Leaders of Agudath Israel of America were recently contacted by a number of Roshei Yeshiva, Mechanchim and Rabbanim from across America who expressed concerns about the “Siyum App” introduced by the Agudah in conjunction with the upcoming 13th Global Siyum HaShas of Daf Yomi.The original intent behind the Siyum App was להגדיל תורה ולהאדירה: to encourage and facilitate Torah learning among the broad hamon am by making Daf Yomi shiurim and other forms of limud haTorah easily accessible to the masses. The Siyum App was never intended to encourage those who do not have “smartphones” to start using them; it was meant for those who already do use smartphones, and who now would have an opportunity to use the App to start or increase their own kvias itim la’
Torah. In this respect, the Siyum App was designed with similar goals as were the several other special learning initiatives developed in advance of the upcoming Siyum HaShas – for example, Chavrei HaSiyum and Masmidei HaSiyum, which have already resulted in a major increase in limud haTorah among young and old alike, and which will be’H continue to do so in the months leading up to the Siyum and beyond.
Despite these good intentions, as news of Agudas Yisroel’s sponsorship of the Siyum App spread, we received communications from a number of respected Roshei Yeshiva, Mechanchim and Rabbanim that the Siyum App was undermining the message they were trying to convey to their talmidim and baalebatim discouraging smartphone usage whenever possible. They pointed out that Agudas Yisroel’s sponsorship of an app, even one designed to promote limud haTorah, conveys the misimpression that the Agudah and the Gedolei Torah who stand at its helm view smartphone usage as a “l’chatchila” for all segments of the Torah community. This, they argued, was inconsistent with – and harmful to – their efforts to discourage such usage within their kehilos and yeshivos.
We brought these concerns to the attention of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America. The chavrei ha’Moetzes agreed that the concerns were well taken. They acknowledged that many people may need to use smartphones for business or other necessary purposes, presumably with appropriate filters, and that there already exist several apps that promote limud haTorah. Nonetheless, they felt, an organization like Agudas Yisroel – whose hallmark has always been uncompromising fealty to da’as Torah and the highest Torah standards – must avoid taking any steps that could be misinterpreted as encouraging those who do not need smartphones to start using them.
Accordingly, at the direction of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, Agudas Yisroel has withdrawn the Siyum App. We apologize for any inconvenience or misunderstanding.
Looking forward to joining with you this coming ד’ טבת, January 1st, dancing together at the Siyum Hashas לכבוד התורה ולומדיה ולקדש שם שמים!
Um,
ReplyDeleteHow about consulting with the Moetzes BEFORE doing things, not after.
how about calling out rabbi yaakov Horowitz on his remarks about toeiva
ReplyDeleteAgudah has quietly disassociated themselves from Yakov Horowitz. Project Y.E.S is an independent project, and Yakov Horowitz barely ever gets invited to speak anywhere. He is irrelevant.
DeleteThats exactly what he wants , to be called out. He wants attention. Best to ignore him.
DeleteThere is a fundamental question here. What is the decision making process at the Agudah? How was such a major decision not initially discussed with the Moetzes to begin with. I hope the Aguda has the understanding that by default they also may be representing Bnay Torah not only Balay Batim. If Aguda wants to represent the Bnay Torah they have to bring them on to their staff and give them representation.
ReplyDeleteHorowitz is oisgeshpilt his only act is hanging around the modern orthodox. The mainstream Torah community sees right through him.
ReplyDeleteHe may be irrelevant as a Agudist to the Aguda crowd But he is very respected in the Religous Zionist/ Modern Orthodox crowd.
ReplyDeleteWearing a up hat and a long jacket with shtreimel and a bekishe on Shabbos Horowitz potrays himself as the spokesmen for the Charedi/Black Hat/Yeshivish comunity.
Actually we will never know If Yannky Horowitz is the spokesman or the spokeswomman....
In his recent comments he claims that there are thousands of orthodox LGBT individual who deserve our recognition.
Everything he says is made up. He is trying to make big statements in order to get attention. Everything he does is for attention, the man craves it.
DeleteHe is not respected by the MO crowd. He is like meshumadim who think goyim love them. The MO crows sees him as Orthodox and the Orthodox look at him as OTD. He's left witth nothing
Deletelook at the comments to his Facebook posts how they all cheer for him abd see who his followers are.
DeleteHow many people had downloaded the app before it was axed?
ReplyDeleteWhat took so long for these complaints to trickle through?
Why is everyone anonymous? Why can't they tell us who complained, who asked and who answered?