What've You Got Against TV?

It’s at the point you really dont need cable. My parents had selective channels the basics growing up. Just to see the news or to know what goes on in the world. Most the stuff streams online nowadays so you dont really need cable just good internet and you can work from home. Internet is also needed for homework other than that we really dont need cable or television. It’s just a bunch of reality television nonsense. There is some educational stuff out there of course. With internet you can watch really good educational podcasts. I mean without internet I wouldn’t be here.. Reply

Too true, Rabbi Moss. When a husband watches tv to the exclusion of Shabbat and his wife, there are two important relationships missing from him: The Holy One, Blessed is He, and the husband’s wife. Reply

Television is a system of broadcasting programs mainly for entertainment, information, and education. Some of the entertainment includes programs that contain various stages of nudity that are offensive. Profanity that is undesirable. I think television suffers from general lack of good taste. Reply

Why must we focus on what we cannot do, instead of focusing on what we can do?

Personally, being a better JEw doesn't involve everything you focus on not doing, but instead on what good you bring into the world. Ex; how much you donate, how much volunteer work you do, and when was the last time you've helped that old lady out your window cross the street?

Personally, being a good Jew (or being a good person in general) doesn't involve pointing fingers at someone else because they watch TV on Shabbat or go see the latest superhero bluckbuster in theaters. Maybe they spend even more time reading Torah, spending time with their families, or saying at least one good thing to every person they had a conversation with that day.

Television, internet, and other home entertainment systems did not exist in ancient times so it was easier to live a daily life without them when the Torah was received and Talmud was interpreted, etc. However, they are here now. It is hard to ignore everything. Reply

Wrong. Sorry, but implying the religious jews have something against TV is almost implying that Jews in order to be categorized as "religiose" need to shun Television or any other form of pop culture or secular entertainment because it in some way contradicts being Jewish itself. While too much screen time isn't good for anyone it's not an all or nothing proposition. One can consider him/herself an observant Jew if they watch TV see movies or anything else.

What makes you a real practicing Jew is doing mitzvos -shabbos and Kashrus at the basic level and someone who asks the big spiritual questions and relates it to the Torah. Nowhere is interacting with secular things or what form of entertainment to indulge in forbidden. I would say as a rule Chabad Jews and yeshivah world Jews don't. For some people having a TV or not became a status symbol to demonstrate one's spiritual level - to validate their 'level' of observance. People think watching TV might trigger a 'relapse' or will 'ruin' you. Reply

To Anonymous Yes they may own a radio. Some are selective as to which programs they listen to. Reply

Are religious Jews permitted to listen to the radio and own a radio? Reply

Some might argue that when one goes to a theatre to see a film it's not much better than TV. But when you see a film you're actually getting out of the house. Reply

I think It would Be very interesting if 90% of the channels teach the Torah and the way Jews live their lives. By this I think the TV addicts Will be close to G-d.

Tovy Reply

This is so relevant for today and so correct. Thank you. I would like to distribute this to every elementary through high school student and parent in every public school in this country. Reply

TV never regret throwing it out!!! there is also emissions of waves regardless of what is considered the norm or okay to have from many devices TV's have gotten very very large. They turn the living room focus from a family engagement into an entertainment studio where you are now mostly an observer and opinionated much conformed to those ideals you watch. Which went from Archie and Edith Bunker in separate rooms to now Jersey Shore ( catastrophe) it is responsible for a lot of desensitizing not just of youth or violence. It rushes through family tribulations and solves in 30 mins. Making people actually intolerant in our microwaved 3 min world many want to wait for nothing. Those emissions probably have an addictive quality about them in itself. Reply

Television and the internet Television has been and is used in the USA as a mechanism of "socialization" in which government plays a big part in determining the kinds of programming and movies which suit their ideas of social control. The internet can also function in much the same way, and even more dangerous, is a portal through which ANY subject whatsoever can enter your mind and influence a person for good or evil, or a mixture. Many people, especially the young, are addicted to TV or their laptop and/or cell phone which substitutes for a REAL life in the REAL world, All these technological advances have a place, can be useful tools, but are very unhealthy when used indiscriminately. Reply

