stcs: Yes, you are right, our lifestyles have changed. I remember listening to the tape of R’ Gifter called Diversity in Orthodoxy. he speaks about what it was like in yeshiva in Europe. He was called a “rich American boy” because he could afford to drink real coffee! In Europe, people knew what it meant to really be moser nefesh for Torah. What does it mean now? To not be able to drive a brand new car? To not have beef for dinner during the week, and have chicken instead? In Europe, people didn’t know if they’d have anything at all! My brother in Lakewood went on a vacation recently, after the zman had ended. He went away for 5 days! I, who work, haven’t done that since I got married (excluding going to family for the entire Pesach). How did he pay for it? By being supported by his in-laws. Is this what being moser nefesh means now?
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