'Why I had to leave my ultra-Orthodox family' - BBC News
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- Would you be able to leave your family and friends, knowing you may never see them again, so you could follow your dreams?
That was the choice Izzy Posen, a Hasidic ultra-Orthodox Jew faced when he decided to leave his isolated religious community.
He told BBC World Service how his life has been transformed since breaking free.
Video produced by Trystan Young and Alice Porter
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Taking control of your own destiny is the real leap of faith
I don't think so what if a deer wants to hunt and eat meat it's not always good
What is that even supposed to mean?
@@rupakdev1826 nice one
He's right guys, what if pot decides to smoke you instead of being smoked.
I'm an ex Ultra-Orthodox Jew also! If anyone has any questions, you can ask me! I'll do my best to answer!
Imagine the supermarket clerk who sells a ham sandwich to a hasidic jew
even better, the barber.
On Shabbat
😂
Not funny.
@@galshmueli1785 🤣
This is truly inspiring and shows that leaving your community does not mean leaving your faith. I'm in a similar situation
Sorry to say this but he said himself his hanging on the cultural side of thing not the religious side which if you ask any orthodox Jew they will call him a religious idolater for changing the law which is as good as abandoning it
What kind of a religion is supposedly the chosen one which treats those that leave like outcasts, it's not healthy ideology, it's very damaging and a certain superiority complex with the religion, this is why religions that push this type of thinking should always be questioned.
Sure, but you can also leave your faith, and that would be ok too (if not better)
Also, he didn't keep his faith. He still identifies as jewish and the culture, but not the religious claims. This means he left his faith.
1:09 Wait, is he telling me that he did not speak a word of English until 18?!? And he lived in London. He has not been anywhere outside of his community. This baffles me.
In Poland a large proportion could not speak Polish after 400 years !
@@heniakonas9439 I thought they've emigrated from the country after WW2.
Yeah, I have seen Hasidic Jews e.g. on the tube in London and they spoke English. 🤔
They send their children to religious schools where only Yiddish is spoken.
ladymusiclover Even Hasidic people vary though, most can speak English, some actually only speak English, and an community of the most extreme have some boys who were never taught English and only speak Yiddish and understand Torah Hebrew.
Studying physics! I can’t begin to imagine how stifling it is for a mind that can comprehend the universe to be stuck in such a restrictive environment! I wish him the best in his future endeavors.
Tracey Foster because all that comprehension is going to lead the world to ruin someday, evolution in science is not bliss, it’s a destructive path, and you should know that
Vini Grae we’re all going die someday. A mind should not be stifled and held back due to any inevitably. I DO know that. No living soul should be restricted from doing what their mind is capable of, even yours.
Tracey Foster if you knew what you created today would kill your child tomorrow would you still create it and say it’s inevitable and the mind should not be held back?
Vini Grae is there some particular reason a comment I made almost a year ago had triggered you? Are you bored in your quarantine? I simply wished a young person good luck in their future endeavors. He was clearly stifled in his uber religious environment. He sacrificed quit a lot to pursue his dream, and he clearly has an advance mind. What the fuck does killing my own child have to do with what I initially stated? Seriously, go find something to do with your time other than harass strangers on UA-cam.🙄
Tracey Foster you didn’t answer the question
1:08 - "Izzy started learning English using a dictionary when he was 18"
Growing up in the UK & not being taught English... I'd call that child abuse!!!
Its not child abuse. Child abuse is a serious thing and you shouldn't talk about child abuse like that!
@@sarahmlt2277 Not all child abuse is physical!
but people who have experienced child abuse would not call not learning a certain language child abuse
@@nielsqbc4 If we were talking about Urdu, I'd get your point. But to call English "a certain language" in the context of the UK... is just stupid!
do not get me wrong, I am pro using English in the UK. But I consider child abuse another category of violence, be it physical or mentally.
Using exegerated terms to make your point in my eyes weakens both issues.
Ham sandwich changed everything.
I'm not religious but never ever eat pig!! I'm disgusted by it...stopped when I was 20, 35 yrs ago..
@@mrsTraveller64 yeah same here....saw some pig meat that was full of parasites....and that ruined it for me now I can't eat it..
@Iman F that's true,and especially since there are lots of non jews and non muslims who are vegetarians and never eat ANY meat!! I eat only cow, not lamb or pig or horse😱
Pork isn’t “bad” any meat not cleaned properly or stored properly will turn out to be disgusting.
@@panchodharami8594 but the taste..🤢
it's so weird when he says "questions are doubting your faith" bc my rav during class always said you have to ask questions, you have to question everything so that you truly understand why its the truth.
It seems like this was a very very strict order
He had questions like, why mishputim fever had to 103 and 99.9 was not enough for not attending cheider
@@BerlShmerel lol
This is why Hasidic folk confuse me. Asking questions is a big part of Jewish culture.
Yes, you're encouraged to question . . . up to a point. You can ask why God says such-and-such in this Biblical verse but appears to contradict it in that verse, and you'll get learned opinions on why the difference exists and on why it's not a contradiction. But question whether God exists, or whether the Jews are really the "Chosen People," or why, if God is omnipotent, he allows so much suffering in the world without intervening (the Holocaust, anyone?), and your questions won't be welcomed.
