If you are a rosh kollel, this interesting psak from Rav Shteinman might just be for you..
Rav Shteinman paid a visit to a beis medrash in Bnei Braq. At the end of his visit, the Rosh Kollel asked Rav Shteinman a question about how to deal with the avreichim in his kollel.
The Rosh Kollel asked if he should deduct money from the stipend of an avreich for coming late. Doing so, or at least threatening to do so, might prevent him from coming late and weakening the entire beis medrash. or, perhaps, he should not deduct for the already meager stipend, and should try to find other ways to strengthen the atmosphere and attendance in the beis medrash?
Rav Shteinman paskened that despite the fact that this fellow coming late can cause a weakened atmosphere in the beis medrash, the Rosh Kollel should not deduct from his stipend. The avreich is probably already barely getting by at the end of the month, and taking money away will be taking food away from his family.
(source: Kikar)
I would guess this question must be referring to a new situation. I imagine that if this is a new problem, this would be the right answer. If this has been going on for a long time already, and if he has been warned many times but continues to come late for learning, perhaps kollel, or specificially this kollel in which he is unmotivated, is not for him..
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And that in a nutshell is the difference between the worldview of the gedolim and the worldview of the working man.
ReplyDeleteThis post helps illustrates the process and making of Godol stories: Rav Shteinman is being asked, honestly, a simple question. Simple enough for the rosh kollel to figure out by himself. He is well aware that "deducting from the meager stipend" is not the right approach.
ReplyDeleteYet, by deferring to a godol and giving him the chance to answer the right (and obvious) answer - another godol anecdote can enter our collective. The masses can now rave about yet another aspect of RS's greatness, foresight and righteousness - and in this case, also becoming the savior of the poor.
this isn't new. i heard that the Mir was deducting money for guys who missed or came late about 10 years ago.
ReplyDeleteToraso Umanaso....it's his job.
ReplyDeleteIf he was in the work force and came late he would be docked.