Q:
Should boys learning in the yeshiva get a driver’s license? If not then, when and at what age?
A:
Now if you’d listen to me, never! Boruch Hashem, I never learned how to drive and I don’t need it. You don’t know how much time you waste if you have a car at your disposal.
If you have to drive to business, then you can’t help yourself; it’s parnassah. But if you don’t need it, it’s going to take up a big part of your life taking care of a car. מרבה נכסים מרבה דאגה – The more property you have, the more worries you’re going to have (Avos 2:7).
Of course, I’m not saying you shouldn’t. I’m sure you people have to go to places to learn Torah too with a car. Whatever is necessary, you must do. But whatever you can avoid, dispense with it.
And if you’re a yeshiva bochur, forget about a car.
June 1989
