The late Arthur Hertzberg was one of American Judaism’s greatest rabbis and intellectual leaders.

But he did not start out that way.

More than 70 years ago, he was a rabbinical student at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. One of his teachers was Mordecai Kaplan, one of American Judaism’s most seminal thinkers and rabbis, and the founder of the Reconstructionist movement.

The day came for young Arthur to deliver a trial sermon before the student body and the faculty. Afterward, Rabbi Kaplan lambasted Arthur for the ideas that he had presented.

“But, Rabbi Kaplan,” Arthur said. “You, yourself, said those things just a few days ago.”

To which Rabbi Kaplan responded: “Ah, yes. But, Arthur, I have changed since then.”

Let's talk about what it means to change one's mind — even ever so slightly. 

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