- Zoom along for Part One on Saturday, November 7, 11:00 -
(Part Two November 21st)
Other faith communities have prayer-filled prayerbooks, while others have hymn-filled hymnals. We Jews have siddurim with the most interesting texts…and you shouldn’t take them on their face value! Indeed, there is a great deal of history and mystery in what we say on Shabbat and for other liturgical occasions. As a matter of fact, some of the most oft-spoken, taken-for-granted inclusions that have been around truly forever are in themselves major oppositional theology to what other religions have professed; they’re just cleverly hidden.
We have prayers that aren’t prayers. The Sh’ma is a case in point. While no other “prayer” in our siddur is more popular than the Sh’ma, able to be recited by memory by the youngest among us, it is the singular catechismic inclusion in ours or any other branch’s worship service!
The Aleinu has a fascinating history. “It is (incumbent) upon us” are five words that translate the word Aleinu. Ok, “incumbent” isn’t really part of the translation, but this powerful adjective is definitely implied. And the entire Aleinu created major problems for medieval Jewish communities, sometimes resulting in death and destruction. Why? Find out in our two-part Zoom sessions.
A little more to encourage participation…
When we say Baruch Atah Adonai, “Praised are You, Eternal One…” we have a Western perspective on its meaning, but in fact we should know that the heart and soul of the phrase is anything but la-di-da. For our ancestors it was super-powerful.
Many of you have heard me say that in our Oneg Shabbat can be lengthened if the Messianic Age is upon us. Why? Because there will be no need for a worship service or a sermon (Yaaaayyy!)…our prayers have been answered! Ah, but wait…just a moment will have to be spent in the sanctuary as a congregation for the recitation or singing of only ONE prayer, namely the prayer of thanksgiving. That will remain because we’ll be grateful for that wonderful time of peace and justice prevailing the earth, either due to a personal messiah (as the more traditional Jews believe), or the more acceptable idea of all of us joining to bring about that time, as liberal Jews believe.
And finally this question: when is eighteen nineteen or sometimes seven?