Roshei Yeshiva of American Yeshivos Meet With Hagaon Harav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Shlita, to Discuss Shidduchim

By Hamodia Staff

Four Roshei Yeshiva of yeshivos in America have visited Hagaon Harav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka in Bnei Brak, to discuss the current situation of shidduchim in the United States which has caused much difficulty and heartbreak in the yeshiva community.

The Roshei Yeshiva included shlita: Harav Mordechai Dick, Rosh Yeshivas Heichel HaTorah in Monsey, Harav Mendel Slomowitz, Rosh Yeshivas Toras Chaim in Lakewood, Harav Shimon Yehudah Svei, Roshei Yeshiva of Philadelphia, and the Novominsker Rebbe.

There has been much concern as it is customary for bachurim to learn in beis medrash for four years and then spend a year or two learning in Eretz Yisrael, and return to be restricted from entering the parshah of shidduchim for another few months when entering Bais Medrash Govoha of Lakewood. As a result, the bachurim are several years older than the girls who are seeking shidduchim, and due to the disparity of their ages, the number of eligible girls outnumber the amount of available bachurim.

It has been reported that several solutions have been suggested, including reducing the amount of years the bachurim learn in America before leaving to Eretz Yisrael, reducing amount of time spent learning in Eretz Yisrael before marriage, and reducing or eliminating the waiting period (commonly known as the “freezer” rule) before bachurim are permitted to enter shidduchim.

Harav Hirsch, shlita, who was born and raised in America and learned in Bais Medrash Govoha under Hagaon Harav Aharon Kotler, zt”l, is quite familiar with the situation in the American yeshivos, and the Roshei Yeshiva have indicated that they will work together to implement the decision of the Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva.