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Someone Is Watching

Written by Michael
Saturday, 21 April 2007
Question: I am a religious teenager living at home. I am afraid to ask my father to install a filtering service on our computer to prevent me from surfing pornography sites. Can you suggest other ways I can overcome the urge? Answer: First, your father might be more sympathetic than you think. Most parents are aware of the problem and just need a little push to take the few minutes to order a porn filtering censor . Of course, it is important to overcome the urge by increasing one's fear of G-d, who is constantly present, watching all of our deeds. This can be achieved through a dedicated regimen of Torah learning, mikvah, and the recital of tikunim. Also, try not to be alone with your computer connected to the internet. Here's another tip that a reader sent us that might be of assistance: " It's clear that one needs to be strongly disciplined to use a computer without succumbing to all the temptations just a finger touch away. A wise person will enlist the help of others to strengthen themselves. It's clear that one needs to be strongly disciplined to use a computer without succumbing to all the temptations just a finger touch away. A wise person will enlist the help of others to strengthen themselves. What better help could there be than from a great Torah sage? I suggest everyone should find a picture of a great rabbi who they find inspiring and paste it prominently on their computer. One can even do this to a laptop, like I have done. "We find a source for this tip in the Torah. Yosef was saved from sinning with Potiphar's wife by envisioning the image of his holy father, Yaacov. Perhaps our great sages could be said to be like spiritual fathers. I myself use the picture of Rav Avraham Yitzhak HaKohen Kook, which is on this website. I personally do not follow Rav Kook, however his face reminds me of his enormous Torah learning, and the warmth and gentleness in his face encourage me that I too can become great in Torah, while the fire in his eyes gives me a holy zeal to remember that G-d does not want me to fall into the grip of the yetzer hara. One can use a photo of any holy rabbi that inspires one to a greater awareness of G-d, and to the recognition that one is always being watched. If another person were in the room, you wouldn't watch porn - how much more when you remember that Hashem sees everything! What embarrassment we should feel! This tip has helped me to remember and hold myself back, and it could certainly help others too.
Last Updated ( Saturday, 21 April 2007 )