The Ideal Rabbi

In January 2003, Rabbi David Golinkin, now President of the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, published an article in Sh'ma on the subject of the ideal rabbi. In it, he establishes that there are 10 characteristics to the ideal rabbi. We've excerpted them below and invite you to consider his suggestions.

Keep in mind that he was writing with the community in Israel in mind. Still, do you agree with his choices? Are there changes you'd make to the list? Ways you'd think it was more relevant to North American Jewry? Send your comments to KOCEditor@koach.org and we'll be happy to share them in the Elul issue of KOACH-on-Campus!

The Ideal Rabbi Today, by David Golinkin Excerpted from Sh'ma, January 2003

1) The ideal rabbi should be a God-fearing and observant person.

2) The ideal rabbi should be well-versed in the Talmud and halakhah.

3) The ideal rabbi should be well versed in all areas of Jewish Studies, as the saying goes, "nothing Jewish should be foreign to him".

4) The ideal rabbi should have a broad secular education....

5) An ideal rabbi must be involved with the public at large and have contact with rabbis and Jews from all streams in Judaism: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, as well as secular Jews.

6) The ideal rabbi must be an outstanding preacher.

7) The ideal rabbi should be a Zionist who has served in the Israeli army.

8) The ideal rabbi must be an excellent teacher who is able to teach children, teenagers, adults, new immigrants and veteran Israelis alike.

9) The ideal rabbi must be familiar with psychology and counseling and be informed about welfare institutions.

10) [The ideal rabbi] must find the middle road, as Rabbi Israel Salanter said: "A rabbi with whom no one disagrees is not a rabbi; a rabbi with whom everyone disagrees is not a mentsch."