Jump to content


Photo

Living In An Anti-Torah Kehillah


  • Please log in to reply
5 replies to this topic

#1 Morgenstern

Morgenstern

    Member

  • Members
  • 240 posts

Posted 30 November 2013 - 11:46 PM

Ok, I have some problems. I live in a community that isnt big on Torah. We have chabad which I avoid like the plague, and some "frum" shuls have iffy mechitos that Im not sure is halachally ok or do to some cultural mistake that became the norm to not make a big deal out of mechitos...anyway alot of the people bash gedolim and are very zionistic and I dont know how to deal with their passive agressive anti-semtism



#2 taon

taon

    Moderator

  • Moderators
  • 421 posts

Posted 22 December 2013 - 10:19 PM

first, a strong background. Understand why we do what we do, how our actions benefit  the world and fulfill its purpose. haskafa books such as Rav Miller’s, Rav Tatz’s, and similar

confidence is very important. You also need support from religious people outside. Preferably in a yeshiva or a rav/rebbe, but even a phone chavrusa or pen pal would be good, there are programs if you need. it can help you to read stories about baalei tehshuvah or any sort of inspiring stories or biographies, and would help them as well to see it. The most important thing is to make a Kiddush Hashema nd show that you’re a good person.



#3 Morgenstern

Morgenstern

    Member

  • Members
  • 240 posts

Posted 25 December 2013 - 01:54 AM

Ok my community isnt anti Torah, that was a huge exagerration. They are modern orthodox and are alittle to alot left on the spectrum. I was blowing things up. Its just difficult dealing with being the different one and being strong enough to stand up to it all.

Ty for the help Taon.



#4 taon

taon

    Moderator

  • Moderators
  • 421 posts

Posted 02 January 2014 - 06:50 PM

Im in a similar situation, the advice still applies.

 It may help to understand them more, threads like this and others on the topic. Also Rav Schwabs article here for a way to understand them. Also this post that was replied to me a long time ago

 

 

TNCMG Posted - 17 March 2004 13:14

Taon- I posted in this forum. I also go to a school that I had and still do have great trouble being in. But a rabbi told me something that I used to help me. He said-" Did Yosef Hatzaddik say to Hashem " G-d, get me outta here! Why are you doing htis to me? I could be so much better and holier if i was at home learning now instead of in this house with that horrible Mrs.Potifar!" He didn't say that b\c he understood something you and I missed. When Hashem gives you a tzorah it's not to hurt you. It's to make you the best possible Taon, shloime, baruch, or whtvr., that you can be. If all that happened to yosef never happened, he never would've become the great Yosef whose legacy is told till today. It was hard. But It helped him to fulfill his true potential. B'ahava-TNCMG


#5 Morgenstern

Morgenstern

    Member

  • Members
  • 240 posts

Posted 04 January 2014 - 10:33 PM

Thank you. 



#6 taon

taon

    Moderator

  • Moderators
  • 421 posts

Posted 12 February 2014 - 04:25 PM

I'm in a very similar situation. it really helped me to find this site, to see proper hashkafos and interact with the kind of people I want to be. It’s important to have such connections. And also to realize what you can and cant take out of your current environment. There are positive things there too. Its just that everything is so mixed up today, many don’t even realize wrong. but the chofetz chaim said people will have to pick sides before Moshiach comes, and we can see that today. look around you’ll notice, people are either improving, or chas vesholom separating. there are probably small ways you can help improve your environment without causing problems. Try to focus on your own growth, and appreciate any positive signs you see around you. And keep posting here. Remember, you were put where you are for  a reason.