This past Shabbat: A mixed review
I'm no longer comfortable going to Shabbat/Sabbath afternoon programs at my current favorite Manhattan synagogue. I just don't get how one can have a s'udah shlishit (traditional "third meal" of Sabbath) without Minchah (Afternoon Service) before it and Maariv/Arvit (Evening Service) after it. I'm no longer comfortable doing the Shabbat-closing havdalah ceremony without davenning/praying Maariv first. So Ms. Holier-Than-Thou skipped the program and hopped on the subway to davven Minchah and Maariv at home. Yeah, go ahead and insert roll-eyes emoticon here.
On the other hand, it was nice to be commandeered practically before I even had my coat off because the minyan with which I intended to pray was short a tenth person. I also enjoyed leading Musaf, even with the distraction of the pre-school kids chasing one another repeatedly around the amud (prayer leader's reading stand). :)
On the other hand, it was nice to be commandeered practically before I even had my coat off because the minyan with which I intended to pray was short a tenth person. I also enjoyed leading Musaf, even with the distraction of the pre-school kids chasing one another repeatedly around the amud (prayer leader's reading stand). :)
posted by Shira Salamone at 1:58 PM
8 Comments:
I can understand your feelings. I can relate with them. Hope you were satisfied the way you spent it!
This is Joshua from Israeli Uncensored News
Thanks for your good wishes, but please, enough with the advertising, already. Can't you just link your news site with your Blogger ID, the way everyone else does?
I am sorry that your not finding what you need at your shul. Are you able to share your concerns with the leadership or would that not be taken well?
Rivster, the problem is that I'm a "Wondering Jew"--since I've long since given up any hope of feeling truly at home in my "home" synagogue, I've chosen to davven/pray quite frequently in a synagogue of which I'm not a member. Consequently, I don't believe that I have a right to complain to the leadership. When our local shul finally gives up the ghost--we're down to 60 members, and losing more to the Mal'ach HaMavet/Angel of Death every year :(--and we feel free to join another synagogue, I'll be in a position to put my money where my davvening is, and then I'll have a few words to say. Honestly, though, I think I'm in the minority there, and don't expect much. I've come to the conclusion that a shul where I'd be completely comfortable probably doesn't exist.
Er, that should have said "Wandering Jew," though, given my radical approach to theology, it could be argued that I'm a Wondering Jew, as well. :)
From my experience as an ex-right-wing-trad-Conservative Jew (now Orhto) I've found C shuls are more likely to have Shabbas mincha and then no Suedah Shlishit than the other way around. As I recall, when I was Conservative, I was in the minority of people I knew who were even aware of the mitzvah of the third meal on Shabbos. Even some C rabbis I knew viewed it as a quaint old fashioned custom rather than as halachah.
Anon, I'm shocked--I thought all synagogues followed the philosophy, "If you feed them, they will come." :)
I happen to be a HUGE fan of the Wandering Jew, but perhaps you mean something different than that... :)
Post a Comment
<< Home