Halacha Headlines 1/17/26 – Shiur 544 – Breaking the Phone Habit – From Compulsion to Conscious Use
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Jan 15, 2026 Rabbi Aryeh Leibowitz, head of semicha at RIETS, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, founder of the Yeshivah of South Florida, and Noach Levin, a digital media expert, delve into the complex relationship between technology and spirituality. They explore whether mindless phone use constitutes wasteful time, the impact of devices on personal relationships, and practical strategies for healthier digital habits. Levin shares insights on the attention economy, while the rabbis emphasize the importance of mindful technology use in fostering meaningful connections and community.
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Choose Printed Sefarim For Better Focus
- Prefer physical sifrei Torah and printed seforim for focus and memory when possible.
- Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz: use iPads only when necessary, e.g., poor lighting or vision issues, and avoid internet-enabled devices while davening.
The Internet-Free ArtScroll iPad
- Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz travels with an ArtScroll iPad that has no internet and one app for learning.
- A congregant called him a hypocrite until he explained there's no connectivity or pop-ups.
Track Screen Time And Remove Apps
- Measure screen time and remove distracting apps to manage usage.
- Rabbi Efrem Goldberg recommends tracking time because 'what gets measured gets managed.'
