one down, 2710 to go.... day 1 of the Daf Yomi cycle
Berachot, Daf 2....
Why does Masechet Berachot, the first Masechta of Shas, begin with a discussion of the Mitzvah of Kriat Shema?
What a great question, and so pertinent to the Reform movement's re-emphasizing of the tefillah arrangement. How do I mean? As a child, I vividly recall the importance and emphasis placed on Shema as truly the central piece of our service. I remember the dramatic way in which the Rabbi would introduce it...(and many still do today) "the WATCHWORD of our Faith" and its musical tone (well, the Sulzer, which many consider to be mi Sinai) is majestic and regal. It is the first prayer we teach our children, it is the statement of our beliefs, it is central to who we are as Jews. (This last sentence is largely true for all Jews, not just Reform Jews!)
But as I grew older and studied the siddur, I was taught that the Amidah, is, in fact, the most central part of our service -- not the Shema! And I remember my first encounter with a service where the Shema was said sitting down, (in Classical Reform and most Reform, the Shema is said standing)...and being very uncomfortable with this de-emphasis of a prayer that I had been trained was the Most Important!
So in some ways, the beginning of the Talmud puts the Shema smack dab where it has always been in my consciousness -- right at the beginning and in prime mode.
But that said, on to today's Daf....which is, in fact, all about Shema. Particularly the time that it may be said at night. And the importance of getting it right, which is in many ways what the Talmud is all about....which in the end is basically after the stars come out. (Notice how they never worry about a cloudy night...)
The words are not the problem. It is feeling like we're actually addressing the text and participating in a conversation, rather than reading the words. Hopefully it will come.
A shehecheyanu moment!
p.s. the whole thing is beshert. The Schottenstein edition arrived today. Seems like God has a message for me...
Why does Masechet Berachot, the first Masechta of Shas, begin with a discussion of the Mitzvah of Kriat Shema?
What a great question, and so pertinent to the Reform movement's re-emphasizing of the tefillah arrangement. How do I mean? As a child, I vividly recall the importance and emphasis placed on Shema as truly the central piece of our service. I remember the dramatic way in which the Rabbi would introduce it...(and many still do today) "the WATCHWORD of our Faith" and its musical tone (well, the Sulzer, which many consider to be mi Sinai) is majestic and regal. It is the first prayer we teach our children, it is the statement of our beliefs, it is central to who we are as Jews. (This last sentence is largely true for all Jews, not just Reform Jews!)
But as I grew older and studied the siddur, I was taught that the Amidah, is, in fact, the most central part of our service -- not the Shema! And I remember my first encounter with a service where the Shema was said sitting down, (in Classical Reform and most Reform, the Shema is said standing)...and being very uncomfortable with this de-emphasis of a prayer that I had been trained was the Most Important!
So in some ways, the beginning of the Talmud puts the Shema smack dab where it has always been in my consciousness -- right at the beginning and in prime mode.
But that said, on to today's Daf....which is, in fact, all about Shema. Particularly the time that it may be said at night. And the importance of getting it right, which is in many ways what the Talmud is all about....which in the end is basically after the stars come out. (Notice how they never worry about a cloudy night...)
The words are not the problem. It is feeling like we're actually addressing the text and participating in a conversation, rather than reading the words. Hopefully it will come.
A shehecheyanu moment!
p.s. the whole thing is beshert. The Schottenstein edition arrived today. Seems like God has a message for me...
posted by Phyllis Sommer @ 3:37 PM
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