When I was in rehab this last time I had a roommate named Ari, who was exactly my age. He was trying to kick a 17-year-old benzo prescription that was fucking his life up. I called him Ari Gold because I loved Jeremy Piven on Entourage, I love Jeremy Piven in everything.
I don’t know if you can guess by his name, but Ari was a Jewish kid who came from Brooklyn. It was Rosh Hashanna, so he was visited by a rabbi, and they didn’t mind that I was in the room.
The rabbi blew through this horn a couple times, of which I didn't and don't understand, but that's ok. What I did understand was the candid way in which the rabbi spoke to Ari.
The rabbi told him that he had suffered from panic attacks for decades, and was also prescribed benzos, which he had also come off of.
He spoke about it being the new year, and letting go of the old year, and the past, which I could really get with, given my checkered past. I felt moved by this man’s presence and what he was saying.
It was impressive to hear a spiritual holy man be so honest about his mental health struggles. I’m not saying I’ve ever asked one but I just couldn’t imagine your basic catholic priest being so forthcoming with that kind of information. The guy was so down to earth, meeting Ari where he was at, it was a beautiful experience with a man of a faith that I know nothing about.
Maybe I'll convert.
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