Jewish Sexuality dot Com

Internet Surfing Filters  

A Short True Story 

Before we present some of the solutions for ways to filter out pornography from your computer's interet access, first a short anecdote:

When this writer once visited the home of a prominent world class Torah scholar in Jerusalem, we sat together in front of his home computer and searched for a legitimate internet site. His strict porn filter denied access.

The 59-year-old scholar called over his 16-year-old daughter to insert the password to the filtering program to enable him to list the site as legitimate. At my inquiry, the rabbi explained that he entrusts his wife and daughters with the password, but none of the males in the house, including himself, know it. End of story.

Rule #1 for Porn Filters

From this we learn Rule #1: The password to the internet porn filter should never be known by the men of the house, no matter how old they are, and no matter what their spiritual level is. Don't fool yourself - the filter is as much for you, as it is for your kids. When the Talmud explains why Judaism dictates distancing the sexes so severely, it says, "When it comes to sexual attraction, there is no guardian."

So just tell your wife, "Sweetheart, I don't want to be tempted with the password, so please keep it to you and the girls in the house. It's just the way G-d created men."

Note that many women also engage in viewing pornography. Many don't. If you suspect that the problem exists in your house, give the password to the maid, but don't ever entrust it to yourself.

Internet Rimon for Israelis

Below we provide a link to two sites with a list of filters in and outside of Israel. For Israeli homes and offices, we at JewishSexuality.com recommend the Internet Rimon Internet Service Provider (ISP).

On Internet Rimon, we recommend setting the filter no more liberal than the "shamur" level. We do recommend paying a few extra shekels per month to purchase the "My Neto (Neto Sheli)" option, which enables you, via the password, to whitelist sites (e.g. news sites) for your family's viewing that would otherwise be blocked.

The Filters and Brief Descriptions

Check out the list of filters on GuardurEyes.com

Also, check out porn filter review on TikunHabrit.com