Dear Reb Menasche
Thank you for this.
You make many valid points about the legitimacy of using the web albeit in a controlled mode. I wonder if this is going to be the united message coming out of the asifa
I recently read what now seems to be a simple pshat – of Chazal's saying "Eizehu hachacham? Haroeh es hanolad." This is typically understood as equating wisdom with the ability to foretell the future. But if that were so, the phrase should be "es hayulad" or "es asher yivaled" – that which will be born. Why use the phrase "hanolad," which implies something that has already been born? Furthermore, why attribute the ability to foretell the future to the chochom; isn't that capacity more properly assigned to the navi?
However if we are to understand that chochma lies not with the ability to see things that are as yet unborn, hayulad or asher yivaled, but rather with the ability to see that which has already been born, hanolad – that which may not have been here yesterday but is here today. The world changes with each new thing that is born; a chochom is one who recognises what is new and appreciates what has changed, and adjusts his life and plans accordingly.
We are not prophets, so it is not possible to foretell what new challenges, as yet unborn, await our Torah community in the decades ahead. But it is possible to utilize whatever measure of collective chochma we may possess to better identify and understand the challenges facing us already today, and to develop plans and programs to deal with those challenges now so that they will not, chas v’shalom, overwhelm us in the years to come.
I think we all agree that we, (klal Yisroel) are going through frightening times, with kids (and adults) falling by the wayside at an alarming rate. And even those that are outwardly 'frum', those that go to Shul three times daily and keep Shabbos - how many are in spiritual freefall - the 'reverse Marrano' effect whereby outwardly they observe Torah Umitzvos but coupled with massive internal indifference?
So here is what we need: An Asifa of forward-thinking dynamic leaders to gather and try understand what the community needs gaining a better understanding of the problem. Like you mentioned, we have concentrated our communal efforts primarily on post-the-problem interventions to help those who have strayed.
Where we are still sorely lacking is a clear understanding of why so many of our young (and not so young) are straying. If we were to gain a more sophisticated understanding of why this is happening, it would help us immeasurably in taking preventative measures to address root causes and not just symptoms.
What are the greatest risk factors that lead to at-risk behavior? Family dysfunction? Abuse ? Exposure to harmful technological influences? Bad experiences in school? Learning disabilities? Lack of self-esteem? Poverty? Excessive materialism? Lack of focus on the foundations of our emunah?
Similarly, what are the greatest risk factors that lead so many of our young adults to lose their sense of connection to the Torah way of life? Economic pressures? Temptations of the work environment? Marital strife? Failure to be koveya itim l'Torah? Being koveya itim, but not using precious learning time meaningfully? Lack of ongoing connection with a Rov?
Imagine an asifah that focused on what we actually needed rather than what the Rabbonim think they must enforce to 'tick their conscious box'. Imagine if our leaders didn't spend their precious time implementing rules that alienated sections of the community and instead worked to try and unite every sector helping and guiding those that will become at risk if they are continually faced with Taliban style rules and regulations
It is a fantasy at the moment but who knows.....
PS: hatzlocha on your forthcoming event, you are indeed fortunate that this takes place after the Asifa as surely will be able to garner some excellent organisational ideas to implement at your own function.
Kind regards
Josh
First published on 29 November 2012, on Jewish P.O.S.T. - the Jewish Voice for the People Of South Tottenham (this Blog is now defunct).
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