Q. Kevod Harav. A group of great Lomdei Torah, experts in modern Halacha questions and some skillful computer and information specialists, have been working together to develop different computer programs that can greatly help now and in the incoming future to all who learn Torah seriously.
We have a number of questions that we would appreciate Horav Miller and the other Rabbonim that work with you to address.
1) Is it permitted using a computer program while learning in a Beis Medresh, to communicate and answer questions as to where Seforim and the topics you want to learn are to be found?
A. Computer programs of this kind have been available for many years now. Some contain 120,000 Judaic Seforim,and have been used practically by all. The novelty of this new program is that it can communicate verbally with the learner, while he is learning.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it is permitted to consult the program as to what and where Seforim, Meforshim, Poskim, etc. say and for some even commendable and propitious to do so. since it is a great time saver.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a.