Prayers and Religious services
First, let me very briefly state my
understanding of the laws behind religious services. My reading of the
Five Books of Moses results in the view that we are not commanded to
have the types of services held these days by the various Jewish
denominations.
Yes, we are required to
assemble in Jerusalem for the holy days and to support the activities of
a Temple there. Since the Temple is not currently functioning, these
laws cannot be obeyed.
We are also required to learn, discuss, and teach the laws but these activities are a very small part of today’s services.
It seems to me that frequent and
lengthy religious services are not mandated. Yes, we are commanded to
love G-d but that does not necessarily mean heaping praises on him all
the time.
For these reasons, I believe we have a great amount
of flexibility with religious services, in terms of frequency, duration,
and what occurs when we do come together. I believe services should be:
1) increased in intellectual content
2) increased in interpersonal activity
3) increased in self-expression
4) increased in emphasis on Jewish law and ethics
Services should also be shorter so that they do not take up large portions of our days of rest and holidays.
Intellectual content is
increased by reading, explaining, voicing of questions and answers, and
discussing …of the laws, of history, of current events, and of any other
topics relevant to Jewish life.
The increase in interpersonal
activity comes from questions to and answers from the rabbi and from
discussions within groups of congregants, all as part of the service.
The increase in
self-expression would be the result of more private prayers and
meditation, as well as more personal discussion during services of our
relationship with G-d, with other people, with work, and with life’s
many challenges.
Why is the average age at services so large? Why is the
attendance so small, with 90% or more of the seats empty on Shabat and
almost as many on the seasonal holy days? This happens while
congregations have many hundreds or even thousands of member families.
Where is everybody, and in particular, where are the younger and
middle-aged people? Many things are not right with services these days
and that is clear to me. I cannot accept the attitude of resignation
that seems to be prevalent. Surely things can and should be done by
those members, and especially by the clergy, that care about the future
of Judaism. We have to try things!
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