In a world grappling with addiction, spiritual emptiness, and the complexities of modern parenting, one man stands as a beacon of hope and understanding: Rabbi Shais Taub. With his warm smile and penetrating insights, Rabbi Taub has touched countless lives, transcending the boundaries of faith and culture.
Shais was surrounded by a unique blend of psychological understanding and spiritual depth. His father, a psychologist, and mother, a speech pathologist, unknowingly laid the foundation for their son's future calling. This early exposure to the intricacies of the human mind would later prove invaluable in his work.
As a young adult, Taub's spiritual journey led him to the bustling streets of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, where he immersed himself in the teachings of Hasidic Judaism at the Central Lubavitch Yeshiva. It was here that the seeds of his unique approach began to germinate, blending ancient wisdom with modern understanding.
But it was in 2006, in a small Chabad House in Milwaukee, that Rabbi Taub's true calling revealed itself. Without formal training, he began leading a recovery group for Jewish men struggling with addiction. This leap of faith would change the course of his life and the lives of countless others.
"When I discovered the world of recovery, I immediately felt at home , Rabbi Taub recalls, “As a young rabbi, I had been struggling - trying to convince people to value their own spiritual growth. But when I met the people in 12-Step recovery, I found that they were already hungry for faith and spirituality. I had found my true flock."
This experience inspired his groundbreaking book, "God of Our Understanding: Jewish Spirituality and Recovery from Addiction." In it, Rabbi Taub boldly asserts that the 12-step program, often perceived as inherently Christian, has deep roots in Jewish spiritual principles."Addiction isn't the problem," he explains, "It's a misguided solution to a spiritual void. Our task is to fill that void with meaning, purpose, and connection."
Rabbi Taub's influence soon spread beyond the Jewish world. From the iconic Boys Town orphanage in Omaha, his inimitable message of hope and healing resonated with people of all faiths. He also presented the keynote address twice at the International Conference on the Evolution of Addiction Treatment.
Rabbi Taub explains, "I have never attempted to adjust my message for a non-Jewish audience. But I think it's a wonderful thing that so many people who are not Jewish find my message helpful. In my eyes, this is part of the mandate of the Jewish people - to provide wisdom to the nations of the world."
Now, Rabbi Taub turns his attention to another critical area: parenting, where he applies the same blend of ancient wisdom and modern psychology to the challenges of raising children in today's complex world."Parenting is the ultimate act of faith," he says, "It's about nurturing not just a body, but a soul. It's about seeing the divine potential in every child and helping them realize it."
As the sun sets over his Long Island neighborhood, Rabbi Taub reflects on his journey. "Every day, I'm humbled by the resilience of the human spirit," he says, "Whether it's addiction, parenting, or any of life's challenges, I've learned that the answer always lies in connecting to something greater than ourselves."
