The Rebbe's Prophetic Warning About Smartphones

So, that I was describing like what does it mean to be free? Well, we know who's a Ben Horim? Person learns Torah. Called Ben Horim. Okay. So, one level, it sounds like 2026. One level Ben Horim is somebody he's learning and the phone rings. Yeah. You know? And he won't answer it cuz he's learning right now. That's one level. That's only the first level. The second level, higher level Moshiach'dika level is he's learning and the phone rings and the sound of the ringing is irrelevant. It he doesn't process it. He says, it's as meaningful to him as the sound of a fork falling on the floor. It's just noise. Like one level, I hear it. I know it's a phone ringing. I'm even maybe even thinking who's calling me, but no, I won't do it. That's one level of freedom. You know, you're not a connect to the phone. You don't have to answer it. Then there's I'm learning. What What's a phone? It doesn't It's not part of my reality right now. We talk about that today when we're all so hyper connected and the Rebbe speaking mouth when there was a payphone in the in the Right. There's a payphone down the hall. All right. Right. >> So, I mentioned the I think Benji mentioned that it took The Rebbe said they took out the payphone from 770. >> Oh, no. What did he say? >> I Benji Pearson mentioned that in the podcast that >> The what? >> it was him. And when they when The Rebbe said that sicha, that's when they removed the payphone from from the from the hallway. >> Uh-huh. >> But you're saying you're saying that whatever The Rebbe was saying then now it's like on steroids. >> Right. >> As actually last yesterday I was learning a k'vanning in taf shin mem beis and The Rebbe says very very like interesting. The Rebbe speaking about a father being m'chanech his child >> Mhm. >> and you're telling them one thing and then they see that you come home Shabbos afternoon and they undo your suit took and you're having tea and you're you're busy you're busy with the flies and the flies and the of the of the world. You for sure don't need to take take the mind of from the from the shelf and they have it Earlier you were speaking about a grandfather that's telling his grandchild how to behave, but then he sees how does he behave? He's sitting on the telephone talking not but sitting and talking on the telephone. >> Wow. >> And then when I was reading this I'm like oh my gosh. That was talking about >> Today. >> us the father that's supposed to be learning this >> Right. >> his kids meanwhile what is this what's the father doing? >> the phone. Wow. Yeah. Yeah. It you know what it reminds me of? It's like you know the famous about the about the desire about the industrial revolution. So that I would say there's certain things that until the technology existed it was very abstract for people like I know you have a instant show mass. So that would just be an example, right? >> Like the famous master with the >> Ah. >> two >> [clears throat] >> sitting his name is Ted. >> What's the story? >> They were learning there's a there's more >> [laughter] >> There's more >> water than land. >> than land. I was in South America and then I was in here. >> Right and every place all I see is land. It must be I'm wondering. >> They believe in it. >> Some things you have to take on a moment. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I'll tell you this is 2/3 of the world and look at the table I'll tell you this is we know that 2/3 of the world is water and says well I don't I don't understand. Every I've lived in different countries everywhere I go it's all land you never see water. Oh some things you have to take on a moment. Um Yeah. So certain things were very abstract and then as the technology existed it was like oh this is a real thing. And I think I'll dare I say in a similar vein certain things that I was speaking to them in the 50s and the 60s and of course that I was saying it's holy you take it seriously. But, I don't think they could imagine that that I'm even speaking about our time. You know, and you call it navua. Like, to me it's not a nevia. Like, like that Ashba said like whatever needs to have a ruach kodesh as ruach kodesh. It doesn't need like it's not to me like a checklist. But, is it navua to me? You know, chacham adif minavi. A general concept, right? And a a chacham is greater than a navi. Why? I mean, it's like it's a it's a it's a concept in chassidus. Um >> [clears throat] >> because a navi doesn't really understand what he's seeing. I mean, that's his that's his maila, too. He's a he's a conduit. He's just telling you he's reporting. He's a faithful reporter. But, he doesn't understand it. He doesn't need to understand it. Chacham understands it. So, that's why the chacham is greater than than the navi. So, in the Rebbe's Torah, it's like you start seeing how the reality that the Rebbe's speaking to doesn't become less relevant. Doesn't become Oh, it's dated, you know, that was for then. It's more prescient. It's more um ahead of its time even if it were a navua. I mean, the Rebbe said the Fiddler Rebbe was a navi. Shvacht him, right? The famous sicha about navi she badreinu. So, but that to me that's not I I don't get impressed with navua cuz I don't know I don't really relate to it. But, I don't know if I ever had a navua, but I know that I've understood a concept before. Maybe on a very low level. I mean, I'm not such a genius, but I've learned a concept. I've understood a concept. So, then, you know, that impresses me. That excites me. That you can have someone teaching a hochma that doesn't become less applicable as the time goes on, but it becomes more obviously applicable as the time goes on. That that's wild. And it's exciting. It's inspiring. Like, if you want a clear understanding of life, just learn the Rebbe's Torah. Just go learn what the Rebbe is saying about life. And you will have a better understanding of your life.