The Gerrer kehillah has announced sweeping new measures aimed at curbing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within its community, joining other groups in Israel and abroad that have spoken out against the rapidly expanding technology. Under the banner “Shabbos Taharenu,” this coming Shabbos, Parshas Terumah, will be dedicated to raising awareness about the perceived spiritual and social dangers of AI. Drashos and public messages in Gerer shuls are expected to focus on confronting what leaders describe as the harmful influence of emerging technologies.

According to information obtained by Matzav.com, the Gerer community is launching a broad educational and regulatory initiative. Central to the effort is a letter from the kehillah’s Committee on Technology Affairs, outlining new rules that sharply limit interaction with AI systems.

The committee’s rabbonim, who say they have studied the issue extensively, formulated guidelines distinguishing between essential professional use and what they call “free dialogue” with AI systems. The latter—defined as conversational engagement with AI in a way that resembles speaking with another person—is described in the letter as a serious spiritual and social threat.

In the letter, dated for Shabbos Taharenu, Parshas Terumah 5786, the committee characterizes modern technological innovation as a powerful contemporary challenge. It states that members of the community have generally complied with previous rabbinic regulations, limiting technology use and relying only on filtered systems when necessary for livelihood.

However, the letter warns that the inclination toward misuse of technology constantly renews itself, citing the rabbinic teaching that “a person’s evil inclination renews itself daily.” The committee describes artificial intelligence as a “new structure” that has entered many professions within just a few years, producing content quickly and efficiently—even for individuals without prior expertise.

At the same time, the letter refers to AI as a “bad companion” or “golem,” warning that users can converse or correspond with it on virtually any subject. It claims that many around the world have adopted AI as a readily available and convenient companion, leading to what it calls shallow and addictive interactions. Beyond that, the letter cautions against exposure to harmful information that could be accessed through such systems.

The committee warns that the perceived danger extends to smartphones—including, it notes, even devices with religious certification—as well as to computers, including those with content filters.

As a result, the new regulations completely prohibit what is termed “Artificial Intelligence – without control,” defined as open-ended question-and-answer interaction that simulates conversation with a human being, whether through speech or writing. Limited use for professional purposes may be permitted when conducted “with control,” meaning the creation of specific outputs—such as images or other products—without any ongoing dialogue component.

The letter further states that the committee has developed methods enabling certain professional uses of AI while technically preventing free conversational interaction. The goal, it explains, is to allow necessary work-related functions without enabling open dialogue that could lead to deeper engagement or dependency.

The authors conclude by emphasizing the broader need to distance oneself from new technological developments in general, and from artificial intelligence in particular. They express hope for divine assistance in navigating what they describe as the challenges of the current era and in avoiding spiritual harm.

An attached appendix, signed by leading Gerer rabbonim, reportedly details the practical guidelines and new safeguards intended to protect households from the influence of advancing technology.

{Matzav.com}