I was not going to comment on the above posting….but Joseph’s last posting,that Torah runs without cash, is so contrary to the mishna that I have to point it out. Avos ,perek Gimmel, Mishna Kof alef (Chapter 3, Mishna 21) : ” Im ein kemach, ein torah, im ein torah, ein kemach”. if there is no food, there is no Torah (and,indeed ,vice versa)
If this is good enough for Rabbi Elazar ben Azaryah, it surely is good enough for all of us. To say that that yeshivos thrived in poverty is ridiculous.Yes, yes, I also know the mishna in Perek vov (Pas bamelach tochal,etc) but this is for individuals,not the Klal (BTW-look into the explanation that the Artscroll gives on this mishnah).
All the yeshivos,over the years have tried to make the talmidim’s life better and more comfortable, from R’Meir Shapiro for yeshivas Chachmei Lublin, to the Alter from Slobodka for his yeshiva to all the yeshivos today.
Money is indeed important for any yeshiva or any talmid chochom.