In 2021, we take it for granted that we have day schools for our children to attend. We are hardly surprised when we hear that Bais Yaakov has six or seven parallel classes in each grade. It was not always like that. When I attended Bais Yaakov (I graduated in 1973) there was only one class per grade, and my class had about 17 girls. But, although the school was much smaller, I also took it for granted that I was entitled to attend a Jewish school and get a Torah education.

I once read a story about a man who got an invitation and tickets to fly to Switzerland for a wedding. He did know the person but took the opportunity for a vacation. When he got to the wedding, he did not recognize the chassan and asked him who he was and how they knew each other. The chassan answered, “When I was in yeshiva, I was feeling very lonely and was planning to leave the next day. When we were standing in line waiting for lunch, you were behind me. You saw that my collar was not straight, and you reached over and straightened it for me. That small gesture made me realize that I was not alone. I stayed in yeshiva and began to enjoy being there. I owe you my life, and so I invited you to my wedding.”

Lead poisoning? Isn’t that something that happens to poor, neglected children or to people who live in dilapidated houses? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Lead poisoning can happen right here in our community, in our own neighborhoods, to regular people who live regular lives.

Lead poisoning is a serious problem because it can have life-changing repercussions, especially in children under six. It is known to affect IQ, the ability to pay attention, and academic achievement, and its effects are irreversible. Among the symptoms of lead poisoning are developmental delays, irritability, loss of appetite, and weight loss.

Money affects our lives from the day we are born until the day we die. We eat food that costs money, we sleep in beds with pillows and blankets that cost money, we live in houses that cost money, we send our kids to schools that cost money, we wear clothing that costs money, and we drive cars that cost money. We worry about spending money – and also about not spending money. And while we figure it all out (or not), our children watch and learn from us.

No parents want to be accused of spoiling their children. But speaking to parents about the topic, I quickly found that their ideas of what constitutes spoiling vary quite a bit. The definition of “spoil,” according to Webster’s Dictionary, is “…to impair the quality or effect of character by overindulgence or excessive praise.” Of course, that leaves us with the dilemma of what is “overindulgence” or “excessive praise.”

It was a privilege to interview Rabbi Yosef Rosenfeld, mazkir (administrator) of the Baltimore Bais Din. In this article I will try to clarify with Rabbi Rosenfeld how a bais din works and what is its purpose in general. I will also specifically inquire about the Baltimore Bais Din.