My story is similar to yours but it happened in Israel I left Yeshiva when I was 18 it took me several years to study for high school diploma then went to university and I now I'm in my forth year majoring in computer engineering I can't wait to graduate. I know the feeling of freedom when you leave the community it's second to non today I'm atheist and I think people don't value their freedom enough.
Shalom from India.
Congratulations wise man!
Why would you be an atheist? It makes more sense to you that we come from monkeys and that there is no purpose in life? You'll regret your decision one day and it might be too late!
You must follow religion
Why did you fry out?
My sincerest admiration for this man and the courage he's shown
Carol Bass it's not courage, he's just very stupid
@@veladislovkotchinky2992 stupid for leaving an oppressing and suffocating sect? If that's how you define stupid, it's quite clear who is truly the stupid one here.
@@kimstar4532 I would say he chose hedonism and self-gratifying values over religion. That's not stupidity per se, but a conscious choice to pursue "the right to happiness" as the Western value system prescribes which invariably means "unaccountability".
@@meirmarkovits1439 yeah he choose he desires over religion he done the worst kind of idolatry...
Which is self idolatry he choose he own whims & desires over God's law.
He choose the material world over the religious
Also he tryed to understand Judaism by his own logic & reasoning & not of the understanding that was passed down from one scholar to the next.
Which will cause inconsistencies & the imbalance we see infront of us.
To my orthodox Jewish brother's & sisters that hold on to the law Shalom Aleichem
Your haircuts better as well.
@@jaronmeshileichenbaum9934 JEEZ ... What drug are you on, freak ....
MysticMarble the Internet has everything for you
Miele Rodriguez Don’t forget the apostrophe
Communist Cabbage, damn. You got there before me re: apostrophe. I was going to say the same thing. Very funny.
Peyot Cacti traitor, how?? Let him be his own person and do what he wants. How nice of Israel to take him back. The benchmark nation of hospitality. Laughable.
How can you believe in something you cannot even question?
Some people think that is the definition of faith.
There is answers for everything I'm a religious Jew and every question I ever asked I was satisfied with the answer I was answered
Intead of questioning think why you are alive what's the purpose of life social media and Internet won't answer these.
@@someone2547 this is true but to have a firm belief in something it needs to be foolproof on your head.
@@oP-ur9yy there is answers for every questions of mine too and I satisfied with the answer. Im Hindu, one of us might be true and the other wrong. Who will that might be?
As a modern orthodox jew, it's extraordinarily hard to imagine a more strict belief system. When i was 3-5 i was in a yeshiva and i was told that if i ate non kosher food, stuff would happen to your stomache. My mental illness got me sent to a public school, where i ate a tasty turkey Sandwhich. From what i belived, it was kosher as turkey's are kosher and there was no cheese. However my parents said it had to be propared differently. So despite what i learned in my early years at a yeshiva, i have ate non-kosher food multiple times and a decade later, i am still alive although i am obese.
Greetings and love from a ben Noah. I follow the book of rabbi Aaron Lichtenstein and not the One of moshe weiner...
I have eaten non kosher food before as well but I didn’t pay for it out of my own pocket. I would never walk into a McDonald’s to buy a cheeseburger. I would never eat non kosher MEATS.
He went from a Bronze Age belief that the natural world was spoke into existence a few thousand years ago(?) to studying the universe through the prism of physics. That is an epic journey.
it's noted the scientific community do not state there is no Creator/God..or claim to know the origin of the universe and life... ..studying the universe through the prism of physics..and No ...Statement ...Declaration or Professing...that it's been Proven there is no Creator/God or..to know the origin of the universe/life...
No Epic Journey To The Discovery Of The Origin Of The Universe /Life … let alone...stating there is no Creator/God..an Epic failure for...the atheist..agnostic...doubter...
the fact the scientific community do not state there is no Creator/God is quite telling...
@@arionassis-niarchos2895 Lmao ikr. In my science course we were told, basic 101, is 'Science cannot disprove or prove a God". Anyone who thinks otherwise or thinks they're smarter than people who believe in a God cause they have 300IQ or a science masters talks the biggest pile of shit and needs to get their heads checked. Good for this buddy tho, dogma is a horrible thing to follow.
What does this even mean? The very question physics tries to answer inevitablly lead one to ask whence it all came from. Physics or any natural science in and of itself does not answer the big question. Why there is something, with all constant laws, when really nothing should have existed?. The question thus not just what brought this magnificent universes but the search is goes higher and the questioner ask who since the highest form of existence is Mind or Consciousness or Reason with powerful will. The point is religious quest is not for ancient ppl but for us also who come to know that science falls short in answering the most important questions.
Aj Meyers actually that would be Christianity. Judaism believes that our universe as we know began over 12 billion years ago, the earth about 4 billion years ago and hominids a few hundred thousand years. Well, that is what a 13th century Rabbi said anyway. People will see what they want to see and ignore what doesn’t fit with what they want to be true. Few people seldom seek to understand a matter completely, preferring instead to validate their own biases and move on.
True, in face even Muslims believe the world to be over 14 billion years old. Muslims and Jews have much more in common together than they do with Christians.@@elishevabatchanah8005
Religious fundamentalism beaten by a ham sandwich.
Ahahaha perfect 👌
Bacon
may be that is the real "curse of ham"... and all those years they "misinterpreted" it to justify slavery of black people. because you know, some dude saw his father naked... what a crime!
