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March 6, 1994

The Spirit of Elijah Rests Upon Elisha (1994)

Torah Study Passionate Moderation The Rabbinate
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Elijah as a Model for Rabbis (2006)

As you are officially inducted in the rabbinate, which I consider the spiritual aristocracy of the Jewish people, I offer you both good news and bad news. The good news is that you have earned the confidence of your Rebbeim; that you are worthy of סמיכת חכמים; that you are entitled to be פוסקי הלכות to all who enquire of you; and that you are expected to continue your learning for the rest of your lives. That holds true for all of you, no matter what career paths you choose.1 now address רכנים ומחנכים specifically: You will be entrusted with congregations and communities, students and schools. We are all Jews, so you know that Jews are not always easy and sweet and straightforward. Sometimes they can give you an abundance of grief. But bear in mind always that fundamentally they are good people. They are your spiritual charges. Be patient with them, even as your Rebbeim and your parents were patient with you.Of course, you can’t please everybody: I know of only one character in —תני'ך אחשורוש—who tried to do just that—לעשות כרצון איש ואיש—and he was considered by the Talmud as מלך שוטה, a foolish king. But in relating to your people generally, rely more on the use of love rather than fear. The Rishonim always favored אהבה over יראה. Moreover, the Mishna (שכת פי"ד) held that כל ישראל כני מלכים, all Jews and Jewesses are considered princes and princesses. Tie( 11 them as such! Don’t let them forget mho the!! are and the stock the!! come from!And now for the bad new's: You should know that American Jewry is at the brink of a vast, unmitigated disaster—a historic tragedy. A majority of American Jews intermarry; some 20% identify as Christians or other religions. So only committed Jews who have remained loyal to Torah and עם ישראל have a realistic chance to survive. And even we—front semi-observant to Modern Orthodox to Litvishe yeshivot to the most isolated of Hasidic communities—all have our problems and attrition. None of us is perfect, and none of us has the right t…
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The Multi-Stressed (1997)

A) Introduction: Title: "The Rabbi: Multi-faceted, Multi-talented, Multi-stressed"; Multi-talented – I grant... *Multi-faceted – I question; can be misinterpreted (מעוט רבים שנים) = "two faced"... *Multi-stressed – that's a worthy elaboration... only there can I claim some expertise... *But Purpura: pressure-diamond, irritation-oyster... Multi-stressed: 3 sources – all real, troubling: Human-existential... will leave that to philo's and psychol's; Professional-rabbinic... will leave that to sociologists. Religious –
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The Spirit of the Rabbinate (2010)

The Rabbinate today has fallen upon hard times. In the last year or two, there have appeared a number of articles announcing the imminent demise of the Rabbinate, one of the greatest of Jewish religious institutions. Its functions have been taken over, one by one, by others – the Roshei Yeshivah and the professors, the fundraisers and the social workers – and the Rabbi has become a vestigial functionary, a charming anachronism. Sooner or later, the community will manage very well without him, perhaps devising some other functionary to preside over synagogue services. Now, I do not wish to address myself specifically to this question of the future of the Rabbinate. "I am neither a prophet, nor the son of a prophet." Besides, the Talmud makes some un-flattering remarks about those who pretend to the mantle of the seer. Furthermore, our loyalty to Torah unquestionably tran-scends our loyalty to the Rabbinate, and if Judaism can get along without professional Rabbis in the future —as it has in the past — so be it. I may be sad at such morbid prospects, but not crushed.’ This particular address was not delivered at a Chag HaSemikhah, as are the others in this volume. What follows is adapted from an address at the Anglo-Jewish Preachers Conference held in Manchester in 1968, and was published by the Conference.However, I honestly do not believe the grim prognosis. As Mark Twain once said, upon reading an announcement of his death in the morning newspapers, "I have read my obituary and believe it is much exaggerated."It is, of course, true that the Rabbinate is in trouble —and it is in greater trouble in Israel than in the English-speaking countries (although I shall confine my remarks to our communities in the Diaspora). 1 believe we have slipped into a rut, but we are not lost. We are in many ways stricken, but not irreversibly. 1 submit that we still can recapture our commanding role as spiritual leaders and effective guides if we bestir ourselves —before it is too lat…
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