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What I find intriguing is how a person can decide to
adopt a habit or behavior that didn't seem quite
important enough to practice in the past. For
example, running on a treadmill or elliptical
machine might seem like a worthwhile activity now.
In the past, running might have just seemed like a
way to get from one place to another quickly. It's
interesting that a single activity can serve two
completely different purposes, depending on your
perspective.
Another example is how starting a new diet could
seem worthwhile now although in the past such changes might have been dismissed as too restrictive
or unnecessary. In this case, I think it's interesting that
a pattern of behavior could seem positive from one
perspective and negative from another.
One final example -- another typical New Year's
resolution -- is the promise that you will tell your loved
ones that you love them. While this form of expression
could be very meaningful, it might be something you
once thought sounded trite.
In all three examples, I can picture in my mind's eye
the image of Janus looking in two different directions. I
believe we need to do the same thing. That is to say, I
believe we can consider our habits and behaviors from
two different perspectives. On the one hand, we can
consider our actions from a perspective that's based on
the past, seeing things as we've become accustomed
to seeing them. On the other hand, we can also consider our actions in a more "forward thinking" manner. If we are able to do this, we might find that a
habit or behavior that once seemed unpleasant or
unnecessary could suddenly become worthwhile– even important!
Consider, for example, Jewish prayer and ritual. I
suspect that many would equate prayer with running on
a treadmill or an elliptical machine. It takes effort and it
makes you sweat and feel out of breath. Why bother?
For others it's like following a diet – it feels restrictive
and unnecessary. Or it could be like telling a loved one
how you feel, even when you're thinking that the words
sound trite.
When less than one percent of our Jewish community
participates in a Shabbat morning service, it makes me think that it's because most find it tedious and
unpleasant or unimportant. It makes me think they
see the practice of prayer only in terms of its
exterior characteristics. But I have found that by
adopting a different perspective, it can suddenly
take on tremendous import and value.
To bring more Jews into our synagogue, I don't
think we need a bigger or fancier building. I don't
think we need better music or someone with a
melodious voice to lead us in song, and I don't think
it's a matter of having less Hebrew--or more. What
is needed is for us to become more attuned to
interior dimensions of prayer that have been largely
overlooked.
It is for this reason that I am offering a series
beginning on Tuesday, January 17th entitled, "Why
We (Jews) Do What We Do." In this three-week
series, beginning each night at 7:00, I will share perspectives on prayer and other Jewish rituals,
shedding new light on their meaning, purpose and
value.
As the secular new year begins, it's a good time to
develop new habits which we know will be
beneficial. In doing so, we'll notice how old
perspectives and new ones can make all the
difference. Are there any activities that once
seemed dull or strenuous but which you now
enjoy? Are there any dietary habits that once
seemed restrictive but which you now regard as
life-saving? And are there any words that once
seemed trite but which you now appreciate as
deeply meaningful? If your answer to any of these
questions is "yes," then you will understand how a
better and healthier life often begins with a new
perspective.
I hope you will join our class at 7:00 p.m. on
January 17th as we strive to have a better
understanding of "Why We (Jews) Do What We
Do." It's likely that the new perspective you'll gain
in class will not only change your relationship to
prayer; it also could change everything.
L’shalom.
Rabbi Tom
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