From now on, Brisk bochurim may only use yeshivah-sponsored devices

Along with the precision and exactitude of the shiurim, the sanctity of the mesorah and the zealousness for mitzvos, Yeshivas Brisk is known for being a place that does not change. The current rosh yeshivah, Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveitchik, leads the yeshivah exactly as it was led by his father, Rav Berel ztz”l. But unlike other yeshivos, which are involved with the talmidim beyond the beis medrash, concerned with where they daven and what their apartments are like, in Brisk the bochurim are largely on their own outside of formal sedorim and shiur.

That’s why last week’s announcement was so unusual.

There is no mesorah for technology, and until now, the yeshivah had no policy regarding cell phones used by bochurim. Though all the devices are filtered, the Rosh Yeshivah decided that bochurim shouldn’t be relying on filtered smartphones. Instead, a yeshivah appointee came into the dining room and announced that from now on, bochurim may only use yeshivah-sponsored devices.

Because even if there is no mesorah for cell phone use, the mesorah of learning Torah in purity remains.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 858)