Author Archive for aaron
Beis Medrash Govoha Kollel Check: Time to Say Goodbye?
The largest kollel in America is without a doubt is Lakewood’s Beis Medrash Govoha. According to the official numbers, there are over 6,000 kollel yungerleit who spend their days learning there. Some, but not all of the chavrei hakollel, receive a kollel check in return for their learning in the yeshiva. This costs the yeshiva [...]
Who Do I Want to Be?
These days, its not about what you do that makes money. It’s more about what you are. I write this while listening to the music of Yaakov Shwekey. He is a singer, and so are many others. So why is that Yaakov is invited to sing at 5 Pesach hotels, while so many others have [...]
When You Feel Old…
Feeling old is a real phenomenon, and it is a sure sign that you’ve got to get out. I’ve heard from people who stayed in kollel many years, all the time learning with great diligence, but once they realized how “old” they were, they decided to leave kollel and change their lives.
On top of all [...]
Burn Your Bridges – And Win
Aish shows in this video the concept of “burning your bridges” – a guaranteed way to get you motivated in doing things that you always have the ability to do, but just never get around to doing them.
Ever wonder why there are deadlines? Because if there wouldn’t be any, nothing would get done. Imagine if [...]
Who’s Jealous of Whom?
Usually its the poor kollel guy or “person in chinuch” guy who is jealous of the fancy rich guy, with the fancy cars, big house, and the “freedom” to spend thousands of dollars without giving it a second thought.
But on Purim, the reverse is true. Its a lot easier to be a simple poor person [...]
What to Do (and not to do) When Asking to Leave Kollel
Many people feel that leaving kollel is something that needs to be discussed first with a Rov, Rosh Yeshiva or the like. And they should, especially since this is a major decision in their life. No one should be in the position of making such an important decision without first seeking proper guidance.
However, one must [...]
The Gedolim Speak Out Against Excessive Kollel Support
Mishpacha magazine reported this week about a meeting that was held recently in Bnei Brak by an organization called Shehasimcha Bimono. The purpose of the meeting was to try and put an end to the prohibitive demands of support made by bochurim in shidduchim from girls’ parents, such as expensive apartments in Bnei Brak and [...]
If I Was Not Learning in Kollel…
Would I stop whatever I was doing and join kollel?
This is a question you should constantly be asking yourself if you are in kollel. Being in kollel means forgoeing the usual responsibilities most men are faced with – supporting their wife and children, and placing that burden on others. Yes, the burden is shifted to [...]
The Hairs Breadth of Excellence
Some of the fears associated with leaving kollel is the fear of being unsuccessful in your chosen career path. Sure, there are plenty of business success stories out there, but the pessimist in you doesn’t associate those success stories with something that you could be capable of being.
If others could do it, why couldn’t you [...]
Which Kind of Job Do You Prefer?
Most of the businesses I’ve seen have two kinds of employees, there are those that “got” a job because they are friends, relatives, or even children of the owners. And then there are other kind – the ones that are only there because of what they do for the business.
One kind of employee is always [...]
