So many topics were discussed in these 7 pages which included many specific laws. Instead of running through all of them I think we can instead distill them into these meta concepts:
1. It is clear that the rabbis devoted much time and attention to the concept of daily prayer. Most of these pages are devoted to situations that may affect our ability to recite the Shema and pray the amidah at the right time. No matter what we are doing - even if we're working in a tree! - we have to pause and pray. However, if we are stressed or agitated (mainly if we are dealing with a funeral), only then may we be exempt. Prayers must be recited because it is commanded from the Torah and it reflects our obligation to acknowledge our belief in and gratitude to God. Therefore, we must ensure that we pray on time every day, three times a day.
2. The discussion of funerals exempting us from prayer leads to a lengthy discussion about what happens when we die. The rabbis present several lengthy stories that highlight their belief, and therefore the Jewish belief, that the dead can hear us, can respond to us and look out for our welfare! The rabbis bring "proof" from these stories in order to strengthen and comfort us. By sharing these stories the rabbis are encouraging us not to give up hope - life does continue after we die - and we can still have a meaningful relationship with our deceased relatives and teachers.
3. The discussion of the dead leads to a lengthy discussion of the dignity of human beings. The Torah teaches that if an unidentified corpse is found outside a city, the elders of the nearest city must give it a proper burial. Even a kohen who would otherwise be exempt from such duties is commanded to participate - for the sake of human dignity. This concept, first mentioned in these pages, becomes an underlying theme and a foundational principle of Jewish law. Human dignity, the rabbis say, overrides negative Torah commandments so that we can transgress some laws in order to ensure human dignity.
4. In their discussion of the obligation to pray the rabbis emphasize that women are EXEMPT from all time-bound commandments including reciting the Shema. They don't say that women are forbidden from reciting the Shema, rather they are exempt. This key word has served as the focus of discussion in the Conservative Movement 50 years ago as to whether women can be counted in the minyan, lead the service and be ordained as rabbis and cantors. As Rabbi Joel Roth taught, the word exempt means that if a women chooses to accept the obligations then not only can she perform these commandments but she can also fulfill the obligations of others in the congregation.
Prayer, the dead, human dignity and the role of women - as we see, the rabbis get down to business right away to lay the groundwork for teaching us what it means to be Jewish. By starting with the most basic commandment, reciting the Shema, the rabbis expand into these underlying principles that define the values of our tradition.
Comments
Post a Comment