First a few words regarding my recent column “I’m in Kollel But My Life Is a Sham” — about a young kollel man going through the motions of Torah life and learning with without feeling any connection to G-d or spirituality. The piece triggered a flood of responses representing a spectrum of opinions. Some complained that it was an unmentionable subject — in other words there’s a monster sitting in the living room but we mustn’t talk about it. Others expressed the feeling that there’s nothing we can do about the situation so we’d better learn to live with it. Still others claimed quite correctly that emunah is an emotional issue and quite incorrectly that no logical discussion can help if emunah is lacking. There were even some who felt that it doesn’t matter at all where one is holding in emunah as long as one is keeps the mitzvos and learns Torah. What I learned from all these responses is that the phenomenon in question is even more widespread than I thought and that the plague of mitzvas anashim melumadah robotic observance accompanied by weak faith is not being properly treated. A number of people wrote to tell me about various initiatives that are already in existence for inculcating emunah and some asked me to get in touch with them for more information about what is being done. Those letters were like a breath of fresh air and G‑d willing I will indeed contact those who asked.

But all in all the letters and oral comments require me to give further attention to this question and to set down before my honored readers whatever I have merited learning from my teachers on this subject as well as what I have learned from experience — particularly my contact with young people who were confirmed atheists when I met them and attained belief in G‑d the Creator through guided discussion. And what was effective for Jews coming from faraway spiritual places should also be effective for those who were raised in our own backyard but simply never received the right care for their ailment.

But before we attack this issue there is a related topic that needs urgent attention – the two are a package deal when we talk about the spiritual diseases creeping into our society and damaging the very tissues and ligaments that keep up healthy.

The following paragraphs appeared last week in the Hebrew edition of Mishpacha in light of a recently disclosed situation that has become pervasive in Jerusalem — and perhaps around the Jewish world. Of course I will write only about what occurred without bringing in any names or specific details but my hope is that people will understand the underlying nuances and hopefully they will be forewarned.

A public proclamation signed last week by leading rabbanim came out against a certain “educational” endeavor and in so doing it turned a spotlight on the underlying problem that gave rise to this particular instance and others like it.

Unfortunately time and again over the years many precious Jews have fallen into the traps of sanctimonious charlatans and frauds.

Innocent sincere people motivated by true fear of Heaven and a genuine desire for spirituality for themselves and their children end up paying a heavy price for their gullibility. Charismatic cult figures use all sorts of emotional manipulation to gain control over people seeking solutions to various troubles and they cause them nothing but harm leading them down a twisted path to mental and spiritual ruin while exploiting them physically as well (we’ll skip the details). The outward appearance of these manipulators is pious belying their true characters. They look like G-d-fearing Jews of the highest caliber and words of Torah and emunah fall from their lips constantly. And people who are pure of heart but lacking in shrewdness and discernment go for the bait and entrust them with their secrets their problems and sometimes even their daughters. The total trust they place in these frauds also includes submitting to their treatment of emotional and psychological issues. Their faith in these characters becomes blind once they have fallen prey to their mind-control. I realize I am talking in riddles to those who are unfamiliar with this phenomenon but the many men and women who have survived such experiences know quite well what these words are referring to.

Then when the game is up and the pious mask is torn away the charlatan’s true features are revealed in all their ugliness and rapaciousness and suddenly the victims see that the long beard of the venerable-looking man in whom they placed their blind faith is nothing but a bunch of hair.

“How could that be? A Jew with a beard?” someone once exclaimed when the conversation turned to a certain person who had come to public disgrace. “You’re right” was the answer. “But underneath the beard he’s a bare-faced scoundrel.”

Unfortunately people’s natural trusting nature can lead them to be fooled by external appearances. It’s hard to accept that a person of saintly demeanor is in reality nothing but a wily serpent. And that is why even after these victims realize that they’ve been exploited in every way they are so overcome with shame that they prefer to conceal what happened to them and they tell no one. This provides a shield for the long-bearded manipulator whose eyes glow with false piety. He can hide behind it confidently knowing that his victims especially in our society will not file any complaints against him.

I am not referring to any one specific person. I myself don’t want to know any names or discuss anyone in particular. What I’ve already heard is enough — the stories of emotional breakdowns mental problems doubts concerning emunah loss of faith in humanity and other awful consequences suffered by the victims of these creatures.

I am making these statements at the request of community leaders who wish to raise awareness of this vulnerability among the frum populace to warn them and awaken them to the need to do a thorough background check before placing boys or girls in any new or unfamiliar educational framework. Similarly before going to someone for any sort of psychological therapy or counseling it is vital to find out under whose care we are placing ourselves or our children and not to be led on by appearances.

The proper course is to consult with knowledgeable and objective talmidei chachamim. They have the vision and the discernment to see the facts and judge clearly whether the person in question is honest and G-d-fearing or a charlatan despite his chareidi appearance. By taking these precautions people can safeguard themselves and their families from many needless tragedies.

Food for Thought

A horse starts running as soon as it sees the whip; a donkey only when he feels its sting.

(Rav Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler Michtav MeEliyahu)