An Evening Prayer
The Vaad Harabonim of Detroit is hosting a Yom T'Filla at Young Israel of Oak Park tonight at 7:45. The shul announcements say that we are invited to an "evening of tehilim and prayer for our brothers and sisters in Gush Katif, Gaza, Israel."
What they don't say is what we are davening for. Is it for a smooth transition? The success of the protesters? The success of disengagement? Are we asking for Hashem to do the right thing, because since we believe he does the right thing anyway, we are wasting our time. Or are we trying to change the course of events, in which case it would be nice to know what we were trying to change it to.
As far as our rabbi is concerned, this is a night of unity, where one person can be in the same room as another person davening for the exact opposite thing to happen.
This shabbos, the rabbi spoke about disengagement on Shabbos. He spoke about it from a religious point of view, rather than political, and chose the Ramban and his anti-disengagement stance. Which is fine. There are enough opinions out there that you can choose your politics and match it up to a rabbinic authority. But why won't the Vaad Harabanim do that? Why don't they take a public stand and let everyone know what they are davening for?
They do have a phone number where you can call with questions, but when I called this morning I got an answering machine. I don't think they are hiding. I just think they are understaffed and no one was there to answer the phone.
What they don't say is what we are davening for. Is it for a smooth transition? The success of the protesters? The success of disengagement? Are we asking for Hashem to do the right thing, because since we believe he does the right thing anyway, we are wasting our time. Or are we trying to change the course of events, in which case it would be nice to know what we were trying to change it to.
As far as our rabbi is concerned, this is a night of unity, where one person can be in the same room as another person davening for the exact opposite thing to happen.
This shabbos, the rabbi spoke about disengagement on Shabbos. He spoke about it from a religious point of view, rather than political, and chose the Ramban and his anti-disengagement stance. Which is fine. There are enough opinions out there that you can choose your politics and match it up to a rabbinic authority. But why won't the Vaad Harabanim do that? Why don't they take a public stand and let everyone know what they are davening for?
They do have a phone number where you can call with questions, but when I called this morning I got an answering machine. I don't think they are hiding. I just think they are understaffed and no one was there to answer the phone.
posted by Air Time at 9:37 AM
8 Comments:
oooh that moissanite site is the best
Even if they had an answer, I've always been taught that prayer, even in a Minyan, is a personal thing. As a show of unity, you pray together, but what will you say? Even if they say they're praying for the disengagement to falter or for all those in transition to be safe, etc, is that what you'll have in your mind? Maybe, they don't want to walk the muddy waters of mixing politics with halacha. You're always liable to piss some-one off. Like, you said. You can take any opinion here and match it with a halachic view, so why should they? I don't know. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you should pray for whatever you believe in your heart. Pray for all of it. Pray that it won't happen, but if it does, that they and all of us should be safe as a result. Pray for the safe spontaneous combustion (otherwise suicide bomb could be counted as that) of every terrorist. Just Pray. (Nike did good)
-OC
i know i'm a bloghoe
http://amshinover.blogspot.com/2005/08/you-dont-know.html
related
http://www.arutz7.net/news.php3?id=87300
Someone in my office who also daavens at our shul just called to ask the Rabbi. The secretary said that it was a prayer for unity with those in Gush Katif. The person in my office asked for the rabbi to call back for clarification.
oh please, the ramban again? what about the rambam, for one example among many, who does not count israel as a mitzva?
the ramban is tired.
and i love seeing americans scream about how israelis should risk their lives.
and there have been so many worse times for israel; why is d coming together for this one?
this whole thing actually demonstrates israels strength, not weakness.
disengagement is so tired. its a done deal, and lets move on, people!
Anon, the disengagement isn't a fashion fad that you say is "tired" like last season's fashion. I can understand what you're saying, but you might be wise to use some discretion with the words you choose to express your opinions.
-OC
Anon,you're a bastard!
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