Betsy Frank is UHC para-rabbinic fellow and president.
Our prayer book says that on Shabbat we should pray, rest and attend to the House of Study.
Yes, you can do all these things in the privacy of your home. And, yes, the practice of Judaism includes personal practices.
But…. Judaism also stresses the need to practice our rituals in community. The minyan is evidence of that. Our weekly Shabbat services allow us to gather as a community and pray together.
Judaism also stresses the need to practice our rituals in community.
Each week, the different service leaders, lay leaders and student rabbi bring a different perspective to our Shabbat celebrations.
Rest is easy, or is it? Do you take some time during the day to unplug and read or enjoy a nap? Or do you do something fun as a family or couple or just for yourself?
Rabbi Kylynn brings Torah study to the community
Now, what about attending to the House of Study?
When our student rabbi is with us, we hold a formal Torah study. This year, we will have two Saturday Torah studies at our synagogue.
At 9 a.m., Rabbi Kylynn will conduct a more formal lesson on some aspect of Judaism. At 10 a.m., we will have our traditional text study of the weekly Parshah.
And if you miss either one of these Torah studies, at 2 p.m., Rabbi Kylynn will lead an interfaith study at Westminster Village.
Several of us have proposed to hold a brief Torah study following lay-led Shabbat services.
However, not all have the opportunity to attend the Torah studies led by the student rabbi.
So, several of us have proposed to hold a brief Torah study following lay-led Shabbat services. What are your thoughts on this idea? Various Torah commentaries would be provided and the weekly portion could be discussed.
Please let me or another board member know what you think.
May your next Shabbat bring you rest, an opportunity to pray, and time for study.
Shalom,
Betsy Frank