Off the derech

Off the derech (OTD), from the Hebrew word derech (meaning "path"), is an expression Orthodox Jews use to describe someone who intentionally stops practicing the tenets of his or her branch of orthodoxy. The phrase was first used by the medieval sage Rashi to describe the actions of the rebellious son of Deuteronomy.[1]

The term is often applied to teenagers and adults who leave the orthodox way of life. Teenagers who are not yet off the derech but who display signs of diversion from Orthodox norms, such as changes in dress or associating with off-the-derech friends, are sometimes called "teens at risk." Many Haredi Jews never leave the community despite losing their faith, and they are sometimes referred to as Reverse Marranos [2][3] or Orthoprax Jews.[4]

The off-the-derech community has developed its own identity,[5] with blogs and active Facebook groups.[6] Some in the community have protested against cover-ups of child sexual abuse[7] and lack of basic secular education[8] among ultra-Orthodox Haredi Jews.

There are parallel movements of OTD in the US and Israel. In Israel, Ex-Haredim or yotz'im bish'ela refers to disaffiliates from the ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jewish community and its way of life in Israel.

Depending on personal and other circumstances of the departure, Haredi views of off the derech individuals may range from considering them heretics to viewing them as individuals who have strayed from the path and should be viewed with understanding and brought back to their religion.

History

The off the derech movement is the contemporary manifestation of a long history of breakaway movements from traditional Rabbinic Judaism.

Off the derech is similar to Haskalah in its disaffection with traditional modes of religion, its secularization and interest in secular education, and in experimenting with a secular Jewish culture. Like Haskalah, its members tend to be secularists and religious decentralists.[9]

In the 1990's, most off the derech were rebellious teenagers who were experimenting with drugs, sex, and decreased religious lifestyles. In the 2000's however, especially after the saturation of the Internet and Facebook, adults increasingly left their traditional religious communities.

Support groups

Tight-knit local and Internet-based support groups exist in Israel, the UK and the US:

A group of OTD individuals launched the "It Gets Besser" initiative, a Yiddish play on words of Dan Savage's It Gets Better Project which sends the message to LGBT teens that their lives will improve.[14] Similarly, the It Gets Besser initiative highlights positive personal developments by OTD individuals after leaving the Haredi community.[15][16]

Notable People

Notable people who left traditional Judaism or became less observant include: Elisha ben Abuyah, Baruch Spinoza, Sholom Aleichem, Yosef Haim Brenner,[17] Micha Josef Berdyczewski,[18] Hayyim Nahman Bialik,[19] Haim Cohn, Ahad Ha'am,[20] Mendele Mocher Sforim and Eliezer Ben Yehudah.[21]

See also

References

  1. ↑ https://www.ou.org/jewish_action/08/2015/why-are-so-many-kids-off-the-derech/
  2. ↑ Fader, Ayala (2014). "Anthropology and History". American Jewish History 98 (1): 1–8. doi:10.1353/ajh.2014.0003.
  3. ↑ "Introduction: an anthropological approach to Jews and Judaism.". Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  4. ↑ https://aeon.co/essays/secretly-seduced-by-science-hasidic-atheists-lead-a-double-life
  5. ↑ http://www.hasidicnews.com/index.php/opinion/103-otd.html
  6. ↑ "Facebook Off the Derech Group - Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  7. ↑ "Ultra-Orthodox Jews Rally to Discuss Risks of Internet". The New York Times. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  8. ↑ Yermi Brenner (19 June 2013). "Getting In Face of Ultra-Orthodox on Need for Real World Education". The Forward. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  9. ↑ Samuel, Freedman. "Stepping off the Path and Redefining Faith". New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  10. ↑ http://www.hillel.org.il/en/about
  11. ↑ http://mavar.org/who-are-we/
  12. ↑ http://www.geshereu.org.uk/about/4582092690
  13. ↑ http://footstepsorg.org/about-us/
  14. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl6yF5hlBYdFvs0N5SitVcQ/about
  15. ↑ IT GETS BESSER on YouTube
  16. ↑ It Gets Besser - Tracks on YouTube
  17. ↑ Kahn, Ann (2007). Encyclopedia Judaica 1 (2nd ed.). Brenner, Yosef Hayyim: Keter Publsihing House. pp. 506–507.
  18. ↑ Almagor, Dan; Band, Arnold (2007). Encyclopedia Judaica 3 (2nd ed.). Keter Publishing House. pp. 404–406.
  19. ↑ Leiter, Samuel; Spicehandler, Ezra (2007). Encyclopedia Judaica 3 (2nd ed.). Bialik, Hayyim Nahman: Keter Publishing House. pp. 561–565.
  20. ↑ Schweid, Eliezer (2007). Encyclopedia Judaica 1 (2nd ed.). Ahad Ha-am: Keter Publishing House. p. 525.
  21. ↑ Klausner, Joseph Gedaliah (2007). Encyclopaedia Judaica 3 (2nd ed.). Keter Publishing House. pp. 386–388.

Further reading

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