Adirei Hatorah Lakewood Event – Opinion
June 7, by TheGuyBehindTheCounter
The Adirei Hatorah Lakewood Event is expected to be a true demonstration of Kavod Hatorah. It will highlight the great contribution every anonymous Kollel Yungerman makes to Klal Yisroel.
The quiet shy guy who sits with his chavrusa day in and day out. The same quiet guy who is just another face in the crowd, is really a pillar of the universe, by dint of his Torah study and dedication.
On the heels of The Siyum Hashas and the multiple Dirshu events in major stadiums, it seems quite natural that this is the way to express Kavod and appreciation to the Kollel Yungeleit.
Yet something rubs me wrong about it. How did we get here? Do you remember the vaunted “Tent Event” and how it began?
Do you remember the Mashgiach, Rav Nosson Wachtfogel? Does anyone remember how he was moser nefesh that Lakewood remain a Yeshiva town? Have we collectively forgotten his dance of Achakeh Lo?
Do we remember when Soviv Lamishkan Yachanu truly represented the town of Lakewood being almost completely centered around The Yeshiva?
Do you remember when the worst thing The Mashgiach had to be mocheh about was yungeleit listening to Yanni as they raced their Grand Marquis up Forest Avenue on the way to Seder?
Do you remember when the most popular store, was the cheapest? Do gooders worried about the housing crunch in other Jewish locales built housing in Lakewood, of all places for them. Totally unprecedented, there are now hundreds of families living in Lakewood who do not know where the Yeshiva is located. They don’t know what BMG stands for or represents.
This sad point was brought home strongly for me, when I recently walked in to one of the newer eating establishments in town during the day. I was chagrined to be surrounded by multitudes of people dressed in a manner most at odds with being Bnei Torah, lending nothing to the ambiance of a Torah centered town or lifestyle.
I remember when leased cars were first coming into vogue. The first yungerman to park in yeshiva’s lot was kindly asked by one of the Roshei Yeshiva to park elsewhere. Simply because it didn’t pas for a Kollel Yungerman.
On Shavuos we reaffirm that we understand that Torah is the purpose of our existence.
I learned in Yeshiva for many years, married and am raising my family here. Where is the Lakewood of my youth? Where is the Lakewood of my ideals and dreams? Where is the Torah culture and atmosphere that I grew up with, that I want my children to imbibe?
It is truly commendable that the Kollel paycheck was finally raised to a dignified amount. I applaud the devotion to Kavod Hatorah that the organizers represent. But isn’t it sad that it’s come to this?
I plan on attending the Adirei Hatorah event and I urge you to attend as well. Because we must demonstrate our Kavod Hatorah by any means we can. Let us collectively raise up the Kavod Hatorah by supporting the Kollel Yungeleit both financially and emotionally
See more at The GuyBehind The Counter
On the heels of The Siyum Hashas and the multiple Dirshu events in major stadiums, it seems quite natural that this is the way to express Kavod and appreciation to the Kollel Yungeleit.
ReplyDeleteHow does that make sense? The Siyum Hashas was not for Bnei Torah, and the Dirshu event was in honor of the person who donates the money.
But Bnei Torah do not belong in stadiums, they don't receive their kavod like ball players.
Yes, Lakewood is no longer a Yeshiva town. But a stadium event is as much a part of the problem as a new sushi store. Show respect for Bnei Torah by appreciating that they do not belong in the same place as us baalebatim. Understand and internalize that a Ben Torah is more than just 'someone with a dusty hat who doesn't eat steaks'. He is someone who learns and only learns, whose learning is his defining feature, who doesn't have time for nonsense because he is learning.
Nailed it!
DeleteWhat does the Achakeh lo dance have to do with anything?
ReplyDeletenothing. it's just the only thing this guy knows about rav nosson
DeleteThe tent event was something else. That was a way to tell the yungeleit that their learning was worthless, and that they should all give money to the Yeshiva. They ignored the question of 'what is the Yeshiva if not the yungeleit?'
ReplyDeleteNow, they are making an event, and everyone understands why. The whole 'kavod of the yungeleit' is a crock. If that would be the true reason, not one person would actually attend.
It is a thank you to those who donated money to the Kollel check campaign.
Is it the right thing to do? That is for Talmidei Chachamim to decide (I asked the greatest one I know and he said 'it doesn't smell right'), not me. But stop with the nonsense, we aren't children and it is extremely condescending to be treated like this.
Say the truth - this event is to honor and thank the baalebatim that gave millions of dollars.
I don't understand the logical progression of this article Having grown up and lived in Lakewood for more than four decades, I remember all the things that you mention and that's precisely what puzzles me about this whole event.
ReplyDeleteNatural progression
Deleteunnatural
DeleteThe siyum hashas wasn’t for Bnei torah?? What are you talking about? Are you saying of those 100,000 people there were no Bnei Torah??? Yes there are all types that learn Daf Yomi but included in that is thousands of Bnei Torah. How dare you paint so many people with one brush and Mach avek just like that?
ReplyDeleteYes, but it wasn't geared for Bnei Torah.
DeleteLarge scale stadium events are not for Bnei Torah. But if that is the Siyum Hashas, that is where they will go. But to make one specially for Bnei Torah is just a bizayon
Why can’t everyone relax about the Makom toirah thing?
