Although the tone of the original thread is most certainly out of line and demeans those that are holding up Klal Yisroel worldwide, the larger question is – Is this what Hashem really wants?
In times past, those that were learning were supported by Yidden, and most often lived lives of severe poverty, and showed enormous Mesiras Nefesh to continue learning. A far cry from the majority of those learning in Kollel today who get free rent from the government, free food from the government, free medical care from the government, etc.
I’ve always been a believer that B’Zayas Apecha Tochal Lechem applied to ALL men – even those in learning. But lately my faith has been shaken after observing those that are learning living what seems to be much easier, less stressful lives, and actually living better than me. I, too, learned in Kollel, but when we had our third child and my familial support wasn’t enough to live on, I went out into the working world. I was not going to support my family on government programs.
I work an average of 10 to 11 hours a day (as do most of the working people I know), I have to count my measly two weeks of vacation and use them up all on Yom Tov, (and work Chol Hamoed – like today!) – and then use up sick and personal time – and then I see the learners get off a whole month for Pesach, almost a month for Succos, a whole month in the summer… seems a bit leisurely. I just don’t see the B’Zayas Apecha..
Maybe it’s just sour grapes. I’m venting.