Torah and Jewish Idea > Torah and Jewish Idea
How important is going to Temple to you?
q_q_:
--- Quote from: Zelhar on September 07, 2008, 03:02:59 PM ---I'm Ashkenazi but I am not too particular about what Schul to go if any as I know very little about prayers anyway. There are both kind of schuls nearby and both are attended mainly by elderly people, especially the Ashkenazis where I think the average age of a regular attender is 80...
The thing is that I don't like the idea of prayer altogether. To me it seems a better idea to address G-d individually rather than by preset times and texts. I don't think I can identify with each preset prayer so what's the point of joining in such a prayer ?
--- End quote ---
this 80+ shul is precisely the type of shul you should avoid - in favour of a younger lively one.
the small lively ones are quite individual, alot of it is each person praying with kavanah(concentration) There's an atmosphere of individual concentration, like for many people a library facilitates study of books, because of the atmosphere.
I am not talking about with a big shul. The atmosphere in a small focussed shul is completely different. I wouldn't call it lively.. But focussed.
--- Quote from: Zelhar on September 07, 2008, 03:02:59 PM ---Anyway attending Schul in Sabbat is out of the question from my part, at most I might go in the high holidays.
--- End quote ---
the problem with doing that is you are seeing the longest most boring service!
this is why alot of people only go twice a year or 3/4/5 times a year, and it actually puts them off going weekly. By going the few times a year, that's their quota for the year.
they've paid their dues!
they've done their bit!
they've done the travail to ensure that their father and grandfather and great grandfathers won't turn in their grave and say you've gone completely off the rails! 'cos when you go up there(i.e. when you die) you can say "Ah, but I always went to shul on the 'high holy days' " !! and hopefully you didn't marry out, and better, that you married and married jewish!
muman613:
Shalom,
I am a bit perplexed by the lack of enthusiasm for the community. The whole idea of shul is that the communal prayer is so much more powerful than the individual prayer. The power of the Tzibbur is that we are davening together for a common goal. I am sorry if your shul experience has been boring. Perhaps it would do you some good to study the prayers, the significance of them, and try to take something with you for your concentration {kevannah} when you daven. It is important to feel the worlds, to make them a part of yourself. You should concentrate on your prayer, and be aware of the community so that you can say your Amens and join in the singing prayers. I have improved much in the last five years and now keep up with the hebrew prayers. I have studied the meanings and brought books on each of the prayers and their deep, kabbalistic meanings.
Our siddurs are full of very special words, not just mumbo jumbo. The men of the great assembly knew what was essential for the Jewish neshama {soul} and composed pieces which speak to Hashem on many mystical levels. I cherish these words and attempt to sing them to Hashem each day.
I have grown to love my community even though we are not all the same. We have some Sephardim, some Chabad, some Persian, and we all share our minhag. We also have different political views and I still love them. I feel that the community is what Judaism is and to take the importance of our fellow Jews out of our prayers make us just like the goyim.
muman613
takebackourtemple:
--- Quote from: q_q_ on September 07, 2008, 02:04:58 PM ---one shouldn't pick and choose his minhag based on the service he prefers.
--- End quote ---
I disagree. The most important thing is to go.
--- Quote from: Zelhar on September 07, 2008, 03:02:59 PM ---Anyway attending Schul in Sabbat is out of the question from my part, at most I might go in the high holidays.
--- End quote ---
You're missing out. I would recommend a Chabad one. Not one with all orthodox members, but one of the congregations that reach out and have members from all Jewish backgrounds. I know Q_Q_ and Tzvi won't like what I have to say and I'm not advocating that people drive, but go to one where most of the members do.
Go to a Friday night service instead of a Saturday morning one and then stay for the meal afterwards. You will have interesting conversations with people at the dinner table. If you choose the right congregation, this will not be boring and will serve as a step towards becoming more familiar with the services.
q_q_:
--- Quote from: takebackourtemple on September 08, 2008, 12:21:42 AM ---
--- Quote from: q_q_ on September 07, 2008, 02:04:58 PM ---one shouldn't pick and choose his minhag based on the service he prefers.
--- End quote ---
I disagree. The most important thing is to go.
--- End quote ---
you disagree do you?
i'm glad that you didn't do a good job stating your disagreement.
--- Quote from: takebackourtemple on September 08, 2008, 12:21:42 AM ---
--- Quote from: Zelhar on September 07, 2008, 03:02:59 PM ---Anyway attending Schul in Sabbat is out of the question from my part, at most I might go in the high holidays.
--- End quote ---
You're missing out. I would recommend a Chabad one. Not one with all orthodox members, but one of the congregations that reach out and have members from all Jewish backgrounds. I know Q_Q_ and Tzvi won't like what I have to say and I'm not advocating that people drive, but go to one where most of the members do.
Go to a Friday night service instead of a Saturday morning one and then stay for the meal afterwards. You will have interesting conversations with people at the dinner table. If you choose the right congregation, this will not be boring and will serve as a step towards becoming more familiar with the services.
--- End quote ---
whatever floats your boat.
I'm sure a motley crew shul would not be boring. It may be very interesting, but so would any other oddball experience. No harm in trying it, but it's worth trying a normal shul too(and not a big one. A small focussed one).
takebackourtemple:
--- Quote from: q_q_ on September 08, 2008, 01:23:50 AM ---
--- Quote from: takebackourtemple on September 08, 2008, 12:21:42 AM ---
--- Quote from: q_q_ on September 07, 2008, 02:04:58 PM ---one shouldn't pick and choose his minhag based on the service he prefers.
--- End quote ---
I disagree. The most important thing is to go.
--- End quote ---
you disagree do you?
i'm glad that you didn't do a good job stating your disagreement.
--- End quote ---
This is the type of philosophy that Rabbi Hillel would have supported. One of his big things was the debate about how the Shma had to be said. His ruling was that it doesn't matter how it is said as long as it is done.
--- Quote from: q_q_ on September 08, 2008, 01:23:50 AM ---I'm sure a motley crew shul would not be boring. It may be very interesting, but so would any other oddball experience. No harm in trying it, but it's worth trying a normal shul too(and not a big one. A small focussed one).
--- End quote ---
As long as it is legitimate, there should be no problem. The reform and conservative don't practice Judaism, but Chabad is perfectly legitimate.
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