According to Faranak Margolese (“Off the Derech”) the main cause is negative experiences with religious figures. However, the Arizal says that there is no tzibbbor without the three letters of the root: tzaddikim, benoni’im and reshaim. So there will be OTDs no matter what. Anyone who learns the responsa literature knows taht some hair-raising aveirot were committed in the holy shtetlach.
Menu