Honorary Doctorate of Divinity – JTS
May 27, 2010
Rabbi David Steinhardt
Tzaharayim Tovim – Good Afternoon
As I walked up to the podium about fifteen of my colleagues said “Keep it short Steinhardt.” Interesting how, given the opportunity, rabbis so quickly become congregants! Well, I will do my best.
Chancellor Eisen, Ms. Abby Cohen, faculty and rabbis, honorees, family and friends it is an honor to be able to address you.
Time, as it relates to place and people has a very unusual quality. After this past week at the convention and looking around the room today it seems like only yesterday that many of us were sitting in class together. Yet, it has been more than twenty-five years for many of us. Years of devotion, years of hard work and years that have created new understandings.
When we were ordained from this cherished institution our certificates of ordination referred to Smichat Hachamim; Hacham Yitkarei V’rav Yitkarei. Hacham and Rav we were called. Quite an extraordinary title, but more so, it served as a huge challenge. It was dignified by coming from this illustrious institution. Now twenty-five years later, our achievements are recognized again by the Seminary and for that we are very grateful.
I would like to speak about the distinction between Hacham Yitkarei v Rav Yitkarei. I would like to speak about how I have experienced that distinction after twenty-eight years in the rabbinate and the meaning that the Seminary has placed on it.
I have a very clear recollection of the opening lecture given to our incoming class in 1976 by then Chancellor Gerson Cohenz”l.
