Reply To: Los Angeles- Revisited

I don’t necessarily agree. Yes there are plenty of places in the NY Metro area that have a lot of “frum” people and necessary Jewish institutions. However I think there is a lot of rotten behaviors and attitudes towards materialism, kavod, gaavah, etc. that I think on balance makes more wholesome out of town places more ruchniyosdik.

According to your superficial determination of what it means to be ruchniyosdik you would conclude that Los Angeles is also quite ruchiyosdik. They have a lot of “frum” people, Jewish institutions, even a Cheder where the more striving, ruchniyosdik people (i.e. people trying to show they’re better than everyone else because they are better Jews) can send their kids.

So no, I’m clearly not asking about a superficial judgement of ruchniyos. I am asking if there’s more than meets the eye than the seemingly negative atmosphere for someone who wants to grow as a torah Jew, come closer to Hashem in a tzniyusdik, personal way, and raise children that have good, wholesome values that are a tremendous help in serving Hashem properly.