ל׳ תשרי ה׳תשפ״ו | October 21, 2025
I Threw My Smartphone Away 14 Years Ago
“How can one survive without a smartphone? I have done it for the last 14 years and I manage fine. I have held my job throughout, which includes team management, and in fact, I am more present as a result.”
By Rabbi Zevi Wineberg – Johannesburg, South Africa
This week’s parsha highlights the advancements of technology and its importance in bringing about Moshiach.
This is an important part of the Chabad ethos.
However, what is less realized is that the Rebbe gave parameters for this. In Likkutei Sichos Chelek 15, the Rebbe clearly explains that going to university is NOT to be done as part of this advancement.
This is also clear from the Rebbe’s directive against Televisions in the home. Television is a technology advancement, and it can be used (the Rebbe did broadcast farbrengens), but it has parameters – not in one’s home.
Now, we look at smartphones. Do we embrace them wholly? Are there parameters?
I would like to suggest that Lubavitch has been tricked into this one, as well as most of the world. No one foresaw what dangers would be posed as a result of an innocent, efficient smartphone. But 30-odd years down the line, it is evident that a smartphone poses a direct threat to life as a YID, a husband, and a father.
All of these threats are exponentially greater in regards to the youth, bochurim/seminary girls, high school pupils, etc.
We need to get rid of the smartphones. It’s the smarter choice.
How can one survive without a smartphone? I have done it for the last 14 years. I bought a Nokia after having a smartphone for a few weeks and realizing the dangers. I manage fine. I have held my job throughout (BH!), which includes team management, and in fact, I am more present as a result. In reality, a computer can do almost everything essential that a smartphone is needed for.
What about the bonuses – like measuring your heart rate on a run, ease of banking or the like? Well, you do lose out on some of those things, but who cares? That is what being a Chossid means: it means sacrificing some physical pleasures for investment in Avodas Hashem.
How is a smartphone different from a computer? A smartphone is a personal device. It is used in personal spaces. A computer is a work device which is used (and only should be used – to avoid ‘yichud’ issues) in public spaces.
So please really consider this seriously and do it. Get rid of your smartphone. It is the much smarter choice, and you will not regret it.
COMMENTS
I think we need to institute a yichud camera movement. A camera in the back of the room that is used to monitor you during you computer usage.
Thank you so stimulating this much needed discussion. You are absolutely spot on. The manner in which many use the fact that the Rebbe embraced use of technology as a medium of Hafatza as a free pass for their “inviting the Galach into their home” (Halevei – it’s much worse…) is shocking and dishonest to say the least. Think about it: We are so careful about their child not seeing an image of a non-kosher animal, but are we as careful about our children not seeing immodest images? This is aside the cultural erosion that seems to be happening, mainly thanks to social media and smartphones.
I’m curious about what people think about utilizing social media. Unlike television, which just has to be broadcast, social media requires engagement on the platform. How can apply the Rebbe’s approach of utilization of technology while ensuring total purity with social media?
finnaly someone saying the truth and not trying to fool himself
Yes! The more people hear that it is normal and ok to live without a smartphone, the more they will have the strength to withhold. I had a smartphone for years, and now I can proudly say that I am 5 years clean without a smartphone. As a mother, shlucha, teacher, I have gained such a quality of life by giving up the phone.
The images that my family and friends sent on whatsaap would fill my mind during the day, would fill my conversations at home and would disturb my thoughts at night. I was no longer baal habayis of my own mind. Can anyone with a smartphone honestly say that their mind hasnt been exposed to images or ideas that a Yid shouldnt be exposed to?
As Chassidim we try to be so careful what we see, hear, listen to, read, yet with a phone the bechira in this area becomes very weak.
Iskafia today (think basi legani, dor shvi, dira btachtonim), is not about abstaining from ice cream its about holding back on what we SAY, HEAR, READ and LOOK AT.
[I heard this bsheim the Rebbe but unfortunatly I can’t provide a source]
Give up the convinience, give up the easy communication with your parents abroad, give up the endless amazing photos of your children and your shlichus- for the sake of your neshoma and the neshoma of your children.
Do yourself a favour and do your family a favour, give up the smartphone.
I completely agree but how can having a home computer be any different than a smartphone? In the chabad community everything is dependent on the internet in every way even for chinuch and just general so getting rid of a phone
In a chabad community doesn’t feel so motivated unlike in polisher and litvisher communities
BS”D
I lost my phone a week ago, and I am strongly considering to be without the smartphone.
Wondering, whats a good model Phone to get that doesn’t have all the smart phone Negatives, but still has waze, and possibly Shiurim, Zmanim, or the like.
one last question, is it possible to get whatsapp on a computer without having it on my phone, I cant be sure Ill withstand the temptation, although it will certainly free up a lot of my time!
Visit koshervy.com
They have a great flip phone , that has Waze and a few other convenient apps. Additionally they have coming out a little more expensive kosher phone, but has more apps, and is much easier to use.
Fig phones are also a great option
Yes I also do it’s great!
I think there is a kosher phone they sell in Flatbush that has GPS, also go to the tag office and ask them about it and all your questions I’m sure they’ll be able to help you 555 leferts ave hours are limited
Look into SafeTelcome. It might technically be a smartphone, but is browser-free (and has no whatsapp)), and has access only to email, waze, zmanim etc.
They sell these phones in the phone store that is next to Rockland Kosher in Monsey. I am sure there are locations in Brooklyn and Lakewood too.
Hatzlocho!
Kol hakavod Zev, Another reason a computer is different is that TAG’s most effective filter is only available for computers- unless that has changed recently
Which filter?
Their best filter is from a company in England called TECHLOQ. They are very thorough. They did not do a filter for a phone because they did not want to do it until they were sure that it would be thorough. Maybe by now they have one for a phone as well
You only had it for a few weeks…
So you didn’t have anything on it… Didn’t get a chance to get attached…
And probably all the stuff you’d need a smartphone for you just use the computer?
Don’t stop here!! make a organization for this call it something like Lubavitch united for responsible technology and youth development and make this a whole movement with classes and events! educate the public!!!! Especially for the youth I don’t want to see a bochur or girl with a smartphone ever again!!!!!!!!!!
Make a website can help and doing events etc…
Your comment suggests that there is something wrong with having Internet in general.
Having access to the Internet is a good thing but when the access is constant and in your pocket at your fingertips then it is too much and becomes counterproductive.
You cannot walk around with a computer.
That is the difference.
BH I never got one. It would be so hard to part from if I had
100%. I can’t even find the words to write or say about the disaster unfolding with the next generation. Unfortunately a whole generation was damaged. IYH we should be able to fix the damage and prevent it from continuing.
https://www.turninglifeon.org/turning-life-on-resources/smartphone-alternatives?utm_campaign=as-npt116018533
This is a website that lists smartphone alternatives
https://www.turninglifeon.org/turning-life-on-resources/smartphone-alternatives?utm_campaign=as-npt116018533
Not everything here is totally kosher- (some might have spotify) but it does list alternatives to smartphones
Thank you for sharing this article. I had a smartphone for two years before giving it up. It was probably the most difficult but best decision I have ever made.
I strongly agree. I think mothers with smartphones spend less time with their children and it is detrimental to their emotional health and wellbeing. Not being exposed to entertainment 24/6 allows people to think.