Twerski on GYE - Q & A
Question 1.
I fail to understand how the program coincides with me being frum, let me explain, when I overcome any type yetzer hora I become closer to hashem and gain schar in olam haba, the same is true when working on my middos and definitely with fighting my sexual desires. I am not working on my sexual addiction purely as a physiological problem as a non-jew would but also as a frum Jew trying to do hashem's will. When working with the 12 step program, especially if I end up hooking up with a non Jewish sponsor, I will not be working on my problem as a Jew. I feel it's like if I were having a problem with my emunah in hashem or my davening needed chizuk and I went to a Christian support group giving chizuk in our belief in god and praying but we would be discussing two separate gods (me as Jew and they as christians).
Rabbi Twerski Responds:
Years ago, a person in recovery requested that I develop a recovery program based on our sifrei mussar. I wrote the book "Self Improvement? I’m Jewish!", which is such a program. At the end of the book I say, “Now turn the page and read the 12 steps.” The two are essentially identical. However, instead of the phrase “G-d, as I understand Him” we would say Hashem.
A non-Jewish sponsor can guide you through working the steps, but any issue involving Yiddishkeit should be taken up with a Rav who understands the 12 step program. The sponsor is not providing chizuk in emunah, but may show you how to put your emunah to use. In JACS there are a number of haredi Jews who have no problem following the 12 step program. Obviously, in forming a circle, one should not hold hands with a woman. One can station oneself between two men.
- I have attended many mussar shiurim. Everybody understands the importance of mussar, but I doubt if many people walk away with the feeling, "If I deviate from this, I'm dead!" A person sincere in recovery realizes that his very life depends on following the program, not theoretically, but very practically. If people would accept mussar that way, it would work.
- No one in any mussar shiur I attended has ever spoken up and said, "I tried to do things my way, and I fell right back into my old ways." That helps bring home the message that one's life depends on following the program.
- I don't recall anyone in a mussar shiur being so touched that they began to cry. It happens often in the 12 step program.
- No one in a mussar shiur shares strength, hope and courage.
These things are what makes the difference.
Question 2.
Why can't I find a single mussar sefer that talks about the concept of addiction? Yes, you will probably find certain ideas in seforim that match the concept of the 12 steps and maybe even addiction, but the idea of being struck with a disease is clearly just not out there in mussar seforim. Chaza"l understood the human mind and the yetzer hora much better then any psychologist but the seforim only talk about the old fashion way of just not doing aveiros and holding yourself back, there are no 12 steps, diseases, methods etc. in the words of chazal. I heard you talk about the fact that you found all of the 12 steps in Sharie Teshuva and the Rambam on the phone conference and I actually looked them up but they definitely do not clearly give you these as tools and don't mention the concept of addiction. It really bothers me that as a frum Jew, I can't find salvation in the torah but have to turn to modern psychology for new ideas and the 12 step program, a concept indirectly (or directly) related to Christianity as if Judaism does not cater to this type or strength of a yetzer hora.
Rabbi Twerski Responds:
In my meager knowledge of the sifrei mussar, I have not found a structured method on addiction, although the principles are all there.
I surmise that the widespread addictive use of drugs did not exist when the sifrei mussar were written. Actually, the epidemic of drug use in the secular world is a rather recent (20th century) phenomenon, or at least if drug addiction did exist, it was well concealed. Alcohol use was more common, yet never reached current proportions.
The aphorism “shikker vi a goy” (drunk as a gentile) is no longer valid, but I suspect that in earlier days, the opprobrium of shikker was so intense that it suppressed addictive use of alcohol. There were a few shikkurim who were social outcasts. Alcoholism as we know it, i.e. functioning alcoholics may have existed in greater numbers, but this too was concealed.
Obviously the incidence of excessive drinking among Jews has increased. As recently as 50 years ago, country clubs did not take on Jewish weddings or Bar Mitzvahs, because they make their money on alcohol rather than on food. Today they actively solicit Jewish events.
Whereas forbidden sexual activity certainly occurred, I doubt that the phenomenon of sexual addiction was ever brought to the attention of the authors of sifrei mussar.
Question 3 (a).
I have read books and a lot online on the 12 step program. The two main recovery components of the 12 step program are group support, which I could definitely benefit from and steps one, two and three where we realize we are powerless, realize only god could help and we turn over our will to god. Can you explain how this works, I am sitting in front of my computer with a enormous urge to browse or masturbate, how do I suddenly turn over my will to god and how does it help? Is it in the mind? What changes that I can all of a sudden control myself?
Rabbi Twerski Responds:
It is of great interest that the 12 step program requires “practicing these principles in all our affairs.” One cannot isolate alcohol, drugs or sex and address only these behaviors. The program requires a comprehensive moral inventory and a sincere attempt at eliminating one’s character defects. Successful recovery requires an overhaul of one’s character.
