Old stories can provide new perspectives. The midrash of Nachshon ben Aminadav, the first Hebrew to step into the Sea of Reeds, provides a context for understanding the intersection between Torah and technology. This was the lesson taught by Rabbi Shawn Fields-Meyer, my community’s recent Shabbat Scholar-in-Residence.
You know the story. Pharoah’s minions are on the heels of their former Hebrew slaves, who are clamoring to escape the wrath of their once-and hopefully-not-future taskmasters. On the shores of the Sea they await salvation. Nachshon takes the initiative and is the first to step into the watery depths, filled with faith that freedom can only be achieved by overcoming preconceptions and fear, and by taking action. Rabbi Fields-Meyer used this midrash to teach that the Digital Sea, while daunting and intimidating, can be a conduit that leads to a more enlightened and even spiritual tomorrow. Rather than being afraid of 21st century technology, we need to embrace it’s possibilities, becoming modern Nachshonim, taking a virtual leap of faith.
And then Rabbi Fields-Meyer made it real, by sharing a “Technology Covenant” she developed along with 2 of her Milken Community High School colleagues: Rabbi Gordon Bernat-Kunin and Rabbi Sara Brandes. It is the framework within which students live and work with technology in (and hopefully out of) their learning environments. The document is important because it provides an example of how a community can create a Jewishly spiritual way of utilizing digital tech. Thanks to Rabbi Fields-Meyer for sharing it.
Technology Covenant
Milken Community High School
Rabbi Gordon Barnat Kunin
Rabbi Sara Brandes
Rabbi Shawn Fields-Meyer
As a member of the Milken Community, I commit myself to the following:
1) Community (מניין): I will use technology to strengthen my community, friendships and relationships, never to diminish them.
2) Integrity (אמת): I will not use my computer to lie, cheat or steal.
3) Pause and Refresh (שבת וינפש): I will use technology to build, create and innovate, but will also find times to unplug.
4) Privacy (רשות): I will protect and respect my own privacy and the privacy of others.
5) Responsible Speech (לשון): I will always be mindful of the power of my words and I will communicate respectfully, carefully and appropriately.
6) Presence (הנני): In all academic and social settings, I will be present, engaged and responsive and never use technology to remove myself from others.
7) Humanity (עולם): As a member of the global community, I will use technology to deepen my humanity and to help repair the world.
As we take our first tentative steps into the world of technology, let’s keep in mind what comes next: Learning how to live spiritually with these tools. This Technology Covenant points the way.
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