A new British chief rabbi: Mission impossible?

The British Jewry may have trouble finding a suitable candidate to serve as the new chief rabbi.

By RAYMOND APPLE
rabbi sacks UK 311 (photo credit: Courtesy)
rabbi sacks UK 311
(photo credit: Courtesy)
The identity of Jonathan Sacks' successor as Britain’s chief rabbi is still uncertain. The job specification, which is clear in some aspects and vague in others, makes the job an almost impossible hire.
Each new rabbi has molded the position anew. In some instances, these nuances have benefited the rabbi and the community. However, in other cases, these changes have led to a failure to meet certain challenges and recognize priorities.
This problem echoes an age-old dichotomy between priest and prophet. The priest safeguarded the ritual and administered the system; the prophet spoke out on the nature of society. The first role required knowledge, energy and efficiency. The second role demanded vision, insight and courage. Some priests were prophets, some prophets were priests, but generally, both camps concentrated on one task or the other – not both.
Professor Robert Gordis called the priest a religious professional and the prophet an amateur – in the basic sense of the term, which is from the Latin verb “to love.” The prophet had a passionate love of God, His word and His people. Jeremiah (20:9) said he had “a burning fire pent up in my bones which I cannot contain.” The prophet spoke out because he had to; because he could do nothing else. Not dependent on the establishment for a living, the prophet could ruffle and discomfit the populace. He was criticised, hated, humiliated, and even exiled.
While not every British chief rabbi has been a prophet, they have all faced religious upheaval: Solomon Hirschell was opposed by the seceders who protested the insularity of the city's synagogues. Nathan Marcus Adler battled with opponents of the Oral Law. Hermann Adler took up arms against the liberal movement and its rejection of scriptural authority. J.H. Hertz fought for the Sabbath and Zionism, and against Sir Robert Waley Cohen. Israel Brodie resisted the non-conventional theology of Rabbi Louis Jacobs. Immanuel Jakobovits struggled on so many fronts that an Israeli chief rabbi, Shlomo Goren, told British Jewry, “Spew out this man." Jonathan Sacks could please neither the right nor the left. Jakobovits is called “A Prophet in Israel” in a book by Meir Persoff. Other chief rabbis had episodes of unpopularity; Jakobovits was under constant barrage. Yet it was Jakobovits who came closest to the prophetic mold. When former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher searched for a religious roar she came to Jakobovits. Although his ideas were not the only or best ways to bring about a quality society, they succeeded in raising expectations and elevating the tone of national debate.
There is no doubt that Sacks is a great intellectual, but he seems to lack that prophetic fire. However, the chief rabbinate of the future will have to come to terms with the fact that Sacks will not quietly fade into obscurity. He will continue to write and speak with unique eloquence and a brilliant mind. Some say he might become the president of Yeshiva University in the US. Nonetheless, regardless of where Sacks ends up, he will forever maintain his intellectual eminence.
British Jewry has great rabbis. Ephraim Mirvis and Harvey Belovski, who are on the chief rabbinate shortlist, are both impressive figures. If British Jewry wants a “professional” who keeps the wheels oiled, either would be an excellent choice. If the community wants a prophet who looks to the future and questions the nature of society, they could potentially grow into that role.
An exceptional leader with both professional and prophetic abilities is unlikely to emerge. A priestly figure who can strengthen and mould centrist orthodoxy – a task that has long been needed – may be easier to find. However, the question is whether or not the community can find and cope with a prophet.

The author is the emeritus rabbi of the Great Synagogue, Sydney, Australia.