Rabbi Shais Taub

Shalom Rabbi Taub,
I love your column in the Ami Magazine. I am amazed at the clarity of your responses. Is there any way to privately get in touch with you?
CH

Rabbi Taub,
Just read about you and your work. Addicts need to hear your message. The first step toward a life of sobriety or moderation is to reject the disease model of addictions. I'll work on that part; you can take it from there.

As a recovering alcoholic of some years of sobriety , I have never heard a more lucid or authentic understanding of the nature of my addiction before . I was moved to go immediately to the Chabad website and view your lecture on Hitting Bottom - Finding the G-d of your understanding." I love you.

If you wish to contact me, you may leave feedback at chabad.org/tools/feedback.htm and it will be directed to me.

I found your article on Amy Winehouse on someone's Facebook page. I never really heard of her before as that is not my style of music--and I guess I am too old. 4 months ago we lost our 23 year old son to addiction. All his friends tell me it was a pure accident that he loved his life and was enjoyinig it. We knew he lived a dangerous and carefree lifestyle but we had no idea it could be so bad (or maybe we did and did not want to think about it). He was just out of rehab, so we thought everything will be ok-- until we got that horrific phone call. I was so angry at him that when my Rabbi told me that I need to ask forgiveness from his soul at the funeral I almost laughed. He had left me broken hearted and it was my job to ask forgiveness!!! Your arcticle helps me to understand what he was going through. Thank you. (Is there somewhere to write to you privately to ask you additional questions).

Shalom Rabbi Taub,
I just read your blog entry on the passing of Amy Winehouse, and the maddening impotence of friends and loved ones who find themselves unable to prevent the train wreck that real addicts become. Thank you for your service in the effort of recovery. My brother took his life when the pain of holding on got to be greater than the pain of letting go, and he ended up putting his bones in my closet....He'd called me asking my advice as a recovered addict and alcoholic shortly before his death, and I gave him a 'half-measures' answer that reflected my half-measures involvement in the program at that time. I flogged myself for years trying to carry the guilt and responsibility for his passing, convinced that I'd missed my shot to 'save' him. I finally had to give that to God too, because I just couldn't stand the pain....It's better now, and my amends to the universe is to stay active carrying the message. God Bless you and keep you safe.

Work as such deserves a Lekhaim ..even if only on grape juice ..

Lekhaim and Moshiach now.

Thank you for your thoughtful words. I work with alot of young, immature drinkers and potsmokers who think Amy got what she deserved- joking how this was her "first 24 hours of sobriety". I cannot get through to them. Maybe it is their immaturity.

Not for me to judge. Hopefully she is at peace!