The Year In Israel And The Products

For about 20 years I was zocheh to learn Torah with boys in a post high school yeshiva. It was very rewarding because it combined the two things I love most - Jews and Torah. A pleasure. I have such gratitude to the boys for learning with me and retain many fond memories. Each boy had a unique neshama and a similarly unique purpose and it was inspiring watching each boy grow in his own way.

The job had hazards as well. I will not mention what bothered me most for reasons that I can't share. But I will share what was the cause of tremendous frustration. Many of the boys were coming in with 17 years of mis-education - movies, TV, Internet, inappropriate relationships with girls, a history of alcohol and drug use, dysfunctional families, and the list goes on. Each boy with his own pekeleh. Some boys came in quite innocent but were tremendously deficient in their level of knowledge of Torah [i.e. unable to read a pasuk, mishna or gemara without a translation and dots, ignorance of basic halachos and even famous parts of chumash and nach] and commitment to mitzvos.

I often felt a tremendous amount of resistance to my message that one must be a better and more committed Jew, increase learning and keep all of the halachos, even the one's governing relationships with girls and popular entertainment. It was so incredibly frustrating. I really loved the boys and wanted what was best for them and I knew that the Torah provides it but the pull of a Super Bowl or acceptance to a secular college was stronger than any Tosfos or sichas mussar [for most but not all].

The main test is how they fare in the future. 18 is young and life decisions have not yet been made. However, according to my research and experience the results are quite distressing. A small percentage of boys maintain what they received in Israel. Another small percentage actually continue growing. Another very small percentage of boys who never really absorbed the message during the year, catch the holy fever after they leave.

But most of the boys either never "get it" in the first place or get it and then lose it. It is so bad that they go on Facebook [I am told] and post pictures of themselves in clubs, bars, casinos and other places of disrepute, often with their arms around ladies who are dressed exactly as one does when they forget to get dressed. The hair and makeup are well done but there is not much else. And these boys, who once sat in front a holy gemara, opposite the kodesh hakodashim, and with serious talmidei chachomim, trying to plumb the depths of dvar Hashem, now advertise to the whole world "LOOK!!! I am a prisoner to the forces of evil. I am all body and no soul. No bushah. This is me and this is Cathy whom I just met but in the next few hours will get to know VERY WELL." [The girls who study in Israel also fall significantly after they leave - unless of course they read the blog daily...:-) or otherwise keep strong].

Hashem yishmor.

Their neshamos are already in gehenom but they are so sucked in by the כחות הרע they don't feel it. They even claim that they are having a good time.

So sweet friends!!! If you have been saved from their empty existence - save a few more people. Your children and anyone else who will listen. כל ישראל ערבים זה בזה. All Jews are responsible for each other and must be "sweet" [ערב also means sweet] to each other.

And don't forget to save yourself first. בראתי יצר הרע בראתי תורה תבלין! If you are REALLY into the Rambam and Rashba then casinos lose their appeal. Really.

If you left Israel and are still serious about yiddishkeit then consider yourself a modern day hero and I should write you kvittlach for brachos because you are kadosh. 

Let us be mischazeik together!

לרפואת הנפש לכל חולי הנפש בעם ישראל!