Words Of Wisdom

A rabbi whose community does not disagree with him is not really a rabbi and a rabbi who fears his community is not really a man.
Rabbi Israel Salame

The picture above was taken in the Diaspora Museum in Tel Aviv. . I didn't think about my Rabbi when I read it, I thought about most of the school administrators I have worked for over the years.

Most administrators want "yes" people. When they say "jump" the only question they will tolerate is "how high?" Having a different or even a better way of doing something is just not what they want. I remember my first AP and how she had a department of newbies jumping at her slightest word. It was only when we banded together and collectively held our ground, did we get some things to change. But, she never liked us and did what she could to replace us with the jumpers. (All of the non jumpers went on to have successful long careers, some even as administrators elsewhere.)

The rabbi is the spiritual leader of a community. He (and in recent years she) is the one gone to for answers and for help. The rabbi's word has always been law. Yet, this great rabbi insists disagreement is the only way to go. Too bad school administrators do not have the same confidence.