Where is the Shortage Exactly? (It’s not what you’d think…)

September 01, 2010 | Comments 1

There are probably no official statistics, but if someone were to calculate a total of all new chinuch positions that were created this year and subtract the positions that were eliminated, there is most likely a net loss this year. For the first time in decades, there were more chinuch positions lost due to firings and school closings than positions created due to natural growth of our communities.

Each year, more and more kollel members join the ranks of those who are “looking” for a job in chinuch. Add to that all the Rabbeim who were fired or their jobs were eliminated, and we have a huge glut of qualified, top notch mechanchim, with no place to go.

Actually, to put it this way – if you are looking to be moiser nefesh for Torah, don’t go into chinuch. That is not where the need is now. Instead, go get a job. Open a business. Make a ton of money. It is clear that the recent financial crisis was the hiccup that is causing us to experience the harsh reality that Torah, just like anything else, costs money. Every year for the past 2 decades, less and less people were out earning money to support the ever growing population of mechanchim and kollel members.

We need a few good men out there to realize the need we have for Torah supporters, instead of adding yet another person to the oversaturated field of Torah teachers. Yes, even going to work can be for a noble cause, and it may very well be the highest calling.

There is definitely no shortage of qualified rebbeim for our sons. However, there is a severe shortage of qualified business people to support Torah. If you are looking to be moiser nefesh for Torah, it may be that going to work or making out in business is actually the best way to do so. We need more people who are courageous, honest, and capable to make a ton of money. That money will make its way back to our yeshivos ketanos, girls’ schools, kolleim, and shuls.

Is anyone out there really willing to be moiser nefesh? Sometimes doing the uncomfortable and unpopular thing is what is needed most. If you truly love Torah, if you are really concerned about the future of Torah for our coming generations, go out there and make some money for the Torah’s sake. Yes, even business can (and must) have a higher calling.

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