He didn't beat anything. He didn't come out of Judaism because of reason he came out because he didn't like his community
It is one step in a long journey.
As a secular Jew, i truly support him.
And i appreciate that he still is remaining a jew and still sees value in it!! That's great.
No need to be in a sect that restricts and confines you. You are still a jew regardless, just free.
love to hear that
Secular and Jewish are inversely proportional, religion>Secularism
As a secular Jew, how are you actually different from a non-Jew, if you don't observe the sabbath or kosher dietary laws?
We are free in the lord Y__ but since orthodox have more commandments not put from God that’s why is too hard for them to observe all of them
But he should of never eat the ham sandwich cause eating kosher is not man is God
No to the Talmud no to the zoar etc
Only the Bible
@Jordan R Oh really, Jews are a race?! NEWSFLASH! Anyone can convert to Judaism, yet last I checked, nobody can ''convert'' to a particular race. In other words, a White person cannot become a Black person, or vice versa. You're quite the genius!
As an exmormon I highly relate to his story about the ham sandwhich. I tried coffee for the first time at 17 on a band trip and it was gross hotel coffee but I was so scared. Wearing shorts at my friend's house. Getting a bikini at 18. Looking back I am disgusted at how many details of my life the church tried to control.
@Check my playlist videos on proofs of Islam There are a lot worse things than wearing a bikini or shorts.
@Check proofs of Islam in my playlists being a bigot isn't either but I'm sure that doesn't stop you
so happy for you
The difference is that the Rabbis are holy and geniuses who tell the truth and the church are all either pedophiles or white supremacists. Don't even try comparin them and stop tryna pull Jews away bruh
Mormons don't wear shorts?
Brave and articulate man. I wish him all the best with his studies and his future. Sadly most of us take our freedoms for granted, hearing stories like these act as little reminders we should appreciate our opportunities a little more.
I can guarantee you he had some form of personal trauma as a child. His story is unfortunate but untrue. Judaism encourages ALL questions and none are turned away .....I guarantee he's hurting inside......
@@michellelansky4490 maybe he's VERY smart ? and his rabbis didn't get where he was coming from. maybe he'll.come back when he answers some of his sincere questions ? hope so pray so
@@jamessilver6429 They thought that he was being rebellious when he only wanted to learn about life.
It takes courage to break away like he did. Good luck to him.
@@michellelansky4490 People do not break away from their upbringing unless they become disillusioned with it and if parents make their children's lives that difficult, no wonder the children break away.
Most are in love with their lifestyle. There is always another trauma or trigger youre not hearing about. Watched this clip ages ago so i dont remember his story but thats always what its about. Like in Unorthodox she sadly enough had SUCH a dysfunctional home with so much mental illness involved who could ever judge her. Its never just a life decision like choc or vanilla....medicine or law or enginerring. Always has a trauma component.
I grew up orthodox and learned secular subjects in school, went to college and got a degree all while staying religious. I think every individual's circumstances are different and can't be generalized upon an entire religion.
Being Orthodox and being Ultra Orthodox i.e Haredi are totally different and you can't even compare the two.
@@moeystarke so if I have to guess
There are three separate forms of jewish communities
One is secular and the other are the orthodox and the ultra orthodox?
UA-camAccount159 yes there's conservative or reformed Jewry which is not concidered religious, then there's religious or Orthodox Jews, and then theres ultra orthodox or hasidic Jewry which is the most extreme form
@@SignificantPressure100 basically there are people that follow the Scriptures, and the ones who bend the religion to what they want. All religions have them, Judaism is far from the only one
@@automaticcaptions what do you mean
Heartbreaking. Remarkably brave young man
Congrats on your freedom and bravery! As a former Jehovah's Witness I went through a similar thing last year. Leaving is painful, but worth it. People who start shunning you because of a belief change are not real friends. Be cult free and happy, with real friends and the ability to look at any information you like!
Praise be to our Creator Almighty!
my request to all brother and sisters all over the world is that plz go back to your scriptures... atleast must follow the one message common written in all scriptures of the UNIVERSE( BY THE HELP OF GOD I MUST GIVE YOU REFERENCES if you want WHETHER IT IS FROM JUDAISM CHRISTIANITY HINDUISM AND BUDHISM)that ALLAH ALMIGHTY (THE GOD,THE CREATOR,THE SUSTAINER,THE SUPREME POWER,THE REAL KING AND THE OWNER OF ALL) IS ONE,and Prophet Mohammed (SAW) IS HIS LAST AND FINAL MESSENGER...!!!to enter into peaceful and lovely life eternally... The truth is clear with logic... please follow for yourself... please prevent yourself from the eternal hellfire by accepting and practising atleast common message of Creator in the religious scriptures of the world....I invite all of you to show me one word of the holy Quran that is against the ethics of humanity...read about Islam...
He looks like Edward Snowden.
Definitely a looser like ES
That’s probably him in disguise and we just don’t know it yet.
more like Roman Abramovich, but younger.
Not all Orthodox communities are like this! Many watch tv, laugh, read books, love music and are encouraged to ask questions.
So true! This is Ultra Orthodox, aka Chasidiche. I'm Modern Orthodox, but my school and community are extremely Chasidiche and is pretty much ruining my life. Before I got into this school, my parents were actually logical and now me asking questions would seem like a doubt of faith and dangerous move. This mentality comes from the schools.
