Success breeds its own challenges. And the phenomenal growth of Torah learning in our times is no exception. The Torah community has produced and continues to produce thousands of fine talmidei chachamim. Only a limited number of these scholars will find ready opportunities to give over their Torah knowledge to others especially if they insist on living in the major centers of Torah learning — Jerusalem and Bnei Brak in Eretz Yisrael and Lakewood in America.
Some bochurim even very fine ones are affected at the beis medrash level when they look around and see that there are many others as good or better in learning and calculate that their chances of ever finding a shtelle are very slight. For others the problem only starts after years in kollel when they begin to dry up inside from lack of opportunity to share their Torah learning with others and enter the category of those who learn in order to teach.
Many of the latter have the capabilities to make major contributions and there are communities that would be eager for what they have to offer. But they lack the initiative to leave the comfort of one of the great learning centers.
I’ve noticed over the years that one of the most prominent mashpiim in Jerusalem almost always advises those who consult with him about whether to take a position abroad to do so unless the odds are stacked overwhelmingly against success. I’m convinced that he does so not only because he believes it is every Jew’s responsibility to spread Torah but also because he thinks his talmidim will grow from having to take responsibility for the level of Torah in a particular place and not just being another face in the crowd of lomdei Torah.
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