Monday, March 5, 2012

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?
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20 comments:

  1. JoshuaMarch 6, 2012 at 5:45 AM

    It means that the kid has more consentration outside than inside. I agree with the childs statement. I felt different, I felt different because everyone had their own space to pray and weren't close together.

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  2. EBMarch 6, 2012 at 5:46 AM

    I think it is very touching and I agree with the kids feelings. I also felt different. Its also nice because its very peaceful.

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  3. sidraMarch 6, 2012 at 5:46 AM

    The story means that not everyone feels the same everywhere. But god is everywhere. I agree with the child's statement. I feel better about davening outside. Besides it being cold, I think it was a nice experience and that we should do it more often. Also, I prayed better outside.

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    1. Gabbi meltzMarch 23, 2012 at 5:56 AM

      YEH SIDRA! you are so smartt! good jobb! i would write the same thingg!!

      Delete
  4. Ari KantorMarch 6, 2012 at 5:48 AM

    I have multiple answers to these questions, that go against eachother. On one hand, this story means absolutly nothing to me. I disagree with the child's statement. I would not feel different if I was outside, maybe a little cold.

    I did not feel different, ON THE OTHER HAND it was easier to pray. There was no loud speaking. I was able to pray, unlike I do inside.

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    1. Gabbi meltzMarch 23, 2012 at 5:57 AM

      aww!! ari!!! i agree with the 2nd one tho...nice job by putting in two scenarios!! whatwhatt

      Delete
  5. Zachary FarberMarch 6, 2012 at 5:50 AM

    This story means to me that you should be able to pray where ever you feel the most focused and in the praying mood. I agree with the child’s statement because like I said everyone feels different depending on their environment.

    I did feel different. I think it helped me focus more on praying and not on other things. It made me closer to God.

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    1. Gabbi meltzMarch 23, 2012 at 5:58 AM

      yes!!! the place makess a differencee!

      Delete
  6. Daniel GlassbergMarch 6, 2012 at 5:54 AM

    When i stand outside and pray to god i feel more
    ruchani (spiritual).

    I feel like God lisens to my tefillah better outsided than every where else.

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    1. AnonymousMarch 23, 2012 at 5:57 AM

      I agree. I felt more connected when I was praying outside rather than inside. Outside, I felt like i was with God more, because God directly created nature, not like inside where man created it. i feel God's presence when im outside more, and i hope we can continue praying there.

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  7. jacobMarch 6, 2012 at 6:21 AM

    I agree that God is the same every where, but you feel different in different places. I feel that God is the same everywhere. What do you feel?

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    1. Daniel greenbergMarch 6, 2012 at 6:25 AM

      I agree with the child's statement that you're different in different places because for me it is true. When I was in the field I felt more connected. I felt closer to G-d than inside.

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  8. jaredMarch 6, 2012 at 6:31 AM

    The story means that outside by himself he feels closer to G-d. For me it was different because we weren't so close to any of our friends so i can feel closer to G-d. Outside is a much better place to pray because we're not all crunched up.

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  9. MelanieMarch 23, 2012 at 6:05 AM

    This story means to me that not everybody can pray in one place. Everyone has a specific place where they can really connect to G-d. I really agree with the children's statement. Outside, I felt more connected to G-d because we were surrounded by G-d creations. I felt "different" outside, and it affected my prayer experience because my prayers were mpre meaningful.

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    1. Aliza Bromberg Gaber 7th GradeMarch 23, 2012 at 8:10 AM

      I agree with you. The boy feels closer alone without distractions, the same as me. I feel closer to G-d because outside I can really focus on the nature and G-d's creations not inside closer distractions. Also inside you're surrounded by more man made things not to connect to G-d.

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    2. AnonymousMarch 23, 2012 at 8:12 AM

      I agree. being outside does make me feel closer to god. i feel like god's presence is in nature more than in things that man destroyed in order to make their own stuff.

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  10. Gabbi MeltzMarch 23, 2012 at 8:03 AM

    Ok so here is my take on this... I think that it does make a difference where i pray. For example, if I were to pray in a tight enclosed room full of people i would like cry. If I were outside with few or no people i would pray and be happy...LOL. It definetly makes a difference...i mean who wants to be praying in a place that's stuffed with people?? The boy was right to move outside so he could connect better with God. I would have done the same too...!!

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  11. jaredMay 15, 2012 at 7:27 AM

    I agree with the child if god is everywhere and if you feel like you can concentrate more in the forest than by your self then go for it. You're still praying alone or not.

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  12. AnonymousMay 25, 2012 at 6:06 AM

    I agree with the boy because the story is saying that the boy wants to pray alone.

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