Communal Responsibility and Personal Growth

by Rabbi Yosef Blau
Mashgiach Ruchani

The years spent at Yeshiva are a time for growth. It is an opportunity to deepen knowledge of Torah, broaden intellectual horizons and to make lifelong friendships. As such, the starting of a new academic year should be a time for optimism. When the first classes take place before Rosh Hashana these feelings are mixed with the more somber mood of Elul and the approaching Days of Awe.
This year the mix of emotions is more complex. Terrorist attacks this past year have transformed our sense of security. Both America and Israel have experienced the horror of terrorism. Those among us who are returning from studying in Israel are acutely aware of the steady reports of yet another attack (pigua). If we were in New York last September 11th we can recall seeing the smoke from an unprecedented disaster.
How might we integrate these experiences into our life at Yeshiva? It is necessary to balance a heightened commitment to communal responsibility with focusing on personal growth. Students have the energy and drive to make a difference as well as the lack of maturity to be occasionally misguided and misdirected. Hopefully the educational philosophy of Yeshiva and the presence on campus of appropriate models will channel youthful enthusiasm into productive channels. 
The challenges are more difficult but the potential for demonstrating leadership in impacting on the Jewish and the broader American society has been heightened.
The test of proper time management has gotten harder but, by taking responsibility and showing our concern for others, we can simultaneously increase our religious and personal growth.