We founded Beyond BT in December 2005, with the goal of helping second stage Baalei Teshuva, those who’ve already made a commitment to a Torah centered life. With the help of our contributors and commentors over the years, we’ve published over 1,800 posts and 29,000 comments on issues of integration and spiritual growth.
Although we’ll still publish occasional articles on understanding the intricacies of the observant community, we’ll be concentrating more on issues of continual Jewish Spiritual Growth, because we think that’s the essence of what being a Jew is all about.
Successful integration into the observant community can only take you so far, and although it’s an admirable goal, it isn’t what Torah Judaism is all about. Judaism is about building a deeper relationship with G-d, your relatives, friends, community and ultimately the entire world. It’s a lifelong, often difficult, unending task, but G-d centered spirituality is the only focus that can unify all Jews and can allow each of us to reach our ultimate purpose and potential.
We’re confident that our existing readership will continue their journey with us, and we’re hopeful that those who were born into Torah Observant families and those who are not Torah Observant will join us to continue to strengthen their spiritual dimension.
Steve, good points.
I think we’ve covered most of the integration issues over the years and as I wrote above, we’ll still post and re-post those types of entries.
But integration issues, are so dependent on the community, the BT, and the particular issue, that I think that a competent Rav or mentor and the correct community are the best working solutions for those issues.
I think the greatest values that BTs and Beyond BT can give, is creating a culture of growth.
This is something that will benefit BTs, FFBs and non-observant Jews.
My sense is that us BTs as a group, and certainly our communities have stagnated by losing sight of our real goals which is growth and connection to Hashem.
Observance and integration, for those of us in communities, are means, but if we are not reaching the goals we’re falling short.
IMO, the following paragraph from this post strikes me as inherently and internally contradictory:
“Successful integration into the observant community can only take you so far, and although it’s an admirable goal, it isn’t what Torah Judaism is all about. Judaism is about building a deeper relationship with G-d, your relatives, friends, community and ultimately the entire world. It’s a lifelong, often difficult, unending task, but G-d centered spirituality is the only focus that can unify all Jews and can allow each of us to reach our ultimate purpose and potential”
The reference in the Navi to Haovdim BEretz Ashur VHadichaim BEretz Mitzyrayim which is one of the verses included in the Musaf RH was understood as referring to the spiritually distant by RYBS. One cannot ignore the gap between the Rachok and the Karov simply because one would rather see whether his or her Avodas Hashem is at an appropriate level. I would maintain that enabling any BT to make a successful integration into the FFB world is an important individual and communal obligation that is rooted in many different sources, but primarily in the Torah obligation of Hashavas Avedah which the Maharam Shick, a Talmid Muvhak of the Chasam Sofer extended to Hashavas Neshamos and Nefashos. IOW, the mitzvah of Kiruv and Chizuk is not complete and cannot be abandoned when a BBT has legitimate difficulties and issues in his and/or her integration. To do so is to abandon a person that has jumped into the sea without a liferaft.
One more point-a careful learning of Chumash , especially Parshiyos Lech Lecha and Vayera, as well as Shmos through Ki Sisa with Rashi, Ramban as well as Meshech Chachmah would demonstrate that the Avos, Imahos, Moshe Rabbeinu, Aharon HaKohen and Miriam HaNeviah are viewed as having accomplished far more than Noah precisely because of their being models to their communities and seeking to spread their Divinely Ordained mission, as opposed to retreating into contemplation of their spiritual growth.
Perhaps I am reading too much into the above post, but IMO, the above post is a rationalization for a conscious decision to soft pedal the issue of integration of BTs into the FFB world, which is of vital importance,as Kiruv and Chizuk continue to be issues of communal importance, and which more critically strike me as setting forth a priority of self improvement when helping a fellow Jew’s adjustment from being a BT to understanding the ethos and values of the FFB world remain a vitallly important communal and individual priority. Viewing “continual growth” is laudatory, but it should not be at the expense of integration of BTs into a FFB world that all too often wornders why BTs joined their party.
We have addressed many of these issues over the years which have no simple solutions. If anybody has something new to say about these issues, we still welcome these types of posts.
However after many years as BTs, and after many years reading posts, comments and emails to Beyond BT, we’ve seen that the people who lead the most meaningful, purposeful and G-d connected, Torah lives are the ones who are focused on continual growth. Their growth persists despite the fact that almost everyone suffers challenges. So we think we can deliver the most value going forward by encouraging and helping people to continue to grow in their Judaism despite the escalation of instability in the frum communitiies and secular world.
bs”d
Yes, Chana Leah brings up critical flash points. It would be wonderful if BeyondBT could address these issues… BT or FFB, we are facing numerous challenges.
I’m interested in a site that will discuss the place of a BT in a frum world that is struggling with internet, OTD, shidduch crisis, tuition crisis, tznius challenges, etc. In other words, how to respond to the escalation of instability in the FFB world.
Hatzlocha on your future site…
Thanks Neil and Shmuel.
I think the new focus of the site sounds great.
I think that “From the Waters of Shiloah” fits well with the new focus of the blog
Bob, it’s a good point about the site name being a barrier and we may need a new site.
For starters I want to write some posts here, because many BTs have not benefited from the “becoming frum” focus of Kiruv and are group who can benefit from a spiritual growth perspective.
One way is to find blog or discussion sites that attract such Jews, and announce there the direction this site proposes to go. Make the case that someone who is not an official BT or planning to become one will find useful food for thought. Otherwise, your own site’s name could be a barrier.
Bob, our strategy is to provide material to help Jews grow. We’re not really focused right now on how Web Search or Marketing might get Jews to this site, but if you have any ideas you would like to share, here or via email, we’re listening.
I am looking forward to the new direction of the website.
You wrote, “…we’ll be concentrating more on issues of continual Jewish Spiritual Growth…”
There are two large groups other than current BT’s (as normally defined) that may have many members who could relate in some way to your growth-focused content. These are FFB’s and unaffilated Jews. What is your strategy to expose these Jews to your output?