ABSTRACT
Pastoral visits occur by design or spontaneously and take place in diverse settings. The goal of this chapter is to help clergy be attuned to nuances that impact on their effectiveness. Rabbis need to be aware that their behavior both on and off duty will be keenly scrutinized. The rabbinate is not a nine to five job; it is a vocation. Asking “Is this what a rabbi does? Is this what a rabbi says? Is this how a rabbi looks?” helps maintain awareness of that vocation. These parameters of behavior demonstrate that each and every communication contributes to the pastoral encounter.
