A Man of Spirit: A Rabbi Navigates a Half-Century of Sweeping Change
About this book
A rabbi must at times go along with the spirit and the winds of society, but at the same time be prepared to go against those winds. Ultimately a rabbi must be a bridge and remain both steadfast and flexible. This philosophical position is a delicate balance that means a rabbi must cultivate a keen awareness of who they are as well as their changing circumstances. A rabbi should be at once spirited, spiritual, empathetic, sympathetic, full of compassion, but always true to his calling, no matter the consequence. Above all a rabbi must also have the qualities described in Numbers 27:18. A leader must be “ish asher ruach bo,” a man who harbors the spirit of the Almighty deep within him. This requires wisdom, piety, courage, and most of all, an unyielding love for the people he serves. This memoir describes such a rabbi, Rabbi Barry Dov Schwartz, a man of spirit.