Chassidim Rumspringa?

Question

Well i was watching Primtime:The Outsiders and they were talking about Amish teens haveing the choice to see how modern life is before committing themselfs to Amish religion. At commercial breaks i have thought about if Haredi Jews should have a Rumspringa for kids at around Bar Mitzvah time or at 18. As a way to experience modern life before committing to Haredi Judaism. Like movies,etc They should have this choice because Hashem doesn't pressure Judaism. Just choose whats best, he may advise us but he says choose the best. Judaism never pressures its followers. Thats what i think should happen. Whats your opinion??

Answer 1

Only when the person has an occupation and earning money (has a livelihood/ income) or is in a familial relationship with someone who does would that person be in a position to decide--that's to say, is stable financially. A person's attitudes change with time and experience. If people do have children, they should be able to meet their financial obligations and responsibilities towards them rather than have them become a burden to society, and when a person is no longer dependent on his family would that person be mature enough to make THAT decision! What I'm saying is that OUR SOCIETY will not finance a person's continuing yeshiva studies, and if the person plans to be a Chassid or Shassid, that person would do well to take his financial obligations and responsibilities (if not to society then at least towards his/her own family) into consideration when making that decision! To decide if you want to be part of society, YOU SHOULD BE PART OF SOCIETY AND NOT SOME OUTSIDER LOOKING IN!

Answer 2

No.

Jews do not learn how to behave from Amish.

Jews benefit from what is good in modern society and refrain from what is evil.

This applies to all Torah true Jews, whether hassidim, perushim or kippot serugot.

.

Answer 3

I am familiar with the Amish practice of this. Most do go back and join the community and shun all modern things but to me, that is not necessary. If a person lives in Brooklyn or Jerusalem they are well aware of the modern world. They also realize it is about belief in God and not the material things of the world. The Amish want to make sure the person can give up the material things of the world before they commit to being Amish but as they didn't grow up with those material things (and only go to school until the 8th grade) then I really don't get it. It is fine for the Amish, I am not judging them but Heredi Jews know it is about God, Torah and life. Not about the material things of the world.

I do beleive we should expose our children to all religions and cultures but we should also make sure their Jewish foundation is very strong. Then, you are right, once they have all of the information, they are free to make an informed decision about how to live their life.

I think the "rumspring" thing might not be necessary because Heredi Jews live in cities and see much of what the world offers. Often some Amish kids live on farms etc and don't have the interaction with non-Amish that Jews have with non-Jews.

It was a great question though. It made me think for a change (and God knows I need to think at least once in a while) LOL

Answer 4

Very poor idea. Teens are easily influenced by emotions & hormones, as well as peer pressure.

Answer 5

Sure sacrifice, skimp and work til your back bends to provide a good home where you teach integrity honor and morals.  

Then suddenly say OK you can go nuts for a while to see what it's like.

Obviously not a parent kid.

Answer 6

I agree with Felix. Doesn't begin to make sense.

Answer 7

yeah that is quite a wierd idea! no offense. we are proud of what we believe in and we instill that into our children, so there is no sense in approving a taste of another nation! we survive on pride !

am yisroel chai!