| I wanted to reflect a little on an infamous | | | | This is done to raise funds for the synagogue, |
| moment for many a person who has entered a | | | | and it seems to work. So if a seat technically |
| modern synagogue. Picture it. You're in a strange | | | | belongs to you, and you will have a better prayer |
| town for the weekend, and you decide to go to | | | | experience in that specific location, could it be my |
| Shabbat (Sabbath) services at a local synagogue. | | | | initial critical tone was totally uncalled for? |
| You step inside, nervously pick up a prayer book | | | | I don't believe so. You see, we're in a different |
| and take a random seat. Lots of people are | | | | world now. |
| chatting. Although nobody is being rude to you, no | | | | Jews are flocking away from Judaism by the |
| one is really going out of their way to greet you | | | | minute. We are fighting for the souls of each and |
| either. Things get started. Everybody starts to | | | | every Jew, and if we don't get a grip on |
| pray. You join them. And finally someone comes | | | | intermarriage and assimilation, our people might |
| over to talk to you. | | | | suffer irreparable damages. |
| Finally someone wishes to greet the new person. | | | | When I first walked into the Chabad center at |
| They tap you on the shoulder, look you in the | | | | my university, ignorant of anything and everything |
| eyes, and with pure devotion to our Creator in | | | | about Judaism, I was greeted by what was |
| Heaven say: "Excuse me. You're in my seat." | | | | potentially one of the most welcoming group I |
| Now I don't want to be overly critical. The | | | | had ever witnessed. In fact, this trend continued |
| concept of seat "possession" is not radical. There | | | | everywhere I went in that town. At both the local |
| is a well established custom that everyone in the | | | | modern orthodox synagogue (Beth |
| synagogue should have what's called a "makom | | | | Abraham-Jacob) and the place we called "the |
| kavua", that is a set place where they always | | | | Shtiebel" I would get surrounded by people inviting |
| pray. | | | | me to their house for Shabbat meals the |
| Why? | | | | moment I walked in. |
| Like everything else, the more you do something | | | | The impact was tremendous and unforgettable. |
| in a particular location, the easier it is to get in the | | | | Think about it. The impact was so incredible that I |
| mood for that particular activity. | | | | decided to move to Israel and study Torah there. |
| For example, most folk involved in health will tell | | | | Not terribly long after that I met my wife. Now |
| you that if you're having trouble sleeping, one | | | | I'm working as a rabbi in a fantastic Jewish Day |
| problem might be watching TV in bed. That's not | | | | School, and raising the most amazing children the |
| the bed's purpose. Limit the roles for the bed | | | | world has ever known. |
| (there really should only be two roles), and | | | | Think how different my life might have been if |
| sleeping there should become easier. You should | | | | someone had kicked me out of their seat! |
| instantly get drowsy just from lying down. | | | | So, ladies and gentleman, I'm not saying that the |
| So too, some people have trouble working | | | | concept of makom kavua is unfounded. I just |
| anywhere but their office. Somehow or other | | | | don't think think it translates well into our |
| that desk and that chair generate a feeling in you | | | | generation. |
| that makes you more productive. | | | | Yes, it might technically be your seat. And sure, |
| If you always pray in the same spot, then | | | | you might have a better prayer experience if you |
| praying in that spot becomes more and more | | | | sit there. But sometimes you might just have to |
| natural. | | | | let it go. Think about what you might be missing if |
| Also, in many synagogues people purchase seats. | | | | you don't. |