Balancing Leadership: Lessons from Rabbi Lamm

In his sermon, Rabbi Lamm began with an apology, expressing discomfort with rabbis who preach about the rabbinate. He made an exception this time, believing that understanding the nature of spiritual leadership is crucial for the congregation. The special Torah reading of Parashat Parah, he noted, naturally suggested the topic.

Rabbi Lamm delved into the paradoxical nature of the red heifer (פרה אדומה). According to Jewish law, if a person becomes impure (tamei) and seeks to reattain purity (taharah), he must be sprinkled with the ashes of a red heifer. The kohen (priest) who performs this ritual, however, becomes impure in the process. This paradox—purifying the impure while defiling the pure—serves as a metaphor for the challenges faced by spiritual leaders and underscores the inherent self-sacrifice required in religious leadership.

Rabbi Lamm explained that religious leadership involves navigating between two poles: engaging with the community and maintaining personal spiritual integrity. This tension is a hallmark of all spiritual leadership. He drew a parallel to the kohen’s role in the purification ritual, highlighting the necessity for leaders to sometimes embrace impurity to elevate others.

To illustrate this, Rabbi Lamm recounted a teaching from Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vorker, who said, “The secret of the red heifer is the love of Israel.” This statement was expanded by a student of Rabbi Menachem Mendel, who explained that it refers to the kohen who embraces impurity (tumah) to bestow purity (taharah) upon his fellow Israelites. This act of self-sacrifice is driven by a profound love for the community.

Rabbi Lamm emphasized that this kind of moral risk-taking is essential for spiritual leadership. Leaders must sometimes descend to the level of their people to help them rise. He provided the example of Moses, who in a fit of anger, broke the Tablets upon seeing the Israelites worshipping the Golden Calf. Despite his anger, God ultimately endorsed Moses’ actions because it demonstrated his willingness to share in the people’s failings to guide them back to righteousness.

This idea was further supported by a Hasidic interpretation from the Kozhnitzer Rebbe, Rabbi Israel Hopstein. He explained that Moses’ breaking of the Tablets was a form of idolatry (since anger is likened to idol worship in Jewish thought) that allowed him to connect with the people’s sin and lead them back to repentance. This teaches us that a true leader must be willing to take on moral risks and even embrace temporary impurity to bring their followers to a higher spiritual level.

However, Rabbi Lamm warned of the dangers of going to either extreme. A leader who is too aloof and focused on personal spiritual purity may fail to engage with the community and address their needs. Conversely, a leader who immerses himself too deeply in the community’s struggles may lose his own moral integrity and be unable to provide true spiritual guidance.

Rabbi Lamm cited historical examples to illustrate these dangers. He mentioned the apostate pseudo-Messiah Sabbatai Zevi, who developed the theory of “the holy sin,” believing that descending into sin would allow him to elevate the world. Instead, Zevi’s actions led to disaster and disillusionment, demonstrating the perils of losing one’s moral compass in the guise of self-sacrifice.

To maintain balance, Rabbi Lamm suggested that even when leaders take on impurity for the sake of their community, they must undergo a purification process to remind themselves of the risks they have taken and guard against further deterioration. This principle ensures that leaders do not become permanently contaminated by their efforts to help others.

Turning to contemporary Jewish life, Rabbi Lamm discussed the tension between different approaches to spiritual leadership. He criticized leaders who are too remote, characterized by unattainable perfectionism and an inability to understand the real-world challenges faced by their congregants. These leaders, often heads of yeshivot, demand full compliance with all ideals but fail to sympathize with the difficulties of life outside the academy.

On the other extreme, he criticized those who become too involved with their communities, to the point where they lose their distinctiveness as spiritual leaders. He pointed out that rabbis who immerse themselves in pastoral work, social engagements, and administrative tasks may lose their ability to provide authentic spiritual guidance. He mentioned Orthodox rabbis who fall into a pattern of being “regular fellows,” involved in numerous community activities but neglecting their core spiritual responsibilities.

Rabbi Lamm also addressed the Reform rabbinate, noting that some Reform rabbis sanction mixed marriages, believing it will help keep people within the Jewish fold. He strongly criticized this practice, arguing that it represents a loss of spiritual integrity and a failure to uphold essential Jewish values.

He concluded with the wisdom of the Kotzker Rebbe, who taught that true leadership requires knowing when to engage and when to withdraw. Leaders must balance involvement and renunciation, knowing when to immerse themselves in the world and when to maintain distance. This balance is essential for preserving their own spiritual integrity while effectively guiding their communities.

Rabbi Lamm emphasized that spiritual leaders must balance their love for Israel with their love for God. Genuine spiritual leadership involves reconciling these sometimes conflicting loves through a deep commitment to Torah. Only in the Torah can the two great loves—of God and Israel—be reconciled.

