...& we study because?

Beginnings and Ramblings

The synagogue, as we know it, is a place of three basic functions: First as a Beit Tefilah, then as a Beit Midrash and also as a Beit Knesset.

The Beit Tefilah, the primary function (certainly in my view) is as a House of Prayer or; Worship, even though rabbinic literature mentions this function only once!

The Beit Knesset is usually the first term used in reference to the synagogue - A House of Assembly or Gathering and, in fact, the word for a House of Worship comes from the Greek word which is a literal translation of “Beit Knesset”.

Be that is it may:

The Beit Midrash is the House of Study. Interestingly enough we fined that The Talmud tells us that (circa 586 B.C.E.) there were 480 synagogues in Jerusalem and and each of them had both a Beit Sefer and a Beit Talmud!

The Beit Sefer was the elementary school, if you will, where the Scriptures were taught. Meaning that besides learning the basics of the Hebrew language and the Torah - it was where we would find the commentaries studied, where the drasha would be read and probably discussed. This is where the idea of ‘sermons’ were born.

The Beit Talmud, on the other hand, is where the Mishna was studied. In other words this would be what became the Yeshiva. This is where there was more give-and-take in the development of Talmudic thought. Or rather like what we involve ourselves in here in the Shabbos Torah Study Group.

Judaism has placed lifelong study higher than prayer itself! [as: “...and the study of Torah is equal to them all” (e.g. the Commandments!)] It is always been made a part of the prayer service but it is also important to know that study groups would gather prior to or immediately after the prayer service for the express purpose to study Torah and to maintain each individual’s lifelong commitment to study.

As in “Study. Study. Study. Only Study can make a miracle.”

While we find that the citizens of (any) community may compel each other to buy a Torah scroll and other books of commentary and Prophets, with Rashi being included in such a library; the Talmud and Mishnayot, etc., we also need to note that before the synagogue is built, the community has to first provide a Micvah! Meaning? Family purity is, perhaps, even more important and study and prayer? In any case we need to also keep in mind that the synagogue is only an instrument. A tool. A device of the Jewish faith (and the Jewish family). Nor is a synagogue dependent on having clergy as it is frequently the laymen themselves who care for the synagogue, it maintenance and its leadership. Neither Rabbi or Hazzan are requirements for having a functioning Beit Knesset (Beit Tefilah/Beit Midrash)! In earlier times the Rabbi (or even the traveling Maggid) served as “Spiritual Leader” to entire communities rather than individual established synagogues. As Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin says; “To the extent to which a synagogue is even representative of Judaism is determined very much by the caliber of the people who are at its helm and by the caliber and commitment of the congregation itself.” ! (emphasis added)

With all that in mind, let us begin our STSG session with the traditional bracha for study: Baruch ata HaShem Elekeinu Melach haOlam la’soak b’divrei Torah.

And while we are at it, let’s consider a few other brachot that we do not usually have an opportunity to consider and study what they are saying - much less the opportunity to say them.

First is the bracha which we can say as we exit the bathroom... which is applicable at other times also. [Handouts]

These other all follow the Baruch ata HaShem... format and conclude with:

On seeing someone of ‘abnormal’ appearance:

...mishaneh ha’briyot. ...who makes people different.

On seeing lightning, shooting stars, mountains or sunrises: [which we tend to take for granted!]

...oseh ma’asey v’reshit. ...Source of creation.

On seeing a person who know lots of things about lots of things:

...she’natan me-chochmato l’vasar va’dam. ...who has given wisdom to human beings.

On eating food from the ground (potatoes; carrots; radishes; etc.)

...boray pri ha’eytz. ...who creates the fruit of the ground.

And, because we live here where things bloom and flower all year:

...boray isvay vesamin. ...who creates fragrant plants.

And why do we say such bracha? Who is it for? Maybe for ourselves... so we don’t become jaded and oblivious to our surroundings? And we say them in Hebrew, because?

Shabbat Shalom