Minyan by Skype?

According to the Jewish sources we read, it is permissible to "skype into" a service to join in with a minyan to pray or say Kaddish along with them. 

However, it is not permissible to actually form a minyan in cyberspace from different computers; rather, there has to be an actual physical minyan already praying in one place, and if there is, then you can join in with them on Skype (or Facetime, etc). 

Why do you think Judaism places such an emphasis on praying together with a group? 

One purpose of saying the Mourner's Kaddish aloud in a group is for a mourner to receive support from the community.  Do you think it's possible to get comfort from other people if  you're just skyping in, and you're not actually there in person with the other people in the minyan?  

Thanksgiving Reflection

We looked at the prayer "Mizmor L'todah" in morning Tefillot - it is a reminder of the "Thanksgiving Offering" (Sacrifice) that people would bring to Hashem after surviving a dangerous situation.

Consider the following questions, and answer each one briefly:

• This "todah" sacrifice was originally brought by people after a life-threatening situation. Why is it now recited every morning in the siddur? 

• The prayer says "Ivdu et Hashem bsimcha", meaning, "serve Hashem with happiness!"  (We learned the song with claps...) What do you think is the connection between being thankful and being happy? 

Teva Trip Tefillot

* At Teva you had the opportunity to be outside for tefillot.  Did this environment make it easier to have "koved rosh"?  Why or why not?

* We can't wait a full hour before tefillot like the Hasidim haRishonim.  What is something you think we can do at school to increase the level of koved rosh? 

Exploring Tefillah in Israeli Popular Music

Consider the following questions about the songs we discussed: 

Which song seems most like a tefillah to you?   What "type" of tefillah (shevach, bakasha, etc.) would you characterize it as?

Which song seems least like a tefillah? 

Which song resonates or "speaks" to you?

** Here are links to some of the music - enjoy! 

Anachnu lo Tzrichim: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSR40XoN12w

K'shehalev Bocheh  - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FueQaJgprxE&feature=related

Halevai: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwEatU285N8

Hineni Muchan Umezuman

As we near the end of Sefirat Ha-Omer, consider the following:

** What is the purpose of stopping to say the "hineni muchan umezuman" passage before the counting of the Omer, or the "Hineni" before putting on Tallit and Tefillin? 

** What is something that you do quickly without thinking much, and what is something you carefully prepare for?
** Saying these extra "kavanot" slows down the service a bit.  Do you prefer tefillot that move at a quick pace or go slowly?  Why?

Haggadat Pesach - Reflecting on the Positive and the Negative

The Haggadah says we begin the Pesach story with the genut (negative part), and end with the shevach (praiseworthy part).  But what is the "genut" and the "shevach" of the story?  Some Rabbis said the bad part was slavery and the good part was freedom; others said it was starting off as idol worshippers, and then finally worshipping God.  What do you think is the real genut and shevach of the Israelites' story?

* Beyond the Passover story, we might also have our own "genut" and "shevach" about Judaism itself.  In other words, your "shevach" would be something you like or makes you proud, or is very meaningful to you about Judaism, and your "genut" would be something you don't like or that make you uncomfortable. What in Jewish tradition, history or practice is the genut for you, and what is the shevach?

[Some of your screen shots appear below!]

Reflections from the Shabbaton

• What is the symbolism behind the 6 psalms that lead up to L'cha Dodi in Kabbalat Shabbat?           How do you make Shabbat a time when you can "let go" of the things that occupy your time and energy during the week? 
• The "parah adumah" (red heifer) which we read about in the maftir is the paradigmatic example of a law that cannot be understood rationally (it is so weird...) We just do it simply because God says so.  Do you find mitzvot more meaningful when they have a rational purpose, or logic?  Or do you find it meaningful to observe mitzvot no matter what simply because they come from God/Torah?  When is it appropriate to do something just because someone says so?  When is it problematic? 
• Through the theme of "The Voice," we discussed using and abusing language.    God used speech to create the world; how can we use speech both to create and destroy?  (Look back at the post from October about Baruch She'amar for a great response from YV).

The Child in the Forest

Last week, we discussed the Hasidic story about the parent and the child who always went to services together . . . and then the child starts disappearing into the forest . . . and the parent finds him/her praying and says, "Why did you leave the shul - don't you know God is the same everywhere?" . . .  and at the end the child responds, "Maybe God is the same everywhere - but I'm not." 

What does this story mean to you?  Do you agree or disagree with the child's statement? 

When we went to the field to daven, did you feel like you were "different" there?  How did it affect your prayer experience, if at all?

From the Gym to the Playground - Where's the Ideal Spot for Koved Rosh?

As we read in the Mishnah, the early group of  "Hasidim" (pious observers)  would pause for a full hour before davening in order to obtain koved rosh, meaning concentration or the appropriate frame of mind. 


What helps you obtain koved rosh?  What is an impediment to having koved rosh? 


Think of the various locations our class has had tefillah this year (outside, the playground, the gym, the office, etc.)  Were you able to "connect" in one place but not another?  Which location was the most conducive to having full koved rosh?  Which was the least?