Letter from the Rebbe About Going to College
A father writes to the Rebbe about an ongoing conflict regarding his son’s future, and seeks advice how to resolve it in the most peaceful way. The Avner Institute presents the response, where the Rebbe’s insights on the dangers of higher education affirm the spiritual over the secular.
“In His Best Interests?”
By the Grace of G-d
23 Sivan 5708 Brooklyn, NY
Greeting and Blessing:
I received your letter, in which you write your ideas about your son’s future, and you ask me to use my influence with him to urge him to go to college.
I am sure you will agree with me that in the case of everyone without exception the first basic condition for happiness in life is—peace of mind and the least amount of inner conflict. This has always been a fundamental principle, and it is even more so in our present generation, with its world-shattering events, confusions, conflicting ideas and ideologies. Nothing speaks more forcefully about the existing state of mind of present day youth than the unheard of rebellion against society in the form of juvenile delinquency and demoralization of character, all of which is a symptom of our confused age.
Therefore the first and best thing one can do to help one’s child is to endeavor to spare him the inner conflicts and to help him cultivate good religious and moral principles, so that he would not fall prey to harmful influences. This is especially important at the critical age of youth, when one’s character and world outlook are being formed and stabilized.
Gentle Persuasion
With this brief introduction, I return to what you consider such a problem, namely your attempt to persuade your son to go to college and his reluctance to do so. I am sure his motives are of the purest nature, desiring to dedicate a certain period of time to the exclusive study of the Torah. At his age, to try to force him to give up something which he considers in his best interests, something that is good and holy which he desires very much, would certainly upset him and inevitably endanger his peace of mind. Even if he should not show outward signs of resentment, he might well develop such a feeling subconsciously, which is sometimes even worse. It is also doubtful whether such attempts to make him change his mind would be successful.
But, would his attendance in college be in his best interests? You think that a college education would give him greater security economically. Actually only a small percentage of college graduates directly derive their income from their college degrees. In the final analysis, however, one cannot make calculations and planes about the future without taking G-d into account. For, after all, G-d is only the Creator of the world, whose direct providence extends to every individual and detail, and success or failure is from Him, but He also is the Giver of the Torah, and it would obviously be illogical and impossible that when a Jewish boy dedicates a few years to the exclusive study of G-d’s Torah, it would lessen his chances for happiness in life.
If, as we have said, the material benefits of a college degree are doubtful, there can be no doubt, however, to the obvious dangers when a yeshiva boy is subjected several times a week to such radical changes of the atmosphere and ideology as exist between the yeshiva and the college where the majority of the students are Gentiles and the majority of the Jewish are unfortunately not religious, etc. It is impossible for a student to avoid contact with fellow students and professors. Hence, even if your son would have liked to go to college, it would have been problematical as to the advisability of it, as it is impossible to foresee what conflicts and dangers it would entail. But now that you are fortunate that your son does not want to do it, but rather devote his time to the yeshiva and to remain in its healthy and conflict-free atmosphere, he surely should be encouraged in his wise determination.
Exceptions Prove Rule
I am aware, of course, that there are boys who together with their yeshiva education attend college. I have occasion to meet with them and I can assure you that very few come out unscathed from the tremendous conflicts involved. Even those who on the surface appear to be wholesome have no peace of mind, and very, very few indeed of those who mixed yeshiva with college have remained completely wholesome inwardly as outwardly.
I trust that the above few lines will suffice to help you to realize how happy you should feel that your son has decided to avoid the pitfalls and to remain in the exclusive and wholesome atmosphere of the yeshiva. You should encourage him in this, so that he may learn with complete serenity, and you will be assured of real nachas [joy] from him, and not only spiritually but also materially, when the time will come.
With Blessing,
[Signature]
To receive letters and inspiring stories about the Rebbe, email Rebbebook@gmail.com
Mendel
Unfortunately we have stooped to the level that the Bochurim who go to college and have structure to their life sometimes become more committed to yiddishkayt than Bochurim who “go to yeshiva” (i.e. sleeping by day-flying by night, shmoozing in the zal, etc.).
