The Wisdom of Rabbi Joseph Gelberman

Inspiring Teachings from the Father of Interfaith

When he passed away on Rosh Hashanah 2010, he left a legacy of love, joy and hope.

By Rev. Victor Fuhrman

I first met Rabbi Joseph H. Gelberman in 1995 when I enrolled in the New Seminary of New York. One of the first interfaith seminaries, the school was founded by the Rabbi in 1979 in partnership with prominent clergy from several faiths and traditions. Rebbe Gelberman, as he was affectionately called by his students and friends, was a pioneer in bridging understanding between people of different religions and spiritual paths, emphasizing that they have more in common than different and advocating that all humankind see each other as brothers and sisters.

For me, he became a teacher, mentor, friend and a man who lovingly saw me through both sad and joyous transitions in my life. I am humbled, blessed and in deep gratitude for the gift of his presence in our world.

The following quotations and stories highlight his teachings, wit, loving ways and profound spiritual depth. Like all of the Rabbi's good works, they are meant to inspire people of all faiths.

Rev. Victor Fuhrman is a contributing expert to Beliefnet, writing on prayer and healing. He is a 1997 graduate of the The New Seminary for Interfaith Studies and co-author Pet Prayers and Blessings.

Photo of Rabbi Gelberman by Lensgirl.com.

Hineni-I Am Here and I Am Ready!

On our first day of class and at every class thereafter, Rabbi would lead us in singing the stirring and beautiful song, “Hineni Muchan Umesuman.” He would start by relating the story of how when God called Abraham and Moses into service, they responded by saying, “Hineni.” The word means, “I am here” but it also means “I am ready, fully present and prepared to serve.” Here are the lyrics of the lovely song, “Hineni Muchan Umesuman."

“I am ready, I am ready, I am ready,
I am ready, I am ready, I am ready.
I am ready, I am ready, I am ready,
I am ready, I am ready, for life!
To do the good and the beautiful,
I am ready, I am ready, I am ready.
To do the good and the beautiful,
I am ready, I am ready, I am ready.”

It’s Not <em>How</em> You Pray That Counts

Rabbi Gelberman would retell the famous story of a boy, born into a Jewish family during Czarist Russia, who is taken from his family when he is very young:

When the boy is in his teens, he travels through the old section of the town and passes a synagogue where the sound of the prayers being sung draws him in. He doesn’t remember the words but remembers the melody and begins to whistle along with the singing. The congregation grows silent and then demands are made of the Rabbi to chastise the boy for his whistling. The boy is brought before the Rabbi, who asks why he whistled. When he tells his story, the Rabbi smiles and asks the boy to be seated with the congregation. The outraged congregation demand of the Rabbi his reason for allowing the boy to remain and he responds, “My friends, if only our prayers would mean as much to the Lord as this boy’s whistle.”

We Are All Part of the Family of Humankind

The foundational prayer in Judaism comes from Deuteronomy 6:4 and is known as “The Shema”. The prayer says “Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad!” The literal translation of the first two words is “Hear, O Israel!” Rabbi taught that the prayer really means, “Listen, O Israel!” He would often say that we hear many things but often do not listen to the true meaning of what is said. He would also teach that the prayer should be inclusive of all humanity so he added: ”Listen, O’ Israel, Listen O Humankind, The Lord Is Our God. The Lord Is One!” The lesson is that we are all Children of the One God and as such, we are truly brothers and sisters and must reach out to each other with compassion, respect and love.