popa,
forgive me for saying this but if one cares about their children, then shouldn’t they care about their children’s children, and so on? Isn’t a big part of Yiddishkeit the continuation of our kind? While this in a a large part means providing for torah study, we should also bear in mind the changes to society’s normalities and their ramifications ie. if we are propagating an unsustainable system?
Nobody is saying not to support limud torah, only addressing the problem with the attitude that one can expect all of these opportunities without a little effort and sacrifice.
monsey review-
But how many kollel members are supporting other kollel members? While going into the working world is no guarantee, it is at least an attempt at becoming “self sufficient”, and offers someone the possibility of paying their bills and providing for their families and communities (quotations because everything is from Hashem–but hishtadlus is expected)
gavra at work-
yes, we can generalize and say those living in the projects are content with their situation. However, nobody outside of the projects thinks very highly of people who live in the projects, and many have much angst against them, considering them parasites and “good for nothings”. IMHO that is not a role that is fitting of Am Yisroel as it would be a CHILLUL HASHEM and not an example of being Or Lagoyim, whether or not torah study is involved.
Again, not saying to stop kollel or systems for learning torah, only to change the attitude and to emphasize the importance of planning for adequate yet sustainable alternatives.