R' Aharon Leib against Torah frameworks for students: "big loophole"

"The name 'Kolel' is only for avreichim who invest all their labor in Torah"- R' Aharon Leib Steinman expressed himself this week about the Kollel combining secular studies for working haredim.

Hag"r Aharon Leib went on and spoke 'it is not shayach to make a Kollel which is "half for Hashem and half for you". This is a big loophole, one should not change anything in the format of Kolelim."

An avrech who comes to learn in such a kollel complained to R' Aharon Leib that when he comes to learn, people shout at him, but R' Aharon Leib responded and said: "They are right shouting, for this is a big loophole. If you want to learn this way, go to a Kollel ba'alei batim or alternatively learn without an allowance, but do not presume learning in Kollel, when a Kollel is only for learning Torah."

R' Aharon Leib further said: "We have to distinguish between kodesh lechol (the sacred and the secular), and not to mix sacred and profane, and when one distinguishes between sacred and profane, one merits chatoseinu hu yimchol (He will forgive our sins)".

A few weeks ago, Rabbi David Label decided to close the high-tech Kollel - a religious framework for haredim learning a profession. The framework allowed them to study computers along with continued study of Torah a few hours a day. Following vociferous protests held against the institution, Rabbi Label decided to close it. His associates claimed that there was a mistake, because it was not intended for avreichim and tries to teach them a profession, but rather the opposite: the goal is that haredi students studying a profession - will continue their occupation with Torah.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!