By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Zilberstrum, Rosh Yeshiva Ketana Chabad in Kiryat Gat, Israel, is speaking out against parents sending very young bochurim from Israel to spend the month of Tishrei in New York.
Rabbi Zilberstrum was responding to a question of a father asking, “My son just started Shiur Aleph in Yeshiva Ketana (Mesivta) and wants to fly to the Rebbe for Tishrei. Is it appropriate to send my 14-year-old son himself?”
Answering in this week’s edition of the Kfar Chabad Magazine, Rabbi Zilberstrum clearly stated: “In my opinion, it is irresponsible to send young boys to stay there alone a full month.”
He said that even for elder bochurim, from Shiur Aleph and up, “there’s a need for extra caution and strict supervision on what they do there,” as they spend Tishrei around 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights and the Rebbe’s Ohel in Queens.
He said that the Vaad Talmidei Hatmimim organization, which provides programming and accommodations for guests, “do their best to take care of the bochurim that come to the Rebbe, but it’s clear that the Vaad doesn’t have a full solution – especially for young boys.”
Rabbi Zilberstrum went on to suggest: “If it is really important to you that your son travel to the Rebbe for Tishrei and strengthen his hiskashrus, fly with him there.” Alternatively, he suggested flying in for just part of the month, such as for Sukkos or Simchas Torah.
“If even this isn’t possible, make sure to full his time during ‘bein hazmanim’ with chassidic content – farbrengens, Mivtzoim during Sukkos and assisting Shluchim,” the Rosh Yeshiva said. “For the sake of his neshama, it is forbidden to send him to a place where it isn’t clear what he will do and who he will be spending time with for a full month.”
Word of wisdom finally!!!!
He is 100% correct ! It’s highly irresponsible the hefker that is happening here
Good! Keep their neshomos holy and safe from the CH restaurant scene.
there are many other scenes that are even dangerous b’gashmius as well as b’ruchnius
14 year old boys should be home for tishrei with their families,not wandering the streets in Crown heights.there is a time and place for everything in life.
For the bochurim that are 14-15 YO that come unsupervised to 770/CH, it’s there first taste of the shtusim that this world has to offer.
For some it’s there first time going to places not appropriate for a Chasidishe bochur……
I know someone who asked the Rebbe in Yehidus where to send his 13 year old son. The Rebbe said anywhere in North America but not overseas. Rabbi Green in Monsey is very much against sending a bahur overseas unless he has family there or a strong group of friends.
If there is no PRE-arranged place and respectable means of food and shelter, there’s no reason for anyone to go to NY. Ah yes, this position can tickle uproar and anger – one must go to one’s Rebbe, etc. But the Rebbe is everywhere now, no? In his torah, in his igros, inside you if you do what he says… there’s no limit to his location. His shul? His ohel? for visits to those, you come if and when you can, but the MITZVA of being in NY tishrei has little to do with hashem and rebbe and a lot… Read more »
Couldn’t agree more, especially regarding the need to travel as being the primary motivator for many people. Everyone needs to take responsibility for themselves – old and young alike – and not rely on the pity of others to make their way.
Dont agree with this article. ill be straight up my son wasn’t the best kid around but he went to crown heights for tishrei and had the most amazing experience and is now practicing to become a rav. going to the rebbe for tishrei woulnt result in any bad the rebbe will protect
Most boys don’t magically get their act together when sent abroad unsupervised. I cringe when I see what certain yeshiva boys and seminary girls get up to during their year here in Israel. Their behavior is shameful.
Good for your son and you, but most kids arent like that
Unfortunately the rest of the boys that hang around for Tishrei in CH lose much more then they are supposed to gain.
It’s very nice that it turned out well for your son, but you were taking a calculated risk by sending your teenager away with limited supervision. The hanholah was right on the money with his assessment of the situation. For the people who live in crown heights and see what’s going on here in Tishrei there’s lots to be concerned with.
We’re talking about the (overwhelming) klal, not the prat…
you are very lucky though a little reckless…many other boys find something else very very different than the Rebbe when they are by themselves without any supervision
About time someone woke up to this
Correct me if I am wrong but the concern has two parts.
1. As mashma in the article, the bachur should not be free to fall into pritzusdike situations.
2. Molestation concerns.
I for one feel #2 should be considered a greater sakanah.
It’s a terrible scene in the pre Yom Tov days to see young boys from Eretz Yisroel selling ד׳ מינים, and decorations along 13th Avenue in Boro Park. Total הפקרות.
Kudos to this Rabbi for his common sense advice. CH is no place for an unaccompanied young teen, even during Tishrei.
and neither should the young girls come
and neither should anyone come if they are here to be rude to others and think they own the place
this includes when the girls literally build bleachers at Simchas Beis HaShoeva, essentially building a wall, and selfishly blocking everyone behind them from seeing-everyone used to stand on the floor and everyone used to be able to see
finally somebody had the guts to speak up. hopefully we won’t see too many young boys and girls this year
maybe there should be a webcam accompanying each student so that their parents actually get to see what their children are doing
I think some parents would be shocked
Just sayin’
Translate this article to Hebrew, French and other languages and post in all Chabad Media possible.
Thank you for the great article
Time to let only organized trips for youth like CT, With scheduled learning program, sleep and food accommodations only for out of town /over the sea Chabad kids . yes it will cost more but our leaders must have zero tolerance for all issues with youngsters during YT. Otherwise what is the main Yikar for coming to CH? Rebbe and learning
We have to get through to their parents somehow…the boys aren’t coming on their own
The world in 1993 looked much different than our world today. It is unlikely that the Rebbe would permit travel anywhere in North America today!
rabbi silberstrum: yaasher koach for speaking up and making parents aware of such young boys being left for a full month and hopefully to do the right. but who knows?
Why isn’t there any community authority that regulates dangerous and non mencthlik practices like girls piling up milk crates at simchos bais hashuava. It’s far from safe and truly inconsiderate of their fellow Jews many of whom have great mesiros nefesh for the orchim.
would all these kids boys and girls come flocking to “the Rebbe” if this was say Iowa or some hick town not new york? just saying.
Please the hefkeires and shtus is unbelievable. But the hanhalah encourages this as it saves them a month of expenses in their respective yeshivos when the boys and girls are away
How about consulting with your Mashpieh to decide if you are well enough prepared to come see the rebbe.
There is no one size fits all ….
At the same time it is the obligation of a parent to know where their youngsters are up to.
Don’t rely only on others.