Halevay we should be on the level that the Rebbe is talking about!
includes turo
if you consider yourself lubavitch dont go to college
and if you do go do not call yourself a chossid of the rebbe
not for men or women
chain
#2 I am not religious at all yet call myself Chabad and say it with pride. How can you and other people decide weather or not me (and my friends) are chabad just because were not religious. Chabad is in no way attached to ones yidishkite, and if you want to argue it is where do you draw the line? and who should be the one to decide?
hummm
See the letter from its original source here: chabad.org/1877091
different times
if the Yeshivos wouldn’t charge so much tuition maybe the boys and girls of today wouldn’t think college was sooooo important to makeing a living!
Thinkster
Sure, 70 years ago when this was written it was true.
But to say now that a college degree doesn’t help someone financially, well….I think everyone would agree is not correct.
There are some that can’t handle college. And perhaps those shouldn’t go. But the Rebbe wasn’t against college for everyone. And if you can explain to me how one can become a Doctor, lawyer or accountant without going to college, then I’m all ears. Unless, of course, all you want to do is teach in a Chabad institution, or be a Shliach.
NoYechi770InJerusalem
I know a few cases where the Rebbe,ZY”A instructed some chasidim to go to Yeshiva University
There is even a Chabad Club at YU.
wow!
Thank you for this letter!
real question
I wonder what the Rebbe would say to the bochurim out of yeshiva. Whether it is due to dropping out and/or they finished the system and are just waiting to get married (with no hopes of shlichus). Would the rebbe say they can go to a all men’s college like Touro?
This is truly the most important question of today’s time.
agree with #2
you cannot compromise halacha and you cannot compromise the rebbes answers!
go to college but do not call yourself chabad.
to # 1
better to be in yeshiva and not learn then to be in a dirty place and learn chassidus.
its like the famous story with the guy who learned gemara without a yarmulka
Unforrtunately Money Talks
Most Chabad mosdos including Ohole Torah honor those who left the Yeshiva to became lawyers or other professionals- (and not those who excell in learning) causing other Bochrim to follow in their footsteps. That shows they all their teaching from the Mashpiem and Hanhala against Lemudi Chol is meaningless.
College Grad with the Rebbe-s Brocha
This is facts and circumstances driven. General rule is going to college for the sake of going to college was looked down upon. This concept requires contemplation with a mishpia as everyone has a difference spiritual make up and this needs much thought.
Secret Rabbi
#1 Has a good point. The Yeshiva system needs a lot of help and causes much confusion by convincing the Bucherim that it is better to be a lazy bum in Yeshiva then going to college.
This attitude has caused hundreds if not thousands of Lubavitchers to leave Yiddishkiet.
The Rebbe’s point is still very valid. The Rebbe was talking about a boy that really wanted to learn. Those Bucherim that utilized their time learning have a very good success rate even the ones that take up secular jobs.
If the choice is being a lazy bum in Zal or going to college I would argue that the Rebbe would choose college.
To #2 I GO TO COLLEGE AND I AM A LUBAV
Who do you think you are?! Telling me or the other what to consider ourselves depending on what we decide to do?? You just took what the Rebbe said and blended it up and now you are spitting it out in your own messed up words!! You think you are better because you didnt go to college or because you are against it?? or maybe you are just a confused person and need help!! dont post a comment like that without your name, you sound like a big talker thats scared of what people think or say to you!
Signed, Shalom R, AND I GO TO COLLEGE AND I AM A LUBAVITCHER CHOSID!!
Crunch
Note the year the letter was written and consider whether Jewish (indeed, ultra Frum!) options that are available today existed 60 years ago.
It would be fascinating to know what the Rebbe would feel about today’s options.
Yosef
To #2
Maybe add some depth to your very erudite comment. Maybe explain why Touro (or an all mens college) isn’t different. Touro isn’t mixed and they make every attempt to accommodate the beliefs of Frum yidden.
Menachem
The Rebbe is talking to real Chassidim here. For the rest of the modern “Lubavitch,” (i.e.people who watch movies, etc.), going to college is a much better activity than waste their life away working in a grocery or a cell phone store (where the yiddishkayt slowly gets eated away anyway).
chefke
times have changed. if you want to make parnoso and support your family then you need to go to college. Maybe not a non-jewish college but it’s still very important. Additionally, now there are colleges on the internet that were not around then.
