An urgent and extraordinary gathering of Gedolei Yisroel was convened on Sunday at the initiative of the Rosh Yeshiva of South Fallsburg, Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, to confront what was described as a growing and existential spiritual danger posed by the unchecked use of open artificial intelligence technologies.
The meeting took place at the Ateres Chana/Bais Faiga Hall in Lakewood and brought together senior roshei yeshiva, Admorim, dayanim, and rabbonim representing Litvish, Chassidish, and Sephardic kehillos. Over the course of several hours, the Gedolim engaged in in-depth discussion regarding the spiritual, emotional, and communal risks associated with AI, with particular concern focused on AI chat services that are accessible even through standard home and cell phones.
Participants warned that these platforms can lead to dependency and addiction, foster artificial and emotionally deceptive “relationships,” and undermine authentic human connection. The Gedolim further emphasized that such technologies create serious openings for grave Torah transgressions and pose a major threat to the most vulnerable segments of Klal Yisroel—especially children, bochurim, and Bais Yaakov girls—who may lack the maturity or safeguards to navigate these dangers.
Following extensive deliberation, the gathering reached a series of concrete resolutions. It was agreed to designate a communal yom tefillah and taanis. Those able to do so while maintaining their daily responsibilities are encouraged to observe a full fast day, while others are to observe a half-day fast. Krias HaTorah of Vayechal will be read at Mincha. On this designated day, roshei yeshivos, roshei kehillos, chadarim, and Bais Yaakov mosdos are instructed to directly address the dangers of open AI and to actively establish firm boundaries to eliminate its use—particularly through calling or texting AI services. This will include the introduction and promotion of phones and phone lines that block access to AI platforms.
The Gedolim expressed the hope that, with siyata d’Shmaya, these coordinated steps will establish a clear and unified communal standard that such use of open AI is unacceptable within the homes, yeshivos, and schools of our kehillos.
Among those in attendance were Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe of South Fallsburg; Rav Elya Kanarek, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Ohr Hameir of Peekskill; Rav Yitzchok Sorotzkin, Rosh Yeshiva of Telz Yeshiva and the Mesivta of Lakewood; Rav Shlomo Feivel Schustal, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Tiferes Yerachmiel; Rav Yaakov Horowitz, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Bais Meir; and Rav Yosef Mermelstein, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Novominsk.
Also present were the roshei yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah in Lakewood—Rav Malkiel Kotler, Rav Yeruchem Olshin, Rav Dovid Schustal, and Rav Yisroel Neuman—as well as Rav Avrohom Bromberg, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Shaar HaTalmud; Rav Yisroel Ehrlich, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Mishkan HaTorah; Rav Shmuel Abba Olshin, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah of Hillside; Rav Simcha Bunim Paler, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Mekor Chaim; Rav Dovid Breslauer, Rosh Kollel of Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe of South Fallsburg; Rav Eliyahu Yagid, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Keren HaTorah; Rav Yitzchok Lichtenstein, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas; Rav Uri Meir Kanarek, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Noam HaTalmud; Rav Yaakov Dovid Wasserman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah of Monmouth County; Rav Moshe Pruzansky, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Chemdas HaTorah; and Rav Moshe Mayerfeld of Monsey.
Chassidic leadership in attendance included the Skulener Rebbe, the Novominsker Rebbe, and the Rachmistrivker Rebbe, alongside prominent rabbonim and dayanim such as Rav Mechel Steinmetz, senior posek and dayan of Boro Park; Rav Unger, son of the Bobover Rebbe (Bobov-45); Rav Shlaff of Bobov; Rav Stroile, dayan of Vien; and Rav Unger, dayan of Skver, among other distinguished rabbonim.
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24 Responses
“brought together senior roshei yeshiva, Admorim, dayanim, and rabbonim representing Litvish, Chassidish, and Sephardic kehillos”
You couldn’t post who the sfardi roshei yeshivos were?
thus contributing to the worldwide shortage of black hats… how many haskamot does it take to stop the tides? because ai will soon be as central in our lives as the telephone or the automobile, so we might as well figure out what they’re good for.
Agreed. AI Is a huge threat and danger..
That said, its crucial in running a business today.
WILL THE ROSHEI YESHIVA NOT TAKE ANY DONATIONS FROM MONEY MADE USING AI?
I doubt it.
………… and it just so happens to be that the American psychological association released the exact same guidelines 6 days ago ……
article title:
Emerging trends:
AI chatbots and digital companions are reshaping emotional connection
dated: January 1, 2026
How many minutes will it take for the “Modern Orthodox” to mock Gedolei Yisroel shlita for taking these precautions on behalf of Klal Yisroel?
KUDOS TO YWN FINALLY PICKING UP THE STORY AFTER ALL THE OTHER NEWS OUTLETS COVERED IT. YOU NEED TO START GETTING ON THE BANDWAGON IN FOLLOWING THE HASHKAFA AND HADRACHA OF MARAN RABBAN SHEL YISROEL REB ELYA BER SHLITA. HE IS BECOMING THE MANHIG HADOR AND THE FINAL DECISION MAKER IN CHAREIDI JEWRY IN THE DIASPORA. YOU BETTER START SCREWING YOUR HEAD ON STRAIGHT
Overall, human intelligence is a bust. Might as well try something different.
