Many of you here on this forum are probably younger than me. I am 79 and attended yeshiva through high school in Borough Park. The Yeshiva that I went to was considered very frum by 1950 standards. In fact many Roshei Yeshivos in Lakewood & Brooklyn who are my age were my classmates. Limudei Kodesh was from 9 to 1. Mincha and lunch followed. Secular studies were from 2 to 6. There was no night seder except for Mishmor on Thursday night for 2 hours. We were well prepared for all Regents exams and yes, college as well. Those who became some of our gedolim today went on to full time Bais Medrash. I went to Brooklyn College for 4 years, a local college where I could live at home in a frum environment. From there I went into business while I went to a part time yeshiva half a day for 7 years to avoid being drafted to Viet Nam. One I was old enough for my draft classification to change I was able to devote full time to my business and get married. i did not have the proverbial rich father in law to put me through kollel for 10 years. By today’s standards I would probably be considered an apikores or worse. But that is how it was in the past.
Menu