SJS:
Yes it is that person’s problem, but when we have it happening on a massive scale throughout our community, when it is the NORM to go into debt to pay for your child’s wedding or Bar Mitzva, we have to take a step back and examine what are we doing wrong here?
Is it the education, the lack of Mistapek B’muat, the “Magia Li” generation?
Or are we telling ourselves that paying back a Chov (let alone on time) is no longer a mitzva (C’V). How can one be willing to go into debt to make a Bar (or Bas) Mitzva or wedding, or to pay for your child to buy an apartment, but then tell the Grocery or your children’s school “I just can’t pay this month”.
Where are our priorities? And where have we gone wrong?