Reply To: Yeshivos and Seminaries in Eretz Yisroel

“grow in Torah in the Yeshiva”

In my day, 90% of the boys went from 3rd year Bais medrash either to BMG or work / college and a local after school Bais medrash. Only the super-serious 10% (maybe less) when to EY.

Contrast that today, with a whopping 98% that fly off for a year. Wether they are up to it or not. Serious learning? Do they need to take tests? No. So how does anyone quantify how serious they are learing? Hasmodah is a great thing, but that can be done here too. Will all 98% benefit from hearing a terrific shiur? If you count exposure to the gedolim of our generation, yes. But are all 98% sitting at the feet of the gedolim all day and most of the night? Not really, as shiur is 30-45 minutes, max. And the rest of the day (and night) is self policed. Could I (someone in my 40s) be trusted to fill my day in a productive, wholesome manner if I was accountable to no one? I’m not sure. So how can I be sure of the judgement of a 22 year old?

Not saying BP junior is staying put, but I (and most parents) surely have what to worry about. And forget about the yeshiva doing it for me; with 5,000 (or even as little as 200) bochurim, no one can keep track of them. So yes, I’d say I have what to worry about. (Especially when the clarion call of the day is, “don’t worry”)