Reply To: Going off the Derech

aries2756, hudi,zahavasdad, Syag Lchochma and Imaofthree: Yes, we explained to our son how wrong it was what this man did, and we went to great lengths to demonstrate this as well, by speaking to this man directly as well as 2 Rabbonim. But I would hate to have to depend upon the possibility of my son finding more appropriate role models later in life, in order to undo the distorted, abusive impression of religious people this man gave my child. Of course, that is what has to happen, that he’ll see the ‘bigger picture’, that not all religious people are like this, that this was, in fact, a sick man and that his “Torah” is actually no Torah at all. But look at how much suffering my other son (and us!) are going through, waiting for HIM to see the bigger picture. He also had some negative experiences, and there’s no guarrantee that he will come out with his yiddishkeit intact. Baruch Hashem Imaofthree, you were able to do it. I can only pray that Hashem will send the right shaliach to help my son as well.

The 2nd part of this story is that we did go speak to the kehilla Rav, who was horrified at what happened. He wanted us to make sure that my son knows this man was wrong, and that he is completely against what this man did. Yet, he said that there is NO SOLUTION! When I asked him to go speak to this man, he said that he could, but it wouldn’t do any good. He said that these people don’t listen to anybody. To make it worse, you wouldn’t believe it, but he is a very chashuva Talmid Chacham. It’s enough to challenge your own yiddishkeit…..