Two decades of rabbinic leadership in Texas is surely worthy of commemoration; all the more so when a rabbi has earned the respect and love of his people and the larger community. And how fitting to celebrate the significance of that rabbinate by recalling and preserving the words that embody the teaching and the teacher.
These essays bear eloquent testimony to Rabbi Samuel Stahl's Jewish learning, liberal mindset and meticulous craftsmanship. These are words which reflect a rabbi's respect and love for his people.
The range of subjects is impressive - from issues in pastoral theology (viewing life positively, uses and misuses of guilt) to issues of social justice (dangers of school prayer) from examining Jewish beliefs (do Jews believe in heaven and hell?) to issues arising from a pluralistic America (prayers that hurt). Rabbi Stahl's reflections go beyond the conventional agenda of rabbinic teaching and include such delightful essays as: "Why Texas Jews Love Texas" and "Influences of the Moon."
The author blesses us with a lucid style, leavened by humor and enriched by apt quotations and arresting illustrations from classic texts and his own personal experience.
Even a cursory reading of these essays reveals a rabbi who respects Reform Judaism too much to permit its trivialization or misrepresentation by friend or foe. Samuel Stahl is an able defender of his faith.
In one of the essays Rabbi Stahl notes approvingly Edwin Friedman's endorsement of leadership which is neither authoritarian nor simply reflective of how one's people think and feel. Leadership at its best distinguishes what is from what ought to be and challenges one's people to elevate the quality of their lives. These essays reveal Rabbi Stahl as such a leader. His words seek to persuade and convince without any trace of self-righteousness or moral condescension. He understands us as we are even as he challenges us to reach higher.
As one who has been privileged to know and admire Rabbi Stahl since the day of his ordination and who takes pride in him as colleague and friend, I am delighted to have these words introduce his collection of essays. They deserve a wide readership. May the author of these reflections bless us with the fruits of his rabbinate for many years.
Home