1st timer, very nice idea. I would add that there should be some sort of program in the yeshiva that gives a particular role of responsibility to each student over a group of students, or at least over one other student. We already have positions such as a dorm counselor, kitchen helper, waiter, etc. I think it would be very beneficial for EVERY student to have a role of responsibility, which helps him focus on not only looking after himself (which, in my opinion, is what many yeshiva boys only do), but rather be aware of the needs of other people. That can help greatly in marriage.

Regarding the original point made on this thread, I agree with it. And I’m sure that many wives, because of this system, know Tanach better than their husbands. But what’s the point of that?

My sisters went to a school that had a “secondary” program, meaning, for the students that were failing academically, there was a program consisting of heavy emphasis on arts and crafts, dance, drama, cooking, etc. that the students took part in, and their final grades were modified to passing grades as long as they took part in these activities. I think that is a wonderful idea.

BTGuy, you’re right that Spinal Tap had an album that the cover was all black, because the original cover of that album caused quite an outrage. But I don’t think it was referred to as “the Black album”.

always here, yup. Glad someone caught them. Also- Sad but true, Am I evil, and justice for all are references as well.

Which stores have you gone to? If you can’t find them in stores, you can certainly find them online.

And yes, Need for Speed is still coming out with new games. I believe a new one is coming out in a week or two, called “The Run”. My favorite NFS games are Shift, Underground, and Carbon. Also, if you are getting an NFS game and want more cars that didn’t come with the game, you can go to nfscars.net and download specific user-generated cars for your NFS game. That’s how I get all my cars.

observanteen, firstly, as ayc said, it is so nice of you to accept upon yourself to do something for someone else’s sake. We should all be like you. Secondly, also as ayc said, in order for us to get past tragedies like these we must realize and take to heart that G-d does only good, He is in full control, and everything that happens we must accept as G-d’s will. Once we can do that, things will be less burdensome for us. Of course, it is almost impossible to take our emotions out of the picture, but we must reassure ourselves and be confident that G-d always does what’s best. It’s times like these when we are tested to truly see if we have unshakable faith and confidence in G-d’s ways, and if we can make it through, and even learn and gain from these experiences, terrible though they may be, we will have become truly great and will have done all that G-d can ask of us. Perhaps when we are on that level, G-d hopefully won’t need to “test” us in our faith in Him through such tragedies, but rather through what we can openly see as blessing.

popa, while that is true to an extent, I still think many many guys could be so much more responsible, mature, and ready for marriage than they actually are, if they put any effort into it at all.

Thanks, Emunas. I’m glad to hear that!

Emunas, thank you so much for your post. You wrote it beautifully, and it is something I’ve always believed very strongly and taken to heart. I wish I could write like you do. Keep it up.

Have an enjoyable shabbos, everyone. And ayc, I’m happy your’e back.

Thanks so much, Goq. I will G-d willing. But I will try to make them more reader-friendly.

Thanks QB, but as you said, no one was really attacking me. Gefen was simply making a general suggestion (which I agree with), and I was just implementing it for myself.

Syag, your’e right, I should have split it into more paragraphs! But hope you can read it at some point, whenever you have the chance.

gefen, I appreciate that, but I understand I did recently have some long posts, so I would like to view your post as pertaining to me so I can work on it, even if it wasn’t directed specifically at me.

gefen, I completely understand, and I’m sorry if some of my posts are too long. I did try to condense the Perceptive one (It originally was an 8 page essay), but it probably could have been shortened even more. Thanks for telling me. I’ll be more careful in the future to have shorter posts.

HaLeivi, thanks for the post, and a good lesson. But there is a gray area between being properly nice and being nice to the point where one can be taken advantage of, which is of course not ideal. Sometimes it’s hard to discern what is the proper thing to do vs. what is a “nice” thing to do, but that probably comes with time.

minyan gal, I completely agree with everything you said. Great post!

Thank you, Health. So your’e saying it depends on the level of holiness the person is on, and one should do their part according to their level. That makes perfect sense. Thanks.

Thanks again, MG.

Speaking of parshas Noach, I was learning the parsha this past Friday night with my mom, and we came up with the following question: We know that Noach sent out a raven and then a dove to see if the land was dry after the flood. But wouldn’t it have been a higher level of faith if Noach had simply waited for G-d to send him a sign that the land was dry, instead of trying to “figure it out” himself? After all, it is stated that Yosef HaTzadik was punished for asking the Butler of Paroah to mention him to Paroah instead of waiting for G-d to do it. So wouldn’t this be the same?

cinderella, I think it is wonderful that you are able to recognize things about yourself that you can improve in. That is a very valuable trait. And I think many of the posters here are correct in saying that because of these struggles that you have, it can benefit the person you are working with by showing her that everyone can constantly grow and find areas they can work on, and one is never done improving. that way, she may have an easier time developing a connection because she can feel that she is growing “with you” and not that she has to reach some sort of perfect level that you are on in order to be considered one of us. So it is not hypocritical at all. On the contrary, it shows that you are a real, genuine person, and makes you deserving of even more respect. Keep it up.

Thanks for sharing, minyan gal! I enjoyed it.

Wishing everyone a wonderful shabbos.