READ , it says "ultra".
Good to know!
@@Shalalala_06 I hope you find a good path for you in life, happiness and fulfillment. Hope everything works out well for you.
Glad to hear he is happy in whatever HE chooses for HIS on life. I wish him well!
Bugsy Bugs Me too
this is not an argument. junkies are happy too. as long as they don't harm anyone and they are happy, you should be happy for them too.
@@akisdrosi2011 She is.
Defying orthodoxy in any religion is a task ....brave man he is!
However I am Orthodox Muslim and I know this Orthodox Jewish group is more original and closest to Moses law rather than all the other Jewish options
@@PEACEFULLNESS1450 the ultra orthodox were actually a reactionary group that simply responded to the reform movement and enlightenment ideas in the Jewish community by choosing the strictest interpretations of Jewish faith and law.
@@PEACEFULLNESS1450
In a way your right, but my problem (as an Orthodox Jewish teenager and rebelling) is that our rabbis and leaders in the past hundred years have been adding absurd rules for us to follow to "protect" us from going anywhere near sin. For example, I might be excommunicated if my community found out that I don't want to wear a 1940s wig (Which to everyone else in my community is a HUGE violation) or that I don't want to get married and Lesbian or that I'm Vegetarian, or that I'm Progressive.
@@Shalalala_06
I just watched a documentary about this and found out the most of the Jewish women have to cut their hair to put on fake hair??
I totally understand the concept of covering your head. But cutting your own hair to accommodate fake hair seems bizarre and absurd.
I might be totally wrong but it seems today's orthodox Jew community is still protecting themselves from the fear of ww2 pains. And transferring that pain and fear on to their kids and future generations via extreme rules and regulations to maintain total control..
@@liaqathussain3011 I agree with you about the wigs, covering your hair with more hair seems to defeat the purpose. I have never understood that. I also agree that excessive and extreme rules and regulations, in any religion, are not a good thing.
I'm a teacher, Izzy, and your story is something that I have shared with my own students, and will continue to do so. I first came across you on BBC breakfast interview, and then stumbled upon this video. I share both videos with my students. Your story has a powerful effect on them - and on me. You don't me to say it, I'm sure, but nevertheless I will: you are clearly very kind, thoughtful and brave - three fine qualities. You impress me and you impress my students.
Behaviour Buddy with such teachers like you, no wonder that this generation has so may idiot's.
Like seriously? You found this story inspiring, and shared it with your students?
I guess you're dumber then the guy in the video
@@veladislovkotchinky2992
I wouldn't be so brash and unkind if only because he will only brass you off as primitive because you're calling him an idiot.
But of course and most unfortunately the line of argumentation you come with is correct. It is one of those all fully grown use characters in this Abyss of a world who feel their teaching and being inspired by Arch atheism and so awful auntie anything that religion has taught this world over the millennia is supposed to be wrong.
And I'm just hopefully pushed to add what someone contributed earlier saying oh how inspiring to be joining a world where there is so much disrespect and 60% divorce rate and crime and and and....
Shame on you pseudo-intellectual and clever teacher.
Study the religions also Sir!
I think you're stupid name that you're giving yourself here as a pen name is the key to the entire problems engulfing you: "Behavioural buddy"... probably a pure psychology and psychologists backgrounds much rather than teacher. Unfortunately psychology has done so much untold damage to the moral Dimension of behaviour and has for a long long time already son by being arch Arch secularist and atheist to the degree of prosecuting religions even. I don't even want to go there regarding the popular saying about psychologists being themself the greatest psychopaths.....
Thabks for your kind words! 😊
At least ur students know that ur a Nazi scumbag who hates Jews and Judaism. Lmk when they get u fired bruh 🙏🏽
A world without tv and social media isn’t bad necessarily
im so happy for you. live your life.
Joseph timeisallwegot -
*HARD BREXIT*- *NO BLOOD SUCKING EU DEAL!* 🏴🇬🇧
The EU aims and political corruption has *always* targeted the UK.
Originally the Tory Traitors under Cameron hatched a plan to stay in office and win the next election (at that time) -
They chose to do so by offering the British people a tantalising choice of a referendum to *leave or stay* in the EU - arrogantly believing and desperately hoping that the country would vote to stay in the EU -
The Tories duplicitous plan backfired in their face and only part worked - They won re-election,
but the *British people’s democratic vote to LEAVE completely crushed their corrupt divisive plan.*
Cameron then immediately ran off screaming like the gutless coward and resigned - The divisive, traitorous Tories then deliberately slung *remainer* Treason May in the hot seat, who has only managed to create two solid years of irreparable damage to the faith of the nation in British politics.
*HARD BREXIT*- *NO BLOOD SUCKING EU DEAL!* 🏴🇬🇧
Not allowed to ask questions? I was brought up in Brooklyn in a very extreme Orthodox community and was encouraged to ask questions and that I did, and sometimes it took me time to get the right answers but I always did, it seams like you didn't have that opportunity growing up, and that's a shame, but do realize it's not the general rule.
Juli Hanono How's that related to his point?
