ABSTRACT
Congregants turn to clergy for many reasons. For some, the rabbi represents a moral compass in a time of confusion. The rabbi may be a familiar community leader or a trusted parent figure. For others, the rabbi represents the accrued wisdom of Jewish tradition, a person able to discuss problems from a vantage point of shared values and spiritual outlook. Even when the concern is not a matter of Jewish law, the rabbi may be a source of comfort based on prior relationship. Consider a middle-aged woman facing a marital crisis. A rabbi may have guided her through her bat mitzvah, marriage, and the death of her parents. The woman may now belong to a synagogue with a rabbi who counsels free of charge and welcomes congregants with personal issues in a manner that makes her feel good about seeking religious advice. Turning to her rabbi during a time of distress feels like a natural extension of an established, caring relationship.
