Previous bans have been issued against watching television or using computers in the home, but the groups have been divided on such bans, especially in light of the computer's widespread use in business and education.

In this case, though, the groups drew similar conclusions regarding the Internet's access to materials and aspects of secular culture banned by the communities.

A special rabbinical council, whose ruling served as the basis for the ban, termed the Internet a "danger thousands times more serious" than television, which could bring "destruction and ruin."

The ruling said the Internet exposed users to all kinds of "sin," adding that if required for work, it should be used sparingly.

The ruling also prohibited the watching of digital movies via personal computer.