Hebron Yeshiva's 'Kosher' Phones Found Unfiltered, Causing Chaos
A significant controversy erupted at the Hebron Yeshiva on the eve of Rosh Hashanah when "kosher" cell phones, distributed to students for mandatory use, were discovered to be completely unfiltered. These Android 11-based devices, which also include features not typically found on phones approved by the Rabbinical Committee for Communications, such as bus station apps, holy book apps, and music players, were found to allow students to install any application they wished.
Students discovered that by creating a new user profile on the device, they could access unfiltered content. This discovery came about when students attempting to download lectures from "Kol Halashon" were unable to transfer them via cable. The yeshiva then posted notices suggesting the creation of a new user profile in the device's settings to facilitate the transfer. However, it was revealed that this new user profile lacked any filtering or blocking mechanisms.
This situation has caused considerable confusion and disorder within the yeshiva, with no apparent immediate solution. Students anticipate that even software updates will be circumvented. The yeshiva administration has not yet issued a formal response, and students await a decision.
Reports suggest that all the devices may be collected from the students. The introduction of these dedicated phones was reportedly intended to prevent the use of "kosher Xiaomi" phones, which appear kosher but are actually fully unlocked smartphones. A year prior, these devices were distributed to younger students of Committee Aleph without upfront cost, but required two post-dated checks: one for 600 shekels if the phone was damaged, and another for 1,500 shekels if a student unlocked it.
Despite initial opposition from prominent rabbis and yeshiva leaders, the device was ultimately approved by the yeshiva's heads. The phones were distributed to all students at the beginning of the Elul term upon presentation of the required deposit checks. The current situation has led to widespread disruption at the yeshiva.
