Reply To: from otd to back on, ask away

MUSICALDIGNITY- to be honest with you, i did not see things out there that sent me back to judaism, all of the overt positivities of the religious community, such as solid family values and overall sense of concern for one another, were always clear to me. the emptiness that i saw very up close in the lifestyles that are out there didn’t send me back either, because my perception was that there was a lot of emptiness in the life style i left behind as well. i know that sounds really harsh, but that is truthfully the way i felt, and probably the main reason i was able to leave my childhood upbringing in search of a life style that had more meaning and less restriction.

i think this next point may the most important one for me to share- because my relationship with my family stayed strong throughout, and mutual respect was always there no matter what i was doing(of course there was friction here and there also), i was open to the suggestions of searching “in my own backyard” for the happiness and meaning in life that i felt i was missing growing up. that led me to peaople who were able to open my eyes to the richness, beauty and joy in the Torah life.

i hope i am being somewhat clear, if not, i am happy to clarify things more specifially. i hope i can help all those struggling with these issues