In the Merit...
The following announcement appeared in Yated Hebrew and
deserves the English readers' attention:
In view of the difficult circumstances in which we find
ourselves in Eretz Yisroel, where every heart aches to hear
the increase of tragedies and troubles that pursue our
people, we have come to rouse the women and daughters of our
people in the various possible ways we can improve our
tzniyus, which is the very lifeblood of our makeup.
And who must be urged, if not those who are receptive and
concerned over these very matters?
Following are several suggestions:
* Women should participate in shiurim on hashkofa and
Halocha
* Home study and participation in the exams offered in these
subjects
* Gemach "Tzniyus Yehudis" for alteration of clothing
according to halachic requirements
* Workshops teaching the home repair of clothing for modesty
modification
In the merit of righteous women were our people redeemed
from Egypt, and in their merit, they will be redeemed from
this exile, as well, speedily and in our days!
BAS MELECH is at your service to promote the value of
Tzniyus and restore the crown to its glory.
Tel.: 02-5865144 08-9740542
*
The following is not necessarily YATED policy, only one
person's opinion, which deserves to be heard.
Dear Editor,
The article "Bais Yaakov Advancing or Declining" is very
true. But perhaps there is more to it.
When Harav Hagaon R' Aharon Kotler zt'l began the
first kollel in America, it was about the same time that
Rabbi and Rebbetzin Boruch Kaplan zt'l opened the
first Bais Yaakov High School and Teachers' Seminary in
America. I heard Rebbetzin Kaplan say in R' Aharon's name
that "if not for Bais Yaakov, where would my talmidim
find their mates? Who would be interested in a kollel
boy?" In those days it was true. No girl would get married
unless her future husband had a job or prospects for one
[read: a degree]. Bais Yaakov taught its students the value
of Torah lishma and they were willing to accept a
meager kollel income and make do with it. A B.Y. alumnus did
not look for luxuries, nor did her husband. Life was kept
down to the very bare necessities and even a telephone was
sometimes questioned.
Along came the Soton and pushed from behind; he pushed hard.
He convinced Jewish daughters that to be married to a
kollel boy, a wife had to be the bread winner. A girl
needed to learn all types of professions and if necessary,
work in all kinds of places. All for the sake of Torah! She
also needed the clothes to fit the job. Her children were
raised by the baby sitter -- all so that the husband could
learn. There were times when even the husband had to take
time out to baby sit, all for the good cause. This was the
scheme of the yetzer hora, pushing away.
Many years ago, when my oldest daughter was 16, I was not
feeling well and had a bit of extra time for reading. We had
just gotten the book "Rejoice O Youth" by Rabbi Avigdor
Miller zt'l. It was one of the most beneficial
investments I ever made. Before reading it, I had planned on
encouraging my daughter to take some college courses towards
a profession so that she could marry a kollel boy and
support his learning. Halfway through the book, I realized
the false value system we almost fell into and chucked these
plans, leaving the future up to Hashem. Once we show our
trust, He is always there to guide us.
I have eight children all married to bnei Torah and
some grandchildren following in the same way, learning in
kollel. We do not have the means to support them; we never
looked for money, so we never found it. This is how they do
it: I will give you one example.
My son is married over 22 years to a wonderful woman. He was
in kollel for about 15 years while she did
babysitting at home. She is a big baalebusta, very
economical. All their furniture is second hand. I often tell
my son, "Your wife is more than half a parnossa."
At one point, she was unable to do babysitting and felt
terrible. Seeing her distress, her husband said, "Why do you
concern yourself with my `curse'? When Hashem gave two
curses to the world because of Odom Horishon's sin, one was
given to him, the other to Chava (to bear children in pain).
Why do you want both?" He found a job teaching in a yeshiva
and continued to learn part time. This is just one
example.
Bais Yaakov has to teach the proper value system.
Materialism is the nemesis of Torah study! Children
should not expect too much from parents.
We must be honest and sincere and not lazy in our learning
and raising a family by Torah guidelines. If there are no
selfish motives lurking in the background, with each parent-
partner executing their proper role, Hashem is there for us.
A happy, healthy family life; no dropouts. This is what
should be taught in seminaries: realistic, hard work with a
smile.
[We must add that in this critical area, each person must
consult their own rabbinical mentor, their own posek
and guide.]
S.Y. Shain, Kiryat Sefer
