Reply To: What is a Yeshiva Education Worth to You?

Tzippi, I agree that a yeshiva education is very important. But, its not a requirement. Please see JayMatt’s post above that says “This sounds like the same conversation people had 60 years ago just replace the topic of “yeshivos” with “keeping shabbos”. There were also ‘ehrlich’, ‘frum’ and ‘heimish’ people then who felt they couldn’t afford to keep Shabbos (and, unfortunately chose not to).”

There is a major difference between keeping or not keeping Shabbos (a chiyuv) vs sending your kids to Yeshiva. A kid CAN grow up Torah observant and go to public school. Its not really recommended, and there are a lot of pitfalls, but it doesnt compare AT ALL to being mechalel shabbos.

Kiruvwife, I agree that every child is a bracha, but every family has to decide what is right for the family. I know for my family, having too many children will put a tremendous burden on my community. I trust that Hashem has given me the seichel and Rabbinic leaders to help me guide through this.

As for the shorter days – are the days really shorter? My right wing elementary school went from 9-4. When I went to high school, my hours were 8:45-5:45 and then we had extra curricular activities (I was on the softball team, chess club…then we had learning program, middos programs etc…). On a regular day I left the house at 7:30 and came back around 7 pm. Do Bais Yaakov schools have longer days? I kind of remember my sisters being in school 9-4 in a Bais yaakov high school. Are only boy schools longer?

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