YU Hosts Chassidic Author

By COLlive reporter

Author, scholar and world-renowned speaker, Rabbi Shais Taub, spoke last week at Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women in New York City on the subject of “Torah and Addiction.”

The event was the product of a unique partnership between three student organizations: The Chabad Club, the Psychology Club, and a group called Active Minds, which is a student-run mental health awareness and advocacy organization.

Taub’s book G-d of Our Understanding was released to wide acclaim in 2010 and was even a #1 Amazon bestseller. Since then he has been recognized as a preeminent expert on the topic of spirituality and recovery with his work being highlighted by The New York Times.

“My message isn’t about chemicals. It’s about spirituality,” Taub, who has recently completed a commentary on Tanya’s Sha’ar haYichud vehaEmunah part, told YU students.

He said he regularly receives requests to come out against drinking, Internet and other perceived vices in the Jewish community.

“I have never come out against drinking or against Internet. Those things are neutral. They are just things. But some people like to focus on banning things, in turning objects into the problem. They focus on the ‘cheftza’ instead of the ‘gavra.’

“My message has always been, ‘Let’s look at the underlying dynamic of what’s happening. Is there a deeper way to understand the issue? Does Jewish tradition shed any light on it? How can we use the situation to take more responsibility for our own spiritual growth?’

“Ironically, addiction is not the addict’s problem. Addiction is actually the addict’s best attempt at a solution. The real problem is the unfulfilled spiritual needs of the addict,” he explained.

To hear audio of the class, click here.