The Rabbi

The swell of mail that reaches my desk on Monday mornings is daunting enough to want to stay in bed a few minutes longer than usual. There are many letters from communal packs, pressure groups, organizations that are seeking funds, groups that want support and, if I am lucky, some missive that actually connects me to my people.  

These letters (I won’t even mention the e-mail), covering a good portion of my work area, have the tendency of shortening the morning but sometimes making me feel a bit taller. It reminds me of the beautiful story of the venerable old Rabbi was dying. As his disciples gathered around the rabbi’s bed they begin to extol his virtues. One remarked, “His piety will never be equaled!” Another exclaimed, “Such learning surpassed the greatest sages of ancient Israel.”  A third stated that his kindness was akin to that of a tzaddik. During this time only the soft wheezing of the old man could be heard from the bed. Then the rabbi lifted his weary head, glanced around, and asked, “Is no one going to mention my humility?”

The positive side to all the attention brought to the congregational Rabbi is that it provides some measure of stature. It is nice to be reminded that one matters. All the eager lobbyists that continually badger the rabbi in the hope that their product will be sold to the congregation has an upside. They all insist that their interest is of prime concern and go on to demand that the next weeks sermon or message be devoted to their cause- Save the whales, environmental issues, school problems, nuclear proliferation, peace talks, electric cars, anti-Semitism, and you name it.  While I deeply appreciate the high regard they hold the office of the spiritual leaders of the Jewish communities throughout America, I believe they have mistakenly taken the relationship between Congregation and Rabbi to be as between newscaster and audience.  A close colleague pointed out, their interference in congregational work fits about as “snugly as a mother-in-law.”

The sermon, the talk, and the article, are all the immediate concern of the congregation. The relationship between Rabbi and community is close, personal and vital as a marriage. It must be continually worked, respected and never allowed to become outdated.  Therein lies the integrity of our relationship. It shall not be violated.