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Written by Michael
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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.
"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.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 21 April 2007 )
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