[yshavurah] Fwd: MAIL-HAVURAH digest 845
- From: Clevineys@xxxxxxx
- To: yshavurah@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 7 Mar 2002 10:44:33 EST
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This is nicely done-
-c
In a message dated 3/5/2002 9:09:41 PM Pacific Standard Time,
mail-havurah@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:
> Dear Friends, I've created a spiritual orientation to synagogue worship
> for use by synagogues. It's in two formats, WordPerfect 6 and ASCII.
> The idea is to have a flyer available at the entrance to the sanctuary
> to orient newcomers. Please encourage synagogues to use it and forward
> this message to friends, other e-lists, web sites, etc. Yitzhak Buxbaum
>
> [Moderator's note: Only the text version is below. The list
> does not support attachments. If you would like the WP6 version
> contact Yitzhak directly.]
>
> Newcomers to synagogues are often unfamiliar with Jewish
> prayer and become lost. The following material is offered to all
> synagogues for use. Print up copies and place them in the lobby
> of the sanctuary, perhaps in a special box on the wall labelled
> "A Spiritual Orientation to Prayer for Newcomers." Please forward
> this material to any interested parties and to any websites that
> would like to use it. The only condition for use is that you
> retain the credit and information at the end.
>
>
> A WELCOME TO NEWCOMERS
>
>
> A Spiritual Orientation to Jewish Prayer
>
>
> Welcome to our synagogue. We're so glad you've come to join
> us. If you're unfamiliar with synagogue worship and Jewish
> prayer, we'd like to offer a little helpful orientation.
> First of all, please feel that you're among friends. Don't
> hesitate to introduce yourself or to ask anybody here a question
> about anything happening.
> You may want to just sit and watch or involve yourself in
> any way that seems comfortable.
> If you come to the synagogue regularly, you'll eventually
> learn all the different customs and how to participate fully. But
> even if you don't know all that now, you can still participate
> and be elevated spiritually.
> What's the essence of the service-- the purpose of the
> prayers, the singing, the ritual? Jewish tradition teaches that
> it's a way to develop love of God, love of people, and love of
> yourself. We can also become aware of God's love for us.
> Davvening (Jewish prayer) is a form of meditation. By entering
> into a meditative mood during the service and coming into contact
> with your deepest self (your soul), you can truly open yourself
> to other people and to God. The mystics teach that before a
> prayer-service it is good to utter one's intention to fulfill the
> commandment "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." That's
> why it's important for us to be friendly when we're together in
> the synagogue. So relax and feel at home. This is God's House, so
> it's also your house.
> The main task in prayer is getting close to God. Don't worry
> overmuch about being in step with every detail of the synagogue
> service. Focus on the essence, which is to be in a meditative
> mood and open yourself to God. Only then can you meet Him.
> How does one meditate in davvening? First, resolve to take
> your mind off any worries or concerns about outside affairs, and
> to concentrate on what you are doing now, which is tending to
> your soul. Then, through the recitations, singing, Torah reading,
> and other activities, focus more and more on spiritual reality
> and on God, until, God-willing, you'll have an experience.
> Initially, that means feeling meditative and calm, and
> eventually, that you will feel yourself to be in God's presence.
> So, if you want to get the most out of your synagogue experience,
> use this time to meditate. You can meditate by reciting, by
> listening, by singing, or by thinking deeply. Be friendly and
> relaxed, but avoid excessive conversation in the sanctuary.
> Concentrate on the prayers in a meditative mood. Avoid looking
> around constantly. As in any form of meditation, you must control
> your glance to focus your mind. One easy way to do this is to
> focus your gaze on the page in the prayerbook. Feel free to look
> around from time to time, but with a spiritual purpose-- to take
> in the religious activity happening around you. Close your eyes
> occasionally and picture yourself surrounded by God's presence or
> imagine that He is right in front of you, so that He is looking
> at you and you are looking back. Reflect on the deeper meaning of
> your life. Think about loving God, people, and yourself.
> Read prayers aloud or whisper them, moving your lips (in
> traditional Jewish prayer, reading silently is not considered
> davvening). Try to say the prayers with feeling; mean what you
> say. Reflect on the prayers and try to understand them. Don't be
> surprised if some of them express ideas contrary to your own
> views. Part of your work in Jewish prayer is to become familiar
> with traditional views. If you encounter something in the prayers
> that disturbs you, don't dwell on it. Focus on the parts that
> speak to you. Try to keep up with the congregation but don't
> worry if you lag behind. Don't rush and lose your meditative
> mood. If you skip a prayer here or there, that's also O.K. If you
> lose your place in the prayerbook, just ask the person next to
> you. He or she will be glad to help.
> If you don't read Hebrew, read the English in the
> prayerbook. If you are reading the Hebrew without understanding
> it, you may want to read the English occasionally to reflect on
> what you're saying. When reciting Hebrew prayers without
> understanding them, consider the words in the Holy Tongue as
> vehicles carrying your innermost thoughts and deepest spiritual
> yearnings to God. While uttering the Hebrew words, think thoughts
> related to the davvening and focus your mind on God. When the
> congregation sings a melody for a prayer, consider the spiritual
> message of the melody as primary and the words as secondary. Join
> in the singing and let the song carry your soul heavenward. If
> you feel comfortable doing so, it is a good practice,
> occasionally during the service, to utter short personal prayers
> for what you may need or what a friend or a loved one needs.
