Prominent Rabbi Opens Up About PTSD After Military Reserve Duty
Rabbi Menachem Perl, a respected figure and former head of the Halakha (Jewish law) department in the Military Rabbinate, has spoken openly about his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following four months of reserve duty at Shorashim camp. Perl, who also heads the Tzomet Institute, described experiencing severe anxiety attacks, nightmares, and emotional breakdowns after returning to civilian life, attributing his condition to witnessing the aftermath of the October 7th attacks and the grief of bereaved families.
Perl detailed how everyday occurrences, like car noises or news reports, became triggers, causing him to cry and experience shortness of breath. He initially sought weekly psychological treatment, but a more severe breakdown occurred about a year and a half later, marked by intense anxiety and physical tremors. He expressed a desire to escape the tensions in Israel, including politics and war, but found that distance did not alleviate his pain.
He is speaking out to challenge the perception that rabbis, due to their faith, are immune to mental suffering. Perl emphasized that deep faith does not preclude mental injury, stating, "Even rabbis are human beings and not immune to everything." He recounted how witnessing the fallen soldiers and grieving families "tore me apart." His prayers are for national healing, viewing the October 7th trauma as a collective wound.
Perl also drew parallels to his father, an Auschwitz survivor, who had warned him about the psychological toll of such experiences. He noted the lack of language and support for PTSD among Holocaust survivors compared to the resources available today. His own journey has involved extensive therapy, and he acknowledges the profound impact on his family life, including moments of intense fear with his grandson and difficulty experiencing joy, even at his son's wedding.
His experiences have led him to explore new aspects of himself, including art and equine therapy, and he now uses a service dog. Perl is also involved in initiatives to adapt rehabilitation services for the religious and ultra-Orthodox communities. He hopes to foster national unity beyond fear and conflict, and while acknowledging the difficulty of his ongoing struggle, he seeks to grow from his experiences, recognizing that life has changed and he is becoming a different person.
