Shabbat Blast

Tomorrow we will tackle an important issue which is whether the prayers that we recite over and over again bring us closer to God or distract us from God. This is an issue of saying the fixed words in a prayer book that 90% of the congregation cannot understand. Does this inhibit us from having a personal and raw encounter with God through our own spontaneous words?

When you read this, please don’t misunderstand. I believe in the necessity of prayer as we have it in our prayer books. It connects us through time, it connects us across continents when I can speak the same words as Jews in Argentina and Australia, in Israel and in Ireland.

But we can learn something from Rivka in Parashat Toledot who takes the pain that she feels inside, from two babies struggling within her womb, and she goes to seek out God. She did not have the Amidah to say, or the words of the Misheberach. She just had her own questions. This is part of our tradition also, to just speak with God. The words of the siddur do not have to be an intermediary. They should be a conduit.

Rabbi Naomi Levy says, “Traditional communal prayer is the structure. It’s the house, with a foundation and a roof and walls. That’s what keeps you safe. That’s what keeps you solid. And God willing, it will be there a long time, long after we are gone. But if you never paint it, never hang a picture, or you never put in furniture or a rug, it’s not a home. It’s a house; it’s not a home. Personal prayer makes it a home.”

Join us tomorrow as I speak how we balance the words of our tradition with our personal thoughts, challenges, and questions.

Shabbat shalom and Hodesh tov- enjoy this new month, Kislev, during which we will celebrate Chanukah!

Rabbi Bernstein

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1. Want to help make the BJC a more caring community, with cooking for the sick, and helping those in need? Come to the BJC chesed task force meeting this Sunday at 11:00 AM.

2. Last session of Romance and Tension in the Gemara on Thursday at 8:00 PM.

3. Grandparents and Special Friends Shabbat dinner and Service. Service starts at 6:30. Dinner is at 7:15 PM.

4. The next family service for you to learn and pray with your kids is December 12th!