(Hakhel) Many Rabbanim felt that because the Har Nof Massacre occurred within the Kedusha of a Beis Haknesses, the lesson should be taken to heart–that every Beis Haknesses should institute a tikun relating to its Kedusha. Because our generation in the last few years in particular has been plagued by the appearance and use of cell phones, iPhones and smartphones within the Beis Haknesses, we provide three alternatives to this affront, which have been actually implemented in Shuls:
- Rabbi Eliezer Ginsburg, Shlita (Agudath Israel Snif Zichron Shmuel) provides lockers and keys, for the phones to be placed before entering shul. We understand that the phones can even be charged while in the locker! Rabbi Ginsburg has up to 180 lockers for other Shuls, available free of charge. If this alternative could be used by your Shul, please call him immediately at 718-645-4698 (please leave a message).
- “Please respect the Kavod HaMakom by turning off your ringer and do NOT talk on a cell phone after you enter. Thank you.” This is what the sign reads in Rabbi Yosef Eisen’s shul (K’hal Kollel Bnai Torah).
- “In order to maintain the Kedushas Hamakom and reverence for Tefillah, our Shul’s policy to be strictly enforced by our Gaboim is that no cell phones, iPhones or smartphones of any kind may be taken out in the Beis Haknesses before, during or after times of Tefillah–whether one is actually davening or not. If you have an important call, text or email of any kind to make or to read, you must step out into the hallway. In this zechus, may all of our tefillos in this Makom Kadosh reach the Kisei Hakavod B’rachamim.” This is the policy instituted in Rabbi Moshe Tuvia Lieff’s shul (Agudath Israel Bais Binyomin).
Eric says
Suggestion #1 could chas v’shalom result in a delay in contacting rescue forces. According to an interview on Kol baRama radio, there is a cell-signal-blocking device in Kehillas Bnei Torah in Har Nof and those inside had to scramble to get outside in order to alert emergency services.
Disagree says
The war on cell phones has been getting out of hand. Agreed that we do not want to hear ringing cell phones. But, to make everyone put their’s away? I have a siddur on mine. I keep track of which tehillam to say today on mine. Just like most things in this world, there are pros and cons. I didn’t read about programs to quiet talkers. More shuls have a “talking during teffilah” problem than a “cell phones ringing” problem. Let’s first work on the larger problems like “shul talkers” before we worry about the smaller problems. Just having a cell phone is not a crime!
Aharon says
Another idea is to get members of the shul to take a “no cell phone pledge” and encourage others to do the same. Such a pledge (as well as cites, shiurim, and a FAQ regarding cell phone use in shuls) can be found on the website: http://www.KvodShomayim.org.
thought From the Other Side of the Mechitza says
Just a thought-
Years ago I was asked to do a machsom Lfi and told that if one forgets during their time they should give Tzedakkah – no amount was set, but the specification was to give: “Enough that you will feel bad that you had to give” to help keep you more mindful of the halacha.
Could a shul make a similar takkanah in the event of either talking or a cell ring?
Perhaps funds should therefore be designated for an outside tzedakah so the shul doesn’t benefit from the very problem it seeks to eradicate.
Could davening be preceded by a request/reminder to turn off all phones to help avoid the knas?