Op-Ed: But How Can I Listen to Them?
There is something that has always bothered me, both as a bochur and now as a Yungerman in Kollel.
Boruch Hashem, I try to follow the guidance of my Mashpiim and Rabbonim and, as a Frum Yid, I use only filtered devices.
On a side note, I have always been perplexed by how commonplace Spotify has become among Frum Yidden bichlal, and us Lubavitcher Chassidim bifrat. People openly talk about having Spotify and play it in public. Even more concerning is when parents, teachers, counselors, Shluchim in Yeshivos, and head counselors use it around Talmidim and children. Yet Spotify is (in the meantime) completely unfiltered, with access to virtually anything.
But that brings me to my real point:
One of the tremendous Berachos we have today is accessibility. There are so many incredible podcasts and interviews being produced today by some of the best people around the world: Chassidim sharing their zichronos, interviews with Mashpiim, Shluchim, Mechanchim, professionals, people sharing their fascinating stories and experiences, discussions about dating, Sholom Bayis, chinuch, and really so much more.
I have always wanted to listen to them. I really feel like there is so much I can learn from them. And at times I really felt like I needed them.
So much time, effort, and money goes into producing this content, and much of it is genuinely valuable. It is a tremendous tool for someone who wants to learn and grow.
But I keep coming back to one simple question:
How can I listen to them?
If I want to maintain the standards I have accepted, and I don’t want an unfiltered device, unrestricted internet access, YouTube, or Spotify, what is the solution?
It seems to me that there is a real need here. We have invested so much time, effort, and resources into creating valuable content, but many Frum Yidden who would genuinely benefit from it have no appropriate way to access it without compromising the standards they are trying to maintain. Now we need to find a way to make sure that the people who need this content have a way to access it.
Maybe it’s time we start thinking about that.
Because the question isn’t whether this valuable content exists.
The question is:
How can I listen to it?
S
There are apps like 24/6 and zing that are fully kosher that have all the podcasts
Mendel G
First of all apps like 246 and Zing also have podcasts on them. Second of all there are many other podcast apps available on both Android and Apple that you can subscribe to the podcasts that are on Spotify.
Have you heard of?
24Six. It has many many Shiurim from Chassidus to Kosher Podcasts.
Good concern, simple solution.
Indeed, you might be right, there’s almost no real need for having Spotify with the now new Kosher Streaming services.
Good point, but.
I understand there are other kosher apps, but the old cost money, and I don’t think they have everything that Spotify does.
HUH?
Ok, to this concerned Lubavitcher, I feel sorry for him, he seems to me at least, to be so sheltered from the outside world, or maybe just focusing so much on Spotify being negative, like hasn’t he at least heard something about what zing, or 24six, is? I mean, when 24six came out, it wasn’t that widespread, but not, virtually everyone has it
Yossi
Chassidus on the telephone. 718-735-7333
Anonymous
Podcast producers: please host on RSS!
some podcasts are available in RSS, which allows them to be loaded freely on whatever app you have (also helps for apps like VLC which isn’t directly a podcast app, with no option to browse other podcasts, it’s simply a media player).
When chabad posdcasts are not available on RSS, only on spotify etc. it puzzles me…
anonymous
Is there a side by side comparison of such kosher apps, e.g. 24six, zing, naki radio and the like?
(Could also include the many shiurim (not necessarily music) apps/sites.)