Exposing The Extremist "Jewish" Cult Lev Tahor
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- Опубліковано 7 лип 2023
- Mendy Levy was born in 2003 in Canada to parents who were members of Lev Tahor, an extremist Jewish cult founded in the 1980s. Shunned by members of other Jewish groups and facing a kidnapping scandal, its leader Shlomo Helbrans had moved Lev Tahor to Canada in the 1990s. Helbrans then moved the group to Guatemala in 2014, in the wake of child abuse investigations in Quebec.
Levy escaped the group in 2018 and now splits his time between Canada and New York. Shlomo Helbrans drowned in Guatemala in 2017. US authorities arrested his son, Nachman Helbrans, and other Lev Tahor leaders in late 2018 and 2021. They're currently on trial in federal court in New York on kidnapping and fraud charges, to which they've pleaded not guilty.
The remainder of Lev Tahor, which numbers an estimated 300 people, continues to live in Guatemala and has been unsuccessfully trying to move to Iran.
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#jewishpodcast #cult #levtahor #escape
I’ll be honest , this guy helped me separate my religious belief from the abuse I received as a kid . Humans are flawed but God is still righteous and perfect
I feel like it’s super important for Jewish people to call out Jewish abuses of power and Christians to call out Christian abuse of power and Muslims to call out Muslim abuse of power etc. Religion is a beautiful thing that everyone should be able to experience if they want to without having to be worried about being coerced and abused
Very, very true. Calling out abuse amongst ones own "tribe" so to speak is so important.
We should always strive to tolerate different religious beliefs than our own; However, we must never tolerate Extremism. No matter what gods name they come in, extremists should never be tolerated.
💯
They are real jeews...they practice real Judaism
As a Muslim in Germany Yiddish is soooo interesting! The religious terminology is understandable to me 70%, because it either translates nearly 1:1 to Arabic or it’s just plain German. Very interesting interview, incredible that such cults can still exist.
Yiddish is based on German
You’re a cult member too buddy
the reason many religious words sound so familiar is bc in both Arabic and Yiddish the religious words are often rooted in hebrew.
It's a mix of hebrew and german. And hebrew and arabic are related languages that share alot of words...
@@laurag502 Yiddish has no relation with Arabic. Yiddish is a Germanic-origin language spoken with a few Hebrew-influenced words mostly spoken by Ashkenazi Jews. Hebrew and Arabic are Semitic languages. But I know what you meant.
WOW. What a brave man (Mendy)! I am a Muslim woman from Montreal and remember their escape in the middle of the night during winter. I lived next to Lev Tahor and never quite understood what was going on..until it was all over the news , but to hear this testimony from Mendy: I say live your best life now, my brother, and continue to be kind😍
Wow! I'm a Christian and I'm appalled at the brutality towards these innocent people. People coerced to believe and then become victims.
Praying for God to make a way.
It happens in Christianity too
Unfortunately yes, but I think with a few bible verses it should be settled. I pray for people to truly follow what Jesus, the Prince of peace taught
@danapinkerton1192
true ...when u have a religion leaders and people always don't question them u get that...even in Islam we hear tones of those in middle East recently people start opening about it but still many are been attacked by their followers...like they are Gods on earth...
@@danapinkerton1192. I love how Christians attack other religions when they've done exactly the same thing themselves in their history.
His utter and complete belief in God brings tears to my eyes... Mendy's staunch belief that God is the final judge and prosecutor is inspiring of how to view my own life. May Hashen bless him with much nechama and brocha and hatzlacha and may He keep Mendy and his family and those still stuck in Lev Tahor safe❤
Wow. I sorry to hear that Lev Tahor still exists. Grateful that Mendy got out and is shining a light on these horrors. He’s a mensch!
The amount of evil, abuse and manipulation in religion blows my mind. I was raised in a religious cult too and you are very right, a loving god does not control with fear like that. You are a courageous, strong and wise young man.
It has nothing to do with Judaism. A person always has a choice. Judaism gives tools to become a better person. The scoundrels are abusing it.
Agreed 👍 A God of love definitely doesn’t control with fear.
do u believe in heaven and hell?
