TVs in religious households

I know at least one religious family who has a tv and ones that don’t. My friends who do are the children of baal teshuva and chassidish.

Based on imamother threads, sometimes having children watch a religious children’s DVD is the most realistic way that some mothers juggle their duties in a busy household.

I think that DVDs that have religious music and teach Hebrew are great. Though I am just one person and still growing in observance.

It’s a good question. Honestly I think it depends on the family and the family’s needs. I am not sure if people are comfortable outing their tv watching, even if it’s just DVDs, IRL.

It depends on the community and the individuals. Almost everyone I know does not have a tv. Most people whom I know would not want their kids watching even “kosher” DVD’s. There are different levels of how problematic things are and everyone is on a different level in terms of what they do.

“Kosher” DVD’s are obviously not as bad as not-kosher ones, but there is something somewhat negative about any kind of DVD. Someone who wants to run a home that is completely Torahdik and where nothing exists but Torah will generally not want to have any kind of DVD’s in his home.

The way a Torah Jew thinks (or is supposed to think) when confronted with a decision, is not: Is there anything wrong with it? But rather, will this bring me closer to Hashem? Is this the best way that I can be utilizing my time? Will having this in my home make my home a Torahdik home?

Our home is supposed to be a “Mikdash” (Temple). One should strive not to bring anything into his home that he would not bring into the Mikdash.

Also, Torahdik Jews try to keep away any foreign influences from their families. Influences are subtle, especially when it comes to kids. The DVD may seem harmless, but foreign messages are creeping in.

But at the same time, one must be realistic and intellectually honest. You have to realistic about your level of religious sensitivity as well as your needs. As a newcomer to Judaism, you are somewhat similar to a baal teshuva (newly religious), and you might want to be careful about “b’aal teshuva syndrome” (taking on too much too fast) and you might want to be careful about not taking on something that is too hard for you and not forbidden.

On the other hand, in terms of kids, you might want to think about it like this: Do you really want your kids to spend their time glued to a machine? Wouldn’t you prefer that they be running around, reading, or playing with friends the way kids used to before tv was invented? Even in the secular world, many people realize that tv is not good for kids (or even for adults).

See:

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/television-a-cry-of-anguish-and-appeal-to-our-jewish-brethren

I wasn’t raised in a religious home, as you’d understand it. I just couldn’t give it up. For people never raised with it, that’s a different story. I would not encourage anyone to go out and get it, due to the schmutz.

I heard of a case where a rosh yeshiva was given a heter as his elderly shut-in father was living with him.

“Some do and some dont, You are going to have to decide at some point which community you want to be a part of . If you are going to be part of the More Chassidish or Yeshivish communities then you will have to give up the TV. If you are going to be part of the more modern communities, you will not have to give up the TV”

It’s also a question of what the right thing to do is, regardless of what those surrounding you do.

Also, some communities contain different types of people.