From Tibetan Monastery to Sacred Journey: Discovering Faith in the Himalayas

"It's hard to find someone who had a childhood more disconnected from Judaism than I did," says Dror Shaul, reflecting on his early years. For those who know him now, it's difficult to believe, as Dror has undergone a complete transformation. Surprisingly, as a child, he was entirely distant and detached.

"I grew up in the Beit Hakerem neighborhood in Jerusalem," Dror recounts. "My childhood was spent in very secular schools. It's hard to admit, but that's how it was. Back then, there were many conflicts between secular and religious people over opening cinemas and roads on Shabbat. I personally took part in demonstrations and protests because religious coercion bothered me."

Despite this, Dror says he's always been interested in spiritual topics, reading numerous psychology and religion books. However, he never considered Judaism could offer anything compelling. "At 18, I traveled to the Far East for four and a half months. In India, seeing the variety of idol worship both repelled me and piqued my interest. Something inside told me there must be something spiritual worth pursuing. Although what they're doing is certainly a mistake, a spiritual entity surely exists. That was my perspective."

"Grandma Lit Candles and Cried"

Dror pauses to share about his family: "My father grew up on a kibbutz, completely disconnected from Judaism, while my mother, an only child of Holocaust survivors, wasn't given any Jewish upbringing. My parents raised me with love for Israel and genuine concern for the Jewish people, but they had no Jewish traditions to pass on to me. The only one from whom I could receive anything was my grandma. She tried lighting candles every Shabbat evening, bursting into tears from the memories of her family murdered in the Holocaust."

As Dror continued his spiritual journey abroad, he made his way to Nepal after visiting India, even attempting to climb Everest to the highest possible altitude for a non-professional climber. Despite knowing the importance of pacing the ascent to prevent altitude sickness, he pushed on too quickly. Symptoms like severe headaches, dizziness, and loss of balance set in at 4,300 meters high, pushing him to a dangerous state.

A Jew is a Jew

After his military service, Dror found himself returning to India for a more extended trip. Encountering various life-threatening situations in the mountains, he reached Dharamsala, noted for its famous Tibetan monasteries. Immersing himself in intense studies, Dror learned everything about monastic life from dawn until past midnight, his resolve to become a monk strengthening each day. He shared a room with a kind Jewish man named Itzik, known today as Rabbi Yitzhak Fanger.

Upon discovering a picture of a rabbi among the trinkets near Itzik's bed, Dror was amazed. Itzik explained someone had given it to him at the airport, saying the man depicted was the great Rabbi of Lubavitch. This was Dror's first encounter with the rabbi who would later play a significant role in his life.

Over eight months in the monastery, Dror experienced several startling events that shook his inner world. One day, a German student noticed Dror writing in Hebrew, sparking a conversation about his heritage. The student revealed he had sought spirituality worldwide and found Kabbalah the most profound. "But you're Jewish," he pressed Dror, "what do you have to find here? Go to Jerusalem and study Kabbalah." Hearing this from someone so distant and foreign made Dror introspective.

Another unexpected encounter occurred in the library, leading to the discovery of Hebrew booklets amidst the monastery's collection. One, entitled "Journey," tellingly resonated with Dror, stirring unexpected emotions. He began to cry uncontrollably, realizing there was something beyond words affecting him deeply.

The pivotal moment came when a senior translator at the monastery confided to Dror that she, too, was Jewish. When she asked him to wish her a "good Shabbat" in Yiddish, Dror finally understood he must leave the monastery. If a seasoned teacher could say a Jew remains a Jew, there was nothing left for him there.

Alone in the Forest

Dror decided to embark on a month-long retreat in the Himalayas to achieve solitude and clarity. Deep in isolation, he faced severe reality when he lost the trail back, surrounded by potential peril. With food supplies exhausted and no sign of rescue, Dror realized that despite all his survival skills, his life was at risk.

At 24, for the first time, Dror surrendered his ego, turning to Hashem: "G-d, if you save me, I vow to visit the Western Wall and bless you for Your kindness." The following morning, signs of human presence led him to safety and a hidden Indian village that guided him back to civilization.

Slow but Sure

Dror's return to Israel marked the beginning of slow but sure spiritual growth, exploring Kabbalah and later connecting with Chassidut Breslav. Through Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh's guidance, he embraced Torah and mitzvahs, finding true meaning in life.

Proposing to establish a Chabad House in India, Dror was advised first to enrich himself with wisdom. Though he initially set this dream aside, Rabbi Ginsburgh later prompted him to pursue it, leading Dror and his wife Michal back to India. Together, they opened a Chabad House in Dharamsala, welcoming hundreds of Jewish travelers and impacting many lives.

Today, Dror divides his time between Israel and India, writing a captivating book "Lech Lecha Dharamsala," weaving the narratives of returning Jews he has encountered with insights into personal spiritual journeys and divine providence. His call to seekers is simple: meaningful spiritual transformation awaits locally as well as abroad.