There is a somewhat lengthy and insightful analysis of the relative values of secular studies as measured against a “Torah Only” education by Jak Black in a new group blog called Mishmar.
I believe that the subject deserves a post of its own here. The points I am about to make are not meant to reflect all the principles of Torah U’Mada. They are rather an application of those principles as applied to the study of secular studies in the Charedi world in Israel and in the West. It is in that spirit that I write the following.
Although, in Israel a formal program of secular studies by Charedim is frowned upon and completely missing in any Charedi curriculum beyond 8th grade, I think even that community recognizes that there is at least some value in secular studies, at least in terms of Parnassa.
The truth is however, that there is value for Charedim, even beyond Parnassa. Aside from the benefits reflected in the business, technical, and scientific fields, there is value as well in the humanities. Rav Aharon Lichtenstein once famously wrote that had he not studied the great literary works, he would not have understood certain portions of Tanach as well he now does. There is also value in the methodology of study found in the secular system that is not found in the Yeshiva system. The point is that as important as Torah knowledge is, secular knowledge has intrinsic value too.
But at least there is an acknowledgement by some of Charedi leadership even in Israel, that secular studies have value as a means toward Parnasa. There is a fledgling trend in Charedi circles in Israel towards allowing Charedim, after they spend many years in Kollel, to attend schools with training programs that are very job specific, like accounting or computers. There is a complete avoidance of any peripheral studies that are not directly related to it. But is that really enough?
In the business environment of today, employers offering the better jobs look for more than just specific knowledge about the business they run. They look for a well rounded individual that has learned skills not only directly related to the tasks of the job but also knowledge and skills in other fields. Experience has taught them that extra-career knowledge can often enhance performance by employees in their own fields. Good jobs are sometimes more dependant on the over-all skills learned in a college experience than in the direct subject matter studied. It is very complex job market out there with a lot of variables. It is important to be educated in ways that will provide every opportunity to succeed. And colleges and universities are currently the most efficient way to gain such knowledge.
True, if one excels at Torah learning and the vocational goal is a lifetime of full time Limud HaTorah then one need not learn outside disciplines. I would still argue that a good secular education can even help one in their Limud HaTorah, as it did for Rav Aaron Lichtenstien.
But if one’s ultimate purpose in life is not full time Limud HaTorah then a good secular studies education is invaluable in developing marketable skills. And the best place for that today even for Charedim is in colleges and universities. That of course would require a sea change by the Charedi leadership that would allow for the inclusion of at least a minimal secular studies program through high school... a change that I’m not quite sure will ever happen. But it should. It has too.
There are two very important caveats with respect to going to college. One is the danger of exposing oneself to a pervasive attitude of Apikursus which is inherent in the system and is taught directly and indirectly. The typical Charedi student is completely unprepared for such an encounter. And there is also the problem encountering such controversial subjects as evolution. If one is not properly prepared, it can be very dangerous to one’s spiritual health.
The other caveat is the exposure to unprecedented levels of immorality that so pervades college campuses.
These are two very legitimate concerns. And the more Charedi an environment one comes from, the more unprepared and dangerous it is for one’s spiritual health. These problems cannot be over-emphasized. They are quite real and quite dangerous for anyone, even those who have been “vetted” through the more open environment of a Centrist upbringing.
Does this mean that college is just too dangerous to attend? …that the risks are too great to take advantage of the benefits?
No. All of my children, and virtually all of their classmates attended college and their experiences were just fine. Those that studied in secular colleges saw what was going on around the perrifery but it didn't concern them. They studied what they had to in order to reach their goals. And in doing so they encountered little Apikursus which their upbringing and their particular yeshiva high school educations enabled them to tackle.
You don't need to go to an "ivy league” type of university to get a decent education. True, such schools will often lead to better, more prestigious jobs… and there are ways to go to such universities and survive, such as living off campus, and staying focused on the education. But it is far from an ideal situation and one is better off avoiding such schools.
There are many roads to Rome. The best option in my view is to attend a Yeshiva college of the type that exists in America and of which there are at least five that I can think of, off hand. Another is to attend a Yeshiva during the day and college at night, as I did. Ner Israel has an excellent program with Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland. Another option is to go to a university that is heavily populated by Orthodox students. Yet another option is to go to an "in town" school and commute daily to classes only.
In the long run, if this path is followed, all Charedim will be better served both individually and as a community, and so will the rest of Klal Yisroel.
