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ד"סב
Narratives
true Authentic, Realistic & Undeniable

Inspirations challenge: the 182
and Real-Life Concerning our Volume
generation’s
battle against
technology

I don’t want laughing uproariously.
to introduce “You’ve got to see this, Chaim!” he called out, turning
A Magnetic myself by around the screen so we could both see.
name, but you It was some silly practical joke played out live on the
Force can call Moshe. screen and I made a face to show Chaim exactly what I
I’m a young thought of his neighbor, the device, and the absolute
bachur, all of 17 foolishness he was dabbling in.
years old, but I But let me tell you something, dear readers.
feel like I’ve Technology is strong. Stronger than an impressionable
lived a long, long time. I’ve already traveled very far young boy who doesn’t really want to look but is too
before coming back home. curious to turn away. It didn’t take long. The Yetzer
I’ve never left home, in the physical sense. I learn in a Hara is mighty efficient, when he wants to be.
local yeshivah and the furthest I’ve ever gone is to I was hooked. This generous, helpful neighbor gave
summer camp. But in every other sense of the word, I me one of his ‘old’ devices that he didn’t need anymore.
was away from home. He even supplied me with clips and videos to watch.
Allow me to explain. About two years ago, a friend of “Nothing bad,” he assured me. “Everything is kosher.”
mine told me about his neighbor who has access to He was right. Everything he gave me was kosher,
every device and gadget on the market. more or less.
“Who is he?” I wondered, slightly aghast that a boy But he was so, so wrong. Within a few weeks, I didn’t
our age has such wide-open vistas. recognize myself. I was like an addict, desperate to get
“He’s not that different from you and me,” Chaim another fix. I hid the devices and SD cards in the most
laughed. “He learns in a good yeshivah, follows the original hiding places, so that my parents wouldn’t find
rules, does everything right – and also enjoys the out. Hours upon hours were wasted on foolishness, and
pleasures of technology.” my mind was held captive by those blinking images.
I was horrified, but Chaim merely laughed at my Until that fateful – and blessed – day when my device
reaction. was discovered. I’ll never forget my mother’s tears and
“Come on, Moshe, don’t overdo it,” he mocked. “My my father’s disappointment. I felt smaller than I’d ever
neighbor’s father simply has a different policy than our felt before – but in a sense, I was glad.
parents. He believes that if kids are introduced to I was glad for the chance to start again. It was hard,
technology at a young age, they’ll learn to deal with it and it’s still quite difficult, but with my parents’ support
responsibly. It’s not like he gives them anything with I’m heading in the right direction.
Internet access…” I’m begging you, dear readers! Don’t underestimate
Chaim’s attitude rubbed off on me. When I visited his the power of technology. Even if it’s kosher and
house several days later, I wasn’t surprised to see this filtered, it can still take over your mind and heart, and
neighbor sitting in Chaim’s room like an old friend. He turn you into a person you would never want to be.
had some kind of device in his hands, and he was Take it from me. I learned the hard way.

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