The Jewish monitor. (Fort Worth-Dallas, Tex.) 191?-1921, 1919-07-18
Chips From a Rabbinical Workshop
By RABBI DAVID ROSENB4UM, Austin. Texas

s.''' A"Ssp oho muoS uc COBnlZanL OF the
spiritual and ethical elements in the
rabbinic vocation, making for genuine
JOY, heartfelt happiness and satisfac-
ton. For where is there greater oppor-
tunity for unselfish service, for USE
fitness and altruistic endeavor, than
in the work of the rabbi? Where is
there another profession that devotes
so much thought and strength to the
welfare Of others I? And as in the last
analysis, what we do unto others we
in reality do unto ourselves, the happi.
ness and the welfare the rabbi
strives to bring to his congregants,
rebound to his genuine satisfaction
and lasting joy.
The layman may not appreciate the
spiritual exaltation resulting from
effective preaching. When the rabbi
succeeds in carrying his congregation
with him to heavenly heights of ethi-
cal conviction and moral aspiration,
the thrill and the emotion are simply
superb. He feels as IL transported to
higher regions. He realizes that his
efforts, however meager, lead to the
transformation Of lives from earthly
realms to heavenly spheres. He brings
to his people the sweet assurance that
in spite Of the Embellishments of the
age, the divine order making for truth
and righteousness will abide. He real
ICES that he is the messenger Of the
Most High, doing His work in the
world, making level in the desert a
highway for our God"
And his endeavors with the children
of the Sunday school are Of beneficient
influence both on the children and,
by reaction, on the rabbi himself. As
he opens the windows of their souls
and clarifies their moral vision, as he
transforms their lives to higher as
piration and chastens their will to pur
er aims and loftier outlooks, and as
he elevates their conception and
sense Of pride of being members of
their religious group, he cannot, IL he
has the spiritual essence in his make
up, turn away from his work without
the thrill Of happiness that he is bless
ed with such a God-given task. To
transform the plastic nature of the
young to spiritual beauty, to influence
them in their ascent Godward, and to
make them live in the image Of their
creator, are indeed sources Of genuine
Joy and Of blessings. Only those deal
ing with the soul-life in It's making
can perceive the exhilaration that
comes from such efforts.
And even more in his irregular
work is there room for rabbinical sat
isfaction. In the round Of services he
renders outside Of his routine duties,
many are the pleasures resulting from
life well spent. Here he brings sue
cor and relief to a prisoner forsaken
by all as an outcast and rehabilitates
him to useful place as a member of
societ; here he encourages with advice
and means an INDECENT student to
strive on to a useful and honorable
career till the goal crowns his efforts;
there he helps the stranded strangers
and the transients to reach their des.
tination in safety and in peace Of
mind; and there again he reunites Low.
ing hearts who by the queer circum.
stances and logic Of life had been
drifted apart. But why prolong the
seriesi A little imagination Of the
confidence usually bestowed on the
rahht On tho o,. k.xI - -