Why don’t Charedim place a high value on academic degrees or higher education?

Yes, education is important. But not all education is equal.

In the Charedi world, education is not merely a tool for making a living. It is the process by which a Jew refines himself, connects to Hashem, and lives a life of meaning and truth. And there is no higher, deeper, or more meaningful education than Torah learning.

The first and foremost goal in life is not to earn a diploma—but to become a ben Torah. As the Rambam writes, “The crown of Torah is available to all” (Hilchos Talmud Torah 3:1). And the Mishnah in Avos (2:2) teaches:

“Torah study is good together with derech eretz (work), but the effort in Torah must be primary.”

For Charedim, this isn’t a slogan—it’s a way of life.

The Torah First—Always

The Charedi approach is rooted in a simple truth: Torah is not a subject. It is life.

“Ki hem chayeinu v’orech yameinu”—“For they [the words of Torah] are our life and the length of our days.” (Siddur, Maariv)

A boy growing up in a Charedi home is raised with the understanding that his highest mission is to immerse himself in Torah learning, and to live according to its values. We are not looking to create professors—we are looking to create gedolei Torah, ehrliche Yidden, baalei chesed, and families built around avodas Hashem.

There is no greater achievement than becoming a talmid chacham, a yarei Shamayim, and someone who dedicates his life to Hashem’s Torah.

The Dangers of Secular Academia

Higher education in the secular world today comes with serious spiritual dangers—and often, hashkafic poison.

• Universities promote atheism, immorality, and cultural relativism.
• Many professors openly mock Torah values, and secular institutions push ideologies that are directly opposed to Yiddishkeit—LGBTQ+ agendas, radical feminism, anti-Israel movements, and more.
• Mixed campuses, immodest environments, and social pressures often lead to spiritual collapse.

As Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l warned repeatedly:

“To send a ben Torah into the university is to throw him into a fire. The danger is not only the apikorsus in the classrooms, but the entire atmosphere that surrounds him.”

We’re not naïve. We've seen too many examples of once-frum young men and women who went in with good intentions—only to return alienated from Torah, or not return at all.

The Chazon Ish zt”l once said, “There is no such thing as exposure to kefirah without danger. You cannot expect someone to enter a sewer and not come out smelling like it.”

When It Becomes Necessary

Of course, not every Charedi stays in kollel forever. Many eventually enter the workforce to support their families. When they do, they seek parnassah in ways that minimize spiritual compromise.

Baruch Hashem, today there are more options than ever:

• Men-only programs in fields like accounting, computer programming, graphic design, law, and more.
• Institutions like Machon Lev, Achvat Yisrael, and others offer Charedi-specific tracks with rabbinic supervision.
• Online degrees, accelerated courses, and vocational training are increasingly available both in Israel and in Chutz LaAretz, often guided by frum mentors.

But even when these paths are taken, the goal remains the same: to build a Torah-true life. Education is used as a tool—not a value unto itself.

The Real Definition of Success

We live in a world that idolizes titles, careers, and credentials. But Torah teaches us a different measure of success:

“Lo am ha’aretz chassid”—“An ignorant person cannot be truly pious” (Avos 2:5).
“Talmud Torah k’neged kulam”—“The study of Torah is equal to them all” (Peah 1:1).

Degrees fade. Careers end. But Torah learning never dies.

As Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l taught:

“The greatness of a Jew is not in how much he earns, but in how much he learns.”

In Summary

Charedim don’t devalue knowledge—they place Torah knowledge far above all else. Higher secular education is only pursued when needed, and only with caution, to avoid the spiritual risks that have destroyed so many neshamos.

If a Jew needs to support his family, yes—there are respectful and appropriate paths to do so. But we will never sacrifice Torah, mesorah, or kedushah on the altar of careerism.

Sources and Footnotes

1. Avos 2:2 – Torah study must come with derech eretz, but the effort in Torah must be the ikar.
2. Tehillim 119:72 – “Torat picha tova li me’alfei zahav v’kesef” – “The Torah of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver.”
3. Sotah 21a – Torah is a spiritual protector.
4. Rambam, Hilchos Talmud Torah 3:1 – The crown of Torah is open to all.
5. Rav Shach, Michtavim u’Maamarim – On the dangers of university environments.
6. Chazon Ish, Emunah u’Bitachon – Exposure to kefirah is spiritually dangerous.
7. Talmud Yerushalmi, Peah 1:1 – Talmud Torah is equal to all the mitzvos.
8. Igros Moshe, Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l – Emphasizing the danger of secular hashkafos in higher education.
9. Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l, Mishnas R’ Aharon – The priority of Torah over secular achievements.
10. Machon Lev, Achvat Yisrael, and other Charedi institutions – Models of Charedi-friendly education alternatives.