Review: The Pirate Rabbi

The Pirate Rabbi

by David Sherrin, illustrated by Barbara DiLorenzo

Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2025

Category: Picture Books

Reviewer: Rachel J. Fremmer

 

Buy at Bookshop.org

The Pirate Rabbi is based on the life of Samuel Pallache, a real Sephardic rabbi… and pirate! Sherrin’s adaptation of his life story focuses on Rabbi Sam’s good deeds rather than any true acts of piracy. In his telling, he is not so much a “pirate” as a sailor who rescues many of his co-religionists. Rabbi Sam even convinces a real pirate, a bit unrealistically, that “there is no need to steal… when we can all share.”

With its illustrations of big ships, billowing sails, and vast oceans, The Pirate Rabbi is sure to appeal to those who like a good adventure. In addition to its emphasis on helping people, its subtler message is that people can combine seemingly disparate interests and callings.

The backmatter does address the darker side of pirate life, acknowledging that “most pirates were thieves.”

The Pirate Rabbi shows traditional rabbinical roles in spot illustrations: officiating at a wedding, visiting the sick, and leading a service or class. However, the illustration showing Rabbi Sam teaching or leading a service shows men and women together, which is unlikely to have been allowed at the time or in that place. Sherrin adds in some Sephardic flavor by mentioning harira, a traditional chickpea soup, as well as couscous, dried fruit, and olives, foods not eaten by Ashkenazim at the time.

Overall, The Pirate Rabbi successfully brings a little-known piece of history to a young audience.

 

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Reviewer Rachel J. Fremmer is a lawyer-turned-elementary-school librarian. She writes an annual round-up of the best Jewish children’s books for Tablet, the online magazine. She is a native-and-forever New Yorker and lives there with her family. She is continually inspired by the city even though apartment living means she is running out of room for her picture book collection. She was selected by PJ Library for their inaugural Picture Book Summer Camp for Emerging Writers. When she is not reading or writing, she is baking or doing crossword puzzles.