Study islam and find loving God. But don't be brainwashed by what media says, see it for yourself from authentic sources and with an open mind
Believe it or not non religious cults are as evil and Atheist ideologies have Un-Alived millions.
Wow! I wasn't in a "cult," so to speak. However, I recently left a community where the leaders (the "rabbi" and his wife) are manipulative and doing many things that could be considered similar to a cult. Thank you for sharing this video.
Really? What was going on for you to say that? I feel the same way about the reform movement
Why do you put "rabbi" in quotes? Did this rabbi have smicha?
@@YourFavoriteSephardi Triangulation, sexualizing, manipulation, gaslighting. It is a Chabad community that did it for nearly 10 years before I finally had the mental fortitude to walk away.
wow
It's still child abuse with these older men married to from 12 they must pay the police well
From a different religion (Christianity)... I remember going to different church leaders, trying to understand what God wanted for me, when I had a 2 year old, and a husband who was an addict (actively and not trying to stop, just lied) who was ruining our lives and abusing me. Because he didn't cheat on me, I was told I could not divorce him... and I risked spending my life in hell. And I had to choose between my salvation and raising my son in a safe home. I had to choose a safe home. I had to choose my son's future over my religion. It is such a weird situation when you are told your choices areeither hell on earth or hell in the afterlife.
Does your church not permit separation? I know most churches don't condone divorce but I have always been taught that separation is a different thing and is sometimes necessary for the safety of the family.
Not confrontational, just genuinely curious.
The only grounds for divorce is cheating in Christianity?
Maybe those priest didn't but I never knew any priest against separation and even divorce when life was unbearable. They advice to give a hand to those in need of help, not to desert them when they need help.
Mendy, the fact that you haven't turned your back on Judaism and Hashem is truly amazing. You have to be incredibly strong to be able to separate the lies from the truth. Kol ha kavod. WOW!
WOW! Mendy you're an amazing person, I admire your courage and appreciate your honesty. I'm certain your story will save so many from this cult and other cults as well. Thank you for opening our eyes and reminding us to be brave in standing up to evil... Wishing you the best life ever!
I escaped the Jehovah's Witness cult 1 year ago, it feels like ive taken the dog colar off & now im free to be the person I was born to be.
Good luck to you and well done
may you find the true path to God
I have escaped the LDS cult 6 years ago and have never felt so free.
Look up Within Heaven's Gates by Rebecca Springer 😇
I was raised JW but I didn't have to escape . I don't understand when ppl say they escaped. Was you baptized and if so was you forced to be baptized? Just curious?
An amazing story. Wow. My heart ❤️ goes out to the families especially the children trapped in such a life. May Hashem bless all imprisoned in that cult.
Mendy, good job explaining what a cult is. You can help many people who are in cults, who don’t even know they’re in one. God bless you.
Thank you for sharing this video. I enjoy real people and their inspiring stories.
I was muslim for 28 years, but i was salafi/wahabi for about 12 years. I used to dress like the women shown, all black abayas and overheads to the floor, and i wore niqab. I left islam and no longer believe in religion.
you'll come around
What pushed you to leave Islam ?
Mendy is a real inspiration! To go thru his experience and to come out wanting to help others escape...and to love Ha-shem.
Ive seen this cult in New York. The men wear the same cloths as well.
Mendy, you're a true "inspiration for the nation". To go through what you went through and be able to so articulately (yes, even with your developing - and surprisingly decent - english) convey a message of hope, balance, growth, and healing is just mind-boggling. Thank you for your courage and candor. You are a beacon of light, and I bless you to experience only love, warmth, and clarity as the story of your remarkable life continues to unfold. Sending blessings,
Yaakov
Wow…. That’s crazy! Thanks for sharing your story. You are an incredible person. I salute you for breaking away.
Wow…Mendy is such an incredible human ❤ Your strength and resilience are so inspirational!
So sad hey I grew up in a slightly similar situation I took some time of to study the Bible and get to know who God is outside of “ religion “ and it’s been such a blessing for my life now I have build a relationship with God based on true love not fear the fear did help me not to make so many mistakes in my life but love has truly helped me get deeper into my faith I always pray for everyone to know what is the difference between religion and relationships that’s the only way you can truly escape that kind of abuse
Bless you from Ireland 🇮🇪 🙏
I was born and raised in the west of Ireland the teachers and sometimes the priests beat the kids up it was traumatic don’t feel alone
I'm religious jew but never saw and heard about something like this. What I heard here is not Judaism.
