Thank you for telling me about your day.
I have much sympathy with Nathaniel, and often try to put myself
into his shoes. I have consistently and explicitly repeated to him
many times: "I am on your side."

Words, logic, explanations, Auseinandersetzungen are of no avail.
Instruction, criticism is of no help and is likely to be bitterly
counterproductive. I consider it much better that Nathaniel should 
flail against you and me than against himself. The only thing that
I (and you) can do is to love and to support Nathaniel 
unconditionally. Most likely it will help HIM survive, but neither
you nor I can survive without it. We need to love him on our own
behalf as much or more as he needs our love.

When Nathaniel characterizes me as the epitome of Jewishness, he
is quoting my own words. I consider his criticism of me (and of you)
as dialectical. An expression of his affection and admiration, 
through the prism of his present spiritual crisis. Don't be critical
of him. Love is the only remedy.