Rabbi Zweibel countered that being more insular doesn’t mean we can’t influence greater society. The way we fulfill our mandate to be an Or LaGoyim – a light unto the nations – is by living our lives in religious, moral, and ethical ways. And thus setting an example to the world as compared to how some other segments of the culture lead their lives.
Although, I do not believe we should be insular and instead fully participate, I agree with him about being role models of behavior. However I think we have a long way to go before we can claim the moral high ground here. Not because Jewish ethics aren’t of the highest caliber. But because far too many of our high profile people haven’t lived up to them.
In any case this post isn’t about any of these issues. It is to congratulate Rabbi Zwiebel for receiving this honor. And accepting it with the humility shown in the interview. From a medium that often criticizes positions his organization takes.
I have said this before. Rabbi Zwiebel is a good man. He is a man who serves the Jewish community with integrity and honor. I also happen to believe that that he does not necessarily always agree with the positions of Agudah’s rabbinic leadership. But as good soldier and an admirer of those rabbinic leaders, he follows their lead and fights for their views. That’s what a good lawyer does anyway, doesn’t he?
David Zwiebel: Forward 50 from Jewish Daily Forward on Vimeo.
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