Such a great story ❤thanks for sharing it 👍👍👍👍 such a shame to have these groups. It puts all our people in the bad lights 😢
My mother is being manipulated in a church in Miami and I don't know what to do. I lost her. She will never change. If people try to leave the church, they send people to knock on their doors and try to get them back. They made my mother knoxk on past church memebers to try to get them back. They teach my mom not to trust doctors even if she gets very sick.
Which church?
@@JJ-kf4kc True, the church is irrelevant, as it can happen at any place of worship. Thank you for understanding.
I can't even speak to her anymore, it's like no one is home. She lost herself, feels like a void, and is replaced by what the church tells her what to think and how to think. They give her free bags of food, all junk food and horrible for health. She tells church members everything about my family's lives but when asked about the church, she stays quiet. It's a one-way street of information. She barely talks to her siblings and family members anymore. Speaks to church members every day, multiple times a day nonstop. They would call her in the middle of the night and early morning after waking up. She works for the church for free, seven days... Church taught her to "speak in tongues" whatever that is.
But other than that, life is going very well. It just feels like my mother passed a few years ago. Everything else in my immediate family is going well. No one argues with each other except my mother.
@@JJ-kf4kc i didnt ask you and I was just curious. I live in Miami. You must get your kicks off being a jerk online.
@@Life_42 Very sorry to hear this. My teenage daughter lost a close friend to her family joining a very conservative church. My daughter was banned from seeing her because she reads fantasy books. They are extremely rigid in their views. It's very sad.
Some of these conservative churches love bomb and act like the family to get in the victim’s head and alienate them from their family so they can get more money and time from them… I have seen this in Toronto too….
Wow! This is one of your most fascinating episodes. Yasher Koach, Mendy!
Wow! First time viewer... definitely not the last time. Great story, thanks for sharing ❤
Wow! Mendy thank you for sharing your story♥️ You are one of a kind.
Hearing this story again in fresher light made my day, and affirmed that YOU ROCK and Im so grateful to know that your still SEARCHING and still SEEKING our CREATOR
Your right also, HE is in CONTROL and HE is KING
HE makes No Mistakes, and your JOURNEY OUT proves again G-D is in Control.
Thank you, Mendy
We thank you again
SHALOM
Mandy your a hero! I'm just blown away at your spirit, u have a bright future ahead! I pray for your safety and well being! May Hashem watch over you and help you succeed in your mission! I'm so inspired that you didn't give up in life, u didn't give up on G-d. Your truly amazing! Wishing you all the best!
Hello from Geneva 🇨🇭 this is inhumane and shocking. Well done and utmost RESPECT to you ❤❤❤👏👏👏💯
It was very interesting to hear this story, as a lot of it resonated with me.
What he was saying reminded me of my upbringing in the Roman Catholic church.
Hell isn’t something I believe in, because the G-d I know and Love would not do that to me.
I still don’t prescribe to a religion, but I get closer to Judaism every day.
I’ve read a lot of “holy” texts; the Mahabharata, the Kebra Nagast, the Tibetan Book of the Dead, the Didache, the Bible, the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Quaran...but I haven’t yet read the Tanakh.
So, I just ordered a Hebrew to English version of the Tanakh.
Peace. 🐰💙🇺🇸🗽🎸🎶🤝✌️
Souls CHOOSE Hell for themselves.
Wow! Excellent episode! Sending chizuk to Mendy that he can continue in his efforts.
Thank you so much for sharing this information
I can relate to you so much Mendy. Thanks for sharing.
Wow! Mendy is a warrior and I give him so much credit for speaking out about it and moving forward.
Wowowowowow!!!
The most inspiring episode!!!
Wow! If I have learned anything, it is that cults and extremist sects can come from any religion. I'm not anti-religion at all, I'm actually religious. But it seems that some people will always twist a belief or take it too far. It's heartbreaking how people keep coming up with excuses and ways to harm others.
wow , Mendy definitely is an inspiration! thank you for sharing
What an amazing overcoming young man. I pray he continues to go from survivor to thriver, as he continues his journey. He said he’s concerned that people may see him as a victim; he doesn’t send those vibes at all.
