Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

As I had already noted in a previous article,  the seventeenth of Tammuz, Sunday June 27, 2021, commemorates five specific calamities in antiquity, as enumerated in the Mishna. On that date, the Babylonians broke down the walls of Jerusalem, en route to destroying the Holy Temple three weeks later on Tisha B'Av. The three week period which begins on the seventeenth day of Tammuz is known as the three weeks of sadness/distress/ in the narrow straits. The date is also a day on which many Jews fast from sunrise to sundown.

The seventeenth of Tammuz takes on a larger note of sadness this year. Early Sunday morning, Rabbi Reuven Bulka of Ottawa passed away after a several month fight with cancer. He was a "Rabbi's Rabbi." While he identified himself as being Modern Orthodox, he was beloved by rabbis and members of all the streams of Judaism. He wrote many books and articles. He was progressive in multi-faith dialogue and served many Klal Yisrael organizations.

I first met Rabbi Bulka in the 1990's on a mission to Israel for the State of Israel Bonds, of which he was a leader. Soon after that trip, he came to my former community in the U.S. to present awards of recognition to a number of local rabbis. Throughout my career, I have had a picture of him making a presentation to me in my rabbinic office. 

During my tenure at Beth Emeth, I co-officiated a wedding with him at our shul. He was happy to share the Chuppa with me in every single way. Rabbi Bulka was a shining beacon of unity, modesty, and distinguished learning. 

This week, in Rabbi Bulka's memory, I will share excerpts from his two volumes on the weekly Parsha called, Torah Therapy and More Torah Therapy, as well as from his psychological commentary on Pirkei Avot. 

Yhi Zichro Baruch - May the memory of Rabbi Reuven Bulka be for a blessing.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison