I Found My Rabbi: Remembering Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Greenbaum and the Importance of Finding a Rabbi

By Rod Bryant | October 19, 2026

There are moments in life when we recognize that a particular person was placed in our path for a reason. For me, Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Greenbaum was one of those people. His passing leaves a deep sense of loss, but also a profound gratitude for the wisdom, kindness, and spiritual guidance he brought into my life.

In my journey to uncover the rich biblical tradition of Judaism for the non-Jew, I was fortunate to have found my rabbi early in the process of study and understanding. As I navigated the challenging waters of theological reasoning, Rabbi Greenbaum helped me discover a deeper connection to the wisdom of Torah and the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. His guidance provided an anchor, helping me remain grounded as I explored the profound questions of faith, divine purpose, and what it means to walk in the ways of HaShem.

I will forever be grateful for his hospitality, his teaching, and his writing. Through his work, I encountered a depth of Torah that reached beyond intellectual study and spoke to the heart. He helped me appreciate that drawing closer to the Creator is not merely an exercise in accumulating knowledge. It is a journey of learning, reflection, humility, and transformation.

Rabbi Greenbaum devoted much of his life to making the treasures of Torah and the teachings of Rabbi Nachman accessible to English-speaking audiences. Through his translations, books, lectures, and the work of the Azamra Institute, he opened doors for countless people seeking a deeper understanding of the spiritual dimensions of Judaism. His influence reached far beyond the walls of a classroom or the pages of a book. He touched lives, nurtured students, and helped people find their way toward a more meaningful relationship with the Creator.

His passing reminds me of a fundamental teaching of our sages: “Make for yourself a rabbi” (Pirkei Avot 1:6).

These words carry an important message for every person seeking to grow in wisdom and understanding. We need more than books, lectures, and online discussions. We need someone who can guide us, challenge our assumptions, help us navigate difficult questions, and teach us how to put what we learn into practice. A true teacher does not replace our responsibility to seek the truth; he helps us pursue it with greater clarity, humility, and discernment.

This is especially important for Noahides.

As people from the nations rediscover the ancient biblical path entrusted to humanity through the covenant with Noah, many find themselves exploring unfamiliar territory. Questions arise about Torah, Jewish tradition, the teachings of the sages, prayer, and our responsibilities before the Creator. The abundance of information available today can be both a blessing and a source of confusion.

My encouragement to Noahides around the world is simple: do not be satisfied with studying alone. Seek out a qualified, trustworthy rabbi who understands the Noahide path and is willing to help you grow within it. Build a relationship grounded in respect, honest questions, and a sincere desire to serve HaShem. Learn from someone whose knowledge is joined with humility, integrity, and genuine care for those he teaches.

Finding a rabbi does not mean surrendering your responsibility to think, study, and seek understanding. It means recognizing that wisdom is often received through relationships, and that generations of Torah learning offer guidance we should approach with reverence.

Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Greenbaum profoundly shaped the lives of his students, including my own. Though he has departed this world, the Torah he taught, the books he wrote and translated, and the lives he helped transform will continue to bear fruit.

I have lost my rabbi, but I have not lost the gratitude, wisdom, and direction he helped place within me.

May his memory be a blessing, and may his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life.

And to every Noahide seeking to walk faithfully in the ways of the Creator, I offer this encouragement from my own experience:

Find your rabbi. Learn from him. Walk the path with humility. And let the wisdom of Torah help guide you ever closer to HaShem.