ReplyDeleteYes r Aharon wanted the yeshiva in lkwd New Jersey pre garden state pkwy days to be 2-3 hours away from the city and all the shmutz and gashmiyus that comes along with it (not being choilek on any decisions or cheshbonos of the rosh yeshiva) but I want everyone to take a step back and think of a time in klal yisroel when there was such a type of thing as an ir shekuloi toirah. Can’t think of one?? That’s because there never was one. For as long as har Sinai the loimdei toirah mingled with the baalabatim weather it was the tanaim with the simple farmers, the rambam and the French buisinessman, or as recent as europeyishe roshei yeshivas and talmidei chachamim with the friye yidden. That’s what has been done for years and if you don’t like move to fallsburg.
I don't think the rambam ever met a French yid.
DeleteTifrach
DeleteGateshead
The question for all the above :
DeleteWho pretended to give honor to who, but the honor really for demanded for themselves
And who began to start influencing who? Which way was the place going?
Even were all the comparisons you're making to be correct which is more than dubious, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and expecting different results.
DeleteWhat happens soon after
How did all those places end afterwards
Gateshead is slowly moving into the 19th century.
DeleteTifrach is still the same as it was. The mid 19th century, where it started and stayed.
Anyone with siechel would be running to this kavod hatorah
ReplyDeleteWell said! Why actually explain yourself like the others? Just say 'siechel' and all is good.
DeleteFor those who actually use their sechel, it is a no-brainer. A choice between learning in Beis Hamedrash or dancing in Philadelphia? Depends if they are closer to their heads or their feet. Which is their dominant feature?
The Siyum hashas is just a propoganda event produced by the Aguda of USA because these days they don't have much else to do
ReplyDeletelet us say it is totally to give honor & hakaras hatov for the millions that were given away to yungeleit most of whom these baalei batim dont know personally whats wrong with that. its condescending? , if u make a cheshbon its 5 hours of your time &
ReplyDeleteu got 5 grand ! everyone understands that fundraising was always nec. & it comes in dif. forms
none of the guys who gave the big $$ " HAVE TO"- does anyone owe u anything , its precisely BIG LUEE who thinks he does owe you everything & trying to convince others ..thats what this event is all about
I don’t think r Aaron would have a problem with Lakewood a few years ago where there were Bnei Torah some of whom worked but they were all yeshivaleit. Unfortunately today it’s a different story. Bottom line I don’t think R Aaron wanted only yungeleit and no “balabatim” i.e. working people but I don’t think he wanted the Lakewood we know today.
ReplyDeletehe clearly did not want any balhabatim living in lakewood. read rabbi dershowitz's book.
Deleteוְהָיָה כְּאַלּוּף בִּיהוּדָה וְעֶקְרוֹן כִּיבוּסִי״ — אֵלּוּ תֵּרַאטְרָיוֹת וְקִרְקְסָיוֹת שֶׁבֶּאֱדוֹם, שֶׁעֲתִידִין שָׂרֵי יְהוּדָה לְלַמֵּד בָּהֶן תּוֹרָה בָּרַבִּים
ReplyDeleteThis event is a tremendous kovod hatorah and should be attended by yeshiva leit as well as balei batim.
Gedolim throughout the years had made large events לכבודה של תורה. Daf yomi siyum hashas, Rav Shach in Yad Eliyahu, R Shmuel Aurbach in Binyanei Hauma, R Shaul Alter, Knessia Gedolah.
Do not pay attention to the farbisene troll who has nothing better to do than trash this event. He is not a בן תורה and should get a job
Something was lost in the translation
DeleteYes, they will learn Torah in the stadiums and circuses. They won't have 'events' in them. That is before the time period called 'עתידין'.
Daf Yomi Siyum Hashas was a Siyum. A Siyum is a Torah celebration, and for a large crowd, a large venue was needed.
Yad Eliyahu - a political rally. Not כבודה של תורה, but a way to save the עולם התורה from the pernicious influences.
Reb Shmuel Auerbach - ditto.
Reb Shaul Alter - a speech that needed a large venue.
But events לשם events are Goyish and foolish. There is no כבוד התורה in stuffing a stadium, none whatsoever.
דור דור ודורשיו
DeleteEvery generation has it's leaders, it's builders, and it's grumps.
There were plenty of farbisene grumblers during the days of the formation of Agudas Yisroel, plenty of grumps when Rav Shach established Degel Hatorah and we have our share of grump too.
The difference is that the builders actually accomplish something while the grumps just fade away
So first you bring 'proof', then when the 'proof' is shown as stupidity, you say that the opposite is true.
DeleteFYI, this is an event made by event organizers. Do you think דרשיו means 'event organizers? Like ללמד בהן תורה meant elaborate dining?
Yes, we have grumps. Who are dragging people away from Beis Hamedrash to 'accomplish'. Let's go dance, let's go eat. That's accomplishment. Learning? That's for grumps.
There are two types of what you call grumps though obviously you wish to conflate the two
DeleteThe preferred type are those who are eminently capable of doing much and probably better than those who are actually machers. But they understand the bigger picture of what is not necessarily the best thing for the Klal right now . It hurts them others couldn't care less about the bigger picture and lack the same conscience
i think the biggest kovod hatorah would be for the yungerleit to stay in yeshiva and learn an extra hour and give the zechus hatorah to the balebatim who gave above and beyond the norm
ReplyDeleteinstead of wasting money on stadiums and peoples time lets all learn an extra hour to show the chashevus of every minute of torah learned
why is BMG making ths splash event ?for who ?for what?
is it kulo leshaym shomayim? humm ?
“The Kollel paycheck finally raised to a dignified amount”
ReplyDeleteReally? Could you support your family on a Kollel paycheck?
A Kollel wife should not have to go out to work, she should be able to stay home to take care of her heiligeh neshamos
When you can live on a Kollel salary then we can start to have a conversation