Beyond the Bema

At Shavuot service Sunday evening, our Rabbi shared with us that for the next year we are going to embark on a journey learning about prayer. Now prayer is not for everyone, but to me, it’s everything. 

I prayed to a God in my time of stepping away from Christianity to the ten years of “finding myself”. I know now that without a doubt I was praying to HaShem. It’s how I made it through some really hard times. There were times that I felt prayer was all I had. And it was prayer that led me to Judaism. I prayed for a sign to show me which religion I should follow so I wouldn’t make the wrong choice. And, well, the sign came to me with a 24 year old inviting me to synagogue and walking through those doors. 

I have a small collection of prayer books now and I like to follow my Rabbis advice on being intentional. Also, our Cantor admitted she uses her commute to pray sometimes and also while hiking. I’ve started to really intentionally get some prayer time in at work with my favorite prayer book(the one our Cantor recommended). I talk to HaShem when I go on my walks and driving has become my safe space. Sometimes to be quiet and just let your soul be near God are some of the best ways to hear what is being said or not said. 

When our Rabbi said that about prayer, the man had my full attention. My hope is that everyone who experiences this prayer journey with us gets to experience the depth and joyous moments of prayer that at least I have gotten to experience. I hope that it resonates and makes relationships stronger. 

We talked about the Mi Seberach.

And let me just talk about this for a second. I love Judaism. And one of the reasons why is you don’t have just one person at the Bema telling a message and everyone following along. In Judaism, it is encouraged to collaborate. See the Rabbi or Cantor(Rabbi) might ask questions, or people might simply hold there hands up to be called on. We might have a different way of viewing things or just a word that lifts up what was being said. Either way, it’s community, and its emphasis on learning together, collectively.

Okay, back to prayers for the sick. Boy is this different than Christianity. It is the sanctity of space allotted to have these people in our hearts, on our brains, and touching our souls. Christianity is was different. I feel closer saying Mi Seberach for those in need than I ever did praying for people, getting involved in prayer chains, laying hands on people, etc. It is some people’s thing, but it’s not for me.

I pray that if you are reading this and on the borderline of trying prayer, just do it. Research if you want. Prayer is my outlet (well that & music) and maybe it can be for you as well.

Excited for what’s to come.

-Shavua Tov