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If a child is obviously not getting the Torah foundations he needs and his emunah questions are not properly and sufficiently answered, is it my place to say anything to his parents before he gets older and things spiral out of control? I know for a fact that without proper intervention now this issue will inevitably turn in to something a whole lot bigger and harder to deal with.
Also, would you think it would be okay if I were to teach him cuz I fully understand what questions and problems his young mind is plaguing him with? I sometimes feel that qualified people are really not much more qualified than someone who’s been there done that…
When Chazal talk about young wine and old it means this too. Perhaps even moreso.
Young wine still has pieces floating around. Ask a knowledgeable young person something and you get a not yet thought out response. As they answer they are still re-evaluating and qualifying their own words. All you get is a blur of terminology. Ask an older person, who went through this many times, and you get a fine, short response, like old wine that is very fine.
You might not think of yourself this way, but chances are if you just climbed out of things they are still not wrapped up on the shelf in a box. Every person has a unique prospective and angle. Just take a look at the Yediya and Bechira conversation and you see how everyone takes a different part of the question, and is therefore satisfied by a different answer. They try having a conversation together and nobody understands each other.
If you had the same thought for many years and brushed it against all kinds of counter-points, and brushed with it every other aspect of your life, then you are ready to pour your cup of refined wine into the cup of the thirsty.
Google “projection”.
I think a much better and long term idea is to expose him to Hashkafa Seforim. Derech Hashem, Ikkrim, Akeida, Abrabanel and Maharal. These can take over a person. Instead of musing, he can enjoy these very enjoyable Seforim. If he does well then he can appreciate Seforim. That much is my experience.
Even before that, there is Medrash and other non-Gemara sefarim that not necessarily would a Yeshiva boy bump into, or as in my case, nor would he be encouraged by the pro-regulars.
I do have to say that being that he is a brother it does change the picture. Siblings can have all types of conversations; this doesn’t have to avoided.
Streekgeek,
As long as he knows he can come to you with any questions, don’t get overly involved in discussing things he doesn’t ask on his own.
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