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Op-Ed: Yeshiva Education – It’s Time To Be Honest

by Shlomo Newfield, MD

As the yeshiva education debate grinds on, it is time for a new and honest approach to defend our traditional way of life. I would like to respond to the article by Avrohom Weinstock, of Agudath Israel of America (April 29). By his own admission, the 140,000 letters submitted in the first round of the public comment period have not accomplished their goal.

I am a parent of sons who attended a chasidic yeshiva in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. I feel strongly that this is the most appropriate type of education for chasidic boys, both for their benefit and for the future for the Jewish people.

As a baal teshuva and a practicing physician, I am certain that the chasidic education is in no way “substantially equivalent” to the public school education I received. My sons are not likely to attend Harvard University, as I did. But thankfully, they were spared exposure to the corrupted and harmful influences of the outside secular society. My sons are all fine young men who completed their yeshiva studies and then went on to prepare for a career when the time came. “Learning how to learn” in the yeshiva is a talent that has provided them lifelong benefit.

Every boy is obligated to spend his formative years learning Torah. The public school curriculum, however, is not only antithetical to our belief system but it also robs crucial time from Torah learning. My wife and I chose a chasidic lifestyle and all that it entails. We changed the trajectory of our lives precisely because we knew first hand what the outside world was like. I entered college almost 50 years ago. I understand the situation has deteriorated seriously since then, with total hefkeirus prevailing now.

It is time to be honest, both with ourselves and with the government. No more pretending that a Torah curriculum miraculously confers competency in English, mathematics or science. This is pure fiction. It is for this reason that despite the thousands of letters encouraged by Agudath Israel, the New York State Education Department rejected this argument.

I don’t speak Yiddish but it was brought to my attention that a recent editorial in the Satmar magazine “Der Otzer,” issue number 144, made the point that the Agudath Israel misrepresented the nature of the chasidic yeshiva curriculum to the state education department. The lengthy editorial went on to argue that the Agudath Israel legal staff are not in a position to defend the exclusively Torah curriculum of the chasidic yeshivas. “They” neither received nor truly believe in a pure Torah curriculum. Therefore, it is no wonder that their many legal arguments and presentations fell flat.

We chasidic Jews must demand a complete exemption from the New York State education regulations based on the requirements of our religious beliefs and convictions. What we need to do is not unlike the historic showdown of the Amish in the famous case of Wisconsin vs. Yoder, where the Amish defended their unique education system before the United States Supreme Court. The simple forthright testimony of a genuine chosid would make more of an impression than Agudath Israel’s polished lawyers.

The flawed approach of Agudath Israel is well illustrated by their misuse of an affidavit written by the Nobel Prize winner Professor Yisroel Aumann. They used his affidavit to defend the chasidic education system, when in truth he believes in a dual curriculum of Torah and Madah. Subsequently, Aumann published an article calling out Agudath Israel for misrepresenting his position.

Continuing down the path advocated by Agudath Israel has not and will not result in the relief that we seek. Claiming that the chasidic education curriculum is already “substantially equivalent” to the public school curriculum is simply false and ultimately self-defeating. While the Midrash concedes that the nations have wisdom – chochma bagoyim tamin – they do not have Torah. It is precisely this pure Torah education that makes the chasidic yeshiva system unique. Claiming that it includes gentile wisdom and science pollutes and denigrates the very Torah we are striving to defend.

As proud Americans we should have the courage to stand up for what we believe in.

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22 Comments

    • Also a Bubby, BH.

      Below I commented about achdus for the whole goal of Yiddishkeit: Moshiach and the Geulah. Our children and doros need to be empowered towards that. We all do. So whatever take awaysI have according to the teachings of the BeSHT are an example, but the Rebbe directs us (if we’re being “honest”) to each consult our own mashpiya regarding what to do regarding the important issue. Praying for ALL.

  • F.S

    Kudos to Shlomo Newfeld!
    You have accurately and beautifully explained the uniqueness of Torah education and our unshakable conviction of its purity and necessity.
    We take pride in our convictions and draw strength from them . we will b’h succeed.
    thank you.

  • Berel

    This is perfect and it’s what we absolutely should say and should have been saying from the outset.

  • CH RESIDENT

    Kol hakovod!!
    Such a great point Dr Newfield!

    I would like to add. We actually did have a religious exemption in the state of New York. The law was repealed back in 2018 during the measles outbreak.
    We sat silently while 375 Crown Hights Jewish kids where thrown out of school. For not taking the shot. They where forced to move to other states where there is a religious exemption.
    קמצא בר קמצא

    • Judy.

      What halacha is there that objects to a measles vaccine? Jewish kids were prevented from spreading an infection to other jewish kids. What Torah sees a problem with that?

    • Charlie Hall

      There should be no religious exemptions to vaccinations. People who support such exemptions are promoting death among religious people. And perhaps even worse, they are creating a chilul HaShemby falsely claiming that Judaism opposes vaccines.

  • Levi Rapoport

    The argument needs to be as follows: “the primary thing A good education provides is thinking skills, social skills, and a good work ethic. The majority of the jobs that will exist in the year 2045 don’t even exist currently. the curriculum being taught in school currently will have little relevance. Study the graduates of the public school system vs Yeshiva school system And the answer is clear.

  • Yehuda

    If I recall correctly, the Amish won their case by proving that they do teach the basic skills of farming or other craftsmanship that are substantially equivalent to what the public schools teach, in terms of providing the student body with sufficient skill to be able to support themselves upon graduation.
    Yeshivos can and should prove they provide crucial intellectual skills through Torah alone.

  • Mordechai

    100% correct.
    However our Mesivtas need to treat Limmudei Kodesh as seriously as top Public Schools treat Secular subjects.
    Our yeshiva’s classes are not structured with a syllabus, weekly mini tests, proper support. Does anyone walk around in Girsa to check what bochrim are actually accomplishing ?
    We have a lack in our approach to our bochrim studying in mesivta.

    • chana k

      A solid secular leaning program started in one’s 20’s will allow him to ‘catch up’ completely.
      Any motivated yeshiva student can learn math, English and science. It doesn’t take 12 years to learn it all when you’re 20 years old.

  • Achdus for the Real Goal

    Years ago I learned when introduced to Yiddishkeit by Chabad on Ivy League college campus: according to the Bal Shem Tov, what I see in the other, is a message for myself. We can be very thankful to the Agudath Israel Yidden for their hard work and tefillos for Yeshivas. If we think they “should” take a different approach, we can recommit to the real, uncompromising goal of the Rebbe:: Moshiach.

    • Clarifying

      I don’t know if I made it clear. If we’re upset some seem to be compromising or not comprehensive enough, it’s our cue to reflect: Where do I myself get to work on improving? Well, comprehensive means bringing Moshiach. That would include hakaras hatov and achdus. Also: tefillos for healing for those among us who experienced alienation and now fight the Yeshiva system; and prayers for Yeshivas.

  • Jonathan M

    You’d like “complete exemption” from state education laws. Wish everyone advocating for chasidic yeshivas was as honest as you.
    Is this just one law, or do you believe your community should be exempt from any other laws as well?
    Here’s an idea. Everyone in NYS who doesn’t like a law should be given an exemption. Problem solved!

    • Mendy Hecht

      To Jonathan:

      The opposition is due to personal and communal religious beliefs–beliefs which are also constitutional rights– not personal or communal “dislikes.”

      Now, the real issue is one of happiness. Do you need a full secular high-school and college education to be a happy person? No. Do yeshiva products turn out happier than secular counterparts with their diplomas and degrees? Yes.