Reb Aharon opened BMG for the elite few, the future leaders of k’lal yisroel – not anyone with a pulse and white shirt. That was Reb Shneur (the pulse part, the white shirt part came slightly later, likely as a result). He had his reasons I’m sure (good ones – likely involving assimilation). But that way is the chiddush. The way klal yisroel was always (since we entered Israel the first time) set up was that the vast majority of men worked, while the elite few led. See rashi on Ish echad me’elef matzasi in Koheles. IMO if Reb Shneur were around today he would encourage more people to go out to work. Either way, a man has a responsibility to work and support his family. If he has a holy family (that allows him to shirk his responsibility in favor of doing holy, important things), and is successful at learning, there is nothing greater, as long as he remembers that he must sacrifice, and that his wife can force him at any time to live up to his promises. As far as taking Gov. handouts – if the family is so willing to sacrifice their dignity in order to learn – good for them. As long as they remember that it is wrong to take – even gifts that are intended for them – let alone programs. Sonei matanos yichyeh – means to hate money/gifts you don’t earn. You don’t earn foodstamps. The only way to justify it is if you love learning more than you hate taking – and that should be a high standard.
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