Their is a difference between Orthodox, Modern Orthodox and Ultra Orthodox, and Hasidic Jewish. Modern Orthodox Jewish Sect are allow to use technology and wear secular clothes as long as they observe the Sabbath and go to Jewish Temple and do not eat Pork. Ultra Orthodox Sects like Hasidic Judaism are isolationist and people are not allowed to leave their community or go to regular school. Orthodox Judaism have many spectrums
@@thisismej8665 I speak quite a few languages, including yiddish and English, I'm not sure what your question is, if you care to explain I'll try and answer
@@covenawhite4855 My family is chassidik and I send my kids to chassidik schools, you are correct about the differences between the different communities never the less it's not as clear cut like you put it, in every community you have people that don't go along with the mainstream and its accepted by most
וועלכע חסידות/מוסדות לערנען צו פרעגן קשיות אויף אמונה?
Good for him. I'm 61. When I was very young being raised in a non-Jewish very orthodox, rigid dogma, Christianity, I asked questions, that could not be answered by believers. By the time I was twelve, I had completely rejected all of it. It was the right thing to do then, and is even more of the right thing to do now.
I'm even older than you. I was raised in what I call miscellaneous Protestantism, meaning that as a child I was sent to whatever Sunday school we lived near at the time. I had an attraction to Judaism that I couldn't explain but ended up converting to it back in the 70s. The man I married was Orthodox but not Hasidic. I taught myself how to read Hebrew, how to say the prayers, how to observe Jewish law and keep Kosher but the community never accepted me. I guess it was just one more attempt to try to fit in somewhere but I grew sick and tired of beating my head bloody against the community and backed off. My ex-husband and I had a religious divorce some years ago and remained friends. He died suddenly of natural causes over a week ago. I attended his burial and was ignored. Our two daughters were there and ended up disgusted with the hypocrisy they witnessed and the attempts to make them practice the religion again. What beliefs I now have are personal and private and I consider this to be the case of most intelligent people. Enough is enough.
@@miriambucholtz9315 This is sad. A convert should be welcomed with open arms. Think of all the rejections by his or her family that he or she went through. Thinking of all the new rituals he or she had to learn. Many converts are more observant in their new faith than those who are born into it.
But you stayed as Christian right?
@@kristianjakubko1082 Actually, no. I wasn't accepted there, either. I had a DNA sample done several years ago and learned that I'm some 24 per cent Ashkenazi Jewish on my father's side which, to me at least, explains that attraction to Judaism that I mentioned. That's how I identify.
@@miriambucholtz9315 Yes but probably your familly were so strong in christianity because yours fathers has decided to change faith to christianity, the christianity is just next step of judaism according to Holy Bible..
I'm proud of all people who take risks and become free
Haha. Free??
Yes.
Imagine eating a ham sandwich having “massive implications” for your life
God damn the ham
Well, he is still jewish as I am exactly and belive it or not we still not eating that,
In fact, there are little worms in the ham that can cause you damage.
We are traditional jewish, we do not pray (I dont) but we still are called jewish just because we where born to a jewish mother.
over all that, there are very intresting and smart ideas in judaism that I would recommend you all, and most of you are living by that.
Almost every country have a day off, for us it's shabbat, for you it might be sunday or friday which is still find but you get it the idea is good.
He offended all forms of judaism by eating pork and meat is disgusting, so there is no redemption to be found in that sandwich.
I choose not to eat pork, but we all have free will. We need to remember that God is Love. He is much more interested in the LOVE we show towards Him and our neighbors, than how strictly one chooses to follow the Torah dietary laws. Much love to everyone reading this and Shalom! 💝
🤣😂🤣😂🤣🤣🤣
I thought this was Edward Snowden.
Jewish snowden
Sounds like this was an extreme sect even within the Hasidic community. Questions are actually considered important in Judaism, and questioning our whole religion is honestly the most Jewish thing you can do. Literally that is what the Talmud is.
But the talmud is Not the word of God!!
It depends what kind of questions: like an Hamachi question that's one thing (debate), but no questions about the outside world, is there a God, or anything like that.
And neither is the Torah, my friend
the real problem is not being able to see your parents and siblings and friends. it is a tough move.
What a brilliant young man. Only learnt English five years ago and articulates himself so well.
It was the fire inside of you, wanting to experience the world, which helped you along the way. Regardless, it must be terribly hard to leave family. I hope you can create a new family of your own in your freedom.
Well done Izzy Posen,for making the best decision in your life,even though,it was no doubt the most painful decision,you probably ever had to make,because you had to leave your ultra-Orthodox family',and friends behind.But true happiness starts,when you decide you own fate for the better,and one day,God will reward you for it.Make no mistake about that,and may God continue to bless you,and lead you in the right path of life.
Amen¡
I live among the Amish community and it sounds almost identical to them who choose to leave their restrictive lifestyle.
francine Jacobson They even speak a close related Germanic dialect
I left an orthodox community. It was the right decision for me as well.
There's no way he's 23 tho..
that’s exactly what i was thinking
Stress will do that to you.
Life without tv. Social media. And internet seems to be much better.
heekyung Kim I was thinking the same 😂 no one able to reach you all the time.
Easy to say when you have unlimited access to them all.
Life with Social media and internet is 1000 times better, only thing to keep in mind is to see them for what they are and use them as tools, not let them use you.
