WANTED
The Jewish Community Center's
50th Annual Jewish Book Fair
is looking for local authors to participate in the
nities everywhere had their own rabbi,
His views influenced virtually everyone
and all other scholars in the area were
in the world, changing the nature of
expected to honor his decisions. By the
Jewish education and shaping theological
15th century, this expanded to the con-
institutions where rabbis of all persua-
cept of a single, leading figure to serve as
sions train to this day.
the definitive scholar for everyone in the
While the movements differ greatly on
empire. With one exception, this "chief
what they consider a rabbi's proper reli-
rabbi," a citizen of the area in which he
gious training, Orthodox, Conservative
served, was appointed because of his
and Reform Jews have many of the same
scholarly knowledge, wisdom and
expectations when it comes to their spiri-
integrity. Only in Morocco was the post
tual leaders. In addition to Jewish knowl-
of rabbinical leader passed down through
edge, rabbis are expected to represent the
generations of families, much like the
Jewish view in the secular community,
dynastic tradition that continues to this
take a personal interest in congregants,
day in England, with Queen Elizabeth at
deliver rousing sermons and, on occa-
the helm.
sion, be outspoken on certain political
Perhaps not surprisingly, history
issues.
records numerous questions about exact-
The latter is an older notion than you
ly who was fit to
might think, having
serve as a rabbi. Yet
started in this country
those who did secure
with Rabbis Sabato
the tide were always
Morais of the Jewish
treated with respect.
Theological Seminary
Rabbis were seen as
and Isaac Meyer Wise
having received "a
of Hebrew Union
call" to the responsi-
College, both of whom
bility. Men and
were outspoken on the
women were expect-
subject of the American
ed to rise when a
C1
Civil War.
rabbi entered the
One of the most
room, and rabbis
interesting notions of
were never permitted
"rabbi" exists in Israel
to pay taxes.
today.
Furthermore, for
Israel is home to two
many years, debate
chief rabbis, one for
continued even
the Sephardim and
Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (1125-
whether it was an
one for the
1204), also known as Maimonides
appropriate vocation.
Ashkenazim. In addi-
or the Rambam. He is best known tion to religious
One of Judaism's
for his commentary on the Mishnah responsibilities, these
greatest scholars,
and his codified Mishneh Torah. He two men make critical
Maimonides (1135-
was born in Spain and later lived
1204), asserted that
legal decisions that
in
Morocco, Palestine and Egypt.
ideally a rabbi was
affect all Jewry, since
one who worked at
Halachah is state law
his chosen vocation and also served as
and influences matters ranging from
community scholar and educator —
divorce to conversion to Judaism. In
without receiving recompense.
addition to the two chief rabbis that
Nonetheless, the vast majority of Jews
serve the entire country, larger cities in
welcomed the idea of a paid rabbi, and
Israel have two rabbis (again, a Sephardi
academies and yeshivot served the impor-
and an Ashkenazi one), who are adminis-
tant role of training them. Students
tered by local religious councils and, like
focused on Talmud, then, after receiving
all rabbinical appointees in the country,
smichah, accepted a position where their
must be approved by both chief rabbis
main responsibilities were to answer all
and the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
questions about Jewish law, aid the com-
Israel also has a large number of yeshivot
munity in general, and certainly continue
rabbinical leaders who often exert their
their own study of Halachah for at least
own political power, and rabbis whose
several hours a day.
-
jobs are specifically to preside at wed-
It was only in the 1800s, with the
dings, at funerals, work with the Chevrah
rise to power of Emperor Franz Joseph
Kadishah (burial society), etc.
of Austria, that the idea of a religious
What is lacking in great number in
seminary, as it is generally undersrood
Israel is the typical synagogue rabbi
today, came about. Such seminaries,
found in the United States, even at
the emperor said, should teach not
Orthodox congregations — rabbis who
only the intricacies of Talmud, but
serve every function, from comforting a
also additional Jewish subjects, such as
mourning family to answering questions
Jewish history and Jewish arts, and
about which matzah to use on Pesach to
even some secular matters as well.
delivering Shabbat sermons. ❑
LOCAL AUTHOR FAIR
Sunday, November 11 • 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
D. Dan & Betty Kahn Building
Eugene & Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus
Books must be published between November 2000 and November 2001
and written by a Jewish author or have Jewish content.
Deadline for submission is Friday, Aug. 31. Send submissions to:
Jewish Community Center • Attn. Book Fair
6600 West Maple Road • West Bloomfield, MI 48322
For additional information,
call Elaine Schonberger, director, JCC
The Center
Jewish Book Fair, (2481661-7648.
°f°"
Conumenhy
for75 years
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