Someone called me unknowingly the other day- clearly an inadvertent pocket dial on their cell phone, but they'd be mortified if they knew what I heard!
As technology becomes more and more intrusive, our conversations, videos and private lives are becoming more accessible to complete and total strangers, violating the fourth amendment of the Constitution- the right to privacy.
The enchanted mirror of Harry Potter and the evil queen in Snow White are fast becoming reality as Google Glass suddenly allows us to record and download everything that meets the eye!
A friend of mine, Rabbi Dov Greenberg, took advantage of the fun side of this 'chutzpahdike' technology. As director of the Chabad of Stanford University, he discovered a sure fire way to attract droves of students to lay Tefillin at his stand on campus- the Google Glass Tefillin Stand- reading the Shma with the new gadget.
Whilst the fourth amendment might protect our right to privacy, The Torah tells us that G-d is aware of all our actions and words, even our thoughts! Why? Becasue He cares deeply about you specifically, more than anything else in the universe.
So if you're worried about a camera drone flying overhead, someone browsing your web history or tracing your steps through your phone, instead of fearing it, embrace the deeper message. Joyfully realise that G-d is watching you every second of the day, because nothing is more important to him than you!
Wishing you a Shabbat of self worth and purpose,
Rabbi Dovid and Chana Vigler
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