A couple of weeks ago — probably longer when you read this – I was reminded of a major surprise I had a good ten years ago. Okay, it was not a MAJOR surprise, but it was a surprise, none the less.
Back then, while sitting around at the Oneg, someone mentioned that one of the people on our Refuah list — the speedy and complete recovery list we pray for — had passed away — 8 MONTHS AGO. My immediate response was that I supposed that the prayers we had been praying for him probably had not done much good for the last seven months or so.
But I remembered that there was an important lesson to be drawn from this experience, both back then and now.
Family events, whether simchas or sorrows, need to be shared with the Congregation Beth Shalom community.
Yes, I do understand that the Gates of Prayer are always open, even if one prays alone. But the Gates of Community can only be entered by participating with the community. Whenever we gather together, we build those bonds that strengthen our survival. Judaism has always been a communal faith, not a religion of individual salvation.
This is an extremely important distinction, because while the Gates of Prayer are always open, the Gates of Worship are not always open. The Gates of Worship cannot be fully entered alone. This is because Prayer and Worship are not the same.
The Hebrew word for ”prayer” comes from the root meaning “to praise”. This can be done alone or with the congregation But the Hebrew word for “worship” comes from the root meaning “to work”. When we work to heal the world, to take care of the needy and sick, to be the voice for those who have none, to make sure that justice is not delayed because we are taught that justice delayed is justice denied — when we do even one of these things — we worship the Divine Source in ourselves and in the world. Indeed, in so many ways, this can best be done when we work with others.
Beth Shalom offers many opportunities for us to get together : education, music, community events, and, yes, worship. Become a part of the community. We are so much stronger when you are with us.
B’Shalom and our wishes for a delightful Pesach,
Rabbi Stanley Halpern