Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Can a Rabbi Get Married?


Question:
I was wondering, whether Rabbis are allowed to get married.
_________
Answer:
Not only are Rabbis allowed to marry, they are obligated to marry. "Be fruitful and multiply" is a command to all, regardless of career, or position in the community.

A Rabbi has to be connected, with this physical world. If someone is dating and confused, or is going through a rough time in his marriage, or needs guidance on how to discipline their kids, who should he turn to?

To a Rabbi, who knows what it means to argue with your wife; and what to do, a when a kid, pokes another kid.

Not only when you have a questions in theology, do you go to a Rabbi, but also for real life issues.
____________
This brings us to an important truth. Judaism does not differentiate between "clergy" and "laymen". Whether you are a Rabbi or a taxi driver, you are expected to live a "normal" life, to be involved with the struggles and temptations, of the mundane world.

But it works the other way as well. Whether you are a taxi driver or a Rabbi, you are expected to make your everyday mundane world, a home for G-d.

The Torah's ideal, is to create a society, of holy “taxicab drivers”.
_______________
Sanctity and morality ,are not the domain of Rabbis alone - every individual must strive to the same standard. Everyone can engage in direct dialogue, with G-d and Torah.

The Rabbi is the guide to direct people, to unite the needs of the spirit, with the realities of life. But he has to do the same, in his own life.
____________
Perhaps a taxicab, is a microcosm of an ideal world: What could be more beautiful, than a society in which taxi drivers share spiritual wisdom, and Rabbis change diapers?

1 comment: