Showing posts with label Life in the Rabbinate: Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life in the Rabbinate: Technology. Show all posts

Thursday, February 24, 2011

The rabbi who wouldn't do email

I know a rabbi who doesn't "do" email - he has a secretary who will print it for him, and he will dictate a reply, but that's it.

I assume this means he is:
1) less reachable for people, and therefore he receives fewer shailos (questions) on matters halachic and philosophical;

2) less computer-bound, because of his fewer communications, and therefore he has more time to spend on personal interactions and on preparing shiurim;

3) less likely to write something foolish which he will later regret, since he is dictating the email to another human being, who might act as a filter;

4) less in-tune with congregants who live by their Blackberries;

5) aware of fewer current jokes and memes, since he is unaware of chain emails;

6) forced to read longer and more thought-out print articles on current events, instead of the shallower get-it-out-quick pieces that circulate via email;

7) less up on Torah resources which are only available on-line.

I'm sure there's more to say here, but I need to go answer email. (heh)

What do you think? Would you want your rabbi to use email, or not?