Men and women “mingling” on social media by commenting on each other’s posts or “private messaging” doesn’t always feel like a problem. Because it’s not in a physical setting it may seem okay when, of course, it’s not.
By Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier – The Beis Medrash
“Moshe called the whole community of B’nei Yisroel to assemble, and he said to them: ‘These are the things that Hashem commanded [us] to make.’”
Why did the Torah have to use both terms, “the whole community,” and “of Bnei Yisroel”?
The Zohar, as explained by the Ohr Hachaim, explains that Moshe indeed addressed all Yidden, men and women, but he did so in two separate gatherings because of the grave spiritual and even physical dangers that can come from mingling. (He first addressed the men, the B’nei Yisroel, and later the women.)
The Rebbe [1] quotes this teaching and says that we must apply it today.
Consider this: The building of the Mishkan was by far the greatest cause possible; the gathering was led by Moshe Rabbeinu; and the Yidden were on a very high level, having just experienced the first Yom Kippur in history. And yet, Moshe took all necessary measures to avoid any potential mingling of men and women!
How much more so does this apply to us today. No matter how important, even vital, a cause may be—anything from raising funds for a holy cause to wishing mazal tov at a vort—we must follow the Torah’s guidelines for proper conduct.
True, challenges build character. But we are not supposed to look for challenges or place ourselves in circumstances that test us. Hashem sends us the tests that are meant for us. And we in fact ask Hashem every morning, ואל תביאנו…ולא לידי נסיון, Do not bring us into temptation!
Today, this challenge is every greater with the rise of the smartphone.
Men and women “mingling” on social media by commenting on each other’s posts or “private messaging” doesn’t always feel like a problem. Because it’s not in a physical setting it may seem okay when, of course, it’s not.
The Torah reminds us to take whatever precautions we can to prevent problems. Instead of having an unfiltered device and social media accounts and challenging myself to avoid inappropriate content, I should rather restrict my devices, thereby eliminating many tests to begin with.
Through making the right choices in these areas we have the opportunity to be Hashem’s miniature mishkan in this world.
[1] Shabbos Parshas Vayakhel 5719 (1959)
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And on most social media, we don’t always even know whether the person we want to reply to is a man or a woman!
So it sounds like unless we know for sure, we are advised to keep the reaction to oneself!
Yes thank you rabbi Lipsker this is so important
I think this should be publicized more