Conversations with Rabbi Small by Kemelman Harry

Author:Kemelman, Harry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Small, David (Fictitious character), Rabbis, Imaginary conversations, Judaism
Publisher: New York : Morrow
Published: 1981-06-17T16:00:00+00:00

their wives for the length of the service. If the matter were put to a vote, Fd probably vote to have them sit together because it has become the custom of the country."

"Well, I think it's a sign of male chauvinism," said Joan flatly.

The rabbi shrugged. "In the Orthodox congregations I know about, the most active members are the women, as they are elsewhere. While the rabbis of those congregations may have halachic, that is, Talmudic, reasons for the separation, my guess is that the members favor it merely because that's the way it has always been and they are reluctant to make a change. All right, so what else would you notice? You might find that there would be more long woolen prayer shawls in evidence. The Conservatives tend to go in for narrow silk ones. The Reform don't wear any. The Orthodox synagogue will be a little less orderly and more relaxed with people coming in and going out, seemingly whenever they feel like it. During the reading of the Scroll, there will be a lot of whispering in the congregation, and very few will appear to be paying attention to what is taking place in front of the Ark, almost a kind of recess. It may strike you as warm and friendly and informal, whereas the service in the Conservative synagogue will strike you as being a lot more decorous, more the sort of thing you'd expect in a house of worship."

"That's really the big difference, isn't it?" remarked Aaron. "The Conservatives go in for decorum in their services."

"I suppose," said the rabbi. "I sometimes think we are a little too concerned with decorum."

"But a service should be orderly, shouldn't it?"

"Why?"

"Well, gee, when you come together to do something, you want it orderly so—so you can transact your business, whatever it is."

"Did you ever see our Congress or Senate in action?"

"What's that got to do with it?"

"They come together to transact business." 133

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