Rav Elchanan Wasserman On Learning "Outside Knowledge" Part I (The Job)

In Koveitz Shiurim siman 47, Rav Elchanan relates a question that was asked to him from a "Known Country." This was most likely Germany since it was mainly German Jews that went to college and dealt with "Outside Knowledge." He says,

Question: "Is it permitted to learn (or delve into) Outside Knowledge, and in which way can this heter (permission) be used?

Answer: This question is divided into many parts.

1) If this delving or learning leads one to read books that are kefira (minus) then this learning is forbidden. This is because someone who learns from books that are kefira (denial of Jewish beliefs) transgresses the sin of "Do not turn your heart after others and do not turn to other gods." This is brought down in the Rambam in perek 2 in hilchos avoda zara referring to books of idol worship. (Rav Wasserman thinks) that there is a kal vichomer for books of kefira that we have to be even stricter on them than idol worship because by idol worship there is a bais din (court of law) decision, one needs warning, and if someone runs after idol worship to serve it we are not allowed to save him through his soul (kill him to prevent him from worshipping idols). However, by kefira, bais din (court of law) is not needed for action. (Therefore, Rav Wasserman concludes that books of kefira are worse than books of idol worship.)

2) If one does not need to read books of kefira, but needs to learn in University with non-Jews and a man sees that this causes his children to become close with non-Jews and follow their ways, this is a transgression of the negative commandment of "Guard yourself so that you should not follow after them." The Torah commands us to remain separate in all types of ways. The Rambam says in perek 11 in hilchos avoda zara that the reason our forefathers were able to leave Egypt was because they did not change their names, language or clothing.

3)So now, if this learning does not lead one to learn kefira or to become close to non-Jews and the reason this person is learning this "Outside knowledge" is to get a job and support his family through this then there is no Issur (it is not forbidden) at all!!! In fact, to learn a trade to support one's family is a Mitzva (commandment)!!!

Hopefully I will discuss Rav Wasserman's feelings on learning secular knowledge for the sake of secular knowledge, but right now I just want to focus on his ideas about learning secular knowledge in order to get a job.

Rav Wasserman says that there are two foreseeable problems with going to University, learning kefira (like bible studies) and assimilation. It is funny that this is true just as much today as it was in the 20's and 30's. Just like there was rampant assimilation occurring in Germany between WWI and WWII so too nowadays there is a high rate of assimilation. This is why it is so important that Jewish schools exist throughout a person's education. We need day schools, high schools and even colleges where not only are secular subjects taught for us to be able to get jobs and live in society, but also a Judaica curriculum as well.

In an Era of assimilation Jews have to be exposed as much as possible to Jewish life and lifestyle. This is why I think places like Touro and YU are so important, because they offer secular subjects, that help prepare for getting a job, as well as Judaica subjects. Now, that is not to say that these places are perfect, but at least they are a step in the right direction. (Personally I think some places are better than others. YU might teach some classes in an inappropriate way, but the general idea of being in a college where there are many Roshei Yeshiva and religious Jews is amazing.) It boggles my mind that some people would send their Yeshiva bochers to secular college, whether it be state or otherwise, when we have these great institutions available.

I would call Rav Wasserman one of the top Charaidis that lived in the modern world and even he says it is a MITZVA to learn a trade and get a job! What does that tell you? It tells me that anyone that lives in a community where working for a living makes your son not get into a Yeshiva, or ruins shidduchim should think twice about what type of Judaism they practice.(Sorry that was just a little rant)

So, just to sum up Rav Wasserman's main points: 1) Learning kefira is never acceptable (except for something that will be mentioned in another post) and 2) Assimilation is a big concern for Jews. Therefore, a person should be very careful about where they send their kids to college and think, "What type of situation am I putting my son or daughter into?" If you can not be sure about their spiritual safety then you probably should not send your kid to that school.

This brings me to another point, professional schools. Now that we have talked about grade school, high school and college, what about professional school? There is no way for a Jew to go to a professional school that is only Jewish or has a lot of Jewish influence is there? This is where I think a community within the school is important. It is important to go to a Medical School, Dental School, Optometry school and so on with a solid group of Frum yiddin. It is not as important as undergraduate school, but it is certainly helpful. If one can't do this then it should still be fine, but it does seem much harder.

The bottom line is that we as Jews need to keep our identities as Jews. Our culture and religion is important and something that we should try and conserve. This is what Rav Elchanan Wasserman is telling us, kefira books can influence a young and impressionable mind in the wrong way and so can peers that do not share the same values. Non-Jews are not bad or wicked, but they have completely different values than Jews. The culture is different. That is not to say that one should not be nice and friendly with them according to Rav Wasserman, but a Jew must keep his or her separate identity and not assimilate into the crowd.