Stop talking on behalf of the Rebbe
The point of the letter is taken. Going out in the world (in particular college) will exact a spiritual price. It’s still up to the individual to decide if they can pay the price. The Rebbe didn’t give people an ultimatium (ie forego college or don’t consider yourself a Lubavitcher/follower of mine..). Some people are inventing their own “Lubavitch” and need to stop talking on behalf of the Rebbe.
to # 3&15 who decides who is a chossid?
the rebbe does!
he set out rules to be his chossid if you can follow those rules then you can call yourself a chossid otherwise the rebbe would call you a friend of lubavitch not a lubavitch chossid
you dont automatically become a chossid its a way of life and one of those ways is not going to college, you can call yourself a chossid a thousands times a day but if you do not follow the rules you are no chossid
ps if it makes you feel good to say you are a chossid or that you live on the moon go ahead scream it!
Attorney
I went to Law School with the rebbe’s brocha, and boy did I need it. I asked for a brocha since I was going to law school. And got a small print “azker al hatzyon l’hanal”. B”H I made it out scathed but outwardly in tact just like the rebbe said. Whatever you do have a mashpia to guid you.
Hatzlocha
Chasid with all 4 criteria
To # 21
You are correct but there are other criteria too such as
Saying Yechi…
Doing Mivtzoim
Learning Chitas and Rambam
College grad because the Rebbe TOLD me t
I argued with my parents about not going to college. We agreed to write in to the Rebbe and I was INSTRUCTED to go.
My father was in college when my parents got engaged and the Rebbe TOLD him to finish college instead of going to Kollel.
Prior to going on to my advanced degree I was ‘made an example of’ as “this is what happens when you don’t listen to the Rebbe and go to college”. Incidentally – the reason for this comment was also something that I was TOLD by a Lubavitcher, Chassidishe Rov to do.
So… while this may be the general rule — things apply differently to each person!
To #21
YOU ARE FULL OF YOUR SELF!! You are no “Chossid” I am #15 and I dont give a Shnitzle what you think, however some may so you should keep your comments to your self!! Like you said, the Rebbe decides who is a “chossid” not you! Oh and if to be a “chossid you have to follow all the rules then there aint no chassidim!!
P.S. If it makes you feel better go hate on everyone because you are prob better then everyone!!
P.S.S CH.info I modified my language this time so you dont have to edit my comment :)
Shalom R
Chosid
To learn a hora’a klalis from a letter to an individual from over 60 years ago is foolish. If you want to know the Rebbe’s opinion about your situation, speak to a mashpia.
chaim
I looked for shlichus for 2 years even after kollel and found nothing. My name was “spiz” and i married an average family. So to be successful on shlichus u need connections which i didnt have. I went to college and happily support my family without food stamps and medicaid. Being a college graduate, i learn, daven and farbengen longer, maturer and serious then “shluchim.” Or the real lubavitchers who dont work, sleep until 11am then run with the food stamps to pay bills and medicaid for the kids. WHAT Hope do they have in the future???
Nobody
For those who think that going to college is essential to earning a living, google “Higher Education Bubble” It’s baloney. So many students have $100,000 of student loan debt and no prospects of earning more than $50,000 a year from it, something that you could easily earn more at doing a trade.
And it was always that way (without the huge debt). College was primarily a prestige thing. Plumbers earn more money that many College graduates, but that isn’t “white collar” enough for some people.
People who end up working in grocery stores long term are not there due to their lack of college education.
no one special
It is interesting to read that the opinions The Rebbe stated to one individual(in this letter)is expanded to include everyone.
Following that spurious conclusion, if The Rebbe said no to a particular person regarding a shidduch with a certain set of circumstances, then in order to be a chosid no one should marry if those circumstances exist.
Esther
The hypocrisy of some of the comments here is astounding. My husband is a Lubavitcher Chossid, proudly. He went to college, with the Rebbe’s brocho, remained frum and steadfast in his beliefs, and is a very successful lawyer today, having a good Parnassa and helping many. Every night the phone rings countlessly, as does the doorbell, with Shluchim calling asking for money for their Chabad Houses, for either ongoing costs or for funds to set them up. The others who call are very often those who never studied or ‘left the system’ for long enough to try to make a decent parnassa and cannot cover their everyday living costs. Its ok for some of you to shout from the rooftops,’NO COLLEGE’ and yet still call and harass those who did get that education and did something with it, for the funds you all need. Unbelievable.
