As previously reported by Matzav.com, Rav Boruch Chait, Rosh Yeshivas Maarava, has publicly opposed the participation of his students in the annual Bnei Torah summer camp run by Yeshivas Ateres Yisroel.
Now, Matzav.com has obtained a letter written by Rav Chait explaining his stance. In a strongly worded letter to parents, Rabbi Chait stated that the yeshiva has decided not to allow its students to attend the camp this year due to concerns over negative influences—chief among them, the adoption of smoking habits.
For years, talmidim from the Maarava high school division, led by Rabbi Chait, took part in the Bnei Torah camp during the summer. However, that will no longer be the case. The primary reason for this change, Rabbi Chait explained, is the exposure to behaviors that are incompatible with Maarava’s standards.
In his letter, Rabbi Chait addressed the parents of 10th and 11th grade students:
“Dear parents and talmidim of grades 10 and 11: Shalom U’vracha. The mission and role of our yeshiva, in full partnership with you, the parents, is to educate your son—our talmid—in Torah and yiras Shamayim, while guiding his conduct and lifestyle to align with the ways of the Torah, halacha, and proper derech eretz befitting a ben Torah.”
He went on to explain that Maarava maintains firm expectations and standards, which are clearly outlined in the yeshiva’s code of conduct: “Maarava is a standard yeshiva with well-defined values that are anchored in our rules—meticulous observance of derech eretz and refined behavior, as expected from bnei Torah; strict policies regarding smoking, alcohol, filtered media use, and the prohibition of non-kosher phones.”
While acknowledging the value of the Bnei Torah camp for other communities, Rabbi Chait made clear that it does not align with Maarava’s hashkafah: “Although we appreciate the work of the Bnei Torah camp for a certain demographic, unfortunately, due to the decline of the generations, the gap between Maarava and other institutions—even those considered religious high schools—is now very wide.”
He revealed that last year, some students who attended the camp returned with behaviors that were not acceptable by yeshiva standards: “It is known to us that last year, some of our talmidim who joined the camp came back with a smoking habit (and other influences that do not reflect Maarava’s values), and we were forced to suspend them from yeshiva for a period of time.”
Rabbi Chait concluded by urging parents to take the yeshiva’s guidance seriously: “We feel it is necessary to draw your attention to this matter. For the sake of your son’s chinuch and in order to preserve an atmosphere consistent with our values and standards, we strongly recommend that your son not attend a program that may, in a short time, undo the efforts we invest throughout his years at Maarava.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
Wow. We are so fortunate that the little kinderlach at Matzav are on top of this breaking story like a hawk. This story will be studied for generations to come. Amazing. Matzav gets the credit. Ashreinu.
I appreciated this story, i found it interesting and relevant, and I found your comment asinine.
Nobody just “picked-up” these behaviors from a 2-3 week bein ha’zemanim. (Will they pick up better habbits, by being in the streets for 3 weeks?) If they would have acquired a strong UNDERSTANDING of, and APPRECIATION for, the hashgafos of a Ben Torah and of the “Standard Yeshivah” bochur, it is unlikely they could have been swayed. If they had been given the tools to develop the proper degree of self-esteem, it is even LESS likely they could have been swayed. I think there MAY be something lacking in the level of appreciation and kovod for Rabbi Chait on the part of some of these bochrim if his worst fears have been realized. Maybe, instead of banning the camp, we should work WITH the camp to ban smoking there the way it is banned in Maarava.
The rambam writes how a persons behavior reflects that of his surroundings.
The rambam further stresses that if one’s surroundings are deficient the only solution is to leave those influences.
The rambam neglects to mention anything about self esteem or proper understanding of hashgafos of a ben torah as being an antidote.
Perhaps you can write an addendum to the rambam to help clarify this issue.
Great points.
Also keep in mind that the issue here involves youngsters, whose sense of self is often still relatively weak, making them more susceptible to peer pressure than adults perhaps.
Rav Chait should be commended for preserving the true definition of a ben Torah. Torah, Yiras Shamayim along with derech eretz, refined behavior and avoiding self destructive practices.
Engaging in smoking is a chisaron in not only one’s status as a ben Torah but it is a chisaron in one’s status as a mentch. Rav Miller said a bachur who smokes should not even be considered for a shidduch.
If only this was a espoused on a broader level.
Very nice
A cut above
Voice of sanity
I live in a city where kids are basically under no control from 6th grade and on for at least half the day
Kids are used as mules to sell vapes in their schools and nobody seems to care and the list goes on
Problem is that this is completely a man made tragedy
Forget everything else. I love R Baruch’s amazing songs on The Rabbi’s sons, Kol Solanika, Camp Sdei Chemed and elsewhere. He is one of the top 8 composers alive today, along with Yossi Green, R’ Shmuel Brazil, Yerachmeil Begun, Abe Rotenberg, Rav Michel Twerski, MBD, and Moshe Laufer. Kol Haolam kulo gesher tzar; harachaman hu yanchileinu; rachem bechasdechah; rachem al tziyon; omdos hayu; asher bara (on A Fried’s the Time is Now); im Hashem lo yivneh; lo amus; va’ani bechesdechah; av horachamim; shema beni; hashem malei rachamim (great unknown song on last album of Rabbis sons) ….. to name just a few of his hundreds of gems that have enhanced the Jewish world. And don’t forget his wonderful books. Great asset to the Jewish people. May he live ad me’ah ve’esrim!
Long time fan from Lakewood NJ