Marking Sacred Time: A Journey into Fatherhood and the Rabbinate

In Judaism, we hold time and space as sacred elements of creation; we begin and end Shabbat and holidays with rituals marking the bookends of sacred time. At a recent immersive experience I organized for Jewish educators through my day job, my teammate Deborah opened and closed the event with meditation and framing. She did so not only to center the participants but also to transform the time and space we shared into a sacred one, which was especially pertinent before releasing them back into the world. These rituals remind us that time is a gift, a vessel we can fill with holiness and intention.

My name is Rabbi Eric Leiderman, and I am honored to introduce myself to the readers of the Spirituality and Judaism Network Substack. I am an educator and community builder, working with and for Jewish organizations and communities in North America and Israel for almost two decades. I am a product of Orthodox and pluralistic Jewish day schools, Camp Ramah, and university Judaic studies, religious studies, and sociology programs at both a private New England institution and a preeminent public one. I have studied in Batei Midrash in Israel and the United States. I am a massive Trekkie (to my wife’s chagrin). But perhaps the two proudest additions to my biography are that I am a new father and a newly ordained rabbi, having received my Semicha only three days after the birth of my son. These two monumental and holy transitions in my life—taking on the mantle of fatherhood and the rabbinate—are forever linked, shaping my journey in profound ways.

As I reflect on my vision for my rabbinate, I am drawn to the power of words—to write and to teach. Words have the power to inspire, to heal, and to connect us to our deepest values and traditions. The Torah begins with God speaking the world into existence: "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light" (Genesis 1:3). Similarly, the Talmud teaches us that "The world only exists because of the breath, i.e., reciting Torah, of schoolchildren" (Shabbat 119b), highlighting the sanctity and impact of our words and teachings.

As a new father, I am experiencing firsthand the awe and responsibility of nurturing a new life. The words of the Psalmist resonate deeply with me: "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him" (Psalms 127:3). This Father's Day, my first as a father, holds a special place in my heart. It is a time to celebrate not only the joys of fatherhood but also the sacred duty to guide and protect the next generation.

I am honored to be included in the Spirituality and Judaism Network Substack, a platform dedicated to exploring the many facets of our tradition and spirituality. It is only fitting that I share my first post on this significant day—my first Father’s Day. I look forward to engaging with you, sharing insights, and growing together as we navigate the sacred journey of life, guided by our timeless traditions and the power of our words.

Thank you for welcoming me into this community. I am excited to embark on this journey with you.

Kol Tuv (all the best),

Rabbi Eric Leiderman