Get a Rav?

  Aseh lecha rav they say. Maybe you do need a rav, someone to tell you not to move to New York, not to move to Israel, not to drop out of college to attend yeshiva, maybe not to attend yeshiva at all. He'll tell you to stay in your home state if you like it, to pursue a career you enjoy, and to marry a nice girl that you get along with, one that doesn’t tread on your dignity. Don't worry about having lots of babies or being the frumest family on the block. Find someone you like. He'll tell you to keep your childhood friends if they don't interfere with Torah observance. He'll tell you about the different branches of Orthodox Judaism and talk about each one positively. He'll tell you nice things about God. He'll invite you over to his house where his family doesn't display feelings of superiority over you. That would be some rav. However, most likely if you get a rav he'll do the opposite of all that even though all those things constitute advice given in the Talmud. And then when things fall apart for you, he'll blame you and toss you in the garbage can. So my advice, don’t get a rav. Lead your own life and if you find that rare gem to help you, that’s a plus.