There are few Southern African Jews that have not heard of Chief Rabbi Israel Abrahams – even if they were not from Cape Town. So, it was not surprising that members of the SA community in Israel congregated one night in 2014 to honour his memory on the occasion of the fortieth year of his passing.
Organised by his daughter Dr. Rosalind Romem and her husband Meir, the late Chief Rabbi of the Cape, South West Africa and Northern Rhodesia (Zambia), came alive with the reading of extracts from his sermons and essays, a PowerPoint journey into the past, a riveting address by Derek Perlman, a goose-pimple popping rendition of El Malei Rahamim by Chazan Solly Goldberg (a former student of Abrahams) and the most moving of all, impromptu emotional revelations by people in the audience.
All who spoke attested to the Chief Rabbi’s brilliant sermons and that his insights and erudition gave pride to and helped shape a vibrant Jewish and Zionist community.
Son-in-law Meir, a retired Israeli diplomat, proudly revealed he was not averse to quoting from his esteemed father-in-law when the occasions presented themselves during his overseas postings. One can understand why. The sentiments expressed by Rabbi Abrahams remain timeless – as valid today as they will be tomorrow and as they were when they were first so eloquently articulated.
Chief Rabbi Israel Abrahams and Rebbitzin Estelle Ethel Abrahams
Israel Reborn
On the first Rosh Hashanah after independence, Rabbi Abrahams’ sermon at the Gardens Synagogue in Cape Town captured the excitement and expectation of world Jewry as well as noting the immense responsibilities that lay ahead.
“This is a solemn, infinitely responsible moment in our history. We enter a New Era. We embark on a new life. Its keynote is construction. We must build again. But every constructive endeavour must have a foundation. On what basis shall we erect this new edifice of Jewish life? This is the time to think deeply, to plan well.”
Concluding he said: “And even as we build in Israel, so we must build in Chutz La’Aretz (the Diaspora). There must be constructive parallelism between the two. There must be a rhythmic response in the Diaspora to the heart-beat of life in the historic homeland. We are divided by political and physical barriers, but united by spiritual bridges. We are one faith, one in Hebraic culture, one in historic memories. This unity is vital to us. We must nourish it…. In every Synagogue, in every Talmud Torah, in every Jewish Society, above all, in every Jewish Home, let us build the eternal City of God, the universal State of Israel – shel Ma’alah.”
Great Friends, Great Minds. Rabbi Abrahams and South Africa’s Prime Minister, Jan Smuts.
Minding or Meddling?
These days it is hotly debated universally, from the recent 2017 US election to daily life in Israel, as to whether there should be a separation between state and religion. Should pastors, rabbis or Imams be free to use their pulpit to comment on political issues?
More specifically “Should Rabbis Participate in Politics?” is a question, says Rabbi Abrahams, “that is relevant today no less than when “Rabbi Jonachan b. Zakkai made peace with Vespasian,” or “Rabbi Akiba set the nation aflame in support of Bar Kochba in his tragic resistance to Hadrian.” Israeli rabbis today participate in politics from both the pulpit and Knesset podium which begs the question: What are the parameters – if any – of rabbinical political power? Are they minding or meddling in the affairs of state?
On this intriguing subject, Yarom Romem, Rabbi Abrahams’ grandson and a lawyer, read from the Rabbis’ essay citing the following story to illustrate the point: “There was once a Jewish preacher who, in his desire to please his congregation, resolved to preach only on subjects that met universal favour. On the first Sabbath, he took so innocent a theme as Shemirat Shabbat (Sabbath Observance); but he found to his dismay that he had stirred a hornets’ nest. The Mechalelei Shabbat (Desecrators of Sabbath) vehemently denounced him for meddling with matters outside his legitimate sphere. Sabbath observance, they insisted, was an economic question; the preacher should keep to his proper task – religious instruction.
The following Sabbath, the Rabbi chose commercial morality as his topic. But the howl of protest was even fiercer. “Cobbler stick to your last!” was the burden of criticism from all quarters. “What do you know of ‘Geshaft’? Business is of no concern of yours!”
Next the Minister ventured to speak on Zionism. But lo, some would have none of it. This was an unpardonable desecration of Jewish Sanctities. In no unmistakable terms the spiritual leader of the congregation was to understand that Zionism must in future be regarded as Streng verboten. Sadly, the Rabbi perceived that human affairs were altogether too dangerous to be discussed in the synagogue.
Utterly dejected, the preacher appealed to his one remaining friend in the community for counsel: What was he to do? Smilingly his friend replied: “What you lack Rebbe, is not a theme, but vertebrae. Have a little backbone; critics you will always have”. While endorsing the right of a spiritual leader to participate in politics, Rabbi Abrahams cautions: “In the actual use of this right a little common sense and circumspection cannot be considered out of place. There is a right and a wrong way in this as in all other human concerns. The old rabbinic rule: Tafasta Merubbah Lo Tafasta (“Take too much and you take naught”) is as valid in this sphere as in others. It is part of the wisdom of the Rabbi to preserve a sense of balance, proportion and fitness in his personal utterances and activities. A democratic liberty misused becomes sheer license. Even in politics there is a proper time and place.”
In conclusion: “Ye wise men, be heedful of your words – not least on political issues!”
Dr. Rosalind and her diplomat husband Meir Romen holding two of Rabbi Abrahams celebrated works – :Living Waters’ and ‘Pathways in Judaism’.
On education
It was little wonder that Rabbi Abrahams fought so strenuously for the establishment of the Jewish day school in Cape Town. In an essay ‘Jewish Education: Its Aims and Problems’, he wrote, “Jewish education enshrines the secret of Jewish survival. It is the link between generation and generation…and should serve as the cornerstone of our communal structure, constitute the primary objective of our collective endeavour, and should be the supreme ideal to which Jewish parents dedicate their holiest efforts in the rearing of their children.” Most significant, and a far cry from many rabbis in the Diaspora today, Zionism was an integral component of Jewish education. “A factor that has played a vital part in fostering Jewish consciousness in South Africa, especially among the youth, has been the successful propagation in our midst of Zionist ideals and the resultant participation of our Community in the upbuilding of our national home.” This was an issue that Abrahams carried forth not only in word but in deed when he immigrated to Israel with his wife Estelle Ethel Abrahams in 1973.
Wise Whisperings
Settling in Jerusalem, Rabbi Abrahams joined the Yeshurun Great Synagogue where he sat next to no less a colourful personality – MK Joseph Burg, founder of the National Religious Party. Renowned for his sharp erudite wit, journalists used to dub Burg’s Knesset appearances as “Burgtheater,” after the famous playhouse in Vienna. One could only surmise on the enriching and entertaining exchanges between these two great rabbis between davening. This writer would be most eager to hear from anyone who sat in earshot of those conversations. They could prove enlightening for an enthralling installment on ‘Rabbinical Revelations’!
