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our idol worship

  The yeshiva world has become predominately authoritarian. You see it halacha books, the majority of which consist of a list of dueling poskim. The reasons for the psakim are rarely offered. Rather, Rav Moshe said yes, Rav Henkin said no, Rav Shlomo Zalman said in certain cases. Why? The book doesn’t say. Of course, this leaves you confused because which perfect person are you supposed to follow when they all disagree. Ah, ask your rav. You see, authoritarianism.   A yeshiva guy told me once that it is a higher deed to do something because your rav told you than your thinking of it yourself. You see, authoritarianism.   You see it in the obsession with cavod ha-rav. The favorite word of nearly every Yeshivist rabbi I know is respect. You have to show respect. You are not showing respect. He has no respect. You are not respecting the yeshiva. Your tone is not respectful. You are a chutzpah. I will not deal with a chutzpah. Over and over again, respect, respect, respect. Yet, wh
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6 needs of the bt

6 needs of the bt learn the basics of judaism learn the hebrew language find a derech that suits him get a job get married find a place to live machon shlomo obstructed every item on the list except maybe getting a job they don't teach the basics, don't teach hebrew they isolate and mock every derech they don't let you date they were located on the other side of the world in a construction site and don't tell you about places you can live but they harm getting a job too because they are such snobs and most of us have to take regular, boring, unglamorous jobs so all the snobbery prevents you from getting a job and when you don't have all the other stuff, you can hardly work anyway
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egomania on display

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look at the egomania on display at the machon yaakov promotional video that's the sequence of the video inner greatness, comes from great leaders, and starts with education photo of gershenfeld teaching  
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a 29 year old

When Machon Shlomo was started in 1982, the only hashkafa class was given by a 29 year old baal teshuvah who was 6 years out of a Christian college. Yet,  The age of 40 contains unique significance in both Halachic literature and Chazal, as we will list below. 1.    Ben Arbaim Lebina-Age of Binah-Understanding : At the age of 40 one reaches the age of understanding. [1] This means that he is now able to understand the depth of teachings of Torah, and to novelize many new laws and interpretations of verses. [2] This is because at this age a person reaches mental and intellectual maturity. [3] 2.    Morei Horah according to all opinions : [4] The Talmud [5] states that at age 40 one reaches the age of Horah, in which he can Pasken. Now, it is debated amongst the Rishonim and Poskim as to the intent of this Talmudic statement. Some Poskim [6] understand it to mean that one may not Pasken until age 40. Other Poskim [7] understand it as discussing one who is able to Pasken but ref
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What's your rabbi like?

But didn’t Rabba bar bar Ḥana say that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek Torah from his mouth; for he is an angel of the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 2:7)?  “If the rabbi is similar to an angel of the Lord of hosts, (perfect in his ways) they should seek Torah from his mouth; but if not, they should not seek Torah from his mouth.”  (Chagigah 15b)
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First breadth than all the Brisker analysis

  And Rava says in reference to this verse: A person must always study Torah and gain a broad knowledge of it, and only then may he analyze and delve into it. As it is stated: “His delight is in the Torah of the Lord,” meaning that he studies the Torah on a basic level, and only afterward does the verse state: “And in his Torah he meditates,” i.e., he analyzes it.  Avodah Zara 19a So why do they start BTs on Brisker stuff?
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Torah Sources on the Challenges Facing Jewish Men with regard to Matters of Purity

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    The Prohibition Against Impure Thoughts: “Scripture ( Ecclesiastes 12,14) teaches us that God judges every action according to the person's hidden feelings. If a man inadvertently happens to see a beautiful woman and allows himself even a momentary impure thought while looking at her , he should not think that he did not commit a transgression because he had not gone out on purpose to be attracted by her charm. The statement that God judges man according to his hidden feelings applies in such cases also. Even pleasure at the sight of an unexpected sensual stimulus is a transgression. We should regard as a punishment the mere fact that we were given occasion for impurity without our having gone out to look for it. On the other hand, one who gets an unexpected opportunity to perform a mitzvah should rejoice and give thanks to God Who has given him this unsought opportunity to do good.” Sefer Chasidim , 177, (12th century) as translated in the monthly journal Jeshurun , 1
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