Dear Friends:

The three significant spiritual pillars of our tradition are those of TORAH (the study of Jewish wisdom), AVODAH (the spiritual journey of Jewish prayer), and GEMILUT HASADIM (the deeds of Loving-Kindness, Social Justice, and Social Action to which we are committed as individuals and as a community).  According to the Talmud, these three pillars of spiritual striving serve as the foundation for the entire world.  For many of us, the third pillar of Jewish spirituality noted above – our commitment to Deeds of Loving-Kindness – is a most obvious spiritual expression.  For many of us, Jewish study serves as a meaningful spiritual engagement.  Prayer, however, is the least intuitive opportunity for Jewish spirituality in our era, largely because few of us believe that our prayers to God are answered or even heard by God.  In this column, I will aim to bolster prayer as an important third pillar of our personal and collective Jewish spiritual endeavor, by offering an alternative understanding of the value and purpose of prayer and by introducing readers to the range of opportunities and conveniences available for meaningful prayer at CNT.  To begin, let’s turn together to the collective Jewish wisdom of TORAH, for some commentary on the value and purpose of prayer.  We might be surprised at what we find.

Among the formative legends of the Book of Genesis, one finds the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Prior to God’s destruction of these cities and their inhabitants, Abraham, the first Jewish man, offers the first prayer recorded in the Torah; he prays on behalf of the citizens of these two cities.  He implores God to save the many wicked citizens upon the merit of the few righteous ones who might reside among them.  Abraham’s prayers appear to fail as the two cities, with all of their inhabitants, are destroyed.

Consider that the first recorded instance of all Jewish prayer, a prayer offered by one as great as our patriarch, Abraham, was a failure by the standards that many of us employ when evaluating the worth of prayer as a spiritual enterprise.  God might have heard Abraham.  However, it would appear that God did not listen to him.  After all, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed!  The Torah’s initial example of human prayer would appear to be an odd one if, in fact, prayer should be expected to produce a response to us on God’s part.

Abraham might never have prayed again.  But, he did.  He might have concluded that prayer was a worthless endeavor since it did not achieve his aims.  But he didn’t.  Abraham used prayer for the opportunity that it truly represents more than any other; he reflected upon that which matters most to him and derived strength and fortitude to make the difference in the world that he could make.  As the first Jew, and as the first Jewish person engaged in prayer, Abraham’s foray into dialogue with Divinity should inspire us to look inward for the outcomes of prayer rather than outward.  How God responds to our prayers is largely irrelevant; whether and how we respond to our own prayers is essential. 

In our own community, we add an additional element to the opportunity that prayer represents, as Jews have done so for millennia.  We add the opportunity of community.  Our greatest “comings together” occur when we gather for prayer, not only during the High Holy Days but throughout the year.  We do so in Hebrew and in English, we do so with various forms of rhythmic and musical accompaniment and without, and we do so in larger multi-generational settings and in more intimate groupings.

Consider the following:  In addition to our regular Friday Evening and Shabbat Morning Services, we enjoy together the inspirational and musical Service of First Shabbat on the initial Friday evening of every month.  We have Parent & Me monthly Tot Shabbat Services on Shabbat mornings and an engaging Young Family Service on Friday evenings every other month.   Refer to our Service-schedule in our monthly Bulletin for Junior Congregation Services on Shabbat mornings as well.  Each of these Services aims to bring our community together meaningfully and joyously.  Each is listed and described elsewhere in this month’s Bulletin.  Join us – celebrate all that is Jewish and discover the wonder of community while reminding yourself of all that matters most to you and what you choose to do about it.

As a related item, I am often asked by younger families about which of our regular weekly Services might be best for them and their children.  Aside from the first and third Friday evenings of every month, our Friday evening Services begin at 6:15 PM, are generally laid back and casual, enjoy piano accompaniment, and are very child and family friendly.  In fact, a number of families have begun attending these Services with their young children quite regularly.  As with all our Services, our “crying-room” is available to parents when our children need a break (the crying-room has the Service piped in over built-in speakers and has a window from which parents and children can continue to enjoy the Service – it is also equipped with games, toys, a changing table, and a bathroom!).  Once your child is ready, join us again in the sanctuary.  Our 6:15 Friday evening Services last about one hour and I hope to see you there.

 Prayer can be meaningful for many personal reasons.  Come to any of the above Services and find your personal meaning in prayer.

 B’Shalom – With Blessings of Peace and Wholeness,

 Rabbi Isaac Jeret
Spiritual Leader