Why pray? Answers to our annual conundrum

by Rabbi Mike Comins

URL: http://www.jewishjournal.com/high_holy_days/article/why_pray_answers_to_our_annual_conundrum_201009081/

As a congregational rabbi, I dreaded High Holy Day services. The regular attendees who join in the singing, know their way around a service and like to pray, are suddenly a minority. Why do “once-a-year Jews” find their way to Rosh Hashanah services? My guess is a sense of loyalty to the Jewish people, which I admire and applaud. But I doubt that they are there because of the prayers; they are there despite them.

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Comments:	A friend has recommended you read the following from The Jewish Journal... Why pray? Answers to our annual conundrum As a congregational rabbi, I dreaded High Holy Day services. The regular attendees who join in the singing, know their way around a service and like to pray, are suddenly a minority. Why do “once-a-year Jews” find their way to Rosh Hashanah services? My guess is a sense of loyalty to the Jewish people, which I admire and applaud. But I doubt that they are there because of the prayers; they are there despite them. http://www.jewishjournal.com/high_holy_days/article/why_pray_answers_to_our_annual_conundrum_201009081/ Sign up for our free email news alerts at http://www.jewishjournal.com/email.

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