> (Personal prayers may be expressed mentally.) You can also say
> such things as: "God, I want to learn about You and how to get
> close to You!" or, perhaps, if you have trouble with faith, say:
> "God, people say You exist, but I've never met You. Please reveal
> Yourself to me!"
> Try to establish a continuous meditative mood throughout the
> service. If you avoid interruptions, distractions, and
> distracting thoughts, you will build up spiritual power, enter a
> meditative mood, and with God's help, "something will happen."
> You will have a spiritual experience. Minimally, you're
> guaranteed at least a taste of peace and joy.
> We hope you enjoy the service in the deepest way.
>
>
> This orientation to Jewish prayer is based on Yitzhak Buxbaum's
> booklet: Real Davvening: Jewish Prayer as a Spiritual Practice
> and a Form of Meditation for Beginning and Experienced Davveners.
> The booklet is available in Jewish and general bookstores and
> available directly from him. See his website, The Jewish Spirit
> Online at http://www.jewishspirit.com to order.
>
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From: National Havurah Committee Mailing List <mail-havurah@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: National Havurah Committee Mailing List <mail-havurah@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: MAIL-HAVURAH digest 845
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MAIL-HAVURAH Digest 845
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Synagogue E-mail guidelines
by Joyce Romoff <joyceromoff@xxxxxxxxxxx>
2) Re: MAIL-HAVURAH digest 844
by Diligen@xxxxxx
3) A Spiritual Orientation to Synagogue Worship
by Yitzhak Buxbaum <yitzhak@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Joyce Romoff <joyceromoff@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: National Havurah Committee Mailing List <mail-havurah@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [MAIL-HAVURAH:3952] Synagogue E-mail guidelines
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Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 23:57:07 EST
New topic:
Our synagogue is beginning to do a lot of communication by e-mail. Some of
our members are annoyed at the amount and nature of e-mail communications.
We have a Yahoo group that permits us to send e-mails to everyone with an
e-mail address at the same time. Do any of you have guidelines out there
that you'd be willing to share regarding when/whether e-mail should be used.
I'd appreciate any help.
Regards,
Joyce Romoff
-----
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------------------------------
From: Diligen@xxxxxx
To: National Havurah Committee Mailing List <mail-havurah@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [MAIL-HAVURAH:3953] Re: MAIL-HAVURAH digest 844
MIME-Version: 1.0
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Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 00:00:38 EST
--part1_111.e419432.29b4cfc1_boundary
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Please post this reply to Arthur (#844)
Dear Chevre:
=20
In mail-havurah 844 Arthur wrote:
=E2=80=9CI think that Danny Pearl joins an amazing honor roll of Jewish
martyrs of the past generation who were killed not because they were Jews,
but because they were acting upon profound Jewish values
Well, maybe. Perhaps his murder had something more to do with his identity
(as an American and a Jew with Israeli connections) than it did with his
values, however lofty. Even if he was merely a reporter
trying to get a story rather than a larger-than-life Saint on a Mission to
End Terror or somesuch, his murder should arouse our heartbreak and outrage.
Why do we have to transform him into some kind of exemplar/mythical
figure?
Arthur further writes:
This a new pathof Kiddush hashem -- making holy God's Name -- well
befitting a new world in which Judaism stands alongside and with other paths
of decency and holiness.
Well, I'm glad that Judaism finally got with the program! Seriously,
I see no evidence of this new world just yet. Dear Arthur,
may it come speedily and in our day.
Kol Tuv,
Mosh
--part1_111.e419432.29b4cfc1_boundary--
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From: Yitzhak Buxbaum <yitzhak@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: National Havurah Committee Mailing List <mail-havurah@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [MAIL-HAVURAH:3954] A Spiritual Orientation to Synagogue Worship
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/mixed;
Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 00:10:07 EST
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
--------------FC584E01257FF59417277921
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Dear Friends, I've created a spiritual orientation to synagogue worship
for use by synagogues. It's in two formats, WordPerfect 6 and ASCII.
The idea is to have a flyer available at the entrance to the sanctuary
to
orient newcomers. Please encourage synagogues to use it and forward
this message to friends, other e-lists, web sites, etc. Yitzhak Buxbaum
[Moderator's note: Only the text version is below. The list
does not support attachments. If you would like the WP6 version
contact Yitzhak directly.]
Newcomers to synagogues are often unfamiliar with Jewish
prayer and become lost. The following material is offered to all
synagogues for use. Print up copies and place them in the lobby
of the sanctuary, perhaps in a special box on the wall labelled
"A Spiritual Orientation to Prayer for Newcomers." Please forward
this material to any interested parties and to any websites that
would like to use it. The only condition for use is that you
retain the credit and information at the end.
