The spiritual mentor to the founders of Temple Israel Wynberg, he was truly at home with his generation in the heavily Anglicized centres of Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Durban, and endeared himself to many thousands of South Africans of all colours and creeds.
He led as a mate, as one of the gentlemen, not as a hegemon, for he never ever lost sight of principle and propriety. His knowledge of Torah was as great as any rabbi in South Africa past and present possessed, and to say he was a pillar of South African Jewry in the 20th century only begins to put his life into perspective.
Whenever someone leaves this earth in close proximity to shabbat, tradition permits us to ascribe it as a sign from on high that our dearest departed was truly righteous, a Tzaddik. I would like to take this further and comment on the coincidence of his passing on the shabbat of parshat Naso - one which shares so many elements of how the burden of divine service can in fact be so uplifting.
For that is what Rabbi Isaac Richards did over his many decades of service: As Scripture said of the High Priest Aharon: "V'nasa et mishpat Bnai Yisrael al libo lifnei Adonai tamid." "Thus he carried with dedication the law of the Children of Israel in his heart before God at all Times."
This passage from Parshat Tetzaveh refers to the Instrument of Decision which the High Priest literally carried upon his shoulders with twelve precious stones mounted on it, one for each of the tribes, and it was precisely in rendering decisions for how Jews who wished to be modern and thinking that Rabbi Isaac Richards made his most stunning contributions, the Minhag South Africa and his tract The Thinking Jew. And he did so for so many different Jewish tribes throughout South Africa.
I cannot help but apply to him a short poem called the Porter of God which the poet intended for the entire Jewish people, but which in being so fittingly apt for our beloved Rabbi Richards, shows just what a significant Jewish leader he was and will remain forever in our hearts:
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Heavy, heavy is the burden;
Heavy, heavy is the load which is placed upon my back.
My knees are bent, but I shall never throw off the load.
I shall continue to bear it, For I am the porter of God.
I shall walk forever, I shall stand firm in every trial,
For I am the porter of God.
I shall not be ashamed or abashed for I shall bring that load more perfect unto the Living God ...
You showed us all that bearing the responsibility for Progressive Minhag and carrying its weight in the face of derision has been our greatest exaltation and joy. We will now carry your memory in our hearts, souls and minds with the same joy and love forever.
From your friend and colleague with love, Rabbi David Hoffman.