WOW!! :)
WOW!.Mendy is an amazing young man! I'm so glad that he was able to escape and that he is thriving and doing well. What a Kiddush HaShem he is.... thank you for a very well done interview.
It's unbelievable what some people have to go through in their life in this world... And Chazak Baruch to all those holy, beautiful, strong souls like this young man who after experiencing such hell in this world still believes in God and keeps on going...
Thank you for sharing your story, it was very interesting. I'm glad that you're out.
Thank you for letting the world know of this evil cult. Only the light of day can fight these dark crimes. Thank you.
Wow. Amazing show. More amazing, you have soooo many subscribers. Congratulations , how do you grow so fast?
I'm a Muslim from Montreal and aren't they that group that left for Ontario because the Quebec child services were after them for child marriage and such? I had a Moroccan friend who's mom was Jewish and dad Muslim, she used to live in the Jewish neighborhood and told me about these women fully covered. I've nevr actually seen them, but know OF them.
Smart young man. Glad he escaped that evil cult
He's so traumatized 😢. I hope he is able to speak with a counselor who can help him continue to heal from his life.
Wow! I am Christian and found this very educational. Mindy is an inspiration and hope.
I saw a documentary and it is even worse than he can describe
WOW. I pray that the innocent people are freed soon with God's help!!! Kol Hakavod Mendy! Keep inspiring people! Thank you Yaakov and the Living LChaim team!
WOW, what an episode.
Incredible episode
Wow!
How sad that this stuff is going on in this world. What an awesome person this young man is.
He is very brave and is doing very good work by exposing this. I have been trying to follow this awful group since the Canadian documentary - even there they found problems - the authorities found children with black toes as they were not taking socks off when washing as not to expose the flesh. Mendy is very intelligent and speaks very well .
Wow!!! Mendy you are amazing! Stay strong brother
😢my heart. Too much. Its not enough to listen to this. Who is saving those children? What can we do?
I saw a documentary about this group a couple of years ago. The abuse that was going on from to top to the bottum was very bad.
Almost all people and children looked scared. At the time they still lived in Quatamala
Thank you. You're doing avodat kodesh.🙏🏼
Perhaps you should take out the bit where he mentions his sibling wanting to leave despite him not naming that sibling. It could he dangerous for his family and hinder that siblings efforts
i remember when this story made headlines in Quebec. I am glad he is okay.!
Being that Lev Tahor is probably keeping tabs on how this video is making an impact, here is my message to them: When you go to bed tonight, ask yourself; "If we came into galus because of Sinas Chinam, what are we doing to come out of galus? Are we teaching our children to love every Yid? Are we showing them by example acts of Gemilus Chassadim, helping our brothers? Are we showing them how to have Ahavas Chinam?? "
Please don't try to answer these questions to me. In case you were brainwashed to control the members of your group- then your brain will automatically come up with proofs in The Torah that what you are doing is right.
Please try to answer these questions to yourself and see if the answer sits well with you.. You can always think about it more the next night.
One reason you might be hesitant to acknowledge what you really believe deep down, is that it would be too hard to change. It might be even too scary to even think about change, as your brain is conditioned by now to reject such thoughts. You most certainly will be scared to discuss this with people in your group, and it will require a lot of courage to act alone! But don't forget that Hashem helps all who try to do the right thing B'emes!
You’re a brave soul! Hashem bless you with good health, inner tranquility, happiness, and all the things that you pray for should be answered :)
The way you speak, think and believe in god is beautiful and deeply inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing yourself with us.
Capitalize God when you write His name.
My God how do people allow themselves to be treated like rubbish moreover their children punished for nothing or for the latest idea that comes onto their 'leaders heads'
Happy you got out! Best of luck in your endeavors!
I think cults are aweful that's aweful!!!! I hope he discovers the liberal sects of Judaism that come from a place of love, and don't cover women up and such.I'm glad to see he's found the more liberal sects of Judaism and realized he could go there and I'm glad to see that he hasn't lost his faith and realized what that cult was doing wasn't about God.
