The original book was written in Hebrew, co-authored by Yechiel Frisch and Yedidya HaCohen. I happen to be a nephew by marriage, and volunteered to add a chapter in English focusing on Rabbi Cohen’s travels and his lectures along the way on any number of topics, as well as his role as a goodwill ambassador and role model for and unifier of Israel and Jews throughout the world.
The chapter is to focus on the reminiscences of people who knew him. Jewish Press readers are asked to provide personal reminiscences, as well as names and contact information of others who may be able to provide such memories. I can be reached by mail at Rabbi Aaron I. Reichel, Esq., 83-28 Abingdon Rd., Kew Gardens, NY 11415; via e-mail at [email protected] (place the name Rabbi Cohen in the subject box); or by phone at 212-599-2828.
Rabbi Aaron Reichel
Kew Gardens, NY
Rabbis And Drashas
Several things troubled me about Rabbi Moshe Meir Weiss’s June 13 column, “Keeping the Rabbi’s Sermon Between Shacharis and Mussaf.”
Who says there should be a drasha at all? When was the last time rabbis considered the best way to communicate with congregants? Maybe sermon topics should be announced the week before or perhaps references should be sent in advance. Maybe drashas should be e-mailed or posted on shul websites. Most people can read much faster than they listen. A written drasha also allows one to review any difficult points.
The rabbi might be too intellectual for me, he might be too non-intellectual, he might typically speak about politics. He might be pro- or anti-Zionist. He might be a liberal and I’m a conservative or vice versa. He might be of a different hashkafa.
To pick and choose, to be selective, to decide how to make best use of your (and your children’s) time is not to be chutzpahdic or brazen. It is to be intelligent. It is no different from a person going into a Jewish bookstore and picking and choosing which books he wishes to buy and read for himself or his children.
Rabbi Weiss raised the issue of respect for rabbis. There are untold numbers of people referred to as “rabbi.” Some have yoreh yoreh, yadin yadin. Others have a semicha that says they sat and learned. Some rabbis have pulpits. Some are roshei yeshiva or religious teachers. Some are secular teachers or computer programmers. Some rabbis are active in communal organizations, some spend every extra minute learning Torah. Unfortunately, a small minority may be engaged in activities unbefitting a frum Jew, let alone a rabbi. Just because a rabbi has ordination does not mean he is a good speaker or that he bears a message I have an obligation to hear.
There was a time when every person was an integral part of a specific shul.Today, at least in Brooklyn, that is no longer true. In easy walking distance there could be ten shuls. Many people have a weekday shul, a Shabbos morning shul and a Friday and Saturday night shul. Others rotate between shuls on Shabbos morning. And when they make a bar mitzvah or aufruf, they rent a room and have their own minyan. There are free daf yomi classes on line. Have a she’eilah? E-mail asktherabbi.com or dial 1-800-Posek. Want to know until what time you can daven? There’s an app for that. It is this general free agency that should bother Rabbi Weiss.
As for authority, I have a boss who tells me what to do at work (I need the job). I have a wife who tells me what to do at home (I love her). I’m sorry, but I’m really not looking for someone to be my “authority” in shul on Shabbos morning.