A Man's Title

I've spoken about Rabbi David Hartman* and his son Rabbi Donniel Hartman before.  Let me say now that it is my fervent belief that the very future of Judaism as a living civilization and religious tradition--embracing both modernity and Zionism--is powerfully strengthened by their work.  They engage tradition with integrity, deep love and a bold challenge.

The opening paragraph of the email from the Shalom Hartman Institute to those of us who study there long term was without italics or boldface, deceptively low key:

I wanted to be among the first to share with you the news that has just come out about Machon Hartman beginning a new program this fall to ordain rabbis who will be prepared to act as "Rav Mechanech" in Jewish high schools throughout North America.  Students will receive ordination by the Shalom Hartman Institute regardless of which denomination they identify with.  We will ordain women, including women who consider themselves Orthodox.  We will ordain gay and lesbian rabbis.  The program will be a four year program and will include getting a master's degree in Jewish thought from Tel Aviv University.

The headline in the Jerusalem Post practically screamed:  Hartman Institute to ordain women rabbis!! [perhaps the exclamation marks are mine, but they seemed present by implication].  The article, however, was thorough and interesting (read it here). 

An Orthodox woman rabbi?  Perhaps it is time...or perhaps by initiating this process of ordination, the good folk at Hartman will make it the time, whether others are ready or not.  As one of their students, I will assert quite strongly: they are eminently capable of creating a strong Jewish future.

___

*You can read some of his thoughts here.  In classic prophetic mode, Rabbi Hartman does not fear articulating some very difficult truths:

Moreover, the future of Diaspora Jews will be defined by the type of Jewishness we build here. If we move deeper into backwardness, Diaspora Jews will not be able to pick their heads up. I don't care how rich or interesting a Jewish community like Toronto is; you will not be able to speak a message of Judaism there, if here we raise Yigal Amirs. If fanaticism and religious fundamentalism grow, if the delegitimization of others grows, if human rights and democracy does not grow, then Jews cannot speak anymore about the ethical soul of the Jewish people. Israel is the public face of the Jewish people. Aliyah is a call to shape that public face. The final chapter of our people's spiritual drama has not yet been written.