Tributes are pouring in from many quarters
and segments of the Jewish and non-Jewish world about Rabbi David Hartman who
passed away earlier this week. I had the
privilege of being selected to participate in the first contingent of an
intensive three year program of studies for 30 rabbis from across the US and
across the ideological perspective.
We met in Israel for one month each summer
for three years, for a week in February and a three hour weekly study session
when we were in our home communities. The
program was typical Hartman in that it reflected some of the best of his
thinking. First of all, it was text
based. We read, studied and grappled
with the meaning of traditional sources from the Bible, rabbinic literature and
medieval writings. We also studied the
writings of modern Jewish and Zionist thinkers. The second aspect was that we were exposed,
like the collection of rabbis in the group, to a broad potpourri of different
ideas and approaches that were placed in conflict with each other. Finally, it was significant that the seminars
emanated from Israel. It was the
encapsulation of the prophetic vision, "For out of Zion shall go forth
Torah, and the word of The Lord from Jerusalem."
The first time I heard David speak was to a
small group at the JCC in Baltimore. He
was simultaneously brilliant, provocative, animated, inspiring, and
entertaining. One particularly memorable
lecture in our program was late one afternoon about the philosophy of Moses
Maimonides. After a fascinating exposition
on his understanding of the Rambam, as he ruminated about some of the
contradictions in his work, David closed his fist and proclaimed with profound
joy, "I've got you. I finally have
figured you out!" It was almost as
if we had witnessed that exciting "Aha moment" experienced by a
scientist making a great discovery or breakthrough.
When David invited me to be a part of the
program, he told me he was looking for rabbis like me who were serious about
Judaism and who were grappling with the ideas of our tradition. I recall that he told me that he had done his
best thinking and formulated much of his outlook and perspective about Judaism
when he was a congregational rabbi in Canada, and encouraged me to continue to
do so while serving my congregation.
From him and the outstanding collection of
teachers in the program I learned much Torah and even more, a way to study
Torah. Among other things I came to
understand that Talmudic arguments and disputes between rabbis were not just
picayune or trivial, but often reflect profound philosophical differences in
approach.
But the most important thing I learned from
Rabbi Hartman was something that has stayed with me and has affected me as a
rabbi and in my personal life as well.
It was amazingly simple. He said
that he made Aliyah to Israel for one simple reason: because he listened to his sermons. This message has stayed with me ever since
and has influenced how I write my sermons and more importantly, how I try to
live my life.
May
his memory be for a blessing.
Rabbi
Stuart Weinblatt
Chairman,
Rabbinic Cabinet
Jewish
Federations of North America