Applying These Principles to Contemporary Life in America and Israel

Rabbi Lamm’s sermon is particularly relevant today, both in America and in Israel, as we navigate complex social, political, and religious landscapes.

In America:

1. Balancing Tradition and Modernity: American Jewish communities face the challenge of maintaining traditional values while engaging with modern society. Spiritual leaders must navigate this balance, ensuring they do not lose their distinctiveness while remaining relevant. They must engage with contemporary issues like social justice, inclusivity, and interfaith dialogue without compromising core Jewish principles.
2. Addressing Assimilation: As assimilation rates rise, leaders must find ways to connect with younger generations who may feel disconnected from traditional practices. This involves taking risks to engage them in meaningful ways, such as through innovative educational programs and community activities, while also upholding the integrity of Jewish law and tradition.
3. Social and Political Engagement: In a politically polarized society, Jewish leaders must guide their communities in navigating these divisions. This requires addressing political issues with wisdom and care, fostering unity and understanding within the Jewish community and beyond. Leaders must be willing to address difficult topics, such as antisemitism, racism, and immigration, while promoting values of justice and compassion.
4. Encouraging Aliyah: One significant aspect of leadership in America today is encouraging Aliyah, or the immigration of Jews to Israel. Given the complexities and challenges of Jewish life in America, many leaders believe that future generations may find a more straightforward and fulfilling Jewish life in Israel. Promoting Aliyah can help ensure the continuity of Jewish identity and heritage in a supportive and thriving Jewish state.

Additionally, we must recognize the profound increases in antisemitism and discrimination in schools, campuses, and workplaces in America. This troubling trend makes the role of Jewish leadership even more critical, as they must navigate these challenges and provide support and guidance to their communities.

In Israel:

1. Commitment to Torah and Talmud Study: Modern Jews in Israel need to commit themselves to the study of Torah and Talmud. This commitment is essential for fostering both spiritual and religious growth, complementing secular education. Engaging deeply with Jewish texts can help maintain a strong Jewish identity and provide moral and ethical guidance in an increasingly complex world.
2. Haredim Embracing Modern Life: The Haredi community in Israel faces unique challenges. To foster a more cohesive society, Haredim need to more fully embrace a modern lifestyle. This includes participating in army service and reducing financial dependency. Integrating into broader Israeli society while maintaining religious values can help bridge gaps and promote mutual understanding and respect.
3. National and Religious Identity: Israel faces unique challenges as a Jewish state with a diverse population. Spiritual leaders must address the tension between maintaining a strong Jewish identity and accommodating the diverse beliefs and practices within Israeli society. This involves fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose while respecting differences.
4. Military and Moral Responsibility: Many Israeli leaders grapple with the moral complexities of security and military service. They must support the IDF and its soldiers while promoting ethical conduct and the sanctity of life. This includes addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of soldiers and their families and ensuring that military actions align with Jewish ethical principles.
5. Social Cohesion and Inclusion: Israeli society is marked by significant social divisions, including those between secular and religious Jews, Jews and Arabs, and various ethnic groups. Leaders must work towards bridging these divides, promoting dialogue, and fostering a sense of collective responsibility. This involves taking risks to engage with different communities and advocating for policies that promote social justice and equality.
6. Political Leadership and Integrity: The recent retirement of the Chief Rabbis highlights the need for leaders who embody the principles Rabbi Lamm outlined. In a political landscape often marked by corruption and divisiveness, spiritual leaders must model integrity, humility, and a commitment to the common good. They should provide moral guidance to political leaders and advocate for policies that reflect Jewish values.

Moreover, we must acknowledge the immense stress of the ongoing nine-month war, which has resulted in hundreds of deaths and nearly 10,000 injuries in Israel. These challenges make the need for strong, ethical, and compassionate leadership even more pressing.

Conclusion

Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm’s sermon on the moral risks and complexities of spiritual leadership provides timeless insights that are particularly relevant today. Both in America and Israel, Jewish leaders face the challenge of balancing engagement with the community and maintaining their spiritual integrity. They must navigate the tensions between tradition and modernity, inclusion and distinctiveness, and national and religious identity.

As we reflect on Rabbi Lamm’s teachings, let us hope and pray for leaders who understand and embody these principles, guiding us with wisdom, courage, and compassion. May they inspire us to build stronger, more unified, and ethically grounded communities. And for those of us in the Diaspora, let us consider the potential benefits of Aliyah for ourselves and future generations, finding strength and support in the Jewish homeland. In Israel, may we commit ourselves to Torah and Talmud study, fostering spiritual growth, and may the Haredi community embrace a more modern lifestyle, contributing to a unified and resilient society.

Reference: Lamm, Norman. “Spiritual Leadership: The Moral Risks.” Sermon delivered at The Jewish Center, New York City, March 24, 1973. YU Torah.