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Thursday, 26 Sivan, 5786
  |  June 11, 2026

Why Don’t We Go To College?

Why don't we go to University and are we open minded or closed minded people? One Chabad teacher tries to explain. Video

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wake up yidden
August 20, 2012 9:31 pm

in today’s world college does not guarentee a job!!! there are many college graduates out on the street and in debt. dont buy into this false promise. believe me i have a college degree , that and $2.25get you on the subway. However if there were more training programs that just gave you core skills and cut out the shtus that is worth it not college!!!

Chabad Does Go To University
August 20, 2012 3:44 pm

To open Chabad House 🙂

to # 20
August 18, 2012 11:21 pm

I’m sorry, but R. Paltiel is not the god-sent answer to all of our problems, he said what he did, and that’s all. If you think that having only bitachon helps you find a job, you are sadly mistaken my friend. He was only giving what he could, and nothing more; a small pat on the back, and a reassuring nod, sadly, he isn’t going to have a career counseling class with you.

Philosophy
August 17, 2012 4:19 pm

What if you go to college and don’t study philosophy? Say you study only mathematics and computer programming…is it OK then?

To 21
August 17, 2012 12:09 pm

You have a large family, debt, and kids who would consider college. It sounds like even with bitachon you are struggling. Are you suggesting that you would prevent them from going to college, guaranteeing that they will have to struggle as you do? Are you so selfish as to want them to have to struggle, too?

Bitochon
August 17, 2012 7:23 am

The “story” of the Alter Rebbe’s support of the Czar vs. Napolean, i.e. ruchniyus health over gashmiyus wealth comes to mind here. Perhaps the question here is one of Bitachon. If I am meant to live comfortably…will that be able to happen without a college education? And if I am meant to struggle -ch”v – will a college education somehow outwit the Aibeshter?
P.S. I have a large family, and lots of tuition debt…and kids that would consider college – if I agreed to it.

So What is Your Solution?
August 16, 2012 10:02 pm

Rabbi Paltiel, what would you say to all those people who do not have a Parnassa, what should they do?

And you can’t tell me that all of those that are struggling lack Betochon, I know many very Ehrliche Yidden who struggle.

Isn’t college as a vessel for a livelihood a good thing?

To #17
August 16, 2012 6:56 pm

Correct, college education does not equal money.

But, as per a recent WSJ article, unemployment among those without degrees is double those with degrees. In addition, those with degrees on average have higher paying jobs, to the value of having recouped the cost of education in 5 years.

So, while you are correct, college does not equal money,the lack of college most definitely does contribute to the lack of money.

Oh, and “collage” helps with spelling, too.

Rabbi A
August 16, 2012 5:34 pm

to 17
but it sure helps!!!

Get this straight
August 16, 2012 3:09 pm

Collage does not equal money.

I haven't watched the video yet, but....
August 16, 2012 2:03 pm

Outside of Touro, Stern, and YU, what other Jewish colleges are there, and if they exist, can you earn a “real” degree from them?

to #10
August 16, 2012 12:16 pm

could you repeat that in english? sounds interesting but some of us don’t know so much yiddish…thanks

AMAZING!!
August 16, 2012 9:30 am

THANK YOU!!

Agree with #1
August 16, 2012 3:37 am

I completely agree with #1. As a frum girl at a non-Jewish university, I can tell you that there is a thriving Jewish community there, with shuirim on campus, a kosher cafeteria, and a huge Jewish chevra to be with. In addition, I know that when I graduate, I will be able to make a good parnassah and together with my husband, provide for my family. Since I plan on sending my children to Jewish schools and not begging for money from others, university education is a must whether you like it or not.

A college grad
August 16, 2012 2:43 am

I got my hands on as much material from the Rebbe on the subject before I made the decision to go to college. What hurts me most is the many young balei batim in their late 20’s and 30’s struggeling to support their familes. They confide in me that they resent the system and the mashpiim that taught them not to go to college. More and more these parents are planning to make sure their children have a career plan that includes college before the kids get married. What I wish is Rabbi Paltiel, who is an incredible mashpia and… Read more »

Rabbi A
August 15, 2012 11:53 pm

rabbi,i sat in your shurim for a few years. where you bashed going to college and how a person should not go to learn a trade before getting married.i did as you taught and now i struggle daily to make a parnasah and now to learn a trade that will provide enough money for the outrages tuition fees will be an extremely up hill battle.

to 1 #
August 15, 2012 11:24 pm

the examples you give should say mamash punkt farket.
you should know that those takonois poshut effected the parnoso, and in the end the rabbonon changed legabei oil. but the etzem point is punkt farkert, please do not subvert the facts.

to # 1,2 and 3
August 15, 2012 10:52 pm

it is very obvious by what you have written that you did not even listen to the lecture…

John
August 15, 2012 10:29 pm

how many of you actually listened to the whole video

Excellent class!
August 15, 2012 9:56 pm

Unreal teacher!!! Thank you!

Reality check
August 15, 2012 9:42 pm

The system has failed us. It’s hurting us, our children and grandchildren if we don’t take action. Who can pay tuition these days? We have no alternative.

Mazal Tov
August 15, 2012 5:44 pm

Mazal Tov to Mrs. Chanin! Many more happy, healthy years and lots of nachas from all your beautiful children

wondering
August 15, 2012 5:19 pm

to #1:
I believe the Rebbe responded to your very complaints in the FIFTY’S! (scattered throughout the first 4 volume’s of Likutei Sichos)

False Advertising
August 15, 2012 4:21 pm

R. Paltiel, may he live long and be blessed, is discussing the issue with learning philosophy What about learning math and engineering? Architecture? Law? Medicine? ETC!!!!???

Uh ....
August 15, 2012 1:37 pm

‘Why don’t we go to college?’ Look around you. We do. Don’t whitewash reality.

College a Parnasa
August 15, 2012 1:29 pm

Rabbi Paltiel, You got to be in touch with your time, many Minhogim and Halochos were enacted for the times: Bishul Akum, Stam Yaynom…. Mishum Chasonos. We live in the Internet age, a time that Parnasa is a challenge; Koddesh does not have many opportunities. We need to encourage and provide our children the tools to be able to make a Parnasa, it might be best for the person to go to college/university. Today we have BH many jewish colleges that facilitates our children to be in a Jewish environment. We do understand that there is risk of what we… Read more »

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