The global fiscal crisis is impacting everyone, bringing fear and uncertainty to Jews around the world. During recent weeks, HaRav Yitzchak Meir Tuman has been speaking around Eretz Yisrael to gatherings of Gerrer Chassidim as a special emissary from the Rebbe Shlita. He has been telling chassidim that the Rebbe is calling for a reevaluation and change in our lifestyle to reflect the new realities.
“We must learn to make due with little. We must return to the lifestyle of the previous generation. Just the opposite of what we see today in yeshivos, with lights remaining on an entire Shabbos without any cheshbon. It is a bad educational example for our children. It teaches children not to value money. Our children will not adjust properly in their lives,” the Rav stated quoting the Rebbe.
Chassidim were called upon to return to the generation preceding cellular telephones. “We can live without this” he stated, in reference to cellular telephones. The Rav explained this can save NIS hundreds monthly. “We have no other alternative. It may not be easy but we may adjust. To buy simple clothing, not expensive but not to the degree it results in miserly ways at home, which he explained the Rebbe points out can lead to bad midos in the home.
Similar words were heard from Rav Ovadia Yosef Shlita, who stated, “Many wealthy people have lost their wealth. The richer one is the more one may lose. Billionaires have lost. All those who support yeshivas by traveling abroad [to raise money] must begin praying to Hashem.’
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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13 Responses
Thank G-D for our Gedolim, who are here to guide us and comfort us through every crisis.
No hiddush. It’s in Pirkei Avos (who is rich…)
If anyone is truely worried, compare the standard of living of frum Jews in 2008 to what it was 64 years ago.
I am so grateful to the Ribbono Shel Olam for creating me as part of this wonderful, Holy People.
can you feel the love and deep concern
can you feel the stirrings of Achdus in Klal Yisroel
We really need such encouragement and advise here from all Rabbonim in Flatbush, BP, Lakewood, Monsey, Williamsburg it would be incredible if we can raise our children not to “need” so much gashmius.
how about lowering tuition costs ???? as it is now if someone has 5 or 6 kids , he needs about 40 to 50 thousand dollars a year just for paying for yeshivas , and then they add on dinner costs and building funds , but i guess the cell phones are the problem.
#4..NU, SO WHAT YOUR TRYING TO POINT OUT ? THE REBBE SHOULD ASSUR THOSE ADS ? ON WHAT GROUNDS? OR THE EDITOR SHOULDNVE PUT IT ON SAME PAGE?IF SOMEONE WHO CAN AFFORD, HE HAS EVERY RIGHT TO..
the yeshivos all wanted more as wealth increased, now how will they react? threaten not to let people suffering losses not to let their kids back to class?
Why do people need the Rebbe to tell them this? Does not your own common sense inform you that one should live reasonably within one’s means and to not become dependent on luxuries?
But maybe that is the brilliance of the Rebbe – to not only inspire us at the heights of ruchniess, but to gently recognize utter lack of common sense and, like a father, lead people to rational thoughts they otherwise would have missed.
As for the tuition mess, Rebbeim must eat, too.
He is richest Rebbe in the history of Rebbes
Exactly 13…
Which is why he can say what he’s saying.
He does not live off his Chassidim.
It doesn’t cost a dime to be a Gerrer chosid. The Rebbe does not accept money from his chassidim (uless they are wealthym and the donations go to the Mosdos). All his Simchos and travels are all paid for by the Rebbe.
If I don’t buy new clothes from the Jewish shop owner,he will not earn money to pay the Jewish landlord who rents him his store. Then the landlord won’t be able to pay his real estate taxes and mortgage and his tuition.The school will not have money to pay the teachers who in turn won’t have money to buy food and clothes for their families. Spending must continue if an economy is to rebound.The spiral is evil.We need credit and trading.
#7 brooklynguy – Based on the contents of the article it appears that the Rebbe was speaking to an Israeli crowd, not an American crowd. The economy in Israel is different than that in the USA. Education financially plays a much different role than in the US. Perhaps if he was in the states the examples of cutting back would have been different.
#15 proud of KAJ WH TIDE – Your comment mimics that of Korach’s.
If you look in Mesechta Avoda Zora, daf 2b, you’ll see that Chazal teach us that wealth is decided by Hashem and is not the results of human effort.
Trust me, it’ll go more like this:
You don’t buy the new clothing, he won’t be able to pay his landlord the outlandish rent rate. Seeing that he can’t rent for such high rates he is forced to bring down his asking price and as a results causes his property value to go down which in turn lowers the property taxes. Mortgage rate and tuition get adjusted as well. Being that a chain reaction develops everything goes down and people start to be more contentious with their money. Thus in the end people start putting money aside for a rainy day instead of recklessly spending. This is why every so often Hashem send a recession our way. During recessions people tend to be more responsible with their money. We buy what’s NEEDED, not what’s frivolous desired.
The goyim’s view point is “SPEND, SPEND, SPEND!”.
The Torah’s view point, is “Yistapek B’muat!”.