“Every working Jew should adopt a Yissoschor/Zevulin relationship, and adopt a Kollel Yungerman as a partner who he should support — thereby fulfilling ones obligation to learn (and support) Torah.”
So you think I should take what’s left of my salary and support someone learning in kollel (and his family as well). Let’s see – in America, after taxes, full tuitions, mortgage (on a small house), food, gas (for the 1 car), gas (for the house) electricity, and clothing (basic stuff here, not designer) and a little bit for the retirement fund, I should take “what’s left” and support a kollel yungerman.
Lest you say I was being extravagant with “what’s left,” please notice I didn’t add in vacations, because vacations were almost always visits and stays with the in-laws, and some day trips. Staying somewhere in a hotel, even for one night, was done once every few years. Notice I didn’t say putting money away for future weddings or into a general bank account, because it wasn’t done. No real extra money available if the fridge lost a gasket, or if the engine in the car blew.
I’m pretty sure we were a pretty typical American frum family. So where is this money going to come from for supporting a kollel fmily?
And what about other tzedaka, for the poor (Jews) who REALLY need money, for things like heat, medicine, and food. Shouldn’t they get priority, since they REALLY can’t work?
Sammygol, nobody is saying kollel guys who have to work become “nobodies.” But, someone, somewhere, has to take the responsibility for training these guys to work. The “someone” is the guys themselves. It’s unfortunate, but that’s how the business world works. Look, years ago I learned with a chavruta who learned a morning seder in yeshiva every day, worked in the afternoon, and went to law school at night (he was already married at that point, with young children). He’s a successful attorney, who still spends several hours every day in the beit midrash. This is an example of what has to be done – not for every kollel guy, but for many, if not most.