To be honest, as much as I tried to reassure myself with this very same explanation, it just didn’t work.
My husband and I are troubled. We think about Benny’s situation day and night. Our girls are ashamed to bring their friends home for Shabbos. There is always discord – sometimes verbal, sometimes expressed through silent hostility and tension. Shalom bayis does not exist for us.
We are torn. On the one hand we recognize Benny cannot be blamed. We adopted a new life for which he was totally unprepared. But on the other hand he’s destroying the peace in our home and he’s a terrible role model for our girls. What should we do?
My sister, who is hostile to religion but a good person, would be happy take him in and Benny would love to move there. Her home, however, is a mess. One of her sons drinks. If Benny were to move in with them I’m afraid he would deteriorate further.
Rebbetzin, what would you advise us to do?
(Continued Next Week)