The Long and Short of the Rabbi’s Sermon The Pros and Cons of a Rabbi Who Has a Lot to Say

There is an old synagogue joke: A congregant approaches the rabbi after services and says, “Rabbi, that was a wonderful sermon.” The rabbi smiles. “Thank you. What did you like most?” “The ending.”

The rabbi beams. “You found the conclusion inspiring?” “No,” says the congregant. “I was just happy you finally got there.”

Every rabbi knows that one of the great challenges of the rabbinate is deciding how long to speak. Too short, and people complain, “Rabbi, you barely said anything!” Too long, and they complain, “Rabbi, you said everything. Twice.” So, in the interest of fairness, let us examine the pros and cons of the long rabbinic sermon.

PRO: A Long Sermon Gives the Rabbi Time to Develop an Idea

Some Torah ideas cannot be reduced to a slogan. A rabbi may begin with the weekly parsha, move to a teaching of the Rebbe, quote the Talmud, tell a story about the Baal Shem Tov, add a joke, relate it to current life, offer three practical lessons and finally bring everything together. That takes time.

CON: By the time everything comes together, some congregants have forgotten what the parsha was.

One fellow once said, “Our rabbi’s sermons are like the Torah itself.” His friend asked, “You mean they’re holy?” No. I mean they seem to have no end.”

PRO: A Long Sermon Keeps People in Shul Longer

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