Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

Among the many books in my rabbinic library are several from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and Rabbi Louis Jacobs,  both of blessed memories, and both who served in the United Kingdom. In my early years studying in rabbinical school at JTS and throughout my rabbinate, Rabbi Louis Jacobs' writings influenced me in the same category as the writings of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and others, who inspired many Conservative rabbis. They both accepted multiple models of theology while embracing traditional patterns of halakhic practice.

Regarding Rabbi Louis Jacobs, I formerly used his books, "The Book of Jewish Belief" and "The Book of Jewish Practice," when I taught teens, adults, and conversion students. He used to have a weekly column in England, in which he addressed all kinds of theological, philosophical, and halakhic topics. I am blessed to have received these articles in book form. 

His most substantial book on philosophy was called "We have reason to believe." In it, he demonstrates his openness to different theories on how the Torah came to be, while espousing traditional practice. On the verge of becoming Chief Rabbi of the U.K., he was disqualified from internal pressures because of his theological openness. Until then, he was a leading Orthodox voice and soon pioneered the Masorti Movement in the U.K.

Fast Forward - Rabbi Jonathan Sacks challenged some of the insular thinking from the religious right in his time. In his own way, he embraced intellectual openness, pioneered relationships with non-Jewish leaders and with leadership from the different segments of the Jewish community. He maintained a private relationship with Rabbi Jacobs and others in the Jewish community, while being sensitive to internal Jewish pressures. Rabbi Sacks succeeded in becoming a recognized Chief Rabbi.

From what I have read and heard, I would surmise that these two rabbinic giants from the same country shared more in common than not. They maybe could have been a modern parallel to Hillel and Shammai, respecting the authenticity of the other even in disagreement.

When Rabbi Jacobs died in 2006 at the age of eighty-six, a much younger Rabbi Sacks attended his funeral. I wonder what a conversation would have been like between the two of them in their prime and at the same time in Jewish life.

Who could know for sure?

I will continue to read, learn and grow from both of them. British Jews and the world Jewish community were blessed to call them both rabbis, teachers, and leaders.

Yhi Zichram Baruch - May their memories be a blessing 

Rabbi Howard Morrison