When Your Children Are Struggling with Judaism
Do Not Worship Structures; Worship G-d
Amudim Panel Discussion on Struggling Children
- December 21, 2020
- |
- 6 Tevet 5781
Rabbi YY Jacobson
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Dedicated by
Ari Jehudah Mresse,
לרפואה שלמה של יעקוב צבי בן אסתר
Class Summary:
Rabbi YY Jacobson joined a panel for the Amudim Organization, on Monday, 6 Teves, 5781, December 21, 2020. The panelists discussed the reasons many youth are struggling with Judaism and what our approach should be toward these children.
The other panelists were; Rabbi Daniel Korobkin, Rabbi of Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto (Bayt), Allison Josephs, Founder of "Jew in the City", Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz, Founder of Yeshivas Darchei Noam and Project Y.E.S.
Amudim Panel Discussion on Struggling Children
Rabbi YY Jacobson
- December 21, 2020
- |
- 6 Tevet 5781
- |
- 1081 views
Dedicated by
Ari Jehudah Mresse,
לרפואה שלמה של יעקוב צבי בן אסתר
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P Fried -3 years ago
I would like to add my two cents if I may:
Regarding the story about a child who had constant "provocative" questions about the Torah and Judaism, while I wasn't there, it's possible the child was not attempting to be provocative, but sincerely was stuggling with the questions. When a child (or an adult) has questions on Emuna, we shouldn't panic, but address them to the best of our ability, and what we don't know, we can say we don't know, and we can ask those who do know.
Regarding the comment the lady made about having "room in Judaism" for those who are not ready to live a completely Torah observant lifestyle; while perhaps she didn't mean it that way, there is a danger in this which must be addressed, and carefully avoided.
The Chachmei Yisroel have taught us, that we do not have the authority to "negotiate" on behalf of the Torah. Even if we feel we can bring someone closer by "meeting him halfway" and "allowing" them some leeway, we cannot change the words of the Holy Torah even one iota.
History has shown that it doesn't actually help, but rather the opposite. The Conservative movement was based on that premise, and look at the results.
We can say to a child, perhaps, "you may not be ready yet to take on everything" or the like, but never say the you accept their lifestyle as a legitimate form of Judaism. This is a very important difference.
Perhaps Rabbi YY was alluding to this in his reply.
I found Rabbi Horowitz's observation that people claimed to have left Yiddishkeit due to questions in Emuna, noteworthy. It seems many in the Frum world have the attitude that no one really goes of the derech because of questions on Emuna, and so, this topic is somewhat not taken seriously.
I have been skeptical about this for some time, and this seems to corroborate my skepticism. I think more research should be done on this, and the appropriate steps be taken to address it. People need to know that there are answers, and also where to look for answers. Panic when questions are raised is not helpful, as I mentioned above, and give children the feeling that we don't have answers.There is a concept which is less known than that of "kids at risk", and that is "adults at risk". This Emuna issue may be a factor. Even if frum society suceeded in sheltering a child from questions in Emuna, sometimes later in life, they are confronted with questions, but since no one ever discussed it with them, and they never heard of anyone who has any knowledge on it, they assume there are no answers, with disasterous results.
To end on a good note, thank you to all the panelists for an excellent, uh, session?
I request a sequel, or perhaps a whole series of sequels. The topic of children and adults at risk needs to be studied in great depth, with input from as many sources as possible, not just one or two gut feelings. Knowledge is power, and we must give this painful topic its due diligence.
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Anonymous -3 years ago
Would love to have Dr. Benzion Sorotzkin. Provocative but has a very good track record.
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