By Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort

CARLSBAD, Calif.—Askmoses.com has been in existence for just a few short years, but during
that time countless lives have been changed. The following story is true, I know, it happened to me, and illustrates the awesome power for good found within the internet. 

This story should be refreshing, for so many have heard horror stories about online experiences. But we all must be aware that any tool in our hand is neither good nor evil, in and of itself. Instead, a tool is only what we humans choose to do with it. Should we choose to use it to
build it then it is good. Should we use it to destroy it becomes evil. The bottom line is that it is all up to us!

A couple of years ago I was as busy as a bee during my normal Askmoses shift. During this time "Donna" came online and started asking some compelling questions. It seemed as though Donna had a strong urge to infuse her life, and that of her family, with more Judaism. She asked about the Jewish dietary laws (Kashrut), and our conversation touched on several other subjects as well.

As the chat progressed it became clear that Donna had a couple of young children and she was most concerned about their Jewish education. "How do we instill within our children Jewish values when the world around us seems so far from the Torah ethic?" she queried. "How can I send my children to a secular preschool when my husband and I are trying so hard to teach them a different set of morals?" she wondered.

Donna was clearly motivated to enhance the Judaism in her home. It was the dream of every agent of Askmoses. To deal with an intelligent and motivated user is the ultimate form of compensation imaginable. It was why every one of us became an agent to begin with. We all hope for the day when we can help someone who is searching. We look for the opportunity to expose the Jewish people to the beauty and enriching lifestyle found within the Torah.

I asked Donna where she lived so that I could direct her to the nearest Chabad Center and with her permission contact that Rabbi so that he would look out for Donna and her family. I was thrilled to learn that Donna lived in a city directly adjacent to my own. I was able to tell her all about the outstanding Jewish school where my own children attend, the Chabad Hebrew
Academy in the Scripps Ranch section of San Diego, and she seemed even happier when she learned I have a daughter the same age as her oldest daughter.

Without delay I gave Donna the school's contact information, and being it was summer, I urged her to arrange an immediate meeting with the school staff. Donna is a very conscientious mother and I felt confident that Donna would find both the curriculum and the friendly and caring staff to her liking. Indeed, I was not disappointed, and neither was Donna. In fact, Donna enrolled her daughter to begin the fall term.

Donna started attending classes and asking many wonderful questions. She proclaimed her desire to have Mezuzot installed on all of her doors and soon enough they were all covered.

After a year of school Donna and her family felt the need to live closer to the school and in a community where a Chabad synagogue would be walking distance. Being the practical woman that she is Donna also realized the moving into a new home afforded her the perfect opportunity to make her kitchen Kosher, a goal she had entertained for quite a while.

And now Donna and her beautiful family are well on their way! They do indeed have a lovely new home close to the school and the Chabad Center. They have Mezuzot on all of their doors. And best of all they have found themselves.

Their Jewish observance is on the rise as is the harmony within their family. Donna is not satisfied however.

She continues to vigorously pursue her own Jewish education. She is after all finding it more and more challenging to help her children with their homework from school as their level of Jewish knowledge soars. In addition, she feels very strongly that she should be knowledgeable about what they are learning in their Jewish studies program, and she herself has a constant
thirst for more Jewish wisdom.

Donna's story is poignant. And yet as time goes on there are more and more stories like Donna's. As Askmoses continues to provide a forum where people may reach Torah scholars six days a week and 24 hours per day, more and more Jews are finding their way back to Judaism. Never before in the long history of humankind has an individual had the opportunity to interact with a
scholar at his or her own convenience, from the comfort of home. Askmoses has opened many doors, many minds, and many hearts. And with the Almighty's continued blessings will do so for many years to come!

Rabbi Eilfort is the director of Chabad at La Costa.