Jewish Scene  Rabbi Levi Brackman
Help us change yeshiva system
Rabbi Levi Brackman
Published: 14.11.10, 07:55
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8 Talkbacks for this article
1. Lack of leadership is so evident both in the secular field
Al   (11.14.10)
ala Netanyahu and his 'fold up in a suitcase cabinet', and this Rabbi who talks riddles without taking a definitive stand. Mouthing platitudinal nonsense doesnt move a mountain of ants. Effecting change comes thru coordinated effort on all fronts, including schools family and society. It starts with the home and the parents taking a stand and refusing to pander to what is the social norm. When parents will stop funding their kids to kill time either in 'YESHIVAS" or colleges then things will change. Kids need to learn early what is expected of them and they must adhere to a schedule. That's the only way we as a society will get off this treadmill of rehashing old news. Children also learn from example. If you as a parent are a mooch and laggard, then you can bet the rent your kids wont be any different. I suggest that todays parents grow up, and take command of their kids. The endless pandering to our kids is destructive to them. It all starts from the home.
2. herd mentality and the truth
mike ,   israel (formerly usa   (11.14.10)
when such herd mentality is confronted with the truth, it speaks volumes on many levels about said herd when a truth-speaker fears he will be shunned. you'd think that everyone would rejoice in the truth coming to light and you'd think that any group with any integrity or value would reward those who speak the truth. besides, what does it say about a group who supposedly worships the god of truth when they react negatively to someone who speaks the obvious, unspoken truth? or, as a member of such a group, is it better to prefer to maintain the status quo by keeping your mouth shut and tolerating injustice in order to maintain acceptance? again, it speaks volumes about such a group and its members when desire for acceptance is preferred to loving and speaking the truth.
3. The Rabbis must change!
Phil ,   Flushing,USA   (11.14.10)
The problem perpetuates because of the Rabbinical leadership and the fear and brain washing that they perpetuate on the young, and their bullying of the parents. I know many families where the parents are disgusted with the fact that their daughter wants to marry a full time kollel student who can barely take care of himself with no prospects or desire to make a living and taking care of his future family. Who in is right mind wants that their daughter should be the "breadwinner" and raise the family while the husband plays talmid with his fellow classmates, and has almost zero accountability to anyone. I am talking about g-d fearing families where the parents themselves work and support their children and then try to fight their brainwashed daughter who insists upon marrying one of these "winners" because that is the values pushed upon them by their teachers in school since they were young. The young men are also caught up in this system, and it perpetuates it self. I am talking about families that can absorb the free loader and support them, but worry about the future support of the family when the grandchildren grow up, and families that struggle to support themselves and now have the "honor" of adding the free loader to their family. The Rabbinical leadership must look in the mirror and stop this vicious cycle. Many parents want to but their respect and fear of "Rabbis" and their fear of being frowned upon in their community stops them. The leadership must wake up!
4. 3Phil
ORA ,   Jerusalem   (11.14.10)
Here as in everything,the wheel is turning.Wealthy parents can pay their children s depences till the fourth generation,than these children have no other choice,than earning their children s bread.The State s stipend doesn t reach their needs.Than new yeshiva students take over the torch,coming from nowaday s wealthy families,who s souls are longing for spirituality.Spiritual contribution is as vital to jews as materialistic contribution.When all jews will learn Tora,there will be no need of Tora students who learn 20 hours a day.They are catching up what is missing in the secular society.Secular and religious society need each other.Let us be ONE unified and strong AM ISRAEL>
5. Loved this article
Rachel ,   US   (11.14.10)
Now this is a much better approach to take than bashing the religious over the head.
6. The lord helps those who help themselves
Norman Gellman ,   Rehovot   (11.14.10)
First the rabbis must preach the importance of working for a living. Next they must redirect the vast amounts of government money & donations they receive to open work skills training schools. They must have employemet agancies helping their students find work. Then they must close the all day yeshiva and replace it with an after work or evening yeshiva.
7. Talmudic rabbis had occupations
David ,   USA   (11.15.10)
It often mentions rabbi so and so the sandler, etc. Hashem did not want us to sit and "learn" all day? Where would the doctors, engineers, etc come from? The world would cease to exist! Hashem told Adam to go out and work! My ancestors were pioneers in Israel - they helped build Israel in the day and learned at night!!
8. A sound article, Rabbi, and one which
Robert Haymond ,   Israel/Canada   (11.15.10)
makes sense to this secular. In fact, I was unaware of the internal pressure so you are one of those who is breaking the mold. I would only inquire as to why Torah scholars shouldn't have some responsibility outside Torah studies. For instance, why shouldn't they be expected to teach and even to do outreach to the secular communities the way the Lubavitchers and Breslovers do? What do you think?
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