Mobile Phones usage in Shuls and Botey Medrash (Synagogues)

Subject: Mobile Phones usage in Shuls and Botey Medrash (Synagogues)

Background:
In Elul 5767, the Gedoley Yisroel signed a petition, requesting for more respect in Shuls by switching off mobile phones.  The letter circulated in local Shuls, as well as in London, UK and was also reprinted in Hebrew-language daily and weekly Charedi publications in Israel as well as the Jewish Tribune in London, UK.

The Problem:
When entering a Shul, which is a Mikdash Me'at (minor sanctuary, alluding to the Holy Temple, which unfortunately is not in existence, hence our use of its temporary replacement) - we have one goal in mind: to connect with our Father in heaven, to offer our supplications for sustenance, both physical and spiritual and other necessities like health, safety and similar requests. 

If we can compare this daily exercise to going to meet a king, a bank manager or a doctor, it would require us to draw some parallels in our behaviour during such meetings.  We would dress in our best suit, we would polish our shoes and we would leave all our distractions behind, before entering to meet our benefactor. 

Just imagine having an audience with the judge presiding over a court case that would determine whether we could be granted a reprieve for a driving offence.  During the deliberations the defendants mobile (cellular) 'phone goes off and instead of switching it off immediately, he proceeds to discuss the shopping list for dinner with his wife.  The outrage felt by the judge, the prosecutor and the defence council would not only be justified, but it is self evident that the defendant's chances for a lenient sentence would become extremely remote.

The reason for this is that he breached the protocol, he showed contempt to the court and he behaved like an irresponsible, uneducated and callous individual.

I have Hashem on the other line

The story is told of a man whose mobile went off when he was Davening.  He left the Shul and spoke one sentence into the handset, hang up and switched his handset off.  When confronted as to what he said to the caller, he responded: "I told him that he will have to forgive me as I have HaShem on the other line".

 

There was an attempt to compare the ban on mobiles in hospitals on the grounds of health hazards, however - according to newspaper reports - the British health authorities this claim is not valid.  Still, the jury is out whether this is really the case, as interference with medical equipment is a potential life-threatening hazard and no one should take chances when visiting their friends and family.

With regards to hotels, and some hospitals - the prevalent argument is that the management of these places are out to increase their revenue (hospitals and hotels do it to cover their ever growing deficits or to placate their shareholders...).
 

In the case of restaurants though, many restaurateurs will hang up a notice at the entrance to their establishment, requesting people put their mobile handsets on silent or that they switch them off completely.  The reason for this is simple: customers frequent a restaurant for its ambience and the quiet that they so need when dining out.

One should only compare the logical link between the restriction placed by governments on the use of mobiles whilst driving.  The fact that the driver cannot concentrate on the road and its environs when speaking on the phone shows that the problem is rooted in the inability of man to do two unrelated things at once.  Now how can one claim to have full concentration during the Amida when his - or his neighbour's - phone is ringing, singing or vibrating?!

After researching the claim about the efforts made by public places, it would appear that the pot is split equally between those allowing the use of mobiles on their premises - under the guise of free speech or citizens rights - and those who prohibit them for any of the respective reasons applicable to the individual institution.

According to Katie M. Lever and James E. Katz, authors of the report: Cell phones in campus libraries: An analysis of policy responses to an invasive mobile... to contemplative domains such as houses of worship and libraries (url: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VC8-4M21T70-2&_user=10&_coverDate=07%2F31%2F2007&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=5cba4494780c3e73ec40d1ce1f7bd6e5 ) there is a concern shared by management of public places, which is analysed in their research piece.

(A friend of mine asked a priest who confirmed that visitors wouldn't even think of bringing their mobile 'phones with them, let alone leaving them switched on!  This claim should be researched further to corroborate its veracity.)

"New York Drivers Will Get Points for Talking on Cell Phones

Beginning tomorrow (15/02/2011), New York drivers who are caught talking on their cell phones without a headset will gain two points on their driving records — which means higher insurance costs.  The New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced the change this week. Previously, no points were assigned for talking on a cell phone although two points are assigned for texting while driving violations. The new regulation will align the point penalty for both violations.  “Distracted driving is one of the most serious dangers on our roadways today,” said J. David Sampson, DMV executive deputy commissioner. “By strengthening the current law, our hope is that motorists will become even more aware of the potential consequences of their actions if they use a cell phone while driving.”  Ten years ago, New York became the first in the nation to adopt a state-wide ban on handheld cell phone use while driving in 2001. In 2009, a law eliminating the use of portable electronic devices for texting while driving took effect, a violation that currently has two points attached to it along with a $150 fine.  In New York, driver distraction is a contributing factor in at least one out of five crashes, officials say. Each year over 300,000 tickets are issued state-wide for cell phone violations. This E-mail is a friendly service of: Trumper Insurance - Jay Grossman"

The Solution:

To eradicate the use of mobiles in places of worship - including Kollelim, Cheder classes and Schools - a concerted effort is needed from the following persons:
Rabbis, Gaנbo'im, Heads of Educational establishments, Chosson and Kallah Teachers, lay leaders and each and every one of us.

One has to remember that whilst a mispallel does whatever he feels right in his own time, a Melamed, Teacher or Kollel man speaking on the phone, is flaunting the laws of stealing, working responsibly and earning non-Kosher wages by using 'company time' for unrelated activities.  This is besides the bad example and influence it leaves on the pupils or chavrusa.
 

"Please, Stop the Mobile" - that's the message that the Rabbonim are sending to Kelal Yisoel.

 

There are a number of initiatives that have been tested and some that are going through technical trials, to determine which solution would best serve the community in preventing the inadvertent use of mobiles during Tefilla. 

For more information, eMail: menashe.scharf@gmail.com