Re: 21
Re: 21
maybe you have a source to backup your assertions?
“he set out rules to be his chossid if you can follow those rules then you can call yourself a chossid otherwise the rebbe would call you a friend of lubavitch not a lubavitch chossid”
Why stop there? maybe he would even call you an ENEMY of lubavitch?
to # 25
and your point is?
(except for showing us all that you have a short temper)
PS dont take down others with you, just because you are not a model chossid dooes not mean there aren’t any
Phenomenal
“I cant afford a lubavitch education because I had one”
What about the Yeshiva Degree??
Most are missing the obvious compromise which is for the yeshivos to promote their own BA that most are qualified to give (Morristown, OT, YOEC, etc). If bochurim were encouraged to use their yeshiva undergrad degree and a system was set up for them to get pre-requisites for graduate school, there would be little argument even from the proponents on this board of “shlichus waiting” (the act of getting married and hanging around CH, going to 12pm shachris in 770 and living in section 8 Fisher apartments, etc). Become a CPA, attorney, doctor, dentist and don’t wait till you’re married to start!
Mushky (Stern Girl)
Finally, a clear letter. Everyone has to stop speaking for the Rebbe and let the Rebbe speak for himself. I go to a separate college and make sure that my secular studies are balanced out by Shiurim and Jewish classes.
I am proud to say that I enjoy (tremendously) learning the way G-d’s world works – yes that’s what we learn in college.
Peace y’all.
Shaina
there are MANY Lubatichers who are in college who are way more chassidish than some who are “floating around ch”. Yes, the college environment is not ideal, but B“H many LUBAVITCHERS today can go to college and still be chassidish.
It is sad to see those who are NOT in an ”influential” environment, and yet they have fallen so low. Its very sad, ad masai
um...how have we stooped to this level??
i am shocked to see comments actually doubting , arguing , philosophying against what the rebbe wrote??? and they call themselves chabad???
A CHABAD CHOSSID ACCEPTS THE REBBES WORDS-UNQUESTIONABLY, AND DOESNT ANSWER WITH HIS OWN ‘WISECRACKS’.
A CHOSSID ACCEPTS!
THANK YOU REBBE FOR GUIDING US IN THE RIGHT WAY TO HELP US STAY STRONG AND SECURE IN THIS NUTTY WORLD.
ALL THOSE WHO THINK YOU MAY BE SMARTER THAN THE REBBE, PLEASE DONT CALL YOURSELF CHABAD-YOURE ONLY FOOLING YOURSELVES.
Wish I went to college when I was young.
I was brought up Lubavitch, and I still am today, and I was told in all my years of schooling that going to college was not ok. After seminary, I chose to take some art courses at a Jewish college and got scolded by a Rebbetzin for doing so. A year later, that same Rebbetzin needed my services to do some art for her. I did it and told her if not for me going to college, I would not have been able to help her out. I am now married with kids and I took a job for this coming year. They told me they would pay me more if I had my degree. I wish I would not have listened and took more classes back then, when I had the time and I had the money. Now I have no time, and I have no money. Times have changed and Lubavitch needs to change with it. I am not saying we all have to go to Goyishe colleges- there are plenty of options- online, frum institutions (Touro, Ma’alot etc)
Campus Shliach
There is no question that your typical 4 year college is a place of shmutz, apikorses and znus, I see it every day, and I am on a non party school. As one MO rebbi told me, his student complained (after going to college) that he didn’t know what to do when a girl just sat herself down on his lap.
It is no place for a frum person, let alone a lubavitch chosid.
However, I think one can differentiate between a married person who goes for an advanced degree using a BA from yeshiva or an online college.
A BA does nothing much for you, you need an advanced degree to make real money. I see kids graduate from the college (a top 10) and make bobkes.
When I speak to graduates and ask them if they are using their college skills, many say no. The reason one needs a college degree is because so many kids go to college, the employers can afford to pick those who do from those who don’t. It’s all about perception, a degree from Touro does not actually help your career, it just helps you get a job. Olam golem.
Common Sense
Not sure how this letter is applicable to many Buchrim who go to college. Even if we were to apply this letter to the general population (which we shouldn’t), the Rebbe was speaking about a boy regarding choosing college INSTEAD of yeshiva.
