Can you Lead?
15 August 2008 - 15 אב 5768 by Huw
ES, IT’S true that the Jewish Tradition doesn’t need clergy to lead a service. But take a look at this post over at Jewschool (ignore the politics, the meat is here):
It happened that this particular pilgrim’s grandfather passed away almost a week following the trip’s conclusion and he was rushed with his family to Florida for a quick funeral and subsequent shiva [Mourning] period. When it was time for mincha [Afternoon Prayer] and maariv [Evening Prayer] respectfully, no one volunteered to lead because no one knew how. There was not one skilled individual who was able to recite Kaddish Yatom (Mourner’s Kaddish). So with all his courage, this pilgrim stood up and for the first time in his life led both themincha and maariv services for his grandfather’s shiva.
He told me this story to simply thank me for his success and gained knowledge. Not once during the summer did he express interest in leading a service or show a strong interest for the prayers. Instead, he complained that three-times-a-day was too much, and that learning tefillah (prayer) was not fun. Even if prayer was the only part of the trip that was not exciting, when he was in a situation where a prayer leader was needed, it clicked in his head how important it was to know prayer, and what prayer means for us as Jews today. It is both personal and communal; tefillah [Prayer] is comforting, and uniquely ours.
That last line is important. It is both personal and communal; [Prayer] is comforting, and uniquely ours.
For my Anglican Readers: do the youth of your parish now how to navigate the Book of Common Prayer? Easily 50% of the things in there can be read by laity in church. Would they know how to lead their family in Mornign Prayer? Evening Prayer? Even the Daily Devotions for Families and Individuals?
For my Orthodox Readers: do the youth of your parish know how to assmeble even a simple 1st, 3rd, 6th or 9th Hour? Are they familiar with Reader’s Services? Could they lead their own family in Typica? Hell - do the adults?
It is both personal and communal; [Prayer] is comforting, and uniquely ours. But it is only ours if we make it ours, use it, live it. “Read, Mark, Learn and Inwardly Digest It.”
My ten year old is used to me praying the Hours at home; she probably could manage them herself if necessary. Orthodox Vespers and Matins are a minefield, IMO. The Olde Believer prayer book has much more manageable versions :-)
I finally acquired a Siddur yesterday; I now have a copy of the Complete Artscroll Siddur, Ashkenazi version. So much of it is so very familiar already !
Difficulty with the Book of Common Prayer? It seems rather easy to navigate and use…