One AA speaker, on the occasion of his 20th anniversary of sobriety began with, “The man I once was drank, and the man I once was will drink again.” Successful recovery requires emergence of a new person.
The Talmud says that a single verse which encapsulates the entire Torah is “Know G-d in all your ways” (Proverbs 3:6). All authorities, from Rambam down, explain that not only must one observe the mitzvos of the Torah, but all one’s actions should be “Torahdig.” A person who indulges in everything that the Torah permits is referred to as “a vulgar person within the confines of Torah law” (Ramban Leviticus 19:2). Just as it is a violation of Torah to eat chazzer (pork), it is also a violation to eat strictly kosher food like a chazzer (hog). A person is required to eat Torahdig, sleep Torahdig, transact Torahdig and cohabit Torahdig.
Turning over one’s will to the will of Hashem cannot be exercised when one is faced with temptation. From the time one awakes until one retires one must live Torahdig. Just dressing haredi and wearing a beard haredi and even davening haredi is not yet a Torahdig life style, and will not discourage addiction.
It is not easy to turn all of one’s life over to Hashem, but this is what the 12-step program requires and what Torah requires. “Half measures avail us nothing,” and for that matter, 95% measures also avail us nothing. “Know G-d in all your ways”
Question 3 (b).
Part two of my question is can I can divide the two components above, will working the 12 steps by myself (books, online etc.) without going to meetings work or if I find another way of group support (a partner or the website) without using the 12 steps, will that work, is it worth a try?
Rabbi Twerski Responds:
Group support is vital. Let’s compare it to tefillah, which should be b'tzibur (with a minyan). The sefarim say that davening with a minyan with little kavanah (concentration) is superior to davening alone with much kavannah. In practice, failure to attend meetings is generally unsuccessful. If you are not going to use the 12 steps, what are you going to use? As pointed out, a mussar approach is very similar to the 12 steps.
Question 4.
As of today, b'h my only problem is mainly masturbation and porn, I am concerned of hearing people speak of their experiences with other women and I will get too many good ideas at the meetings and begin exploring those ideas. Also, I have heard that people attending the 12 steps sometimes get turned on by hearing other women talk about their sexual obsessions (I heard of a guy who hooked up with a women at the meeting, dunno if it's true), this concerns me too.
Rabbi Twerski Responds:
There is indeed the risk of “crazy house romances.” Single gender meetings on sexual addiction is most advisable. There is also a risk of exploring the ideas one may hear.
There are deaths due to antibiotics or surgery, yet this risk does not stop people from availing themselves of the most effective medical treatment.
Question 5.
I am afraid of being seen or recognized. Let's face it, disease or not, it's frowned upon and people (especially in the frum community) do judge. This is something I am willing and realize I need to compromise on but I would like to hear your perspective on this.
Rabbi Twerski Responds:
The fear of being recognized is understandable, but the only people who will recognize you are those who have your problem. Your secret is their secret. It is highly unlikely that one will tell a friend “guess whom I saw at an SA meeting.”
Addictions are usually progressive. Physicians who resisted attending AA or NA meetings for fear of being recognized are almost invariably exposed when their loss of control leads to behavior that is a public disclosure in a far worse way. I believe this is also true of sexual addiction.
Should I let a girl know that her chosson is gay?
After being married for 2 years, I found gay hookup apps on my husband's phone. This was tremendously shocking and heartbreaking. I feel totally tricked (into marriage) and betrayed. Anyways, this other guy-friend, is also SSA and, in fact, had hooked up with my husband. He is now engaged, and my husband asked him if he is planning to tell his wife, he said, 'no way, never, don't ever mention it again.' I feel so bad for this girl, for what she is getting into, but on the other hand, I really do not want to ruin this guy's life or butt in. However, one day she is going to find out and be verrry verrry angry and her life will be ruined like mine is. Do you think I should say something?
Rabbi Abraham Twerski responds:
This requires a major posek. My reading of the Chafetz Chaim is that one is obligated to tell, because of 'Lo taamod al dam reacha,' but it takes a major posek to make that psak.
Rabbi Dovid Morgenstern (a major posek) responds:
I agree with Dr. Twerski that she is obligated to say, however, she should do so not out of hate but rather out of her concern and caring about the other girl. She just needs to say enough that the girl will know to ask more questions if she wants.
Do I have to tell my Chosson?