A WELCOME TO NEWCOMERS
A Spiritual Orientation to Jewish Prayer
Welcome to our synagogue. We're so glad you've come to join
us. If you're unfamiliar with synagogue worship and Jewish
prayer, we'd like to offer a little helpful orientation.
First of all, please feel that you're among friends. Don't
hesitate to introduce yourself or to ask anybody here a question
about anything happening.
You may want to just sit and watch or involve yourself in
any way that seems comfortable.
If you come to the synagogue regularly, you'll eventually
learn all the different customs and how to participate fully. But
even if you don't know all that now, you can still participate
and be elevated spiritually.
What's the essence of the service-- the purpose of the
prayers, the singing, the ritual? Jewish tradition teaches that
it's a way to develop love of God, love of people, and love of
yourself. We can also become aware of God's love for us.
Davvening (Jewish prayer) is a form of meditation. By entering
into a meditative mood during the service and coming into contact
with your deepest self (your soul), you can truly open yourself
to other people and to God. The mystics teach that before a
prayer-service it is good to utter one's intention to fulfill the
commandment "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." That's
why it's important for us to be friendly when we're together in
the synagogue. So relax and feel at home. This is God's House, so
it's also your house.
The main task in prayer is getting close to God. Don't worry
overmuch about being in step with every detail of the synagogue
service. Focus on the essence, which is to be in a meditative
mood and open yourself to God. Only then can you meet Him.
How does one meditate in davvening? First, resolve to take
your mind off any worries or concerns about outside affairs, and
to concentrate on what you are doing now, which is tending to
your soul. Then, through the recitations, singing, Torah reading,
and other activities, focus more and more on spiritual reality
and on God, until, God-willing, you'll have an experience.
Initially, that means feeling meditative and calm, and
eventually, that you will feel yourself to be in God's presence.
So, if you want to get the most out of your synagogue experience,
use this time to meditate. You can meditate by reciting, by
listening, by singing, or by thinking deeply. Be friendly and
relaxed, but avoid excessive conversation in the sanctuary.
Concentrate on the prayers in a meditative mood. Avoid looking
around constantly. As in any form of meditation, you must control
your glance to focus your mind. One easy way to do this is to
focus your gaze on the page in the prayerbook. Feel free to look
around from time to time, but with a spiritual purpose-- to take
in the religious activity happening around you. Close your eyes
occasionally and picture yourself surrounded by God's presence or
imagine that He is right in front of you, so that He is looking
at you and you are looking back. Reflect on the deeper meaning of
your life. Think about loving God, people, and yourself.
Read prayers aloud or whisper them, moving your lips (in
traditional Jewish prayer, reading silently is not considered
davvening). Try to say the prayers with feeling; mean what you
say. Reflect on the prayers and try to understand them. Don't be
surprised if some of them express ideas contrary to your own
views. Part of your work in Jewish prayer is to become familiar
with traditional views. If you encounter something in the prayers
that disturbs you, don't dwell on it. Focus on the parts that
speak to you. Try to keep up with the congregation but don't
worry if you lag behind. Don't rush and lose your meditative
mood. If you skip a prayer here or there, that's also O.K. If you
lose your place in the prayerbook, just ask the person next to
you. He or she will be glad to help.
If you don't read Hebrew, read the English in the
prayerbook. If you are reading the Hebrew without understanding
it, you may want to read the English occasionally to reflect on
what you're saying. When reciting Hebrew prayers without
understanding them, consider the words in the Holy Tongue as
vehicles carrying your innermost thoughts and deepest spiritual
yearnings to God. While uttering the Hebrew words, think thoughts
related to the davvening and focus your mind on God. When the
congregation sings a melody for a prayer, consider the spiritual
message of the melody as primary and the words as secondary. Join
in the singing and let the song carry your soul heavenward. If
you feel comfortable doing so, it is a good practice,
occasionally during the service, to utter short personal prayers
for what you may need or what a friend or a loved one needs.
(Personal prayers may be expressed mentally.) You can also say
such things as: "God, I want to learn about You and how to get
close to You!" or, perhaps, if you have trouble with faith, say:
"God, people say You exist, but I've never met You. Please reveal
Yourself to me!"
Try to establish a continuous meditative mood throughout the
service. If you avoid interruptions, distractions, and
distracting thoughts, you will build up spiritual power, enter a
meditative mood, and with God's help, "something will happen."
You will have a spiritual experience. Minimally, you're
guaranteed at least a taste of peace and joy.
We hope you enjoy the service in the deepest way.
This orientation to Jewish prayer is based on Yitzhak Buxbaum's
booklet: Real Davvening: Jewish Prayer as a Spiritual Practice
and a Form of Meditation for Beginning and Experienced Davveners.
The booklet is available in Jewish and general bookstores and
available directly from him. See his website, The Jewish Spirit
Online at http://www.jewishspirit.com to order.
--------------FC584E01257FF59417277921--
_________________________________________________________________
Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com
------------------------------
End of MAIL-HAVURAH Digest 845
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