The Fragile Factor: How Parents, Teachers, And Rabbis Can Prevent And Reverse OTD Behavior

I read The Fragile Factor with great interest, as this topic concerns me greatly. Aside from being a father to children, I am also involved in helping many people would their struggles. I've dealt with many teenagers who have gone Off The D, and I've heard of all kinds of theories and ideas about the causes of such problems. While it's important to take all suggestions seriously, I truly feel that what this book does is unique and on the ball. I don't think I ever saw anyone else get this close to understanding the problem at its core.It seems that Rabbi Gruen really did pick up on something new. There are children who are born with a fragile personality and a delicate temperament, and they are most susceptible to being "damaged" somewhere along the way. That is why it is crucial for parents to understand these children properly, and learn how to avoid any such difficulties.This is not only about religion and observance; this is about the mental and emotional help of hypersensitive children. I believe that many issues – aside from religious observance – will be clarified once the correct categorization of this fragile personality is made clear.I recommend all parents and educators that are looking to bring out the best in their children to buy this book and read it thoroughly. I have already personally recommended this book to many of my friends and associates, and I keep on getting good regards from pleased readers.

The problem with five star reviews is that few people believe them. But if people did, I would give it five stars. The reason is that Rabbi Gruen has asked the question that no one else has and has provided an answer.Rabbi Gruen's question is not why did people go off the derech, but what attitudes, values, and character traits, do all these people have in common? Determine their shared qualities and you stand a good chance of understanding not only those who went off the derech, but those who are at risk of similar behavior! Rabbi Gruen has done exactly that with his description of a UV (Ultra Violet) personality. As someone who is married to a classic UV, I can tell you that his analysis is "painfully accurate" and those are my husband's words, not mine.

Rabbi Gruen came up with something that others have seemingly missed, and that is that there are those who are more prone to go OTD than others. While of course there are attributing factors that certainly are part of this perplexing puzzle, those factors will only affect a certain personality type – one that Rabbi Gruen calls UV – as they have a hypersensitive temperament and are affected differently by occurrences and situations then most people.The interesting thing is that this is not some small minority that can be affected, rather it's just about a quarter of the population, and as of a Gruen explains, the reason why there aren't that many who go OTD is because everything that happens to a UV is circumstantial, and obviously not all UV's are negatively effective the same way.This book is quite interesting and easy to read, and I can't wait for the longer version to be published.

Rabbi Shimon Gruen did a great job on clarifying the most disturbing and puzzling phenomenon that has been affecting the Orthodox Jewish community for quite some time now. What seemed like an unexplainable mystery becomes so simple in the pages of this concise book.What I find to be the most important part of this contribution, is that not only is the painful crisis finally explained, and ways to rectify problematic situations are offered, but I finally see light at the end of the tunnel with clear ideas of how to actually avoid such challenges in the first place.My husband has taken the rabbis course as well, and he says that it helps him daily in his teaching job. By understanding his students he is able to relate to each and everyone of them in their own way, with real individualized attention and personalized education.I recommend this book to anyone who is ready to take an objective look at this issue.

I think this author really has a clear understanding of this sad and painful topic. Sometimes people write ideas and feelings about topics like this and with that they contradict so much other writing, and you don't know who to believe. But what Rabbi Gruen did is unique. Not only did he not contradict any of the OTD writing, but he actually went along and explained it. Finally things are making sense.I really hope educators and parents will read this and take it seriously. I can see a bright future for the Jewish people if that happens.

In this book Rabbi Gruen did an amazing job at clarifying an important point in understanding OTDs. Rabbi Gruen describes how different methods in parenting/teaching may impact children differently according to their personality type.I feel that this is a "must reed" for all parents and teachers, to understand how they can make or break the future of a child with a small action or even on word !!Thank you Rabbi Gruen.

Rabbi Gruen brilliantly shows how personality traits influence education and development. This is a must read for anyone in education and kiruv because be shows what is truly behind the Off the derech challenge for our generation.