Question: These past few weeks, I’ve had a hard time going through my life. Nothing really interests me. I am what everyone would call a talented girl; I do well in school, I’m good with people and I seem to always be helping out. However I feel so fake. I only do it to keep up my image and go through the day. Whats the point in all this? I am an observant Jew so its not like religion is the gap in my life. I am just not interested in living. Please help me

Answer: I am sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time. You write at the end of your note that you are “an observant Jew so it’s not like religion is the gap in your life.” Are you sure that that is true? Frequently, even if one is religiously observant, and even if one is learned, one can be lacking a connection to God. Just going through the motions of Mitzvah observance alone does not give one a relationship with God.

There are several books which I can recommend for you to see if they speak to you and help address what is troubling you. First and foremost is The Garden of Emunah by Rabbi Shalom Arush .

Beyond that, there are several other recommendations I can make depending on your level of reading comfort in Hebrew or English. Please contact me again if you would like other ideas or if you would like to speak or meet in person to discuss how to inspire yourself again.

Sincerely,
Rabbi Azriel Schreiber