I recently sat down with Rabbi Or Rose to gather information for the piece I was to write about him for this issue of our Newsletter. Because my writing speed is somewhere south of glacial, I had my trusty digital mini-recorder, which turned out to be a lucky break because, 30 seconds into our conversation I realized that nothing I could write could match the eloquence and beauty of Or’s own words.
Here’s the transcription of that wonderful interview:
(LZ): Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
(OR): My parents. My father is a rabbi and therapist, and a retired professor of Jewish studies; my mother was for many years a teacher in both the Jewish and public school systems in Canada, and is an accomplished poet. They were my first teachers of Torah and continue to serve as both personal and professional role models for me. They have modeled a joyous and serious engagement with Judaism and an openness to learning from a diverse range of people, texts, and traditions. Much of my worldview and professional choices have been shaped by my relationship with my parents.
(LZ): Who is your favorite character in the Bible?
(OR): My favorite character in the Bible is God. Sometimes gentle, sometimes fierce, the Divine is always a fascinating figure in the Tanakh! As writers such as Jack Miles (author of God: A Biography) have noted, God is the great protagonist of the Hebrew Bible. Part of what I find so interesting about the history of Jewish theology are the multiple ways in which people have conceived of God. Look at the teachings of three great Jewish sages such as Rabbi Akiva, Maimonides, and the Ba’al Shem Tov and you will find three very different portraits of the Divine.
(LZ): While some rabbis seem to be most interested in giving people answers, your approach to Judaism involves a lot of questioning. Why?
(OR): Questioning stands at the heart of Rabbinic Judaism. Look at any page of the Talmud and you will find that our sages love good questions. As important as it is for individuals and communities to commit themselves to answers and norms, we must never stop asking questions. Doing so would extinguish our creative spirit and deplete our sacred tradition.
(LZ): How has being a father changed you?
(OR): I will always remember the moment the doctor told us that we were having twins. Among my first concerns (and I had many!) was whether I would have enough love to give to two children at once. I think being the father of twins has taught me the expansive capacity we human beings have for love. The nature of my feelings for my children is unique—my love for them is different than all other loves—but I hope that that my experience as a father positively informs my interactions with others. I hope that something of the love for my kids is present in my interactions with all other people.
Here’s the transcription of that wonderful interview:
(LZ): Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
(OR): My parents. My father is a rabbi and therapist, and a retired professor of Jewish studies; my mother was for many years a teacher in both the Jewish and public school systems in Canada, and is an accomplished poet. They were my first teachers of Torah and continue to serve as both personal and professional role models for me. They have modeled a joyous and serious engagement with Judaism and an openness to learning from a diverse range of people, texts, and traditions. Much of my worldview and professional choices have been shaped by my relationship with my parents.
(LZ): Who is your favorite character in the Bible?
(OR): My favorite character in the Bible is God. Sometimes gentle, sometimes fierce, the Divine is always a fascinating figure in the Tanakh! As writers such as Jack Miles (author of God: A Biography) have noted, God is the great protagonist of the Hebrew Bible. Part of what I find so interesting about the history of Jewish theology are the multiple ways in which people have conceived of God. Look at the teachings of three great Jewish sages such as Rabbi Akiva, Maimonides, and the Ba’al Shem Tov and you will find three very different portraits of the Divine.
(LZ): While some rabbis seem to be most interested in giving people answers, your approach to Judaism involves a lot of questioning. Why?
(OR): Questioning stands at the heart of Rabbinic Judaism. Look at any page of the Talmud and you will find that our sages love good questions. As important as it is for individuals and communities to commit themselves to answers and norms, we must never stop asking questions. Doing so would extinguish our creative spirit and deplete our sacred tradition.
(LZ): How has being a father changed you?
(OR): I will always remember the moment the doctor told us that we were having twins. Among my first concerns (and I had many!) was whether I would have enough love to give to two children at once. I think being the father of twins has taught me the expansive capacity we human beings have for love. The nature of my feelings for my children is unique—my love for them is different than all other loves—but I hope that that my experience as a father positively informs my interactions with others. I hope that something of the love for my kids is present in my interactions with all other people.
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