The Shul Has Left the Building
Bringing Judaism Home in the times of Corona
“If I had the power, I would provisionally close all synagogues for a hundred years. Do not tremble at the thought of it, Jewish heart. What would happen? Jews and Jewesses without synagogues, desiring to remain such, would be forced to concentrate on a Jewish life and a Jewish home.”
Rabbi Samson Rapahel Hirsch penned these poignant words in the 1800s. He had no way of knowing the times we are in, but he did have foresight of what would become of our shuls, Jews and Judaism in 2020.
Shuls have been closed and most recently sparsely filled with the faithful for services. We are all so used to our regular attendance in shul, to raise up our voices to our Father in Heaven, to hear our voice, to connect, to beseech and offer thanks. On Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the liturgy is a central part of the holiday observance, and we usually see the highest attendance at shul.
Since Coronavirus, so many have explored their Judaism outside of the shul, expanding the Shabbos experience with baking of challah and lighting Shabbos candles. There has been an increase in kosher adherence and (online) Torah study. My wife, Chanie, has been teaching nonstop with private online lessons for women who would like to learn more about and enhance their adherence to mikvah observance. Friends are connecting in ways they have not before, reaching out to and checking in on each other and being a regular (video) call away. Parents are more in tune with their children’s education, ensuring it is imbued with the Jewish spirit. Those who “have” are giving tzedaka for the families and institutions that are the “have nots.”
For many now, “eating out” means to eat outside. “Let’s have a change of scenery” is a walk to the front porch. A furniture salesman shared how the housewares industry has never been so busy, as people are redecorating their homes, their now more permanent nest for living, working, playing and eating. And we have witnessed an increase of “redecorating” of Jewish homes making sure they have mezuzos on every doorpost, not only the main doors, and Jewish books proudly displayed in a central library.
As Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur attendance may be difficult for many, and impossible for others, we now have an opportunity to highlight the true core focus of the days, i.e. hearing the shofar on Rosh Hashana and fasting on Yom Kippur. Many shuls and all of the Chabad centers in Houston held many opportunities for as many people as possible to hear the shofar, live, as required by Jewish law in a safe and physically distanced manner. Yom Kippur is most importantly about keeping the five “afflictions:”abstaining from eating, drinking, bathing, applying lotions, wearing leather shoes, and engaging in marital relations.
Let’s embrace this wonderful opportunity to increase our focus on essential elements of Jewish observance that predate the shul.
The shul may have left the building, yet, Judaism can be a winner for it. B’ezras Hashem, with Hashem’s help, it won’t be for Rabbi Hirsch’s theoretical hundred years.
With wishes for a year filled with Jewish ritual and inspiration and a Gmar Chasima Tova, may you be sealed for a good year,
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie Lazaroff
The Jewish Herald Voice ran a beautiful front page story last week about the Honey Cake Bake. Read the story here.
- Our website has a massive section to help you get in the zone for Yom Kippur with many COVID resources to help you prepare if you are staying home. Check it all out at chabaduptown.org/yomkippur. Watch Rabbi Chaim's class this week going over the essential prayers
- Next Friday night is Sukkot! We have a few Esrog & Lulav sets left at chabadhouston.com/lulav.
- To safely accommodate as many people as possible to come visit and make a brocho in the sukkah, please click here to reserve for your personal 30 minute slot. Please note, that in addition to the brocho for eating in the sukkah, a brocho on the Lulav & Esrog is only made during the daytime and not on Shabbos.
- The complete schedule for Yom Kippur and Sukkot & Simchat Torah
SHABBOS SHUVA, PARSHAS HA'AZINU
Friday, Tishrei 7 - September 25
Candle Lighting at 6:56 pm
Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat at 6:55 pm
Evening Shema after 7:38 pm
Shabbos, Tishrei 8 - September 26
Shacharis at 10:00 am
Latest Morning Shema at 10:10 am
Mincha at 6:55 pm
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 7:48 pm
Living Torah #33 at www.70years.com
Sunday, Erev Yom Kippur, September 27
Light Holiday Candles & Fast Begins at 6:53 pm
Kol Nidrei 6:45 pm
Community Indoors & Sefardi Outdoor Tent
Monday, Yom Kippur, September 28
Sefardi Morning Service (Outdoor Tent) at 7:30 am
Community Morning Service at 9:30 am
Yizkor Memorial Service at 12:30 pm
Sefardi Mincha Service (Outdoor Tent) at 4:00 pm
Community Mincha Afternoon Service at 5:00 pm
Sefardi Neilah Closing Service (Outdoor Tent) at 6:00 pm
Community Neilah Closing Service at 6:15 pm
Havdala & Fast Ends at 7:46 pm
VIRTUAL CLASSES
www.chabaduptown.org/liveclass
Tuesday
12:00 pm - Parsha Class
Wednesday
8 PM YJP CLASS
Thursday
12:00 pm - Kitzur Shulchan Aruch - Jewish Law
8:00 pm - Chassidus - Derech Mitzvosecha