I earned my stripes this morning! I got here at about 6:40 AM, put on my T’fillin, and joined with a Minyan for Shachrit. Minyan, whether the morning or afternoon/evening, is a wonderful way to start your day and finish your day. One thing I notice, in most Synagogues people think the daily Minyanim are only for those saying Mourner’s Kaddish. They could not be more wrong. It is true, that one can-not say the Mourner’s Kaddish without a minyan, however this should not be the only reason one goes to a weekday service.
There truly is something very uplifting about praying together with a group to start your day. It is invigorating, it helps put things in perspective. Not only are you doing a Mitzvah by becoming a part of a daily Minyan, but it is also a wonderful experience. Over the years, I have been involved with several Synagogues. I am proud to say that the last two Synagogues I worked in – B’Nai Torah in Boca Raton, FL and now Dix Hills Jewish Center in Dix Hills, NY both have vibrant daily Minyan services.
Unfortunately this is not the case in many other Synagogues throughout the United States and other parts of the world. You can-not turn around and say that this is an Orthodox tradition, I know several Orthodox Synagogues that do not get enough for a Minyan on a daily basis. On the other spectrum, I know of many Reform Synagogues that have daily Minyanim. So why is it that some Synagogues have the support of the community and some don’t? Why is it that even the ones which do have active daily Minyanim go under the presumption that it is only for the saying of the Mourner’s Kaddish? Is this a symptom of our busy culture? Are we as a people too involved with our own daily activities to start and end our days with prayer?
I don’t want to get into a theological discussion with this yet – though eventually, as I begin to not my thoughts on a weekly basis on this and other topics through facebook I might.
For me, before becoming a Cantor, I have always found daily Minyan a comfort. It is not that I went every time, however the times I went to the Minyan in the mornings I found myself energized and able to handle the challenges that faced me during the day. And when I went to the afternoon/evening Minyan I found myself able to let go of any pressures or concerns I had during the day and able to come home to my family with an open heart.
Though this brief discussion (and I hope it does beget discussion) is focused on the Minyanim in a Synagogue, it does not just stay in Judaism. I think it is very important that all people should start their day with prayer and meditation and end the day the same way. This is not just a “Jewish” or “Religious” thing, it is something that we as human beings need and should do. And not just alone. It should be done with a group, done with your community, or other communities.
Over the next few months I will post weekly thoughts on various topics. For the first several months I will be focusing on daily prayers – and why it is important that people should be open to prayer and meditation in the mornings and in the evenings.
If you wish to add to this discussion your thoughts please do. I look forward to reading your responses.
Cantor Steven Hevenstone