Rabbi Without Walls -A Judaism Revolution

 Rabbi Without Walls -A Judaism Revolution

So often a joke when I have a program, service or just inside somewhere, I inevitably hear the joke of something like "feeling claustrophobic"? or "How is the Rabbi without "walls" feeling" ?

What does "without walls" mean?

The original idea comes from something that Rabbi Sampson Rafael Hirsch said in the late 19th century (German) as he witnessed a radical and fast-moving transformation of the way that Jews were living their Judaism from; living observant Judaism in their homes to one of mere participation in ritual Judaism in synagogues on Saturdays

The dramatic shift from the home as being the main focus of where Judaism is played out in our lives -(Judaism as wisdom as a way to live your entire life) to worship in a synagogue. Judaism was slowly becoming not a way of life but a "religion of rituals"  mimicking another religion whose main thrust of worship was on Sundays.

Rabbi Hirsch said something that changed my focus of my involvement of Jewish educational outreach. He said that the best thing that can happen to the Jewish people is if they close down the doors of the synagogues for 1 year........ and then open them up. From the rest of his essay a slogan popped into my head that I thought described what he was trying to say ........Judaism must be in our heart, homes and lives.

It's not about the "walls" - it's not about the "Rabbi" and it's not about "programs" - they are all vehicles to help the person put Judaism into our hearts, homes and lives.

We can see that Rabbi Hirsch noticed a trend that never ceased. He was right. Judaism did become about the building, the edifice, the synagogue - Magnificent, beautiful structures ...... building funds....primarily empty during the week and only a pittance of synagogue attendance relative to the actual membership. (not to mention a dramatic decline in synagogue membership)

Judaism became about the Rabbi ..... and his sermon. about relying on the Rabbi to tell me when to say "Amen" - about the Rabbi that his #1 job is that of an intellectual, orator who loves to speak about politics. The Rabbi became a very self important man. We only saw our family Rabbi growing up at funerals......How about you? Was your Rabbi involved in your life? Did he invite you over for Friday night dinner? Did you ever get a call from him just to connect on a friendship, human level. ?

Programs- too busy running programs to bring the new people in -it's all about numbers, membership -even outreach! How many people came to the program? everyone wants to know! How about whose heart was touched? Whose heart needs to be touched?

Does your Rabbi know if you are both working? Does he know if you can make ends meet? Does he know what incredible stresses you are under? Does he know if you fight with your spouse, how often, when, what are the patterns and about what?

I could of course go on and on but I think you get the picture.

Of course I am not saying that walls aren't important . Of course I am not saying that we don't need walls- it's that we get stuck.

It's all about the people, the people, the people...correct that the person, the person the person.

Each person worthy and deserving of such incredible love, so valued in the eyes, of the Almighty, so precious, so powerful, so intrinsically holy.

Our job is to support, help, tolerate, accept, affirm, validate, respect, hold up, appreciate, cherish, and love each other.

That is my job as a human being -that is yours

I'm not a "Rabbi" per se- it's just my vehicle to my job just as your role is to do the same job.

When it's about the Rabbi - it's not about you

More ideas about what Rabbi Without Walls means another time

Shabbos