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THE WORLD OF BAALEI TESHUVA We often read about how secular Jews, as well as those with only a vague religious bend, discover the world of Torah and mitzvos, as they explore and ultimately accept the life of a committed Torah Jew. And we greet their metamorphosis with astonishment, admiration, and a touch of celebration.In fact, there is much we can learn from the sense of discovery, freshness, and remarkable dedication that baalei teshuva bring to their avodas Hashem (serving G-d), as has been pointed out in these pages. The road to becoming a baal teshuva is, of course, not without challenges and pitfalls, as well. Some of the most difficult of these emerge during the post-yeshiva/seminary years of the mature baal teshuva, in particular in the search for shidduchim. Even more difficult is when the prospective baal teshuva is married, and his or her partner is not moving in the same direction or at the same pace. In addition, difficulties can emerge when seeking to find one’s place in the frum society. The readers’ understanding of these dilemmas, the role they can play in helping the individual baal teshuva resolve them, and the limitations non-professionals may have in this area can make us all more compassionate – and thus more effective – as friends-in-need for those engaged in these struggles. The articles that follow will acquaint the reader with the details of such valiant journeys. |