Just don't call it a kollel

I have on occasion heard the combination of Torah and secular studies being described as shaatnez.

"Shaatnetz" is supposedly how Rav Shteinman recently described a certain kollel in Bnei Braq which was opened for the purpose of splitting time between Torah learning and teaching the avreichim a trade, generally technology to integrate into the hi-tech industry, and also with work. According to the report, when Rav Shteinman was told about this kollel (though since the source of the report originates in the Yated I do not know how reliable it is) he got upset and said "this is shaatnez and it is a chutzpah to call such a place a "kollel"."

It could very well be that this is simply an issue of bad marketing, and better marketing required. Is there something wrong with people who are working who learn Torah in their free time? Of course not! No rav would say such a thing. Is there something wrong with people who are learning a trade who spend their free time learning Torah? Of course not! No rav would say such a thing. Is there something wrong with creating a kollel for working men so they can learn in a structure in their free time? Of course not! No rav would say such a thing.

Rav Shteinman's problem, if the Yated is correct, is using the name kollel for a program that teaches non-Torah studies and encourages people to go find a job.

So don't call it that! Don't call it a kollel that encourages integration into the workplace.

Call it a kollel for people who work, are looking for work, are studying to find a job. Call it a kollel for baalebatim. Call it a kollel for people to learn Torah in their free time. Call it a beis medrash program. Call it morning seder, or night seder. But never call it late for dinner. And never call it simply a "kollel".

More often than not, these initiatives, no matter how good and important they are, require a certain finesse. Trying to call such a place a kollel, making it seem like almost the standard kollel with different objectives is sure to raise the ire of many who would be forced to oppose it. Simply giving it a different name could easily solve the problem and turn certain people from being opponents to being proponents. Does Rav Shteinman really not want working people to spend a few hours a day learning Torah? Of course not! Of course he is happy with them having a structure in which they can learn Torah. He just does not want them to call it a kollel when it is sending people out to work. So don't call it a kollel.

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