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<font size=3>At 12:19 PM 6/5/2019, Micha Berger wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">This is akin to discussion we
had in the early days of this list --<br>
did REED et al mean "1000 go in so that 1 gadol comes out" as a
hora'as<br>
sha'ah? At the time this model was promoted, we did need to rebuild<br>
the infrastucture.</blockquote><br>
IMO everyone should read Rabbi Dr. Joseph Breur's essay Vocation and
Calling. I can send it to anyone who is interested.<br><br>
Here are some selections from this essay.<br><br>
</font><font face="Book Antiqua, Bookman" size=3>The choice of a vocation
for our mature youth (we are initially<br>
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.<br><br>
<Snip><br><br>
This, incidentally, brings to mind the oft-repeated question<br>
whether it should not be welcomed if bachurim express the desire<br>
to "remain in learning." "Remain"? Should not
everyone "remain<br>
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.<br>
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'" (<i>Midrash Rabbah Koheles </i>7).<br>
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<br>
necessary to suggest to him to concern himself with his professional
training (while, of course, continuing to be
</font><font face="Cambria" size=3>koveah itim
l'Torah</font><font face="Book Antiqua, Bookman" size=3><i>)</i>. ln many
of the latter cases the school officials would do well not to rely on the
self-judgment of the individual student.<br>
Is it conceivable that the high praise that <i>Tehillim </i>(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?<br><br>
<Snip><br><br>
We need the greats of Torah. But we also need men, solid
</font><font face="Cambria" size=3>bnei
Torah</font><font face="Book Antiqua, Bookman" size=3>, 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<br>
world, the sanctification of the Divine Will - Kiddush
Hashem<i>.<br><br>
</i>YL<br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
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