All Entries in the "Limud HaTorah" Category
If You Want to Stay in Learning…
There are many who learn in kollel that put aside learning for a few weeks (or months) to do seasonal jobs, such as lifeguarding or head counseloring in the summers. Some yungerleit are involved in selling esrogim, and others become a mashgiach for pesach in a hotel. Why is this kind of activity permitted and [...]
Rosh Chodesh Elul – Make this One Different
Its the Elul time of year, bein hazmanim is over, and life is back to routine – all over again. Another zman, another limud, but the same old routine. But this time, let’s try something different. Instead of allowing another zman to drift through with the same result, do something remarkable. It’s a short zman, [...]
An Abundance of Torah Options
In the olden days of 20-30 years ago, learning in kollel “long term” offered very few options. Historically, a kollel was formed an extension of a yeshiva, which is geared primarily towards the lomdus of noshim & nezikin. After a few years, one would begin to feel a lack of satisfaction in continuing to learn [...]
Shavuos – What Does Kabbolas HaTorah Really Mean?
Back when I learned in Lakewood Yeshiva, I remember how much was said about Shavuos being a “Kabbolas HaTorah,” up to the joyous dancing at the end of Yom Tov that lasts well into the late hours of the night. As a kollel yungerman, I was able to connect with the feeling, being able to [...]
Are Kollel Guys “Bench Kvetchers”?
In his weekly column for Mishpacha magazine, R’ Yonason Rosenblum wrote how he was appalled at hearing someone apply the term “bench kvetchers” to many of those learning in kollel today. His response: There can never be too much ameilus baTorah. Even those never destined to become maggedei shiur are a great value, and not [...]
BMG Kollel Check – How Much Longer?
The problems with the kollel check given by Lakewood yeshiva can be summed up in 3 short sentences: It’s a small amount of money (not enough to make a difference) It’s given to too many people (it costs too much) It produces no return (the money doesn’t grow) The first two points have already been [...]
Is Kollel a Contributer to Kids at Risk?
Recently, I had the opportunity to question Rabbi Yakov Horowitz of Monsey, who is known for his work with teens at risk within our community. My question was – Is there a higher incidence of kids at risk with kollel families than from the general community? Some of the reasons why there would be a [...]
The “Glitter” of Parshas HaMon (Tuesday Parshas Beshalach)
(The following is a guest post from a talmid chochom in Lakewood who I share many views with.) Undoubtedly, we will all receive emails today regarding the segula of parshas hamon which has become a yearly ritual religiously kept by yidden all over the world (even by those who are otherwise lax in observing mitzvos) in [...]
Twice as Much in Half the Time
As frum people, we have to accomplish twice as much is half the time. Compared with the average family in the US, a frum family has at least double (most likely 3x) the expenses. Tuition, kosher food, clothing, summer camps, etc. Earning that extra money means having to work harder. But we also have much [...]
Ready for the Long Winter Zman
As a bachur I always had a sense of dread when I returned to yeshiva for the winter zman. The winter zman is the longest one of the three, stretching five or six long months of uninterrupted learning during the freezing cold winter. When I got married and continued learning in kollel, I again experience [...]