No more news There is no news any more on television only advertizement opinion programing. Reply

TV vs real life This summer I started keeping th tv off and sitting out of my porch more. When I first moved in here 12 years or so ago the main selling point at the time was it opens right out onto the pool area. Beautifully kept lawns, lottsa trees and gardens, very much a resort in appearence. I didn't say to the landlady showing me the apartment, "I love the walls and carpet." The apartment itself is not that great, but it's the view that made my decision. When I actually sit outside and enjoy it I not only feel better, but I feel much closer to Hashem. I've likened it to not having the electronic distractions and being able to feel real ground beneath my feet, hear the wind through the leaves, feed the birds and other critters we have here. And yes, talk with the odd passing neighbor (gasp! You TALK to neighbors?) :) If our faith is to enhance us, it should enhance those around us. I still watch tv a lot, but it isn't my main source for entertainment any more. When winter comes, well, we'll see. :) Reply

There is a big problem in America, in that Our people are more obese than ever in history, and the children are more obese and less active. Could it be that sitting for hours on end (and usually eating while you watch TV) with eyes glued and brains turned off is one of the contributing factors? Yes, I do have a TV at home, but now, it is gathering dust. I realized I am killing myself by not walking, moving, and exercising. So, how can I fault someone for wanting people to experience real life instead of a fantasy one? One sort of good thing about having a TV on is that you can hear right away if there is a nuclear or other disaster coming your way, as they do cut into normal programming to announce emergency information. Reply

educational is best on demand For those that want to say tv is something to do together or that tv is fun to watch a game with friends, I say- you are not really interacting with each other. Not really. Try an interaction without it and see what I mean. To those who say how educational it is, I say you need to watch educational programming on demand, not because it is scheduled and it might have something you've never seen. This means, watch something specific online or rented because you want to learn about that subject. But really,don't you have ANYTHING better to do? Reply

I have to kind of chuckle. I didn't think that this article meant anything to me, because I am not a Chassidic Jew and don't follow Halacha laws. However, it must have made a deep deep impression, because I have begun to not want to watch the programs. This one is boring, that one is a waste of time, the writing is bad on another, the grammar is atrocious, too many commercials, etc, etc. I just keep thinking, "Ugh" and have other things to do. So, I called my cable company and said, "Look, I never hardly watch TV and I'm a senior. Either you lower my bill considerably each month or I am stopping service with you." They did considerably lower the bill. Hahaha. So, thank you. You helped me in ways you couldn't imagine! If there is ever a show I want to watch, I just look it up on the internet and if it is free, I watch it. Now, I mostly like to listen to music and do dance/exercises at home alone to exercise tapes. Reply

I absolutely see the clarity in TZVI'S CHASSIDIC p I totally agree with Tzvi about television for not only the reasons that Tzvi shares with us on this topic, but the fact that much that is found on television is sexualized, violent and disturbing imagery and words/songs not only for children, but adults too. It's nearly everything that tends to drag the nefesh and mind away from HaShem and down into gross sensuality or worse.

Even when you can get cable, most of it is worthless, at least in my opinion. There are many many Jewish and other elevating DVD's, even movies, etc that one can watch on television when one wishes to have some occasional time with the TV, by using a DVD player, rather than immersing one's (and one's children's minds) in mostly pre-programmed junk. True, some secular movies and programs can be interesting for both kids and adults but one has to be discerning. Reply

Television isn't the be all end all I understand why people don't watch television. It's not the be all end all. TV is not all bad. Why you can't set aside one hour a day for you or your kids to watch television. And you can also set parental locks. Or explain to your kids, why they shouldn't watch certain things. Whatever works. There are so many educational shows on television, you just have to find them. Reply

Television I had ended my television addicition long before I sought a Jewish way of life. I didn't even know why. It went against my feeling of well being. I think that deep inside of us we have the knowledge of what is truly valuable in life.
This article touched me, and articulated what I could not quite put my finger on. Reply