An Empowered Alternative

Meir grew up in a home where he was told countless things about himself that weren't true; he was bombarded by daily messages that constantly discouraged him and made him feel insignificant and sad.
 
Not only was Meir the "family scapegoat," but he became an easy target for his peers and  teachers who themselves, felt a sense of significance by tearing Meir down.
 
Finally Meir couldn't take it anymore. He felt such massive, unbearable amounts of pain that he felt that he was going crazy all the time. When a person reaches this point, that they see no way out of the "crazy 8 cycle" they either succumb to hopelessness and give up; or if they are given an "empowered alternative" they'll take action that is beyond anything that they would normally do.
 
This story is about two kinds of empowered alternatives.
 
Meir was approached by an older boy named Uri who was very friendly to him. Meir was so hungry for love and attention that he began to depend on Uri for everything. Uri was always there to support and encourage Meir. Whenever Meir was in trouble, Uri would show up with money and drugs to "support" Meir and help him to cope.
 
One day, Uri revealed his plan. He told Meir that he had an idea that was a full proof way to make them so rich that they would never have to work again. Uri promised Meir that if he would help him to execute his plan that he would he would be set for life.
 
Uri took out a pistol and handed it to his friend. As Meir held the shiny firearm in his hand he felt an immediate feeling of personal significance. Instantly he felt like he was a "somebody." Suddenly he had more power, more importance and more value than all of the people who had ever tormented him. He instantly felt like someone who could make things happen – and he could do it fast.
 
"It's really so simple," said Uri.
 
"Do you know that cash checking store on the corner? I've figured everything out. All you have to do is go in there with this gun; point it at poor Mrs. Katz behind the counter and tell her that you want all their cash. It's the easiest thing. She'll be so scared, I promise you won't have to hurt her –  she'll gladly give you all the money and nobody will get hurt.  The whole thing will take less than a minute and I'll be waiting for you right outside to drive us away before anybody even knows what happened. We'll split the profits equally. Your share will be a fortune of money!"
 
Meir agreed to the plan. It was the first time in his life that he had a "compelling future." Meir couldn't resist the money, the power, the exhilaration, the  excitement, and the belief that finally he could succeed at something big. This was his first "empowered alternative."
 
On the chosen day, with a stocking over his head, Meir took the gun and went into the store. He showed Mrs. Katz his gun and demanded the money. She  threw as much money as she could find into a bag and gave it to Meir who ran out of the store and drove away with Uri.
 
Later that day, Meir and Uri were arrested and put into jail.
 
Armed robbery is a severe offense in any state. The bail was set very high – but Meir's family worked hard to raise the funds and were able to bring him home.
 
A few days later, the family put Meir on a plane to Israel where he was to stay with distant relatives. But Meir wasn't the same. He had spiraled into a deep depression and was refusing to speak to anybody. Meir spent day after day in the isolation of his room; barely eating and sinking deeper and deeper into hopelessness. The only activity that he still did was to put on his tefillin and say the Shema prayer.
 
One of the students at Chut Shel Chesed heard about Meir and went to pay him a visit. Meir refused to speak to the student. He just sat on his bed unwilling to look up or acknowledge his presence. Undeterred the student spoke to Meir about how anybody who had been through severe pain like his and used that pain in the right way grew to heights that they never would have reached without the pain; he spoke about how what happened to Meir was from Hashem who hadn't done this to Meir but had actually done this for Meir to lead him in a much better direction in life; he spoke about how this very situation held the potential to give Meir a higher reason and purpose for living; and the student promised Meir that if he studied with him that Meir would find the life that he was meant to be living, a life of great happiness and fulfillment.
 
Meir sat like a stone, he didn't budge. After speaking for almost an hour non-stop, the student left.
 
The very next week, there was a new student at the Chut Shel Chesed Yeshiva – it was Meir! But Meir's appearance and personality were completely transformed from what it was. Meir had become a smiling, friendly, alive and optimistic person. Meir wanted to join the yeshiva and throw himself into learning – which he did. He was hungry to know more about what he had heard from the student of Rabbi Arush.
 
This was Meir's second and lasting "empowered alternative."
 
This is only one example of how the life-saving teachings of Rabbi Arush are quickly restoring life to countless people who are on the brink of no return.
 
This is a true story. The names and details of the story have been altered to protect the privacy of those involved.