Just realized that there are two very similar threads trending now.
Squeak and sof davar, thanks! 🙂
clearheaded-
I give you all the credit in the world for overcoming wtvr challenges you faced in your life and emerging stronger. But there’s something you’re not understanding here, humans all have different personalities. Some people are strong while others tend to be frail and prone to weakness. Not to compare, but after the Holocaust many many jews went off the D while others held strong to their emunah. Are we G-d forbid able to judge those that were not able to withstand their hellish trials? Obviously not.
I can say the same thing, “I had every excuse to go off the derech” and didn’t, but that doesn’t make me condemn others for not pulling through. Believe me I watch young women with these disorders struggling daily to understand why they were chosen to live this nightmare of a life. Going off is not their first option. They yearn to fit in and be a part of “normal” jewish life. As a mentally ill patient in a psychiatric ward once told my professor who is a psychologist, “I had all the same dreams you had, I wanted to sit in yeshiva and learn and marry and raise a beautiful family. I can’t do any of that, now what are you gona tell me?”
“Bipolar and borderline personalities are real diseases,”
as opposed to?? do some research, visit a psych ward, then tell me if you think clinical depression is still some kind of game.
“but that doesn’t mean one has the excuse to go off the derech because of it. There are enough frum people who are frum and have these diseases.”
True there are unfortunately many, speak to them, learn their struggles and empathize with their fight rather than say “that’s no excuse.”
Bottom line to end my rambling is we cannot judge. Thank G-d for giving you the backbone and emunah to withstand your nisyonos.