@StealthyMonk The media isn't to blame....Low IQ is the curse that leads people to form the wrong opinions, before mass media you still had disinformation but more often than not people wouldn't have access to more than one view and opinion, in many countries in the world still people are lynched on the word of another, we in west have the option we can choose to believe, sadly many people choose to listen to the wrong thing.If you find yourself brainwashed then it suggests something about your abilities.
heekyung Kim since you like the idea, Then you should throw away your TV, phone and delete all your social media. Thanks
Dont be afraid of being different,be afraid of being the same as everyone else
I also left the faith and the feeling of liberty is really incredible. I can only imagine what they’d think if they saw me now... living in France, openly gay, studying interior design... I love my life now.
Wicked! I been to Bristol university and recognise the physics building!
Respect Izzy.
I imagine what I would feel if I made a video about leaving Islam and a someone left an "I know which building you are in" comment on my video. I'd be shitting my pants and calling the police about death threats... funny world we live in :)
@@teeque5320 Actually I've seen some videos of Muslims who became Christians and they didn't seem afraid to share their story. As far as I know they are still alive. Of course the situation may differ depending on the country, I don't know.
You are enough. I wish you a long and healthy life 🙏🏻
🌺🌺🌺
Everyone has a right to ask questions and search for what is best.
I ask many questions to Jehová witness and no answer or 🤔🤷ridicules ones
Thats why zakir naik and other islamic shoolar exist
I am an orthodox Jew and leave according to jewis law and I can ask and ask my parents and teachers (rabbis) questions and they always answer with love and devotion and you are allowed to ask if you don't ask you cant grow as a person or as a religious Jew I'm sorry that his school didn't give him the answers he needed so he can understand why we do what we do and by asking and being explained you can grow so much I am sorry he didn't get the right treatment but you cant say this is orthodox jeduiasim because that isn't true
@@trollh101 Perhaps his experience was as an Ultra Orthodox Hasid. I understand that Modern Orthodox Jews don't have as many restrictions - e.g. some secular education in schools and Internet is allowed (I think).
@@sylviamaua745 I'm not hassidic but I'm part of the orthodox world and now about this world a lot we grow up in same areas we mix often and have hassdic family and they to have certain restrictions but it's the way of keeping the religious beliefs etc not everyone can handle it so it's ok if he doesn't want live that life but to bad mouth the hole hasidi movement is not fair .and he had bad teachers do u know how many lovely kind hassdic Jews there are who kind and caring and do u know how much good they do he didn't speak about the amount of charity and good deeds they do so it hurts me to see him trash a hole movement not Saying he didn't suffer seems he had a bad teacher and some people don't do it the right way and they they raise the kids is not the right way but that is his family do u know how many kids are happy growing up like this I study in a yeshiva and a block away their is hassdic yeshiva and I talk to them often they seem happy and healthy yes some of the restrictions they have any other school will have Jewish or non Jewish and some of them are only applied to that school and they are happy just yesterday I asked a guy leaning there he is about 16 how his shabbos was in yeshvia he smiled and said it was good sounded happy not saying that everything is perfect and that nothing has to change but in every community has things that have to be changed
you are such a brave man, I had the same experience with Islam and I am glad that I challenged it even though it ended up with leaving my beloved country
Esmaeil Rezaei Gavabary you are so brave and make the world beautiful.
@@theresachung703 you don't even know him/here stop mimicking others comment slol
Good for him, religion can really mess you up.
It’s okay not to have TV you can survive and it’s better for you.
This man's story is fascinating. The story of eating a ham sandwich in the bathroom on Sabbath is hilarious. Kudos to him for moving on and freeing himself
Nothing hilarious about it.
Follow ur leader Nazi 👺🗡️
I am not a believer but, if there is a creator he will call you back one day and seat you at his side that all will see and admire you for your bravery but more importantly for indistructable curiosity. Nothing but respect never stop learning, never stop teaching.
He doesn’t look 23
Real Judaism encourages strong questions and debates (The Talmud is all about that) there are however orthodox factions within Judaism who unfortunately do not provide a healthy habitat for the curious mind, Individuals who seek a higher understanding, deeper connections and meanings find themselves frustrated and unsatisfied leading to some of them to opt out of religion altogether.
There are thousands of Highly respected physicists, World renowned philosophers who after years of searching for the truth have found their answers inside Judaism, and they have become vary religious Jews.
This young fella is on his own life journey he should make sure to keep searching for the truth and to never stop searching.
He will find it, in the book of Isaiah 53.... And the book of Proverbs 30-4.
There aren't thousands of respected physicists, nor any world renowned philosophers, who turned to orthodox Judaism. There are perhaps one or two of your average phisict (none of them famous in the scientific community) and no famous philosophers. On the other hand you do have many famous thinkers who made the opposite journey.
I was never in your position and I imagine all the courage and spirit it took ...
This guy is a sham. He said says that asking question is doubting the faith, LOL, Judaism is all about asking questions and debating. As soon as I heard that I knew the dude was a fraud.
In theory you are correct, Judaism is about asking questions. But not every Jewish community is able to handle questions.
@@cafeinst I'v never met a Jew that was unable to hand questions and can debate like crazy. Wy do you think there are so many Jewish lawyers ...
@lagalop there is an essay on the internet with lots of questions which challenge the faith. Not every rabbi is able to handle these types of questions.
There many Jews like him who go "off the derech".