AI is just a tool, a powerful one at that. It can be used for good or bad. It’s no different than a phone. You can speak properly on a phone, or use it to speak loshon hora etc.
Online I was looking through my emails. I found something called, “Torah Blast”. I am not certain of its verification but I am aware that they sent me a “Nefesh b’Nefesh”announcement today. I am spamming their emails so this does not happen again.
Please be aware that AI and it’s supporters are demonic. I do not support, nor will I ever support such activities.
signed,
Rebbetzin Yehudit Chana Mark
Is there a danger similar to the danger of unchecked internet access??
I don’t think so. Because I intentionally checked and AI seems to block anything of an “adult” nature and anything even close to it but maybe I’m just not “good enough” at finding/searching, like teens are.
But the gedolim seem to be primarily referring to dangers relating to simply getting addicted to its use as well as the danger of AI affecting relationships and how teenagers use it. As others note; this is something recognized by experts in the non Jewish and non religious world at large too.
So, in essence, is this primarily a danger to teenagers? If that is the case; maybe it should only be banned in homes and on phones, but not in business offices where the use of AI is becoming more and more prevalent by the day. I don’t know, just thinking out loud. Even with the internet, there were some gedolim (VERY few indeed i.e the Stoliner Rebbe) who took a different approach arguing that it was not feasible to simply ignore reality and completely ban the use of internet. Either way; we need to follow our gedolim who are the עיני העדה.
I understand that the Roshei Yeshiva will not be coming to me for advice, but as a poshuta layman, I find this very confusing. Can anyone explain the additional dangers that AI posses over general internet? Did anyone present the positive uses of AI? Has any consideration been given to how to present this in order that it be most accepted by the Jewish community?
As usual the same people will laugh, and as usual they will end up being right on the money as usual. People think they only know parsha and bava kama but the widespread knowledge of a talmid chacham covers every subject known to man
“………… and it just so happens to be that the American psychological association released the exact same guidelines 6 days ago ……”
They released guidelines that all access should be blocked and the use of AI (for anything) be banned and eliminated?
Perhaps you meant that the APA alerted the public to one of the dangers.
it is crazy how ppl are not embarrassed to critique tzaddikkim talmidei chachomim
who are totally musur to the tzibbur and who it pains them tzaaros haklal and have ke’maat no selfish interests, as their days are dedicated to the klal and harbotzas Torah and shteiging and a keyboard warrior is speaking loshan medaberes gedolos about them
it is pilei plaoyim. as if these rabbis are walking hypocrites. lo ye’uman ki ye’super
we need a kol koreh banning these devices.
ujm, when Gedolai Yisroel fully understand the issues that they are addressing, mockery will naturally stop. AI is in its infancy, using it indiscriminately is unwise. It is like saying we should not teach 2-year-olds gemara
I am sorry to say this, but as much as I will always respect rabbonim, this issue of making a whole yom tefillah and taanis is wholeheartedly ridiculous and I will not agree with this, because as much as we want to say that AI is a bad thing, which can be true if it’s not left unchecked, but it does have plenty good things that AI does do, but one must do this carefully and not leave to be the only source that one gets their full information or help. Besides, when will the rabbonim make an asifa or make a yom tefillah or taanis for those who come late to shul for shachris on a daily basis, leave shul early, talking in shul or racing thorugh davening unchecked? This is the big challenge today for our generation that must and should be addressed before any talk about internet and AI. Because people need to follow mishnah berurah and shilchun aruch and its not being done. Where are the rabbonim in that matter? Let’s fix this first before anything else.
Dr.goyy publicly berating gedolei yisrael in his usual tactics while still thinking of himself as a good Jew. Even to insinuate in any way that they’re not aware of what’s going on or that they’re in the dark or being misled like there’s some stupid shadow figures in the Mist is Kefira gemura
“AI is in its infancy, using it indiscriminately is unwise. It is like saying we should not teach 2-year-olds gemara“
Dryidd,
You have people saying “since the gedolim didn’t forbid it, it must be permitted” so they’re nipping that in the bud and if pirkei avos didn’t say “בן חמשה למקרא” people would be teaching their kids before then
Maybe they should have an asifa for every IOS update too.
I don’t want to ch”v teach the temimusdike people in the comments section things that they don’t know about the dangers of AI but unfortunately there are very accessible dangers on various AI platforms that can literally ruin lives so maybe we shouldn’t be so quick to disparage our leaders who just want to preserve holy neshamos
What exactly do they want us to do? AI is a technology that is available and will be integrated into everything we will use. Training and understanding what to watch out for would make more sense. Plenty of people are buying guns and what exactly are they thinking? That we are now a gun toting community that shows off how cool we are with literally thousands on dollars worth of guns. As a parent I need to know what to look out for in AI – not a day of fasting.
What is Yom tefillah for? To give “gedolim” another photo op?
Wow, it’s really sad how low people have fallen that they speak so cynically and in such a derogatory manner about our gedolim. I think people though seem frustrated at what they see to be a very unrealistic demand given the world we live in. I don’t see how this can ever excuse their manner of talk though. Shame.