For This We Weep   

It has been a week of upheaval and devastation. The notion of a serial predator comfortably ensconced within chareidi society shakes us to the core. This was never even remotely part of our vision of Torah community life. Instinctively, one wants to be just left alone; one wants to forget about the whole mess and go on with life as usual. But that cannot happen. If we ignore the events, then we are setting ourselves up for another round of tears, and chas v’shalom yet another.

“The heavens are G-d’s province, but This World has been given to us.” Once a person has passed on to G-d’s world, we are no longer involved in judging him. We have lost the right, obligation, and ability to do so. But we live in a world that Hashem has entrusted to us. And we are held accountable for both our actions and our inactions. We therefore need to speak about the issues that are relevant. We have no right to be silent.

The first deluge of tears and sobbing to which we must open our ears and hearts is those of the victims of abuse. They cry unheeded; buried in rehab facilities, they have been told to hold their silence. I have visited those facilities and spent time with victims. I advise you not to do so, because it may ruin your capacity to enjoy life. But if you prefer truth over enjoying life, you will discover a Gehinnom that exists here in our world.

A young boy or girl has been taken advantage of by someone they know. At first they may not even have known what it’s all about. They may have relished the attention and compliments. Slowly, the misguided “realization” sinks in that they are “bad,” “damaged,” and “worthless” in the worst way possible. Their pain becomes unbearable, they have no hope, and they turn to drugs and destruction to bring relief to their souls.