Do Orthodox Jews Watch TV?

This is one of those questions where the answer tells you something important about the diversity within Orthodox Judaism. Because the answer is genuinely different depending on which Orthodox community you are asking about.

Modern Orthodox: Yes

Modern Orthodox families generally have TVs and watch shows, movies, and news. They are selective about content — avoiding things that violate modesty or Torah values — but they engage with mainstream media culture. A Modern Orthodox family in Teaneck probably has Netflix, watches the news, and follows sports. The kids watch age-appropriate shows. The parents might debate the latest prestige drama at the Shabbat table.

The key is intentionality. Most Modern Orthodox families are thoughtful about screen time and content, but they do not view television itself as problematic.

Yeshivish: Mostly No

In Yeshivish (Lithuanian Orthodox) communities, television ownership is uncommon and actively discouraged. The reasoning: mainstream media promotes values — casual relationships, materialism, crude humor — that conflict with Torah living. Many Yeshivish families simply do not own a TV.

That said, the line has blurred significantly with internet-connected devices. A family might not have a TV but might watch educational content or documentaries on a filtered tablet. Some families make exceptions for major events (election coverage, for example). The formal position and the actual practice have some distance between them.

When I was growing up, we did not have a TV. I did not feel deprived — I had books, friends, board games, and a house full of siblings. My kids do not have a TV either, and honestly, I think they are better for it. But I know that is a value judgment, and I am not pretending it is easy in a culture where everyone references shows you have never seen.

Hasidic: No

In most Hasidic communities, television is strongly prohibited. The rebbe or community leadership has typically issued clear guidance against it. Having a TV in a Hasidic home would be unusual enough to raise eyebrows — and in some communities, it could affect whether a family is accepted in certain schools.

The reasoning goes beyond content. Television brings the outside world — its values, its imagery, its pace — directly into the home. For communities that have built an alternative culture centered on Torah study, prayer, and family, the television represents an unfiltered channel of influence that bypasses the community's value system.

What Do They Do Instead?

This is the question people always ask next, and I love answering it because the answer reveals how rich Orthodox life actually is:

• Reading. Orthodox homes are full of books — Torah commentaries, novels, history, biographies. The literary culture within the Orthodox world is vibrant.
• Family time. Board games, puzzles, arts and crafts with the kids. My children can play Settlers of Catan for three hours straight.
• Socializing. Visiting neighbors, hosting guests, community events. The social calendar in an Orthodox community is packed.
• Torah study. Many men and women have set learning times daily. The intellectual engagement of talmud">Talmud study is as stimulating as anything on television — and I am not exaggerating.
• shabbat-observance">Shabbat. Every single week, 25 hours with absolutely no screens. Long meals, singing, walking, talking, napping, reading. It is the original digital detox.
• Music. Orthodox Jewish music is a thriving genre. Concerts, albums, and community singing are major forms of entertainment.
• Humor. If you think Orthodox Jews do not know how to have fun, you have never been to a Purim party.

Common Questions

Do Orthodox Jews watch movies? Modern Orthodox, yes. Yeshivish and Hasidic, generally no — though some may watch selected content on filtered devices for specific purposes (educational, historical).

Do Orthodox Jewish kids watch cartoons? In Modern Orthodox homes, yes — with parental oversight. In Hasidic and many Yeshivish homes, no. Children in these communities grow up without exposure to mainstream children's media.

What about sports? Many Orthodox Jews follow sports, especially in Modern Orthodox communities. Orthodox Jews and sports is its own interesting topic — some communities are passionate fans, while others have little interest.

Do they know about pop culture? It varies enormously. A Modern Orthodox teenager in Manhattan probably knows as much pop culture as any other American teen. A Hasidic teenager in Williamsburg might not recognize a single celebrity outside the Jewish world. Neither is better or worse — they are just different cultural contexts.

Is this changing? Slowly, yes. The internet and smartphones have made media consumption possible even without a physical TV. This is an ongoing tension in many communities, and the rules are evolving.