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The neighbors in the adjoining apartment building have been kind enough to allow the synagogue to erect a tent in its parking lot, and we conducted the Sukkoth holiday in its entirety in that parking lot. We did so, naturally, with proper social distancing and all who attended wore masks. In spite of the obvious difficulties that this engendered – we had very hot weather here in Jerusalem over the holiday – and the fact that quite a number of cats joined in the festivities, we experienced a wonderful holiday, and I felt the prayer services were very meaningful.
Human beings are the most adaptable of all creatures, and, perhaps, the Jewish people are the most adaptable of all human beings. As such, I was impressed but not surprised that the services were orderly, meaningful, heartfelt, and proper. I think that everyone benefited and enjoyed the experience of Orthodox prayer in the open environment of our neighboring parking lot.
One of the interesting, if not beneficial, results of our being in the open was that many people who usually do not regularly attend synagogue seemed to join our group. Perhaps even more importantly, of the many Jews, who, unfortunately, abound here in Israel who have never set foot into a synagogue out of fear of tarnishing their secularism, were witnesses to what synagogue prayers actually look and feel like.
I am certain that they gained a changed perspective from one that they previously held. One of the attributes of our father Abraham was that wherever he went he conducted services to the Lord, and called onto God's name so that even passersby gained an understanding that there is a creator, and that God has entrusted humans with missions of goodness and holiness.
It is this attribute of Abraham that marked him for special greatness and earned him the title of father of the Jewish people and much of human civilization as well. Conducting our prayers in the open afforded us the opportunity to emulate, in our own small way, the activities and mission of our father Abraham. There is a freedom that somehow one feels outside of the confines of the building that one does not feel even within the air-conditioned comfort and splendor of the four walls of a synagogue building.
This feeling is difficult to describe, but, somehow, I felt it to be present within me. This, of course, is only the rumination of an elderly rabbi, but I do not feel that these comments are really off the mark.
I join with all of Israel and the world in hoping and praying that this corona scourge will soon pass. We will then be able to restore ourselves to what we will then call normalcy, though I doubt that it will exactly resemble the old normalcy that we were accustomed to before the Corona pandemic struck.
In any event, we certainly intend to return to the confines of the building of our beloved synagogue and conduct teaching classes, lectures, and prayer services within that building on a very regular basis. With the winter approaching, we will undoubtedly need the protection of the walls of the building, a heating system that functions well and an environment that keeps us healthy and comfortable.
Nevertheless, I am certain that we will all have a taint of nostalgia regarding the times that we were able to pray and conduct our services in the open, for all to witness. Thus, in every difficult situation some measure of goodness and understanding can be extracted, treasured, and incorporated into our new being. So, when we return to our hoped-for normalcy, I think we should attempt to retain some of the gifts of praying in the open and conducting our prayer services under the canopy of heaven directly.
Shabbat shalom
Berel Wein
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
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Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
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(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
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Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
