropriate – either untoward desires or ideas that are counter to Torah. The Internet, many feel, presents an unnecessary danger. Accordingly, they take whatever steps necessary to avoid being led astray. Some will use the Internet only for business purposes. Others install filters that limit access to potentially harmful material. Still others may only keep a computer in a common room in the house, rather than in an individual’s private space. But to carry the Internet in your pocket wherever you go? That’s an unjustifiable degree of danger.

While smartphones are a fairly recent development, treading cautiously dates back to time immemorial. When I was a kid, I saw a movie called The Chosen, based on the novel by Chaim Potok. In it, the main character – a WWII-era scion of a rabbinic family – surreptitiously uses the public library to study topics not acceptable in his community. Similarly, there are places where having a TV is not in line with local community standards. Such discussions are just starting regarding the use of AI. People tread lightly when it comes to new technologies, learning to integrate them appropriately within their own lifestyles.

The Chasam Sofer, a famous 19^th-century rabbi, once famously objected that chadash asur min haTorah – innovation is prohibited by the Torah. But he wasn’t actually banning everything new. Rather, he was using clever wordplay – based on chadash produce, i.e., the new crop before the Omer offering is brought – to object to a specific innovation. Really, things are like Shlomo HaMelech (King Solomon) wrote: ein kol chadash tachas hashamesh, there’s nothing truly new under the sun (Koheles 1:9).

Generally speaking, we believe in evolution over revolution. Many communities tread slowly when it comes to new technologies until they learn how best to integrate them. As technologies develop, and safeguards with them, many more are likely to adopt them in the future.

Sincerely yours,

Rabbi Jack Abramowitz, JITC Educational Correspondent

Educational Correspondent
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