@@cafeinst You cannot "challenge" a faith because it is simply a faith ... period. You cannot prove or disprove.
I doubt wether he is truly happy and at peace as he says . He must feel very isolated.not truly belonging anywhere .I don't believe in extremism either, but changing a bit of direction on the more modern orthodox road like many people are or choose to be, would of been less traumatic no doubt.
No extreme is healthy. There are plenty of practicing Jewish families that are open, liberal, worldly and very true to their faith as well, in a healthy way .
Wishing this young man the best.
@Lu G. yes of course there are many such families.more than not.he unfortunately came from a very extreme upbringing probably very intolerant as well to other more open views
I think he'll be able to be less isolated now than he was previously. I'm sure he'll make connections in his new life. It looks like people have already reached out to help him, and he'll meet people with shared interests at university. It probably won't be easy, but he's a lot better off now than he was.
There are many Jewish people who exist outside of Orthodox religion. I'm sure he will be just fine.
Oy vey shmeckle vi shkam shkissle dangii so
Well said
And at the synagogue where I go asking questions is totally fine. In Kolel debates and discussions were also appreciated and encouraged...
Imagine holding ideas so fragile that you have to play keep-away with anyone who might ask a simple question.
Religion is a very sensitive subject that I usually stay out of to discuss, I simply watch, but in my opinion, anything that separates people from one another, or thinks that they are better than this or that, him or her, is not what makes me join or follow.
We need more respect, understanding, empathy, love and connection in the world, instead of separating, joining, instead of hate, love, we need a peaceful world that religions don’t provide us because we are “sinners” or bad people, we all need to evolve, life goes by so quickly, and is this what we want to leave for future generations to study about the past, which is now (if that makes sense).
Respect one another and do good to people, in the end, who’s getting the help is us.
Very well said and true!
Wow! I’m so amazed! I wonder what he felt when he read about physics and philosophy for very first time... he is so brave!
Best wishes, Izzy, from Canada. So many books, so many ham sandwiches out there!
Wise man ! He knows the difference between faith and religion !
Extremism in any form is not right. Also I have experienced that any ideology or belief system that the modern media portrays wrong or degrades is actually not that bad and one must personally interact with cultures and communities before forming opinions.
As I Muslim I just would like to say Shalom to my orthodox Jewish brother & sister's.
Don't ever compromise on God law!!!
he looks so much better without the stupid hairstyle
Very brave. i've just watched Unorthodox and I watched all of Shtisel. I just have immense respect for people who break away and question restrictive faith
You should be proud of your decision to leave. It was not easy leaving behind your family and the commumity you were brought up in. The future is yours decide and now you can think freely for yourself. Good luck to you in life and what you want to pursue!
Wow, I’m intrigued and happy for him.
He was considered dangerous because he asked questions they couldn't answer. Well that says it all.
So let me get this straight. We are allowed to be happy for this man, finally taking off the shackles of his religion... But we are not allowed to criticize said religion and culture for being ridiculous and dangerous, because that is racist etc. This applies to Islam or Judaism.
Sorry but things are now a bit different, im a happy oltra hasidic boy, and my whole family has access to wifi and everything else, it seems you had a very hard life being jewish, and you went through struggles, abandoning your family dosn't mean that you have to abandon the jewish community, you dont have to be "oltra hasidic" you can be modern, litveh, sfardi...
Im sorry that you left, if you would have turned over the coin, you would see a whole new hasidic world!
His experience, not yours. Respect his choice and views. He his happier now. What is more important than that? Does it make you uncomfortable? If so, why?
He is very brave and I respect him for it
Izzy, may your light shine brightly, you have been extremely brave, right on for standing up for your beliefs, may you stay blessed and Happy.
My mother was from a German Protestant family. She married an Irish Catholic and her entire family refused to speak to her for 25 years until my parents separated. Her family hates everyone who is not a 7th Day Adventist and believes God hates everyone who is not a 7th Day Adventist. Lots of religious fanatics all over the world.
He is a searching soul. He made a choice to separate himself from his society. That’s what he did.
I am literally going through the same things right now and its so hard.
Can you tell me a little more of what's bothering you, and what is letting you sleep at night. I was there too
It is very difficult
Dear Izzy, humbly, your courage is uplifting. Bristol is definitely a place for asking questions. Wishing you success.
I understand that the Ultra Orthodox community he lived in was very controlling and insular, however he did not seem to explore the option of becoming a Modern Orthodox Jew which which mean he could study secular subjects at university and live a more modern, Western lifestyle while continuing to observe his religious beliefs. A shame that he went from one extreme to another.
I grew up secular , educated to think secular , throughout school and university,
Only at age 23 did I break free, and discover there is is a soul, spirituality and meaning , and speak more than just the English language
How liberating it is to come back to my people, Torah and HaSh-m
Nice
How exactly did you discover that there is a soul? What method did you use?
If the dude ate a ham and cheese sandwich I'd be impressed.
All religion is based on fear; the biggest fear of all is the fear of death.
So while it is indeed comforting to believe that you have an imaginary friend that lives in the sky, it still doesn't make it true, but it does feel good.
What I have found to be the most liberating is leaving behind all forms of religious superstition.
lugano1999 * it doesn’t “feel good”, nor is it “comforting”. Have you ever even followed a religion?
