tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097470114630520031.post3441591602747848724..comments2023-07-19T03:29:08.647-05:00Comments on Emes Ve-Emunah II: Analysis of my Latest PollHarry Maryleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936405163453714823noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097470114630520031.post-9708971622420333732013-06-20T04:32:18.202-05:002013-06-20T04:32:18.202-05:00I realize this is a pretty old post, but tuition i...I realize this is a pretty old post, but tuition is something that affects every family (outside of the ultra wealthy) - unlike many of the other items in your poll. <br /><br />The burden high tuition places on families forces parents to dedicate more time to work/business/bills and less time toward nurturing both their own spiritual/social growth and that of their children. When your mind is stuck in your work, it rubs off on the kids. When kids don't feel parents' connection to G-d on a regular basis, they feel less connected themselves. <br /><br />So why might kids be more at risk? Why might there be domestic abuse, cheating the government, agunos and other social problems? It's because parents are so preoccupied with their bills and supporting our expected lifestyle that they don't spend enough time thinking about and being with their kids. They don't spend adequate time brainstorming solutions to community, school and family issues. Instead, decisions are made for them by rabbis with a one-track mind (learn, learn learn) and the 'machers' that blindingly support them - but who themselves [the machers] don't really have the time to really provide the positive input that their business acumen affords. A community needs everyone to work on the problems, not just a few select individuals.<br /><br />Our schools also need to teach students how to LIVE as Jews, balance life and work (yes, you need to contribute to society), how to interact and work together with all types of Jews. Small groups need to stick together to be strong. There is way too much focus on the intellectual side of Torah, and too little on the spiritual and how we can emulate the values within it. Too much subject matter to absorb, not enough on integrating it into one's life. We give thanks to G-d so many times a day - by rote, and yet how often are we taught to thank our government, our soldiers (and I do mean American soldiers JUST as much as our Israeli ones). In my school, we were taken to nursing homes on Chanukah to sing to the elderly. NEVER did we visit or have injured American veterans speak to us. You can't put emphasis on thanking G-d and not thank people who give their lives for us. You ask why people cheat on taxes. This is part of it. The way we are raised is such that we feel we are the Jewish people (not goyish shfart***) and America is just where we live. <br /><br />We need to model for our students gratitude for every individual that affects our lives - those that heal us, those that give their lives for us, those that build our cars, those that make the clothes we wear, the electric company, the supermarket... Don't try to rip off a company because they worded something slightly ambiguously. Don't snatch a ultra-cheap airline ticket that clearly was a mistake just because you can - even if the company allows it as a PR gesture. Be grateful of your neighbor; don't take advantage. Every job in this world is there because the world demands it - WE demand it. We can't all just sit back with our seforim and suggest that they're all here to serve us. <br /><br />Yehudanoreply@blogger.com