It’s 9 a.m. — Do You Know Where Your Bochur Is?

Asher, an 18-year-old boy who came to Eretz Yisrael for shanah alef, was amicable and always smiling but never quite productive. At the year’s end, Asher found himself far from his intended goal. Unlike Heshy, who had gone almost unnoticed, Asher had a rosh yeshivah who was very involved with him throughout the year, speaking with him constantly, prodding and encouraging him to “live up to his potential.” Asher’s parents provided extra funding for a kollel man to get him up on time and inspire him during morning seder, unfortunately to no avail. When Asher did get up, rather than going to the beis medrash, he would visit all sorts of other locations.

Eretz Yisrael is a land of golden opportunity for boys who want to grow in their Torah learning. For many, it’s the last stop before starting shidduchim; for others it’s a stepping stone toward a more meaningful Torah life. However, there is also a small but significant number of boys who fit the descriptions of Heshy and Asher. Truth be told, the story of their frustration begins much earlier in their lives.

Boys like Heshy and Asher struggle throughout their schooling years, often due to very real learning difficulties that go undiagnosed and untreated. Those challenges often lead to behavioral problems that are misidentified as mental health issues. And although these issues remain unresolved, they join their friends to come learn in Eretz Yisrael. It’s as if there’s an unspoken wish on the part of the parents, the rebbeim, and, obviously, the bochurim themselves, that they will finally find hatzlachah in the Holy Land. Yet for all their goodwill, they soon experience the sad, familiar story.

When we consider all the frustration they experienced in their formative years, we should be amazed at the unceasing resolve these bochurim demonstrate. Think of it: years of sitting in a classroom, giving their all in their studies and being exasperated at best, clashing with school staff and parents at worst.