Is blogging good for the Jews?
Orthodox Rabbi Gil Student writes:
Blogs have gotten a lot of bad press in the Jewish community (e.g. here and here), and with good reason. There are blogs that do any of a number of improper things, such as reveal private information, mock and insult communal leaders, undermine Jewish tradition, and generally promote disobedience to the Torah’s commandments. If all that is true, does it mean that blogs are bad?
I suggest that to answer this question we first need to ask a different question: Are telephones bad? Telephones allow for the quick spreading of slander, gossip and ideas that are contrary to the Torah. However, I think most readers of these words will agree that telephones are merely a tool and, while they can be used for bad, they can also be used for good. The same telephone that allows for the transmission of lashon ha-ra also allows for comforting a mourner, keeping in touch with a distant parent and sharing Torah insights.
