Father Gabriel and Rabbi Jacob: A tale of two shepherds in The Walking Dead Universe

Fear the Walking Dead introduced a new character in Rabbi Jacob Kessner, and the Rabbi presents a stark contrast to The Walking Dead’s Father Gabriel.

In times of crisis, churches and temples become beacons of light in the darkness. Over the course of ten seasons of The Walking Dead we have seen churches full of walkers, signifying how many people flocked to places of worship when the undead came to life. Until now, Father Gabriel was the only member of the clergy fans have encountered, but Fear the Walking Dead has given us Rabbi Jacob Kessner and he presents an intriguing contrast.

A Stark Juxtaposition

One man locked the doors against his congregation to stay safe. One man locked his congregation inside to keep them safe.

The immediate contrast between Gabriel and Jacob speaks for itself: Gabriel was too terrified to let his congregation inside the church when the apocalypse began while Jacob left his congregation in the relative safety of the temple as he sought answers. Both men lost their congregations, but for very different reasons and under very different circumstances.

Gabriel was afraid of his own shadow when Rick and his group found him.

Jacob knows his way around an assault rifle and he isn’t afraid to use it. (Just not on his congregation, of course)

Years later, Gabriel finally seems to have reconciled with his past after several missteps that almost got himself (and others) killed. Jacob’s guilt is evident in the way he refuses to kill his people with bullets, and though he doesn’t seem to be keeping them around in hopes of a cure (like Hershel or even Celia), he honors the dead by leaving them locked up.

Two Paths, One Future

Despite very different introductions to The Walking Dead Universe, both Father Gabriel and Rabbi Jacob are still helping people and in the end that’s what matters. After their respective experiences it would be easy to understand if they gave up trying to offer comfort and solace to other people, but for them it’s the exact opposite.

Father Gabriel rebuilt his church in Alexandria. He listened to Negan’s confession when they were locked in the storage unit. Even after Negan’s capture, he tried to help turn Negan’s life around.

Rabbi Jacob made sure to keep the light burning bright in the temple to help guide people like Charlie to safety. Each day he goes through his rituals, trying to keep his old routine. Even now, after joining the caravan, he’s still keeping the flame burning bright.

Both men had very memorable introductions to The Walking Dead Universe. Soon-to-be New Dad Father Gabriel has been around a while now and we hope Rabbi Jacob is around just as long. Having spiritual advisors – no, not moral compasses because we know how that always works out! – is important in a world filled with so much uncertainty.

You can catch Rabbi Jacob on Fear the Walking Dead, and Father Gabriel will be back when The Walking Dead returns on October 6.