Cut the Rabbi Some Slack

[alon]

We in the modern Messianic movement are pioneers and missionaries entering into often unmapped territory. I know I am blessed to have a knowledgeable Rabbi who cares enough to come to our little yeshiva (we could hardly call it a synagogue, as we seldom have enough for a minion). However I can see the strain on him trying to carry three congregations in different cities and towns, plus internet training for new Rabbis around the world. I've also seen a dire need for congregational leaders where people are hungry for the truth. However there are just not enough men qualified to lead.

There is also the problem of anyone buying a tallit and a kippah and calling themselves a rabbi out there; either teaching Christianity with a Jewish flair or all manner of heresies. These charlatans need to be exposed- they are not the ones I'm talking about here.

There are however many men who have embarked on a course of training and a search for the truth. They, like the rest of us, may get it wrong from time to time. They may not be able to answer questions immediately and may lack depth of knowledge. However, as long as they are learning, moving forward, and are willing to diligently search for the truth; if they are humble and admit when they were wrong or that they don't know, and openly try and correct anything they said that was wrong; if they are doing the work of leading a congregation in a fledgling movement, then they deserve our respect. And we need to give them the leeway to make mistakes and correct them without judgment.

This is a departure from my earlier thinking, as I see a far greater need for leadership. However, I'd say choose your leaders carefully even if you are prepared to cut them some slack. Ideally they would be studying under and accountable to a more knowledgeable Rabbi(s). But even this is not always possible.

Just was thinking ... and this was the result ...

Dan C

[alon]

Another quote from Rav S seems applicable here; "One of the ways that people will attack Messianics is by attacking their Rabbi. They will attack him personally and they will attack his credentials, I see it all the time. Why do people do that? Because if they can discredit the Rabbi they can then try to talk you out of attending."

Couple of points stand out here: one is that these detractors don't need our help! Sure, it'd be great if there was a Messianic synagogue in every town with a Rabbi who held at least one Doctorate, had studied at yeshiva in Israel, and who was both charismatic as a leader and excellent at debating apologetics. Face it, we're lucky to get someone who now studies regularly under a good Rabbi, even by internet! Which brings up the second thing: we need to be that guy!

Who said it was up to the Rabbi to defend us? Who said we had to fall into the trap of arguing whether our Rabbi is better educated or more knowledgeable than their preacher? "My dad can beat up your dad" hasn't been a valid argument for most of us since third grade or before. Well, my dad used to instruct unarmed self defense to the AP's (Air Force police). Not many men could beat him up. Further, he was a hell-fire-and-brimstone Southern Baptist preacher, and not too many people beat him in an argument either. But he was wrong about MJ, and I could prove it. Don't need no Rabbi when some preacher with a Masters Degree comes at me- they never do when he is around anyhow. And whose degree is bigger (the Rabbis is anyhow ) just obfuscates the real issue here and that is who is right! (I am )!

I guess what I am getting at is we all need that nucleus, a good leader, around whose teaching and help we can learn; and we all need the support of community in which to grow. But this is a renewed movement, and as uncomfortable as it may be we all have to learn fast to stand on our own. Either that or we need to get out and convince some mainstream Jewish Rabbis that Yeshua is HaMoshiach! (Not a bad idea either ... )

Dan C

BTW, R Reuel has said before that this is the purpose of this site; to give those with no synagogue, no community and no Rabbi a place to come and fellowship and to learn. I appreciate this, even though I now have limited access to a good Rabbi and a good group of believers. I hope you find it a blessing as well.

[Elizabeth]

This forum as well as the online broadcast of the synagogue service has done a tremendous amount for me; definitely a blessing.