Bochurim Shouldn’t Need to Depend on ‘Podcast Chassidus’

By Leizer Kahn

Some of the response to my initial op-ed on COLlive.com was swift and sharp. While many people seemed to agree with my general proposition, many have raised important and relevant criticisms of my arguments. In the following paragraphs, I will attempt to address them in a concise yet comprehensive manner:

I will start by conceding a point that many have made in various forms: The comparison of a once-a-year international CTeen Shabbaton to an ordinary Friday in Yeshiva in the middle of Adar is not fair. The teens are certainly not this excited at their local event on  Shabbos Mevorchim Iyar, and many bochurim are often in a heightened state of inspiration on Yud Tes Kislev or Yud Shevat. Hence, the “control group” in this comparison is distorted.

However, the reason I nevertheless made the comparison was because I think there is a kernel of truth there:

We do not do enough to teach our children to see their inherent value as a Yid and cultivate the joy that results from that, as we do with the Yidden we are mekarev. We constantly empathize the importance of doing more and it seems to come with a heavy price. This is reflected in many ways, and this was merely an (imperfect) anecdote that helped me articulate this observation.

To those who claim that the excitement of a Baal Teshuvah is short lived, I say: Agreed. But there is a certain level of passion that every Chossid should be able to exhibit. It doesn’t look like marching down Kingston and chanting, but it also doesn’t look like a zombie-like bochur roaming aimlessly through Zal, overwhelmed by all he feels he needs to do and feeling gratified by none of it.

To those who took my words as a criticism of the younger generation, I say: Chas veshalom! The most inspiring figures in my own Avodas Hashem aren’t necessarily the Shluchim and Mashpi’im of the Mems, but the Shluchim, bochurim, and yungeleit who grew up in the post-Gimmel Tammuz reality. These people are living proof of the power of Chassidus to give life to everyone, regardless of whether they saw the Rebbe.

My criticism (if it can be framed as such) is directed towards the Menahalim, Principals, Maggidei Shiurim, teachers, and Mashpi’im of many of our Yeshivos: Chassidus is a limitless resource of meaning and inspiration, and it deserves to be shared in a way that reflects that.

Why do our youth need to turn to their favorite podcast platform for them to learn about the richness and relevance of Toras Ha’Chassidus? 

There are several yeshivos that seem to be cognizant of this issue and are proactive in creating a positive and uplifting environment for their bochurim. However these Yeshivos tend to be considered out of “the mainstream” (whatever that means…).

Additionally, there are many Hanhalah members in “mainstream” yeshivos who absolutely spread positive messages through their talks, farbrengens and one-on-one conversations. However I think that they are too rare, and that the standard messaging in these yeshivos is more about demanding more from the bochurim than uplifting them.

To those who say that these very same Bochurim are the ones who will soon be leading these teens and inspiring them, I say: Yes, sometimes you need to become a leader in order to find your own passion. However, the rule in Bava Kama still applies: We must ensure that our children don’t have to wait to become Shluchim to experience the richness of Yiddishkeit. We have the tools, we simply need to use them.

In closing, to those who claim that any criticism of the system is an attack in bad faith, that any attempt to change the conversation on an important issue is always detrimental, I say: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Our ultimate goal is Moshiach, and we still haven’t achieved it, over 30 years after the Rebbe implored us to get the job done. Let’s continue to pursue our goals in creative ways, while adhering to the letter and the spirit of the Rebbe’s words.