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ד"סב
Narratives
true Authentic, Realistic & Undeniable

Inspirations challenge: the
and Real-Life Concerning our Volume
generation’s
battle against
technology 183

I want to us! Whenever I come home and try to share something
thank you with my father, he’s always tapping and swiping
Domino Effect for the throughout our conversation. It makes me feel…like I
tremendous don’t really matter.”
chizuk that The menahel suggested, “Menachem, your father has to
you give to make his own choices. But maybe you can do something
your readers worldwide. You’re fighting an important to show your father just how much it means to you.”
battle on a battlefield that’s constantly changing. Kol They were both silent for a moment. “Think carefully,
Hakavod! Menachem!” the menahel coaxed him. “Is there any
I am an administrator in a big yeshivah and I thought kabbalah you can undertake in the area of technology?”
that I’ve already seen it all. With my office located on the Menachem came up with an idea, which the menahel
main floor of the yeshivah, I have learned to tune out the strongly encouraged. “After a few days, maybe you can tell
commotion that two hundred bochurim make when your father about this kabbalah. Tell him how much it
they’re learning, growing, and thriving in an area that’s means to you and what a difference it makes when
too small to contain their boundless energy. technology is pushed aside.”
Recently, I was privy to a story that really left a strong Menachem was eager to try. He hoped that this
impression on me. It’s my privilege to share it in this roundabout method would accomplish what his repeated
forum: requests and entreaties hadn’t achieved.
The menahel of our yeshivah gave a moving lecture Just two days later – two days! – Menachem knocked
about the dangers of technology. Most of our students on the menahel’s door. His face was wreathed in smiles as
come from homes where various devices and gadgets are he said, “I can’t believe it! I just can’t believe it! My father
par for the course. They’re good boys, solid boys, who traded in his Smartphone yesterday for a kosher flip-
really want to grow. phone! He really did it!”
One of the students, whom we’ll name Menachem, “How did your conversation go?” the menahel asked,
came over to the menahel and told him, “You know, I slightly taken aback that Menachem had acted so quickly
really agree with every word that the menahel said. I live without seeking further direction.
that reality every single day. My father has a Smartphone “What conversation?” Menachem almost cried with
and it’s almost like an oxygen tank for him. He can’t relief. “I didn’t say anything. I carried out my kabbalah
function without it.” and figured I’d wait a few days before asking the menahel
The menahel nodded. He had heard similar how to proceed. Last night, out of the blue, my father
descriptions too many times to count, yet the pain never showed me his flip-phone and said, ‘I took a big step
diminished. today, Menachem. I don’t even know why, but I felt that it
“I wish I could do something!” Menachem cried. “If was high time I got rid of that addictive device!’ I still can’t
only my father would realize what it’s doing to him – to believe it!”

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