Judaism is a religion with a body of laws. Halacha, the code of Jewish law, is the Jewish Constitution and rabbis should set examples for their congregations in terms of their adherence to halacha. When I daven in the company of a rabbi, I like to know he follows the laws of Judaism and has a firm and unwavering belief in Hashem.
- A rabbi should strive to be a tzaddik
Righteousness is a goal to which we aspire, but it should be a defining characteristic of those who serve as our spiritual shepherds. What greater virtue can a person have than being righteous? If we regard our rabbis highly and look to them to guide and teach us and offer us comfort and support, then their moral conduct must be beyond reproach. Their integrity needs to be unquestionable; they should be honest, fair, kind, and compassionate.
Righteousness is a sublime Jewish ideal, and who better to serve as a role model than a rabbi? But make no mistake: being a tzaddik is not the same thing as being observant. One can be shomer Shabbos and not be a terrifically nice person – he or she can, in fact, be cruel, a cheat, or worse. One who works on being a tzaddik takes vital steps toward realizing his or her full potential as a Jew.
- A rabbi should be accepting
Let’s face it, even in Orthodox and traditional synagogues congregants may have divergent religious, social, and political views. Jews are famous for their wide spectrum of opinions and yet they come together to worship the Creator under the roof of a synagogue. A rabbi should therefore be welcoming of all present and prospective congregants, adeptly and smoothly finding ways to bridge the gulfs and foster a real sense of achdut – Jewish unity.
- A rabbi should have a genial disposition
I think it is incumbent upon a rabbi to have a placid temperament in order to have success in leading a congregation. Synagogue members want a rabbi who is approachable, friendly, respectful, compassionate, sympathetic, and empathetic. A sense of humor is important, too. A rabbi who can sprinkle his remarks with levity usually comes across as more down to earth, as someone with whom congregants want to spend more time.
There will be times when disputatious matters arise in a congregation. When they do, the rabbi should always take the high road and act professionally. That doesn’t necessarily mean he shouldn’t be firm, but as the leader of the congregation he is expected to be diplomatic and congenial. Even when he is off the bimah, the rabbi is on stage.
- A rabbi should be willing to help congregants with their problems
Congregants naturally look to their rabbis for advice, regarding them as sagacious and trustworthy figures who can provide thoughtful feedback from a Torah perspective. Sometimes, of course, the best thing a rabbi can do is refer congregants to other professionals or find other resources for help.
A good rabbi knows when a situation calls for outside intervention and doesn’t feel diminished by acknowledging that fact.
A rabbi should be available. A rabbi is essentially on call all the time. He is expected not just to lead Shabbat, weekday, and holiday services as well as teach classes and participate in programs and activities of the shul, but also to be supportive of congregants and their families in times of need.
From birth to death, the rabbi serves his congregation. If a congregant or family member is ill, undergoes a medical procedure, or has some other emergency, the rabbi will make a home or hospital visit.
