Reply To: WWRAS-What would R’ Aharon zt”l say?

N0mesorah,

I disagree with you on a few points but let me clarify my standpoint. I Agree that that it is amazing that we have a significant segment of American Jewry that sees kollel as not just admirable but even as a standard. The fact that there are so many couples looking to start married life based on Torah is a wonderful thing. I just think that there are issues (not “evils”). I don’t think it makes sense to ignore the issues by saying “yeah but isn’t it wonderful that so many people are doing it”. It could be that I don’t have enough exposure to the real situation on the ground and if so, I will step back and shut up. It is also important to clarify that my points are exclusive to the Kollel system in America, not EY or the UK.

A) It sounds like you agree with me on this point. My objection is to the standard that has been raised in the kollel world (new model cars, eating out, buying clothing shoes etc in the expensive local stores). If rich kids learn in kollel that is great. The problem is when the standards are raised and there is pressure on the “have nots” who end up living a higher lifestyle than they should.

B) I also don’t have a problem with wealthy people supporting children in kollel. I think it is admirable if a family decides not to go to a hotel for pesach and decides to give the $ to their kids in kollel. I do have a problem with parents being pressured to go into debt or take on an extra job to support their kids. If the kids know that their parents are doing this I think it would be proper to refuse to pressure them to do this.

C) There are a lot of Rabbanim in Lakewood today but there are also many more baalei batim and many more needs. Ask the average Kollel fellow in Lakewood who he goes to for guidance in both learning and and life. I don’t think most will answer “the local Rav”

D) I would hope that if a man is in kollel long term (10+?) he would come out knowing something. But how many 2nd or 3rd year kollel guys are still learning 8-12 blatt a year without any significant halacha seder? If I am wrong great!

E) It is sad that you don’t recognize the needs of klal ysirael. The gedolim of 60 years ago all encouraged their talmidim to to be moser nefesh for klal yisrael or at least be concerned. That meant going out and teaching and being mekarev. Believe it or not, the learned population of Klal Yisrael is still a small fraction of the whole. It’s not my issue. Ask any talmid of R’ Aharon, Rav Ruderman, Rav Yaakov etc. To think that we have solved our issues is sticking your head in the sand. If even 5-10% of the kollel population after leaving kollel would go into klei kodesh lishmah we would change the face of American Jewry.