What are amazing stories about this kind of cult ❤ it’s time the whole world 🌎 to know ❤️☮️ thank you 🙏 Mendy 🙏☮️❤️
Wow!! Unbelievable human, what an inspiration!
Wow
😢 He is a strong young Man. Baruch Hashem 🙌🏽
In an ironic twist many coming out of this group actually have great character, Strong minded people. Here Mendy tells a story of his life that most of us would be much more emotional telling it but he just tells it in a very plain logical way. Knowing others who came out with the same ironic strong character tells this ironic twist.
For those who don't know Yiddish, at 11:58, "shvartse molochim" means "black angels," or demons.
It's always good to hear The Other Side of the story on every story and most people do not like super religious people so there is already a prejudice against the religious ones.. Despite the endless investigations An instructions in the United States Canada and Guatemala they never found any evidence of abuse whatsoever. So I'm watching a kid that did not like to be religious and simply has a resentment against them
I could not finish the video, the story is heartbreaking...
Wow!! This kid is such an inspiration!!
Wow, very interesting and inspiring
WOW!! He definitely is an inspiration but I want to know how he escaped such a cult??
"Wow" what a interview!!!!!!!
Wow Great you are exposing them!!
Lev Tahor truly makes me sick. I commend you, Mendy, for your bravery and willingness to share your story..
so inspiring that you had the courage to escape! don't give up on trying to get the rest of them out!!
Wow
Would have been nice to hear how he actually escaped. And, how they ensure people don't escape.
So sad when you are born in a cult, people don't question anymore because they been doing same stuff for years and never asking why? And trust me when I say the second you give your power to think' power to act to someone else. Is when you start losing yourself to a third party that does not care about you!
Wow! Wishing Mendy a future full of love and happiness!
Wow! A unbelievable tale of horror!
Makes for a great book then horror movie
i pray justice should be served against this terrible cult
What the young man said about Love is profound Elohim is love, I hope the young man the best. Blessings!
I’m curious to know if you think the leaders of Lev Tahoe will be judged by God when they die? Or will there be a Hell for them being so evil? Thank God your soul was blessed with the intuition to know this is not normal, even if you didn’t know any different. God has chosen you to speak out and bring awareness today to help others. This is so horrific, I’m proud of your strength. God bless you. Good always prevails!
Wow; i’m glad he got out, and I really hope he has a solid plan for getting his family out. And a good support network as well.
There’s a lot of hope in the fact that he got away, and he’s making his way in life. That’s important. That’s everything.
A Person can’t navigate a relationship with God in the absence of free agency, and personal growth is utterly limited. The fact that government will not get involved for the freedom of people who are good people, and for children, speaks to the times.
Prayers for those who are stuck in such cults, and for those trying to make sense of life, they might find a way to reclaim their lives, agency, and a path forward with God that brings them joy and productivity.
Wow. I didn't realize things were so bad.
Wow! Lots of respect for Mendy.
Wow Mendy you are an inspiration to us all.
This is just, wow!
Deeply sad beyond words 😢😢😢💔💔💔💔💔💔
As a jew living in Israel i can tell you all people can
Be mentally ill sadly you experaiced that.
I wish you all the best in your new life. You are very smart 😊 ❤
Wow, indeed. Thank you.
Where’s so called human rights activists? Why are no one raising the voices of these poor people?
I’m not a Messianic Jewish person but I do identify with this community and even though our beliefs are different on my Messiah Yeshua Ben-Yosef, I learn more from listening to Rabbis than other religions and am learning Hebrew from the Complete Jewish Bible. I love learning the true names of God and all of Yeshua’s talmidim etc. THANK YOU HELPING TEACH ME!
WOW so sad that something like this even exists is our days : May he continue to grow on the derech of real Yiddish way : may he always feel the love that Hakodesh Baruch hu sends his way & know that he’ll always be & is very brave to see the truth of that love
May HaShem Mercy on them and let the captive come out from religious slavery. It takes a courage and wisdom to fight against. Religious spirit is bondage. I speak healing, strength, happiness joy and shalom over your life
Love hearing his lingo. Takes me back. Vroom he says