Dear Rabbi Twerski, We have a girl on our "women's forum" who was addicted to self-pleasuring and looking at inappropriate things on the internet. She never went farther than that B"H, and was a spiritual girl and top of her class in everything else. But she had this dark secret (I wonder how many "good" girls have these secrets today r"l)... Anyway, since she found our network almost a month ago, she has been clean and guarding her eyes very well. She doesn't even watch movies anymore at all. She's been very inspiring to us all, and to the other girls and women on the forum. Recently, she started going out with a good boy from a top Yeshiva, and she is afraid of telling him about her past "addiction". She sent me the following letter, and asked me if she has to tell her date - at the risk of not only losing a great Shidduch, but the word could even spread... I did not want to take responsibility for answering this question, and so I am passing it on to the Rav. I hope the Rav can guide us on this, because it is an issue that comes up often on our forum. Some of the guys on our forum are dating, at the same time as they are making a strong push for purity. What guidelines can we use for deciding if they have to tell their dates or not? What level of addiction is considered a "disease" (and should be told), and what level could be considered normal "teenage" struggles that most - or many - guys have?
There is an adage, "You're only as sick as your secrets." Revealing information that may ruin a shidduch is understandably very difficult, but keeping it secret creates a constant anxiety and a barrier to mutual trust and sincere communication. Marriages have enough problems without adding secrets.
In the case of alcohol or drug addiction, we generally tell people to avoid even getting into a relationship before one year of solid recovery and with the approval of one's sponsor. One month sobriety is hardly a beginning.
There are many variables. How long was the addiction? Does the person still have urges?
Whenever one decides to tell, one should say, "I must tell you something about myself, but it is with "Bal Tomar." You must promise not to tell it to anyone else.
Twerski
Her email to us a few days later:
HODU LA' HASHEM KI TOV!
Wow! I cannot even believe that last night happened!
From the beginning: He picked me up at 6:45. We went to a park- it was gorgeous. I felt like cinderella- willow trees and little bridges over lakes. We were having a great time and then he started discussing tachlis. deep and heavy hashkafa and life views. Everything was fine in that area. we sat down on a bench near the lake under the moonlight and with a black old fashioned lamp next to us. All of a sudden, HE starts discussing the internet and how bad it is. i knew that he didn't have any issues with it cuz he told me last time that he gave chizuk to another bochur about it and he felt so bad for him.
So i started thinking that i really trust him and that I'm never gonna have a better opportunity to bring it up. It was the right atmosphere, we were already discussing it, and I don't know- Hashem just gave me this feeling like it was a good time. so i took a deep breath and i said:
Me: so now i have something i want to discuss with you (he'd been bringing up the topics)
He: (smiles) yeah?
Me: ok, before I tell you I need you to promise me that you won't tell anyone, no matter what happens between us, ok?
He: Ok (listening seriously)
Me: I'm really nervous to tell you this. i had very big problems with the internet. i read things that i shouldn't have and watched things that were definitely inappropriate for me.
He: at home?
Me: yeah... not only... I don't want to go into details about it. Boruch Hashem, I got in touch with the Guardyoureyes website which really helped me out. This is a part of my past that i am not proud of and it was the darkest part of my life. This site helped me get over it and even set me up with other frum girls who are also dealing with this issue and we speak every day as sort of accountability partners. We tell each other what's going on, give each other chizuk, and make sure that we don't slip up or act out. Baruch hashem, it's a part of the past and funnily enough, this whole nisayon made me closer to Hashem. i davened so hard to get out of the situation and Hashem sent me help. I never told anyone this and i'm shaking that i'm telling you now.
He: you never told your parents?
Me: no way! They have no clue. but I trust you. I wanted to tell you and I didn't want to have any secrets between us.
He: you know, this is just like I was telling you the other night about that boy. doing a bad thing doesn't make you a bad person. even if you lose a battle, it's ok! we're fighting to win the war and we're up against such a powerful enemy. it's like a regular strong person fighting a world champion boxer! You should know that boys have this much harder.
Me: yeah, so I've heard
He: I'm happy that you told me and you shouldn't think for even one second that i think less of you for it. just the opposite! i'm really happy that you told me. Don't worry about it at all! ok? you are not lowered in my eyes even a drop! ok?
Me: I can't believe this. Thank you so much for being so understanding! it means so much to me! I'm smiling from ear to ear (and i was also on the verge of tears of happiness!)
The rest of the night is a happy blur...
Thank you Hashem! I felt You holding my hand the entire time and sitting next to me and hugging me tight like a little child in her parent's arms.
How can i ever thank you enough? no words can suffice to express my heartfelt gratitude. I'm crying with thanks and my heart is bursting with joy as the tears run down my cheeks. The sechar that you will get for this is not describable in mere human terms. I owe you my life, my happiness, and my relationship with this boy and Hashem!
May we share simchos together very soon!
Thank you!
Rabbi Twerski was so impressed with how it all turned out, that he responded:
I think this is a significant triumph. I would like to use this story as an example to show people how being truthful and not concealing secrets can succeed.
Twerski