This blog has previously taken the position that opposition to an egalitarian Orthodox Rabbinate is foolish. Rationally, it certainly seems the case: It is hard to see the direct, Halachic, arguments against as being, today, compelling.
I was enthusiastic, then, when my congregation welcomed a “congregational intern”, who while not titular-ly on the rabbinic staff serves, for-all-intents-and-purposes, a rabbinic function.
Unfortunately – and, given her relatively mainstream background and the synagogue's prominence, surprisingly – in each the three speeches I have heard her present, she made a distinct point of delivering apiquorsic lessons, that – for good reason – one would never hear from the male Rabbinic staff.
One wonders, when she was selected, was there no more orthodox option available?
In the end, perhaps it is only realistic to expect that prospective Rabbanits will naturally/largely seek to fundamentally subvert, or overcome, and not uphold or conserve. Perhaps opponents of an egalitarian Orthodox Rabbinate are, almost despite themselves, correct in their view of the stakes. Above all, perhaps wise promoters of an egalitarian Rabbinate ought more closely follow Branch Rickey .