The vast majority of buchrim who go to college these days are AFTER they have finished yeshiva. In such a situation, it is not clear that the Rebbe would have the same response.
working boy
how do you think you become a plumber??? college!!! plumbers have to do an aprentice for 4 years! so dont make it out to be an easy job to get.
more letters about college
More letters from the Rebbe about college in their new “Letter & Spirit” website:
http://www.chabad.org/there…
Elesoy
The Yeshiva BA does more harm than good, since you’re left with no actual marketable skills, and no longer eligible for PELL. PELL eligibility runs for 6 years–4 if you’re in Touro; so if your Yeshiva administration took PELL, you’ll end up with the bill–all for the ‘merit’ of wasting time in their halls not earning a future.
To address the Rebbe’s letter, I don’t understand why people try to reinterpret the Rebbe as ‘progressive’ and ‘Dumbledorey’ about matters like college. His stance was against university, barring individual exceptions. If you go, stop deluding yourself you’d be deemed an exception, especially if you aren’t married. College changes your perspective, values and priorities–the more rigorous the college, the more drastically.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. It just means you shouldn’t delude yourself into thinking the Rebbe, in his far-reaching foresight, would allow it.
ESTHER
Letter was written Tof Shin CHes – before nesius!
Question is whether that was unique to that boy or was it a hoiro’oh klolis. That is the point is it not: We tend to take personal letters and decide them as collective directive. What of those whom the Rebbe DID send to college? I can name a few…
NK
#40 – Campus Shliach:
You’re wrong. The knowledge and skills gained from an undergraduate degree are absolutely applicable to the workplace. Yes, a graduate degree is necessary to work in higher-paid professions, but employers don’t just “pick” people with undergraduate degrees because they “might as well”, since so many people have them. They pick them because they know how to read and write and communicate; how to add, subject, multiply and divide; they know about the world around them and how to interact with it.
Your post makes it very clear that although you may be a campus shliach, you have very little idea of what an undergraduate degree comprises of.
Ok not Lubab anymore and proud!
Enough with self righteous people making obnoxious comments here! Fine! I am NOT a Lubavitcher. Stop asking me to support chabad houses and give $$ to Lubavitcher charities. If I’m not good enough to be a Lubavitcher simply because I went to college, don’t ask me to support either. Some people here make me brech.
A Very Subjective Matter
This is such a subjective matter, yes, subjective. The Rebbe’s words, as would be the same from any directive given by the Torah, the Shulcahn Aruch, the Rabbeim, rely on people’s honesty. For example, can you be ask a Goy to buy you medication on Shabbos if you are sick? Answer. How sick are you? At this point, you need to be honest and understand the gravity of being mechalel Shabbos.
The same is true here. We know what the Rebbe wanted and demanded of his Chassidim. But it does not apply in a vacuum. If parents raised their children properly, at some point they may need to decide that college may be a better solution, even if it’s a short term solution. Example, if you’re 16,17,18 and say you are out of Yeshivah for whatever reason, you’re faced with boredom vs. some sort of education, boredom is certainly a graver sin than going to college.
I’m not going to write a 10 page essay here. The moral is, be honest! To number 2, it’s plain to see how much it bothers you that you never went to college, stop and think if it’s not too late. Others here are using the flag of the Rebbe as an excuse for themselves. I ask you, is that REALLY the reason why you didn’t go?. For the most part, most of these commends are childish, people need to be a little more honest with themselves.
Iedidim
Aha
All these ppl who calling themselves “chassidim” ,commenting in this post,they don’t know even how to learn a letter from the Rebbe,,
The Rebbe is talking about a kid that didnt want to go to college ,and it was many decades ago. In these times they were not online options,where many of the college problems diminish
Every situation is different and you have to talk to a down to earth mashpia ,or ask 3 yedidim ( something that the Rebbe told us many times to do)
they are not too many opportunity for shlichusp if you don’t have connections
So you can start a business ,or you are not cut for entrepreneur,learn the skills to get a good job,bc Jewish life is expensive ,specially yeshivas tuitions and money is important also for shalom bais
Chabad chasid
to # 47
Don’t be foolish as an outsider you can still donate. We don’t discriminate. We accept donations from Lubavitchers or non-Lubovs alike. You don’t have to be religious to give.
