From Struggling Teen to Teen Mentor: Rabbi Yiftach Sofer's Journey

When Rabbi Yiftach Sofer (43), married and a father, declares there's nothing like the path of Hashem, he speaks from experience. Though he grew up in a religious home and has been sharing wisdom with others for 15 years, his teenage years were a different story. "Until I was 16, I studied in yeshivas and stuck to the Torah path, but peer influence led me astray," he recalls, adding that drifting included joining the army at 18.

Upon completing his service, he faced an urgent need to choose a direction. "The strongest push back to Judaism was my 12 siblings who all returned to faith - I was the only one on the fence. They seemed truly happy, and I wanted that too."

Rabbi Yiftach Sofer

With his religious upbringing, it wasn’t long before Sofer returned to his roots. "I decided to strengthen my Torah studies and attended 'Or Yakar' yeshiva in Tzfat for an hour daily," he shares. "Studying with a friend, I felt unparalleled joy - something I'd never experienced before."

When did you commit to a religious path?

"It was a gradual process with challenges, but yes. To maintain this sense of joy, I knew I had to draw closer to Hashem. If Torah study brought such happiness, why waste time?"

His dedication turned into continuous yeshiva study, a divine signpost to life's purpose. "A year later, I began guiding new arrivals, teaching them about Judaism. The fulfillment of watching them understand and embrace the path was immense." Two years in, Rabbi Sofer married, continuing his fervent Torah journey.

On His Book 'U-Vacharta BaChayim': "I was shy to publish it"

Starting with Torah classes in Tzfat and expanding to Kiryat Shmona, Rabbi Sofer's reach grew. "Five years after starting at 'Or Yakar', my mentor Rivkah Cohen encouraged me to teach broader topics." His decade-old classes strengthened countless individuals. "Initially evening-only, they now span most of the day. When do I have time for family? "In between," he laughs.

Behind this hectic schedule stands a supportive wife, inspiring his book, 'U-Vacharta BaChayim', which combines wisdom, tales, and Torah insights. "I began writing nine years ago during the Lebanon War, dedicating much time to it."

The book 'U-Vacharta BaChayim'

What did you write?

"Insights on Genesis and Exodus and more. I learn from everyone, and included stories from my students. Every class participant contributed to this cherished work."

Despite penning and preparing the material, publishing posed challenges, mainly financial. Yet, with divine help, he overcame it. "After finishing, I was shy to publish. How could I, a baal teshuva, presume to share wisdom on faith?"

What liberated you from that hesitation?

"Realizing that my efforts glorify Hashem, I questioned, 'why not?'"

The result? 2500 copies sold, primarily through word of mouth.

Sofer’s daily routine is packed. He starts with Minyan, leads a class at 'Pri Megadim' yeshiva, and then at 'Yated HaTeshuva', both in Tzfat. He offers a special class to "at-risk teens" where he’s both instructor and mentor. Afternoons, he teaches in Hatzor and Kiryat Shmona until evening.

Aside from your achievements, anything you'd like to do but can't?

"Definitely. The frantic pace doesn’t allow as much Torah study as I'd like. Seeing a scholar swirling in Gemara for nine hours makes me envious. Yet, I recognize, 'that's his task, this is mine.' A powerful parable describes a med student learning while thousands die at war. He can't save them, but he must study to qualify. Who goes to the battlefield? Trained medics and doctors. My role isn't all-day study, but saving lives is no less crucial than Torah for its own sake."