A ham sandwich on the sabbath really for a ham sandwich you gave up god
Factsssss
Yes and you should too!
Love that perspective :^)
thats why i dont believe in any religion
Not all religions are the same.
Same here. Hocus pocus all of them. I would hate to waste a minute of my life on such nonsense.
a Jew who just doesn't believe in the religious claims is as disingenuous as a meat-eating vegetarian.
and are you bothered?
@@ckpemac5268 God is.
Visiting Poland and Israel seems to be the modus operandi to rein in on the rebellious. Not being able to ask questions makes it impossible to say you really believe in what you believe.
This is how God wants you to live. A free human. Respect to you brother.
Why are these ‘schools’ not subject to checks by the likes of OFSTED?
They r but they send some children home
You can’t check a school you don’t even know exists.
So incredibly proud of you for taking that Amazing Leap of Faith! You are very courageous but at the same time I think you had such a hunger for learning and to expand your capacity and you proved yourself right
Judaism encourages learning. Most of Judaism is about asking questions children are encouraged to do it all year round especially on Passover night and Orthodox Jews study all different topics and the Talmud is all about critical thinking
Sounds like a dangerous ideology, glad he saw the light.
Must have taken a lot of courage
Hassidic Jews are Orthodox Jews; not ultra-orthodox. "Ultra-Orthodox" is a
term used by the media to marginalize a group or to portray them as
extremists battling with extremists of other religions. Mother Theresa
was never called “ultra-Catholic.” Albert Schweitzer was never
“ultra-Calvinist.
His story is so relatable for me!
U shouldn't be proud of abandoning ur routes
Bentzi Brecher It’s my life not yours. Why should I have to think and act like you because I come from the same lineage? I am an individual human being. There are aspects I like and dislike about Judaism. And it’s not your business. Just because we come from a similar lineage doesn’t mean we automatically share a connection. And learn to spell while you’re at it.
His English is very good now. Happy for him.
I'm sorry But he is Englishman of a Jewish descent so It is naturally that he speaks English language like a native!
Ban circumcision in the UK just like FGM, as it's the same thing. Jews: leave your kids alone!
Jason Devon eww disgusting. Never.
Male circumcision has been proven to have medical benefits, less chances of getting infections.
Shutup cheese dick
Just because you're hygiene levels are well below average doesn't mean you get to impose your unsanitary ways on others.
kermit da frog lol your comment made my day🤣🤣🤣
Props to him for leaving the cult. Usually, men don't leave these restrictive communities because they are all patriarchal and designed to control women which in turn benefit men.
MY GUY DECIDED TO WAKE UP FROM COMA.. GOOD JOB!!!😁
It’s a bit of a dramatisation and generalisation.
Many of the Ultra Orthodox community have successful businesses and provide goods and services to ALL.
They therefore must have access to internet...
There are probably controls on internet use but only to stop people being exposed to pornography, which ultimately does ruin relationships.
Netflix Unorthodox and BBC should interview and do a documentary on the happy people in these communities as I would like to see both sides of the reality.
I'm a muslim and i have seen some truly good qualities in these communities, i love the family structure and God consciousness they have, yes they can be little strict but the positive outweighs the negative.
It's HIS story. It's not being generalized. It's being told
I applaud your bravery, sir, and I'm glad you're finding happiness.
I don't know him well to judge but, I think he is emotional distress, just the facts that the first thing he did , is to buy a ham sandwich, that along say a lot.
Hashem gave us freedom of choice. And we choose from.
With G-d help, he will choose life.
Remember we were born to be light to the nations.
This my advise for this young man,
Since you are not anymore isolated, go and light a good and
bright candle into the world.
Learn how to live with love and peace with your self, start a real relationship with our Creator by obeding his Torah aka instructions, so you can be free.
I am glad you made this video and since I believe everything comes from above.
This too is from above!
Lots of love!
I am sorry to disappointed you my dear but, if there is no G-d, there is no jew either.
Case closed!
If there were a God I doubt she would be too bothered about whether people eat pork particularly outside hot countries where rules designed to ensure health and safety in deserts thousands of years ago are clearly ridiculous.
@@janesmith9024 Hello Jane,
I'm not bother by any body who wants to eat non kasher animals, he can exercise his freedom of choice any time he desire, I did not set those rules, and he doesn't have to answer to me but, he made his life public for people like you and me to comment.
And any way, kasher laws have nothing to do with sanatary or health issues, has to do with your soul and Jews.
Now if you are not a jew enjoyed!
But if you are a jew and wants to enjoy a ham sandwich go ahead but know that you are braking the rules.
Until Moshiach come,
All my love for you!
Hitler wouldn’t care, he would have killed you too. What does that tell you? It tells you that you cannot escape the big plans that GOD has for you. Now you feel the freedom but eventually your Jewish soul will thirst to return. When that happens don’t smother it instead welcome it and come back we will take you with open arms. You could return to the Torah not necessarily as a chssidic Jew because that is just your mazel but the Jews are above their mazel, however the Torah you cannot discard. Your soul will not let you. B’HATZLACHA
I grew up in a very racist white nationalist farming step family, my grandmother was also was very racially biased.
I ran away at 15 and never ever returned to that life, the mental effects it had on me moving from their to the big city took along time for me to adjust. But after educating myself and attaining the knowledge of unity, I just think damn, I could of been a completely different person.