Many young and older men come to Israel in order to study Torah in a Kollel. For those wanting to understand more about the options available for those wanting to spend of their time studying Torah on a full time basis, we offer you a look at the truth in terms of the costs in studying as well as the actual amounts that Kollel Avreichim (those studying at the Kollel) actually receive. It’s really a vital post, because many people are under the illusion that those studying in a Kollel are supported by the government. This is in fact not true. We need to understand and clarify what people are hearing, and what the actual situation is. Let us remember that those who study Torah in the Land of Israel are to be specially praised for their true self sacrifice. It is something one does because one feels the need to learn more so that one can observe more – and perhaps go on to teach more as well.
Let’s clarify more about the Torah learning system in Israel. Those wanting to learn how to learn and are still young take the journey to Israel to spend time studying in a Yeshivah. There are tens of Yeshivot (and more) all around Israel, offering Jews the opportunity to learn more about what the Torah is. In order to enter a Yeshivah, one will have to receive permission from the administrators / Rebbes of the Yeshivah. However, it is not usually good enough to just enter and start learning as one wishes to. There are usually costs involved. We highlight here that when people hear stories about young men receiving money from the government for studying Torah – that these scholars receive absolutely nothing for their learning. On the contrary, they are required to pay for their learning. Costs can be in the region of $500-$1000 per month (and even more)!
Those studying in Yeshivah are paying for board and lodging. They are paying their teachers to teach them. Though many will argue that Torah should be taught for free – it is practically impossible to understand how such a system will take place given the high costs of living today! As for the students, they receive their meals, and all the basic amenities in order to live. With all this, they will still be required to have their own money for transport, communication and their own other wants and desires. They may need to purchase books. They may need additional food for themselves. They may need to get out for a weekend or during Bein HaZmanim (the holiday period when the teachers take a break from the teaching and students are able to spend time to attend to other things unrelated to studying that are important to them.) Clearly, the government offers no assistance whatsoever to those interesting in pursuing their learning – much as they would not offer assistance to those wishing to study at university for which they are required to pay as well. As an aside, for those truly interested in governmental assistance in terms of study – it would be most worthwhile to investigate the governmental assistance actually offered to those lacking the means to study in university – and compare this with the total lack of help to Yeshivah Bochurim for their own studies – but let us leave that for another occasion!
Usually, when the young men marry, they will move forwards in their studies – and continue some time after marriage studying in a Kollel. There are hundreds of Kollelim available to study in. Some are focused on Halachah (law), others Gemara, yet others offer the students the opportunity to study Kabbalah. Once again, in order to study at a Kollel, one must receive permission from the respective Rebbes of the Yeshivah (notably the Rosh Yeshivah.) Acceptance doesn’t necessarily mean receiving any support whatsoever. In fact, receiving support is somewhat like the cherry on the top! The student wants to pursue his studies most of all. At the same time, he needs to live. He gives up on much of his life so that he can pursue his studies. He may do so with no particular direct motive in mind – just for the pure sake of studying Torah. However, there are a great many who will pursue direct paths which can take many years in order to become qualified in some area of specialty in Torah.
One student may wish to become a Rabbi so that he can lead a community in Israel or relocate to outside of Israel. Another will want to study for a much longer period in order to become a Dayan (a rabbinical judge). Such a person can then be accepted anywhere in the world where the Jewish community require someone to deal in monetary cases as well as divorces and other areas which require great expertise. Other students may become Mohalim (ritual circumcision). Others may become Sofrim (Jewish scribes who write Sifrei Torah, Tefillin, Mezuzot, Megillot and prepare divorce documents etc.) Other will study to become Mashgichim – who oversee the world of kosher food. These individuals may work in restaurants, butcheries and even at the airport – supervising the food on the plane as being kosher.
In fact, many don’t realise it, but many of the students who spend tens of years involved in study are far from the concept of wasting their lives – or the lives of society – as many will say. These are people who will end up giving back to society in more ways than most can imagine. Just think of your own home. Do you have Mezuzot? Do you wear Tefillin? Were you circumcised at 8 days (or thereabout?) Did you convert to Judaism from another faith? Were you married or divorced? Did you ever eat at a kosher restaurant? Did you ever look to a rabbi for some sort of support in life – or just to talk to, to here a more spiritual-guidance point of view? If any of these things applied to you – you can be sure, a Torah scholar was involved in the halachic correctness of everything going on. The experts involved will have spend years upon years involved in study – so that they could help you when you need it now!
So – while many consider the man spending his day doing nothing, let us be clear… Those studying will most likely have a rigorous schedule. They may prepare for the day by immersing in a Mikvah. They’ll do everything they can to daven in a Minyan 3 times a day. They’ll be in their Kollel by 8am at the latest – to get started with learning. They’ll be focused on learning for the entire morning until lunch time, when they’ll daven Mincha and then have something to eat. There may be a two hour break – but before long – they’re back to studying – focused on their text until 6pm or even later. After an evening meal, many will return to their studies until 10pm (and some even later!) and only then go home to be with their family, do whatever they can for what must be done in life – and try to get some sleep before the day begins again. Their days are by no means days of leisure. They are focused and put tremendous effort into all their learning.
At some point in time – those studying will all become teachers. Many will teach children. Others adults. Some will receive payment for their services. Yet others will end up spending great amounts of time giving to their communities at later points in their lives. They will have amassed a full comprehensive understanding of Talmud, of Halachah and of life itself, which they will be able to impart to others. Without all this learning – where will we be as a Jewish nation?
So – while those studying – who apparently contribute nothing to society – go about their daily struggle and effort involved in Torah learning – let us finally reveal that while many think that these Torah scholars are receiving huge amounts of family support to support their entire families – at the expense of the society who actually do work for a living. While in fact, many will receive nothing for their learning, and will require the support of other family or friends, those who do manage to succeed in any type of support, may be fortunate enough to come away with less than ₪2000 a month! This is a far cry from the amount of money needed to actually live. Let us remember that a home in Israel usually costs a minimum of over 1 million shekels. Renting a small 70 square meter place can set one back some ₪5000-₪6000 per month. This excludes being able to live with food, transport, communication, clothing, and obligatory taxes which must be paid even if one earns nothing.
When one reflects on these points, one can only remain stunned at the thought that the government is supporting those who are spending their days in learning. In addition, one should be stunned as one realises that while many will not go on to become pulpit rabbis, without the learning being done, we as a Jewish nation would lose our Jewishness in no time at all – as the way of tradition would be given over into the hands of complete assimilation.
In this beautiful article in the Arutz 7 news site, a US donor gives praise to those spending their time in Torah learning and clarifies what they actually receive as their apparent “stipend”. Indeed, let us not forget just how much those in-learning do give us each day – even if we cannot see it. Let us support them as much as we can – knowing full well how much they give back to us – always.
If you are coming to Israel to pursue your life in learning, come here with all the blessings of Torah. Find a Yeshivah that is suitable for your needs, or a Kollel to learn in. Know what lies ahead of course and be prepared.
Should you wish to be a supporter of own Torah learning, you can find out more about what we offer – and how you can support us – on our other site www.lovingkindness.co
Be blessed with all your Torah learning – and give to those who learn. Give with an open hand and know that the rewards for supporting those involved in Torah study will be seen in one’s own life on so many occasions in life!
Eliyahu
