blogs/rabbi-huberman

The Chametz of Technology #449

There is an ad currently airing on national television, which depicts a number of subjects around a table recoiling in pain and horror.
 
Did these people suffer some severe physical injury? Did they experience some profound emotional loss?
 
In this ad, sponsored by General Motors, the cell phone of each subject is confiscated, apparently obliterated.
 
"How do you feel?" asks the group leader.
 
"My chest hurts," says one participant.
 
Over the centuries, the Torah has had a lot to say about afflictions. The prophet Ezekiel identified "sword, famine, wild beasts, and pestilence" as the top four in Jewish suffering.
 
But ask most people today, and it would not be sword, famine, wild beast, and pestilence, which would top their horror list. Rather, it would be the threat of losing smartphones or wireless providers.
 
Yes, technology is a blessing in our time. Within seconds, we can receive an answer to virtually any question. We can observe activities anywhere on earth. We have developed meaningful relationships with Siri.
 
But have we gone too far? Have we become enslaved?
 
These days, within contemporary culture, the word "religion" is turning into a pejorative. For many, it has come to symbolize tired institutions - rules and regulations.
 
The fastest-growing religious category for those forty years of age and younger continues to be those who identify themselves as "spiritual, not religious."
 
Yet we often forget that religion in its purest form is meant to spiritually connect us individually and communally with a higher power. To some extent, we have lost that focus.
 
Enter a group of young "secular" professionals who, six years ago, launched a groundbreaking initiative called Reboot. Its aim was -- minus synagogues or formal ritual -- to embrace the true values of the Sabbath by turning off technology for one day.
 
It encouraged family members to place their handheld devices into zippered bags, out of reach.
 
They also created the Shabbat Manifesto, which promotes ten core principles. Reboot founders emphasized that "Way back when, God said, 'On the seventh day thou shalt rest.'  ... We've adapted our ancestors' rituals by carving out one day per week to unwind, unplug, relax, reflect, get outdoors, and get with loved ones."
 
Founded in 2010, this movement is now embraced by tens of thousands.
 
Reboot's ten principles are: avoid technology, connect with loved ones, nurture your health, get outside, avoid commerce, light candles, drink wine, eat bread, find silence, give back.
 
Individuals, couples and families who have embraced the Sabbath Manifesto report they have become closer with family and friends. Their health has improved. They have become more focused and more spiritual.
 
And isn't that what religion is supposed to be?
 
In this week's Torah regular reading, Acharei Mot, we read about the origins of the Yom Kippur fast. We are told to afflict ourselves. But in truth, it is not famine, pestilence, sword or wild beasts threatening us in 2016, but our attachment to technology.
 
On average we check our phones six times per hour. Some of this may be necessary, but not all.
 
Tonight and tomorrow, as we gather around the Seder table, wouldn't it be interesting to park our cell phones and other devices at the door? Wouldn't it be amazing to insist that those at the table look across the table, rather than below it -- to look at one another rather than refreshing our screens?
 
This is my view is "high religion" and what I believe in part the founders of Judaism had in mind when they assembled our sacred rituals and traditions thousands of years ago.
 
It is time to create additional rituals. Indeed, Judaism is really about doing sacred things, at sacred times within sacred places. That includes giving ourselves permission to unplug.
 
Those who follow the Shabbat Manifesto report that they are able to accomplish more in six days than they were previously able to within seven days.
 
Technology has its place. But consider how much better our lives, our families and our friendships would be if we had the courage to turn off our devices for just one day a week.
 
A true day of rest. 
 
Tonight, we begin the eight day festival of Pesach. It is a time to recall our ancient slavery, and to commit ourselves to the liberation of those who are not free. 
 
But perhaps we need to begin with ourselves and ask the question: How are we enslaved? In spite of all the benefits technology has brought to our lives, it has also fractured relationships, distanced family and friends, and threatened to isolate us from one another.
 
This is the time of year to talk about removing chametz from our lives. In 2016, that includes eliminating bread from our homes, stubbornness from our souls, and perhaps techno-chametz from our lives.
 
For it is we who need to manage our technology, not vice versa.
 
Passover provides us with an ancient reminder to flatten our lives and achieve balance. Eating matzah reminds us to simplify our lives and get back to basics.
 
Can we envision a Seder, or a full day without technology?
 
If not, then we need to confront ourselves with the realization that our souls are becoming bloated by technological chametz.
 
We have the ability to change for the better. It's not that hard.
 
We just need to reboot.
 
Happy Pesach, Shabbat Shalom, v'kol tuv (with all goodness)
 
Rabbi Irwin Huberman