7 Life Lessons from the Baal Teshuva Journey: Finding Balance, Faith, and Purpose

According to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, there are over 200,000 people in Israel who define themselves as ba’alei teshuva — those who have returned to religious observance. This is a large and diverse group of individuals who have undergone a deep and complex process of personal transformation. Despite their varied backgrounds, there are shared experiences and insights among them. 

Following are seven lessons that can inspire and guide anyone walking this path:

1. The Bridge

In the early stages, a ba’al teshuva is often driven by a strong sense of mission. We live between two very different worlds — one of faith and divine service, and another of comfort and personal success.
Over time, each of these worlds has developed its own culture and values, and they are often far apart. Those who have lived in both worlds understand how deep that gap really is. Each side thinks it understands the other but often holds onto stereotypes and misconceptions. Perhaps our role, as ba’alei teshuva, is to be a bridge that connects, understands, and brings both sides closer together.

2. The Question Mark

The term “ba’al teshuva” (“one who has returned”) might be misleading, as it sounds as if we’ve found the answer. The journey toward truth and connection with God is not static; it’s dynamic and ongoing. What defines us is the fact that we ask questions — and keep asking. We are not here because of social, familial, or financial obligations. We are seekers, constantly striving to grow and understand. Blessed is the one who doesn’t place exclamation marks at the end of every sentence but continues to live with question marks — always exploring, refining, and searching for truth.

3. The Launchpad

Launching a rocket into space requires tremendous energy to overcome Earth’s gravity. Similarly, when a person begins their spiritual journey, they face powerful internal and external forces pulling them back. At first, some level of extreme zeal is necessary.
But, like a rocket, once you reach orbit, that same fire can burn you if it continues unchecked. The goal is to integrate that spiritual passion into daily life — marriage, parenting, livelihood, and to balance Torah with life.

4. Marathon, Not a Sprint

In the early stages, the spiritual light feels intoxicating. We run full force, cutting off distractions and pouring all our energy into growth.
However, spiritual life is not a 100-meter dash — it’s a marathon.
We need a strong foundation of family, work, friendships, food, and rest. These are not distractions but the very ground upon which holiness is built. If we forget that and continue sprinting, we’ll eventually run out of strength.

5. The “Religious Evil Inclination”

Not every act of self-sacrifice in God’s name comes from the good inclination. The Torah tells of the “ma’apilim,” who acted zealously but incorrectly. As the Chafetz Chaim taught, the evil inclination sometimes pushes a person to overdo good deeds, knowing it will eventually cause harm: “It strengthens a person too much in one area until he exhausts himself and can no longer continue.”
True Torah living is about balance — the middle path, as the Rambam taught. Even Rabbi Nachman of Breslov warned about the evil inclination disguising itself as holiness.

6. The Boxing Ring

It’s common for ba’alei teshuva to enter a kind of “spiritual boxing match” early on — competing to prove who is the most devout, the most knowledgeable, the most “righteous.” This is natural enthusiasm but not sustainable. The wiser path is to stop competing and start appreciating — to see the good in others. That, after all, is our true mission.

7. The Level

When a builder constructs a wall, he uses a level to check if it’s straight. How can we check the balance of our spiritual construction? God doesn’t send emails or text messages with feedback. The sages teach that one reliable indicator is home life — peace in marriage and joy in raising children. If your home is calm and filled with happiness and faith, you’re likely on the right path.
If tension and conflict dominate, it’s a sign something is off-balance.
Challenges are natural, but we must seek guidance and adjust, to realign with truth.

Adapted from content published on the Maané website.