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Returning: Reflections & Resources on Teshuvah
This discussion guide explores some of the difficulties and dilemmas facing those who seek to heal the wounds of their own souls—especially self-inflicted wounds. How do we change our life’s course without negating the past? What happens if there is no one left to grant forgiveness? And, perhaps most difficult of all, how can we forgive ourselves without at the same time excusing our actions?
These questions and more are explored through a series of dialogues between a very unusual Ba’al Teshuvah and his rabbi. Ovadya ben Malka, a former member of the Birkenau Sonderkommando in search of atonement, originally approached Rav David Ish-Shalom to be his judge. However, the rabbi soon stepped out of that role, becoming mentor, confidant, and healer. But for Rav Ish-Shalom’s wisdom and compassion, Ovadya’s story would have had a very different ending.
Ovadya’s story is told in detail in A Damaged Mirror: a story of memory and redemption. However, this discussion guide stands on its own: the included dialogues can be read and pondered without reference to the rest of the story.
Each discussion topic focuses on a particular dialogue between Ovadya and the rabbi, supplemented with sources from Jewish texts. Each topic is followed by a few questions to get the discussion going.
These questions and more are explored through a series of dialogues between a very unusual Ba’al Teshuvah and his rabbi. Ovadya ben Malka, a former member of the Birkenau Sonderkommando in search of atonement, originally approached Rav David Ish-Shalom to be his judge. However, the rabbi soon stepped out of that role, becoming mentor, confidant, and healer. But for Rav Ish-Shalom’s wisdom and compassion, Ovadya’s story would have had a very different ending.
Ovadya’s story is told in detail in A Damaged Mirror: a story of memory and redemption. However, this discussion guide stands on its own: the included dialogues can be read and pondered without reference to the rest of the story.
Each discussion topic focuses on a particular dialogue between Ovadya and the rabbi, supplemented with sources from Jewish texts. Each topic is followed by a few questions to get the discussion going.
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Published September 1, 2016
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About the author
Yael Shahar
5 books23 followersAfter an adventurous and unattributable career in security and intelligence, Yael Shahar divides her time between writing and learning Talmud with anyone who will sit still long enough.
A dynamic and sought-after public speaker, Yael has lectured worldwide on subjects related to non-conventional and techno-terrorism, threat assessment, and asymmetric conflict.
Her research into the internet as an enabler of networked political and social change led her to a deeper study of Jewish society over the ages. She is currently working on her next book, a whimsical dip into the Sea of Talmud with her one-eyed cat as a study partner.
A dynamic and sought-after public speaker, Yael has lectured worldwide on subjects related to non-conventional and techno-terrorism, threat assessment, and asymmetric conflict.
Her research into the internet as an enabler of networked political and social change led her to a deeper study of Jewish society over the ages. She is currently working on her next book, a whimsical dip into the Sea of Talmud with her one-eyed cat as a study partner.
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September 2, 2023
This piece provides an insightful and timely addition to the original “Returning”. For those of us who have not had Shahar’s experience, “Reflections” adds to the understanding of how we can take the life we live, as well as the life we discover that was hidden. We can then create a positive environment and tools for ensuring a strong “Return” to forgiveness and ethical belief.
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