Q&A: Consultation
Consultation
Question
Hello and blessings, Rabbi Michael.
I am a Haredi kollel student who really enjoys the site, despite many reservations.
As time goes on, I am coming to understand that since I never studied any general studies or secular subjects in the educational institutions I attended—not even the basics—and since I want to clarify and thoroughly work through foundational issues properly, I will need to devote time to studying certain subjects and only afterward enter the field, as Maimonides already wrote about first acquiring a basic education before engaging in inquiry. But the problem is that I do not want to spend too much of my time in vain on studies, and I do not have much faith in educational institutions and academic institutions in terms of their ultimate goals, since they see the value of study in a completely different way—such as success in life and building a career. I would be glad to know, in your opinion, what preparatory study is really necessary, and perhaps you may even know of some suitable educational framework for this.
Thank you very much.
Answer
It is hard for me to give a general path for this. Each person has his own inclinations, areas of interest, and abilities. I would not rule out academic studies, despite their drawbacks.
I highly recommend the preparatory program at Bar-Ilan.
In 2 semesters you complete mathematics and English for all the high school years.
If you’re going into the exact sciences, there is physics.
If it’s the social sciences, you study the philosophy of science, statistics, and scientific writing.
From my experience as a Haredi yeshiva graduate, it gives you an excellent opening into academic thinking.
In addition, it is a matriculation certificate recognized throughout the country.
Haredim are entitled to free private tutoring once a week.
And admission to a degree program without the psychometric exam and with a high average.
For most students, the studies are free on the basis of a scholarship!
And the bonus: you can participate in Rabbi Michael Abraham’s classes at the midrasha and even receive a modest scholarship for it and academic credit.