Post by alon on Jul 26, 2014 21:51:18 GMT -8
From my “Artscroll Transliterated Linear Siddur”, BACKGROUND OF THE PRAYERS:
Not Recitation Aone
Rabbeinu Bachba notes in his commentary on the
that it is not the mere recitation of the sacrificial order that is dear to HaShem and that attains its desired end, but rather it is possessing an understanding of the proceedings and their symbolic lessons that achieves this. …
The Levush, however, contends that our recitation of Korbanos is for a different reason. … through the recitation of the Korbanos, with its combination of Scripture, Mishna and Talmud, we accomplish this minimum fulfillment of our daily obligation.
So which one is right? Should we do any of this, even if you only read daily, just to fulfill some obligation? Or should we look for deeper meaning in what we do. Should we understand it and get more out of it than simply a sense of duty done.
In another section on SHIMONEI ESREI –AMIDAH there is a note “Shimoneh Isrei" (or the Amidah) is known as “Service of the Heart.” By definition, it must be understood and comprehended. Fialure to do so is compared by the sages to a “body without a soul.””
To me, just going through the motions was a lot easier in mainC. If that’s all I wanted I’d be swilling coffee and warming a back pew next Sunday—wait, I’ll be doing that anyhow! But that’s all I’d do. We only get out of anything what we put into it. So I keep Shabbath as best I can; am TO as best I can be; and make every Wed night class and what Shabbath services I can. I’m learning slowly, but I am learning and that is what counts! And I pray for understanding and conviction.
Is it worth it? Well, today I was copying a song onto paper, thinking about the words and what they meant and it just hit me- I was in worship! Now, as a recovering Baptist singin’ has never been about worship; more like endurance testing. But to be in worship like that, unexpectedly and absolutely … yer doggone right it’s worth it!
Shavua tov, ya’ll,
Dan C
Not Recitation Aone
Rabbeinu Bachba notes in his commentary on the
that it is not the mere recitation of the sacrificial order that is dear to HaShem and that attains its desired end, but rather it is possessing an understanding of the proceedings and their symbolic lessons that achieves this. …The Levush, however, contends that our recitation of Korbanos is for a different reason. … through the recitation of the Korbanos, with its combination of Scripture, Mishna and Talmud, we accomplish this minimum fulfillment of our daily obligation.
So which one is right? Should we do any of this, even if you only read
daily, just to fulfill some obligation? Or should we look for deeper meaning in what we do. Should we understand it and get more out of it than simply a sense of duty done.In another section on SHIMONEI ESREI –AMIDAH there is a note “Shimoneh Isrei" (or the Amidah) is known as “Service of the Heart.” By definition, it must be understood and comprehended. Fialure to do so is compared by the sages to a “body without a soul.””
To me, just going through the motions was a lot easier in mainC. If that’s all I wanted I’d be swilling coffee and warming a back pew next Sunday—wait, I’ll be doing that anyhow! But that’s all I’d do. We only get out of anything what we put into it. So I keep Shabbath as best I can; am TO as best I can be; and make every Wed night class and what Shabbath services I can. I’m learning slowly, but I am learning and that is what counts! And I pray for understanding and conviction.
Is it worth it? Well, today I was copying a song onto paper, thinking about the words and what they meant and it just hit me- I was in worship! Now, as a recovering Baptist singin’ has never been about worship; more like endurance testing. But to be in worship like that, unexpectedly and absolutely … yer doggone right it’s worth it!
Shavua tov, ya’ll,
Dan C
