Yeshivishe Oilam Finally Sees That their System is "Not Sustainable" and is "Collapsing"

 

DIN: I have been screaming on this blog for years that the Yeshivishe System is no longer feasible and is in fact collapsing! Our OTD problem is in fact, a direct result of this system! 

Finally, I see that parents have had it and are now coming out and stating the obvious! The entire system is built on "schnorrerei" living off other people and Government grants! It is no wonder that so many Chareidim are incarcerated because of the financial pressure the community places on them! 

Here are two long letters that were sent to other bloggers as well, that spell out the pain that these families have to go through to fit in! We can not count on the "gedoilim" to change anything; they are unfortunately totally disconnected, and it is not in their interests to have anything change! So this revolution is quick in coming and is coming from the bottom up! 

Letter One

Dear Oilam, 

This is not a rant , this is real and it’s our reality for thousands of families across klal Yisroel* .

*We need to take real  action* , we can maybe start with something similar to below .

1. Everyone needs to get financial training by either RSK or the OU program

2. ⁠We need to prioritize  our spending and stop wasting money on unnecessary things and pretending we have when we don’t

3. ⁠We need to streamline our charity  organizations and only help those that help themselves ( no chasuna help should be given to anyone that’s  not taking on all  the Simcha initiative programs, you shouldn’t get $12,000 help make a wedding and then go buy a natural grown diamond engagement ring etc )

4. ⁠We need stop being lazy and shop for food and clothing in places that are little less convenient but can get us %30 to %50 savings …

5. ⁠shut  down overseas seminary for girls

6. ⁠oilem has to get 2 guys in every shul and communicate with other gabbaim in other Shuls and help make job shidduchim

7. ⁠we have to rapidly expand outside of our current borders into areas where cost of living is less ( *only way to do that is to have certain yeshivas send yunngerleit further out and make things happen*)

8. ⁠We have to daven for siyata dshamaya for all of the above

The “leaders” have to stand up and initiate and push through the above,with any means necessary

*We are drowning and people have to stop being concerned about what others think and just do the right thing*

Letter two!

Dear Rabbanim /Community Leaders / Mechanchim / Friends],

I write this letter not out of criticism, but out of deep love for Klal Yisrael and concern for the future of our children.

For decades, we built a remarkable system — one that rebuilt the spiritual walls of Am Yisrael after the churban of Europe. The yeshiva and kollel model, particularly in places like Lakewood, gave us a generation of talmidei chachamim and inspired countless families to center their lives around Torah.

But no system lasts forever. What once uplifted us may now be holding many of us back.

Today, we are pushing nearly every bochur into long-term yeshiva and kollel learning, regardless of whether it fits his nature, his ability, or his life path. The pressure begins as early as 6th grade. Every boy must be the next “gadol hador,” and anything less is seen as failure.

Is this fair? Is it sustainable?

We have created a culture where:

    •    Parents are expected to support boys well into their mid-20s and beyond.

    •    Young couples rely on parents or communal funds with no end in sight.

    •    Boys are discouraged from developing any parnassah plan.

    •    Marriage is delayed, or entered into with no readiness to support a family.

This is not how Klal Yisrael always lived. Throughout our history, even many of our Gedolim worked. They were shoemakers, goldsmiths, merchants, and physicians. Torah and parnassah were not enemies — they were partners.

It is time to rethink our direction.

I believe we must begin encouraging the majority of boys to consider marrying younger — at 18–20 — and to enter the workforce with dignity. Post–high school yeshiva should be reserved for the elite, those truly capable of deep learning and leadership. For the rest, it should be a short but powerful time to strengthen their foundations — and then move forward with life.

Let us teach our boys:

    •    That it is honorable to work and support your wife and children.

    •    That being a “baal habayis” who learns every day, gives tzedakah, and raises ehrliche children is a crown in Klal Yisrael.

    •    That they can serve Hashem powerfully — even without sitting in kollel.

The current system is no longer working for most families. It places impossible financial burdens on parents, pressures bochurim beyond reason, and often leads to disappointment or spiritual burnout.

Let’s not pretend this is sustainable. Instead, let us build a path that balances Torah with reality — a path of truth, health, and long-term strength for our people.

With respect, sincerity, and a heart full of love for Torah and Am Yisrael,

A yid who sees the future!