Friday, April 9, 2010
Rabbi Shopping
6:39 AM | 
Posted by
Rabbi Chaim Coffman |
How does one go Rabbi Shopping or community shopping?
Rabbi Coffman responds:
How does one find a rabbi and search for a community? Better question: what makes someone a rabbi? Just like in any other profession, one has to take the requisite exams to become proficient in their field. Rabbinics is no different. One has to have the proper knowledge in Torah to receive Semicha (rabbinic ordination)
Passing the exams on the information at hand is one thing. Putting it into practicality is another issue. The first thing is that once one passes the exams, they need to know for themselves what they "really" know and when they need to go ask someone more knowledgeable then themselves.
The most important thing in choosing a rabbi like in any other profession is to see their credentials. The credentials here are where they learned, how long they have been learning for but even more importantly than that who they learned under and who is considered their Daas Torah.
Daas Torah here means who do they themselves go to when they have a question or do they go to anyone at all. Another criteria is what practical experience do they have and what their background is. Not every rabbi is for every person when it comes to asking personal advice.
When choosing a rabbi, a person should check their background, where they have been, what they have done and then take it from there.
The other issue is even if they meet the above criteria, how do you get along with them. Do they have a nice personality?
The gemara tells us that for someone to teach and have students, that person has to be similar to a malach (angel). If that person does not strive to reach that level or has other issues that make it difficult for one to listen to that person, then one should find another rabbi.
If someone was exemplary in his knowledge but had some shady financial deals or other bad character traits, would we want to get advice from them? Something to keep in mind
Rabbi Coffman responds:
How does one find a rabbi and search for a community? Better question: what makes someone a rabbi? Just like in any other profession, one has to take the requisite exams to become proficient in their field. Rabbinics is no different. One has to have the proper knowledge in Torah to receive Semicha (rabbinic ordination)
Passing the exams on the information at hand is one thing. Putting it into practicality is another issue. The first thing is that once one passes the exams, they need to know for themselves what they "really" know and when they need to go ask someone more knowledgeable then themselves.
The most important thing in choosing a rabbi like in any other profession is to see their credentials. The credentials here are where they learned, how long they have been learning for but even more importantly than that who they learned under and who is considered their Daas Torah.
Daas Torah here means who do they themselves go to when they have a question or do they go to anyone at all. Another criteria is what practical experience do they have and what their background is. Not every rabbi is for every person when it comes to asking personal advice.
When choosing a rabbi, a person should check their background, where they have been, what they have done and then take it from there.
The other issue is even if they meet the above criteria, how do you get along with them. Do they have a nice personality?
The gemara tells us that for someone to teach and have students, that person has to be similar to a malach (angel). If that person does not strive to reach that level or has other issues that make it difficult for one to listen to that person, then one should find another rabbi.
If someone was exemplary in his knowledge but had some shady financial deals or other bad character traits, would we want to get advice from them? Something to keep in mind
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
This is helpful, thank you. So, may we ask what are your credentials? I see there are different sorts of semicha like Rav umanhig, and Yoreh Yoreh and Yadin Yadin and I don't know what else? I've also heard that not all rabbis or schools have the same requirements of scholarship when they give a student semicha. Can you tell us about your credentials, and where they are from, etc. ? Did you get semicha from Rav Sternbuch? Thanks!
I have semicha from Rabbi Zalman Nechemiah Goldberg, Shlita and a letter of approbation from Rav Moshe Sternbuch, Shlita.
Also I have given classes in Ohr Sameach, Yeshivas Or David, worked with students from Hebrew University and also ran my own Kollel for 3 years
Chaim
I have attended orthodox shul for years and recently completed orthodox conversion. I was instructed by my mentor, to find a rabbi "who is available 24/7 and who you feel comfortable talking to." I have been very disapointed. I read that rabbi's also function as counselors, etc. My rabbi has engaged in loshon hara against me, fails to respond when needed. I have decided to find a rabbi who also has a university degree in philosophy or counseling. Its quite a disapointment when you have an unresponsive/unavailable rabbi.
Definitely true. I think the hardest part of the conversion process is finding a rabbi that you relate to and you can confide in. I am sorry that you have had such a negative experience. I may be able to help you and I have a university degree
Post a Comment