Page 53 - newsflash 1168

ד"סב
Narratives
true Authentic, Realistic & Undeniable

Inspirations challenge: the
and Real-Life Concerning our Volume
generation’s
battle against
technology 170

A menahel and I knew that Shloimy had reconsidered.
r ecen t l y “Uh…I – I – about the form,” Shloimy stuttered. “The
Father and Son shared a poi- form we have to sign?”
gnant anec- His voice jerked upward in a question mark and I
dote. After wondered which part of this simple procedure he was
working in finding so unnerving. I smiled, the most reassuring
the chinuch smile I could muster, but Shloimy couldn’t bring himself
field for several decades, nothing takes him by surprise to continue.
- but this particular incident touched him deeply: “I just – I mean, forget it,” he whispered. “It’s nothing.”
Mere moments later, when I was sitting in the tiny
Our yeshivah is geared for boys between the ages of closet we call an office, the secretary put through a tele-
14 and 16, and Shloimy had just about hit his 14th birth- phone call to my extension.
day. “Is this the menahel?” the caller asked.
He was such an earnest young boy, with clear, blue “Speaking.”
eyes and a ready smile. In those hectic days at the start “My son called last night,” the man said quickly, al-
of the zman, I didn’t exchange a word with him but his most desperately. “Shloimy. You probably don’t know
sweet personality made an immediate impression. the boys by name yet, but he’s a good boy. A gift from
“Did you distribute the technology forms yet?” I asked Hashem.”
the mashgiach one morning. “I like to get that done The man swallowed audibly. I wondered what secrets
sometime in the first week.” lurked behind the sweet, bashful smile of his young son.
“Yes, the forms were given out yesterday,” he replied, “He called me, crying,” the father continued, his voice
waving a sheaf of papers to prove it. “Most of the boys cracking ever so slightly. “He said that he wants to sign
returned them already. I’m just waiting for the last few.” a form, committing himself not to look at a Smartphone
Our students pledge to completely avoid Smartphones all year. But he’s afraid that it will be a lie.”
and we are proud of their commitment. The forms are “A lie?” I repeated, completely bewildered.
just a formality since the boys know our stance on the “He told me, ‘Totty, I’m afraid that when I come home
technology issue and they commit to it before enroll- I’ll look at your phone by mistake. Maybe I’ll sneak a
ment. quick peek. How can I sign this form?’ That’s what Shlo-
Shloimy seemed perturbed. I noticed it immediately. imy asked me last night. He was crying, begging for the
There was something so good and golden about this new chance to keep himself pure.”
student, causing his distress to stand out and catch my There was silence on the other end of the line. Just
attention. when I thought he had hung up, the man said, “So I just
“Shloimy, is everything alright?” I asked him during wanted to know if you can give Shloimy a message. Tell
lunchtime. “Is there something you want to discuss?” him that…that he – he can sign the form with a clear con-
He blushed to the roots of his blond hair and shook his science. It won’t be a lie. Tell Shloimy that I threw out
head. Moments later, I heard soft footsteps behind me my Smartphone last night.”

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