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Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, MD Hizkiyahu Hamelech 24 Jerusalem, Israel (02) 563 1845 ajht613@gmail.com

Dec 20, 2020

Dear Parents, Roshei Yeshivos and Rabbanim, The Covid-19 pandemic has been extremely harsh, causing loss of many lives and economic disaster. When the news came that there is now an effective vaccine, many people felt a sense of relief. Unfortunately, there is a serious epidemic among Jewish youth, who are under the extreme pressure of hormones which has great effect on their feelings and behavior. The damage can be great, and there is no vaccine. I recently read a biography of the great Posek, Hagaon Rav Yitzhak Elchanan Spektor of Kovna, and it related that he married at age 13. In today’s world, this is impossible. Indeed, Rav Chisda, an author of the Talmud, said, “The reason I am superior to my colleagues is that I married at age 16. Had I married at 14, I could have defied Satan” (Kedushin 29b). However, Human physiology does not respect social dictums, and today’s adolescents are confronted with the reality that they will not be able to satisfy their sexual urges for many years. The frank licentiousness that prevails in today’s world aggravates the problem manifold. Worst of all is that young men have no one to turn to for guidance and support. The subject is taboo, and parents and mechanchim close their eyes and make believe that there is no problem. Parents are too embarrassed to discuss it, and roshei yeshivas seem to think that if a bachur will be diligent in study of gemara, he will be protected from the effects of years of frustrated desire. THIS IS NOT TRUE. You may not be able to detect the effects of struggle of the young men, but it is severe. Parents, roshei-yeshiva and rabbanim! You are the only ones who can save these young men from the crushing effects of today’s pritzus and hefkeirus. You are their vaccine! Dr. Shloimie Zimmerman rose to the challenge, and with the support of the staff and advisors of Guard Your Eyes has developed a compendium, "From Boys to Men, Navigating Pre-Puberty to Adulthood". This is a crucial component, and through awareness of the problems and facing them head on, educating our children, and being there as ongoing supports, we can save our young men and their families from the crushing influence of today’s dissolution in society.