I am writing in sheer disbelief at the absurdity of what has become of our community's values, exemplified by the craze for $10 Chanukah donuts, now offered in some 30 different varieties.

I cannot begin to express how utterly ludicrous this is. What has happened to us? What a busha. A society that once prided itself on avoiding unnecessary extravagance, we are being sold overpriced donuts as if they're some kind of status symbol. And for $10, no less! This is a joke.

Actually, I wish it was. It's not.

This is an embarrassment to our people. It's a disgrace.

How is it that we've come to this point? Is this really what we value now? Over-the-top, empty displays that mock the essence of Chanukah? Instead of the ruchniyudiske Yom Tov, people now indulge in overpriced, hollow novelties?!

On top of all this absurdity, we hear endless complaints about the skyrocketing cost of tuition. Schools are charging higher and higher rates, and every parent is scrambling to cover the bills.

That's true. And it's a crisis. However....

If you're one of the foolish people who are embarrassing themselves by spending $10 on a single donut this Chanukah, then you had better be paying your full tuition.

Let's not kid ourselves here. If you have the luxury to spend money on such stupidity that is nothing but a slap in the face to any normal breathing neshamah, then you should have no issue covering the full cost of your child's education. No discounts, no financial aid requests.

You can afford $10 donuts? You can certainly afford tuition. Figure it out.

There is a staggering disconnect between the priorities and hashkafos of certain members of our frum community and the reality we face in raising our children as bnei Torah.

We complain about tuition, about how it's too high, about how we can't possibly afford it, about how groceries, and this, and that, and the third thing are all too expensive -- we love kvetching -- and yet we're more than willing to splurge on completely unnecessary and wasteful indulgences.

The hypocrisy is staggering.

The line between what's necessary and what's indulgent has never been clearer. Let's start living with the same integrity we claim to want for our children, and stop pretending that $10 donuts don't come with consequences.