Inbox: Issue 1094

Come Home [Counterpoint / Issue 1093]

I’d like to add two points to the ongoing discussion about spending in our communities.

1. I understand I may be oversimplifying things, but why can’t everyone just spend what they can afford?

Takanah weddings have become stunning. Why can’t the “lower middle class” make takanah weddings, the higher middle-class make nicer weddings, and the wealthy ten percent make fancy weddings? Why do we care so much…?

Personally, I haven’t made bar mitzvahs or weddings yet, but so far, for my own kids’ brissim and upsherens, we made mechubad but simple events — and spent what we could afford. Yes, I know some people have made fancier ones… but what does that have to do with me?

2. Consider moving to Eretz Yisrael. (Please, hear me out!) Of course, this kind of move encompasses so much more than finances, but it would solve many of the challenges spoken about in the article. I’m not a proponent of, “everyone make aliyah this second.” That doesn’t make sense to me. But I think every family should make an annual cheshbon hanefesh to evaluate: Could it work this year? Could my job now be done remotely? Are my kids still young enough? Are my kids now old enough?

For people who are concerned that the chinuch differences are too great, I ask: Do you know how many schools and yeshivahs have been opened in just Beit Shemesh in the last five years alone? A lot.