The Chapters
Exploring the morality of Torah and Chazal. Each chapter examines a different area of Orthodox life with original sources, honest analysis, quizzes, and practical guidance.
Your Status: What They Call You vs. Who You Are
You've been labeled an Apikoros, a Kofer, or simply 'Off the Derech.' But what do these terms really mean? And more importantly - does it matter? This chapter unpacks the labels the frum world puts on those who leave, and helps you reclaim your identity on your own terms.
Sex: Pleasure, Shame, and Taking Back Your Body
From the prohibition on masturbation to the complex rules around menstruation, Orthodox Judaism has a lot to say about your sex life. This chapter explores what the texts actually say, and helps you develop a healthy relationship with your sexuality.
Food: Beyond Kosher: Eating on Your Own Terms
Kashrut controls what you eat, how it's prepared, and who you can eat with. This chapter breaks down the kosher laws and helps you navigate food freedom—one of the most tangible changes when you leave.
Relationships: Love Beyond the Rules
From the Torah's death penalty for homosexuality to strict matchmaking, Orthodox Judaism has rigid rules about who you can love. This chapter explores what the texts say and affirms your right to love freely.
Women's Rights: More Than Property
In halacha, women are acquired in marriage, cannot serve as witnesses, and can be trapped in marriages through the 'get' system. This chapter exposes the systematic inequality and affirms women's full humanity.
Non-Jews: The 'Chosen People' Problem
What does Jewish law really say about non-Jews? From the concept of 'chosen people' to laws that treat gentiles as lesser, this chapter examines the troubling hierarchy built into the texts.
Bodily Autonomy: Your Body, Your Rules
From circumcision on the eighth day to rules about tattoos and modesty, Orthodox Judaism claims ownership of your body. This chapter is about taking it back.
Slavery and Racism: What They Don't Teach in Yeshiva
The Torah doesn't just permit slavery—it regulates it. And the racial attitudes in some Jewish texts are deeply troubling. This chapter confronts these uncomfortable truths head-on.
Shabbat and the Jew: Rest, Identity, and Finding Your Own Rhythm
Shabbat is called the heart of Judaism. But for many who leave, it's also the source of the most intense guilt and the hardest habit to break. This chapter explores the sabbath, Jewish identity, and finding your own way to rest.
Life Events: Birth, Coming of Age, Marriage, and Death—Your Way
Every major life event in the Orthodox world comes with religious obligations. But what do these look like when you leave? This chapter offers alternative ways to mark life's milestones.
The Good Stuff: What's Worth Keeping
Not everything in the tradition is harmful. This chapter celebrates the genuinely beautiful teachings—chesed, loving kindness, ethical wisdom from Pirkei Avot—and helps you keep what serves you.