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February 10, 2012
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David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Should religion and real life mix?
By
Rabbi Elazar Meisels
A challenge for the modern, thinking faithful
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Dear Rabbi,
My religious friends consult with their rabbis on any number of issues. I can understand why a rabbi is consulted on matters of Jewish law, but why do they turn to rabbis to discuss their personal issues? Don't get me wrong, I have met many, very wise rabbis, and have no problem asking any wise person for advice. But it seems that they would sooner turn to a rabbi than to wise friends or family members. Does the religion somehow say that a rabbi's advice has special value? Thank you,
Fred S.
Dear Fred:
Your question is one that I'm sure many of our readers have thought about, and I appreciate the opportunity to explain.
There is no doubt that in biblical times, a person faced with a vexing problem would go to a prophet and seek advice which was obtained through Divine inspiration. An example of this is the incident in which the Matriarch Rebecca sought the counsel of Shem and Eber to resolve her confusion over the unusual activity of her fetus. "And the children clashed within her; and she said: 'If this is so, why did I desire this?' And she went to inquire of the Lord." The foremost commentator, Rashi, explains that she went to the study-house of Shem and Eber to discuss the matter with them.
It is clear that this was a common practice in later generations as well, as the verse in the Book of Samuel [9:9] says, "In earlier times in Israel, when a man went to inquire of G-d, he would say thus: 'Come and let us go to the seer,' for he that is now called a prophet, was beforetime called a seer."
However, this practice of inquiring of a prophet came to a halt with the destruction of the First Temple, but as the Talmud notes, it didn't cease entirely.
"Rav Avdimi of Chaifa said, 'From the day that the Holy Temple was destroyed, prophecy was taken from the prophets and given to the wise men.' Are wise men not prophets? This is what was intended by that statement, 'Although it was taken from the prophets, it was not also removed from the wise men.'" (Tractate Bava Basra 12a)
Rabbi Moshe Sofer, also known as the Chasam Sofer ,explains this to mean that although G-d no longer endowed prophets with clear Divine inspiration to convey His words and message, wise men are nonetheless still endowed with special insight to accurately perceive His will at times and use that to guide others.
This is part of what lies behind the tendency to discuss matters with a wise scholar, although not necessarily do all ordained rabbis meet this criteria. It is not a product of ordination per se, so much as it is a product of great scholarship, piety, and common sense.
However, there are other reasons as well, for this practice, a few of which I'll mention here.
1. Experience: A seasoned rabbi has dealt with numerous people in a wide variety of life situations, and as a result has a wealth of experience. Even if he himself is unsuited for the difficult task of counseling, a rabbi is often familiar with counselors who have proven themselves capable of meeting the unique needs of the Jewish community.
2. Objectivity: When seeking advice, one of the most important qualifications to seek in an advisor is objectivity. In fact, the Torah specifically prohibits one from offering advice that is not in the best interests of the one seeking it and refers to one who engages in such practice as a "devious evil-doer." A qualified rabbi, trained to distinguish between biased and unbiased opinions, is not the only source, but certainly a worthy source of objective opinions.
3. Truth: The study of Torah and specifically Talmudic law is essentially an exercise in thinking through issues on the deepest levels imaginable, in order to arrive at a logical and truthful conclusion. Even seemingly compelling and logical solutions are discarded in the face of the slightest challenge. This rigorous pursuit of the truth renders the rabbi an excellent advisor as he possesses the ability to help the advice-seeker separate fact from fiction.
4. Divine Assistance: Although rabbis are not prophets and cannot predict the future, it is traditionally believed that those who accept upon themselves the mantel of communal responsibility are recipients of an extra measure of Divine assistance which renders them capable of offering Divinely inspired advice. Of course, not all communal leaders are equally endowed with this inspiration, nor are their words foolproof by any means.
As a general rule, it is important to note that when seeking advice, one isn't merely choosing to discard his natural ability to rationalize and contemplate the situation. Rather, only after considering the matter at length and narrowing it down to its essential components, should advice be sought. Even then, it is crucial to ensure that the issue is well-presented to the rabbi to increase the likelihood of receiving sound and practical advice.
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Rabbi Elazar Meisels is founder of the Lidrosh Institute for Jewish Education. He serves as the Rabbi of The Michigan State University Hillel and Educational Director of The Partners In Torah Telepartners Division.
© 2010, Partners in Torah
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