Agree with #47
I agree with number 47!Its funny how the first people to criticize you going to college, will be the first to ask to help fund their chabad house.
..
The unfortunate truth is the lubies that have gone to college and are able to hold down jobs are more disiplened, better spouces and better parents than their non college educated peers. They also give back more to their communities. Mashpim should look at this ans try to figure out why it is.
Nobody
In New York City, even to be a Master Plumber, does not require college, and even with college, it only cuts off a two years from your apprenticeship (less than 4).
So that assertion that you need college is absolute baloney.
#47, no one is saying having gone to college doesn’t make you a Lubavitcher. But let’s not pretend that the Rebbe approves, that times have changed, etc. That is absolutely baloney. The college scene hasn’t changed, it has gotten worse (yes, even in Toro, YU, whatever – google Tefilin Date if you don’t believe me). The income potential hasn’t improved from a degree, it has gotten lower.
Now, nothing wrong with taking courses, especially online, that specifically are geared towards earning a living in a specific field. But sending your kids to college, to get a degree in something they might like? Madness. It isn’t even justified in secular terms anymore.
That is, it is madness if you care about your grandchildren being frum. Then again, there is this one Chabad-lite guy I know how decided not to buy Tefilin for his son’s Hanachas tefilin because he is in the middle of buying a house, and he is a bit tight now.
to # 47
why cant a non-lubavitcher support a lubavitch moisad? that is what friends of chabad are for.
why is it from one extreme to another?
i help satmar and im not satmar
think for yourself!
#47 You are right on the Money!
You shluuchim- wouldnt be able to do the work of the Rebbe without the Gevrim and professonals that you honor at your dinners that in turn support your institutions and work.
Where would your funds come from ?
What should a person do to support themselves if they arent a learner and don’t intend to be a rabbi or shliach or whatever…? You think its better that they should take some 9-5 job that doesn’t pay enough to support a large family and live off of public assistance for the rest of their lives? How are they supposed to make weddings and marry off their kids? Pay tutions to keep your schools open?
Who pays for a day/sleepaway camp? ….
Money doesn’t grow on trees and in order to live in this world you need training for a decent job and you need to have certification. For many years shluchim or children of shluchim were “CERTIFIED” to teach when the had hardly any training and didn’t really know how to teach or work with kids. Yes, you do need to go to school and you do need to be certified to teach. Some of the educators that supposedly had seminary training were some of the most horrid teachers and their methods left alot to be desired.
They had no business caring for someones kids let alone being near kids.
Some of the so called ethics of people who quote and work for the chabad institution could use professional training in alot of areas.
Chabad schools become a nepotistic institution where anyone who is related in some can get a job even if they arent qualified for it.
I’ve come to see that everything that was a given rule in chabad came down as a law and wasn’t to be question and if you do than you are a rebel and you arent allowed to think for yourself. It isn’t encouraged.
The Mashpia stuff is a way to keep tabs on what people are doing and thinking .
Its just another way to control.
Sorry but this kind of stuff smacks of cult rules.
And frankly I’m fed up with watching people who claim they love the Rebbe and preach what he said to do, and then they turn around and hurt others either with their loshen hara or in other ways.
Stop putting up fences for people who need to live a decent life.
If training and a degree let them lead a respectable life with dignity, instead of watching them bum out and end up on drugs or joining the packs of kids that roam the streets looking for something to do with themselves..why should you stop them?
Better they are doing something constructive then destructive!
Esther
It is clear from many of the posts here, that many comments were written by people who were taught English by teachers with no professional training. Either that or they never learned English at all. Their grammar and vocabulary usage is abhorrent. Good luck getting decent jobs when you cannot even speak or write the English language. Much like the bochurim from the local Yeshiva who come for Shabbos and break their teeth trying to incoherently deliver a Dvar Torah.
Doctor
This is how I feel.
1. If college is bad – let’s stay away from it, but didn’t Rebbe also write somewhere that a married person can go to college?
2. If college is bad for you – let’s stay away from it, but why can’t we have college courses taught in Yeshiva/Seminary atmosphere? Not just a plumber or welder, but real college courses so people can become not just rabbis/cheder teacher, but also professionals. I am not talking about Frum College I am talking Yeshiva with college courses, where no “girls is going to seat in a bochur lap”, as a shliach mentioned above.
