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From: Russell Hendel <rhendel@saber.towson.edu>
Date: Mon, 4 Sep 2000 13:08:36 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: RE: What is the Jewish Legal View on Teenagers

Moshe Feldman (v33n37) agrees with me (citing alternative sources) that
Aliyah without the proper preparation can do more harm than
good". However Moshe rejects my citation of a Psak of the Chazon Ish for
my uncle on the grounds that he was teenager at the time. Moshe posits
that "Teenagers may not be prepared emotionally or economically for
marriage and Aliyah"

I have heard views like Moshes quite frequently. But I question whether
there is any Jewish source for this view. Indeed, according to my
understanding halacha treats adults and teenagers the same with only 1
or 2 exceptions.  Jewish halachah does not know of any category of
teenagehood that would allow us to classify a teenager as more than a
child but less than an adult

Certainly in regard to marriage I don't see how we can tell a teenager
any more than we can tell an adult that he is 'ready' or 'not ready' for
marriage.

With regard to Aliyah Moshe has a bit more of a case---since Teenagers
may not own real-estate. But then that implies that ANY PERSON who
cannot own real estate (eg they haven't saved up enough) should not feel
obligated to go on Aliyah. Similarly if the Chazon Ish felt that my
uncle could not support himself at 13 then we are justified in inferring
that any person whose job opportunities are poor should not feel
obligated to go on Aliyah.

The only possibility is that my uncle was not emotionally ready----but
again I question whether Jewish law allows such assessments.

Russell Jay Hendel; Phd ASA
Dept of Math; Towson Univ
Moderator Rashi is Simple
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/