[Avodah] Avi Fishoff: Yeshiva Systems Needs Major Overhaul

[Prof. Levine]

At 12:19 PM 6/5/2019, Micha Berger wrote:
>This is akin to discussion we had in the early days of this list --
>did REED et al mean "1000 go in so that 1 gadol comes out" as a hora'as
>sha'ah? At the time this model was promoted, we did need to rebuild
>the infrastucture.

IMO everyone should read Rabbi Dr. Joseph Breur's essay Vocation and 
Calling. I can send it to anyone who is interested.

Here are some selections from this essay.

The choice of a vocation for our mature youth (we are initially
concerned with our male youth) is unquestionably one of the serious 
challenges that confronts parents. Aware of their responsibility, 
parents realize that the success and happiness of their children are 
vitally dependent on the right choice of a profession, which, 
obviously, should be compatible with their children's inclinations 
and talents. Fortunate the parents who succeed early enough in 
analyzing their children's talents and traits, and are thus able to 
offer helpful guidance in their choice of vocation. Alas, the wrongly 
chosen profession often results in acute dissatisfaction or, 
worse,utter emptiness.

<Snip>

This, incidentally, brings to mind the oft-repeated question
whether it should not be welcomed if bachurim express the desire
to "remain in learning." "Remain"? Should not everyone "remain
in learning"? Evidently what is meant is the exclusive occupation 
with Torah study. If this involves the student's full-time occupation 
with "learning" for a period of several years before embarking upon a 
professional career, such a decision should only be welcomed. We 
would have serious misgivings, however, if the decision of exclusive 
"learning" would exclude any thought of a practical preparation for 
the demands of life. Every profession requires training. This may not 
be possible at a more advanced age. (The chance of entering the firm 
of one's future father-in-law where further training is possible is 
not normally given to the average student.) On the other hand, few 
possess the ability to become a Rosh Yeshiva. To be able to "learn" 
does not at all mean that one is able to teach.
In this connotation, the following word of wisdom comes to mind, 
albeit in a loftier, more far-reaching interpretation: "Thou- sands 
occupy themselves with the Written Teaching, but mere hundreds emerge 
who actually possess it; tens occupy themselves with the Talmud, but 
only one actually masters it - and thus muses Koheles: 'One man I 
found among thousands'" (Midrash Rabbah Koheles 7).
In every case, the responsible officials of our Torah institutions 
should carefully determine, after a given period of time, whether the 
individual student possesses the qualifications to justify the choice 
of Torah study as an occupation, or whether it would not be
necessary to suggest to him to concern himself with his professional 
training (while, of course, continuing to be koveah itim l'Torah). ln 
many of the latter cases the school officials would do well not to 
rely on the self-judgment of the individual student.
Is it conceivable that the high praise that Tehillim (128) reserves 
for the head of the family who labors and cares for his wife and 
children would be directed only to the "less gifted" among our people?

<Snip>

We need the greats of Torah. But we also need men, solid bnei Torah, 
who prove themselves as conscientious Yehudim in every type of 
profession, thus striving towards the lofty goal envisioned by the 
faithful of our people: to serve with their lives, before all the
world, the sanctification of the Divine Will - Kiddush Hashem.

YL






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