We need a shidduch system
Today there are institutions of higher learning where boys never see girls-I know because my son attends one such school.They do not do or learn any of the garbage people are scared of.I also have a girl in Stern and I wish the chabad boys at YU or Touro could have a system where very frum Chabad college girls could meet very frum Chabad boys that do attend college and yet have very firm attachments to the Rebbe.They are definitely NOT modern but have very firm goals they wish to achieve-i.e. become professionals who can afford to pay for jewish schools and not depend on others for financial support!!!!
College educated
I think all of you non-college educated Lubabs should stop asking me, the college educated professional that makes a good living, for money.
Anonim
I think all of you non-college educated Lubabs should stop asking me, the college educated professional that makes a good living, for money.
—
Some non-college educated Chassidim (and even some moisdos) are the ones providing jobs to college-educated BTs and lites. These jobs are often chessed, because the employees have little ambition and less talent and cannot find work outside the community.
no one special
Can someone explain why at least one institution in Lubavitch
gives gives a Bachelors Degree? Is this to impress donors. Is it to use to go to graduate school? Is it gnaivas daas? Why have many used the claim that The Rebbe went to college. Obviously it must be a positive reality or it would not be said about The Rebbe.
How do you reconcile that college is useless but Lubavitch bestoes degrees?
Florida
I’m not sure how to interpret the Rebbes letter. What I find hypocritical is that our own institutions require college degrees!!! We talk out of two sides of our mouth.
Nobody
#60, the dangers of secular college outweigh its benefits. There is no contradiction in saying that and recognizing the accomplishment of learning in Yeshiva as equivalent or greater – quite the opposite.
#61, the only such requirement I know of is government requirements placed on schools. The schools should be organizing a way to get appropriately credentialed teachers without the secular college experience, sure, but somehow it just doesn’t smack of being outrageous. Maybe that is just my lack of sensitivity to the issue.
finally a Shliach
This letter is definitely written to an individual.
why dont you post the rebbe POLICY letters about college?
when I learned in YOEC- the lubavitch yeshiva of L.A., there was a letter of the rebbe about college posted on the wall of ‘ZAL’, where was obviously the Rebbe’s opinion about the general PUBLIC going to college (although there were a number if exceptions)
if I recall the Rebbe makes 2 points:
A at the present time (of this letter being written) the atmosphere in college is AMORAL if not downright IMMORAL and not conducive to a life according to shulchan aruch.
B even a moral college atmosphere (I am not sure if it means even a frum college) is not appropriate place for yiddishkeit.
the rebbe says if none the less one chooses to go to college, then he should AT LEAST goto Yeshiva for a number of years after graduating high school.
Rabbi Citron, who taught us then seemed to imply it was even for the time wasters although he said he personally ended up learning a lot more because he thought he was only in yeshiva for two years and he had to use his limited time in yeshiva.
A former fool
Reasonably simple ! You buy into a system by going to a kind of school, as any former student of a yeshiva can tell you ! I was smarter before school, I got more contacts than before school ! Add it up and accept the truth !
Isn't the answer obvious? -> MASHPIAH!
Look at this at face value. This is a letter written to someone’s father about their son attending college. You can deduce from it that the Rebbe sentiments about the issue were not to go or to spend time in yeshivah first. You cannot deduce from it that this applies to every person’s situation. The Rebbe did not make college assur. In certain situations he told people to go, and get the highest degree possible- a PhD. Some people are, by hasgacha pratis, born into families that expect them and put much of their effort, time, and money, into making it possible for them to go to college and to the best one. For example, I’m from an immigrant Russian single-mother home, and my mother signed me up for a huge number of extracurricular activities, prep schools, and more. Many people in my family are doctors. People expected me to go to Harvard or MIT (I live in Boston) or another top tier school and be the same. It was by divine providence I was born into this situation and into this family, so maybe I was indeed meant to go. In other situations, the Rebbe told people not to go. So this issue isn’t a clear one. The Rebbe said consult you mashpiah. Listen to them. That’s what you gotta do! End of story. Make sure you have a true mashpiah (one that fits the requirements of being “kind, compassionate, and humble/ modest” (the Rebbe), and follow their advice. Wasn’t this obvious? What’s was this whole conversation about?!