Today I bring you another World Religions field trip update, this time to the Synagogue. The day we went there was a bar mitzvah going on, which made it more interesting.
The service was primarily in Hebrew, and although the prayer book had both Hebrew and English, it was difficult to follow along as there was no way to track the Hebrew. Also, the Rabbi read (or recited) very quickly, although things were slower when the congregation joined in. For the most part, the readings and prayers were done in a sing-song type chant, sometimes more “sing” and sometimes more “chant.” The Rabbi did explain what was happening and what page to turn to in English; also, some of the prayers were in English, although they switched back to Hebrew for the prayers for Israel and the Israeli Liberation Federation. Matan, who was doing his Bar Mitzvah, also did a speech in English about his Mitzvah project as well as an explanation his Haftorah (since it was right before Purim, he read Samuel 15:2-34, about the Amalekites; he explained that the story means that we all need to kill the Amalekite within each of us “not all Amalekites are bullies, but all bullies are Amalekites”).
There was great respect shown for the Torah. It is kept in an ark behind a curtain and is covered in a velvet cloth. When it was brought out, it was carried down one side of the congregation and up the middle; when it was put away, it was carried down the other side and back up the middle. As the Torah passed, people reached out and touched it with their prayer books or the tassels of their prayer shawls (only a very few people touched with their fingertips); afterwards, the people kissed whatever had touched the Torah. After the reading, they held the scroll up and turned around; then certain people from the congregation came up to help cover it again. The reverence shown for the Torah made it seem like an idol, like they worshiped the object itself, to the point of not actually touching it. It is God’s words, but it is the words that are important rather than the scrolls.
After Matan read the first portion from the Torah, there was great joy in the congregation, with singing and clapping; the singing seemed to consist primarily of “Mazel Tov!” The Rabbi also threw candies at Matan to wish him a sweet life. After the reading of the Torah, Matan and the others from his Mitzvah class in some of the prayers.
The Shabbat service at the Synagogue was interesting, although sometimes hard to follow (some of the readings were transliterated so it was possible to follow along; for the rest, it helped to watch someone else to know when to turn the page). Many of the readings were familiar, especially the ones from the Psalms and the Levitical blessing. In form, it is much like a service at my own church, except with more Scripture being read and without hymns (although they do sing a lot of the readings). It is much longer, however; we left after two hours, when they started the announcements.
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Sunday, 4 April 2010
He Is Risen!
LYRICS:
See what a morning gloriously bright
With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem
Folded the grave-clothes tomb filled with light
As the angels announce Christ is risen
See God's salvation plan
Wrought in love borne in pain paid in sacrifice
Fullfilled in Christ the Man
For He lives Christ is risen from the dead
See Mary weeping 'Where is He laid?'
As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb
Hears a voice speaking calling her name
It's the Master the Lord raised to life again
The voice that spans the years
Speaking life stirring hope bringing peace to us
Will sound till He appears
For He lives Christ is risen from the dead
One with the Father Ancient of Days
Through the Spirit who clothes faith with certainty
Honour and blessing glory and praise
To the King crowned with power and authority
And we are raised with Him
Death is dead love has won Christ has conquered
And we shall reign with Him
For He lives Christ is risen from the dead
Keith Getty; Stuart Townend
Saturday, 3 April 2010
A Conversation at Work
Student A: Is today Easter? Wait, what happened today?
Me: Today's Saturday. Nothing happened today.
Student A: Yeah, but didn't Jesus....oh, no, that's yesterday. Today He's dead.
Student B: He's not dead. He's alive.
Student A: Yeah, but He was dead today.
Student B: That was a long time ago. He's alive today.
Student A: No, I mean....
Me (to Student B): Yes, He's alive. (to Student A): You're confusing him. (to both students): Back to work.
Me: Today's Saturday. Nothing happened today.
Student A: Yeah, but didn't Jesus....oh, no, that's yesterday. Today He's dead.
Student B: He's not dead. He's alive.
Student A: Yeah, but He was dead today.
Student B: That was a long time ago. He's alive today.
Student A: No, I mean....
Me (to Student B): Yes, He's alive. (to Student A): You're confusing him. (to both students): Back to work.
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Minor Frustrations
This is spring break week in Edmonton. It messes things up at work because some people assume that we're closed. I'd just like to point out that when we're closed, I tell people. If we close for a day, I post a sign. If we close for a week, I send home letters. If you don't hear from me, WE'RE OPEN!!!
Second issue.....If you are turning right, and you're at a crosswalk, and you've been watching for traffic from the left, please look to the right again (or even straight ahead) before you turn just in case someone has stepped into the crosswalk.
If you are one of those drivers who do check and you see a pedestrian on the sidewalk waiting to see if you are going to notice her, don't give her an impatient look for not crossing already....some of us have been almost hit twice in this situation and don't trust drivers to check anymore.
Okay, that's all. I feel better now.
Second issue.....If you are turning right, and you're at a crosswalk, and you've been watching for traffic from the left, please look to the right again (or even straight ahead) before you turn just in case someone has stepped into the crosswalk.
If you are one of those drivers who do check and you see a pedestrian on the sidewalk waiting to see if you are going to notice her, don't give her an impatient look for not crossing already....some of us have been almost hit twice in this situation and don't trust drivers to check anymore.
Okay, that's all. I feel better now.
Friday, 26 March 2010
A Bit of Happiness
Today I went to Northern Reflections to buy black dress pants. I don't like having to go shopping, but it was time for new pants. I thought that as long as I was there I would at least look at long sleeved t-shirts of some type as well. I go to Northern Reflections because they have good stuff and usually I can walk in, find my size in the right colour and style, and leave.
Not today. Today there's a sale at Northern Reflections, which changed everything. There were no black dress pants in my size. There were larger and smaller sizes (seriously, half a size either way), but the only black ones my size had pink pinstripes. I liked them, but the stripes limit my options for tops.
So why the happiness? Well, I found a lovely pair of grey pants which will do very nicely (although someday I need to go back for the black pants). Further, the pants were regularly $69.99 and I got them for $9.99. I also bought a couple tops for $5.99 each. According to the sales lady, I saved $102.00 today. That seems to be a reason for happiness. (Although it isn't quite accurate since I wouldn't have bought the shirts if I'd had to pay full price for everything).
So....I have a white top, a pink top, and grey pants, and all for under $25.00. It was a good shopping trip and I'm happy.
Not today. Today there's a sale at Northern Reflections, which changed everything. There were no black dress pants in my size. There were larger and smaller sizes (seriously, half a size either way), but the only black ones my size had pink pinstripes. I liked them, but the stripes limit my options for tops.
So why the happiness? Well, I found a lovely pair of grey pants which will do very nicely (although someday I need to go back for the black pants). Further, the pants were regularly $69.99 and I got them for $9.99. I also bought a couple tops for $5.99 each. According to the sales lady, I saved $102.00 today. That seems to be a reason for happiness. (Although it isn't quite accurate since I wouldn't have bought the shirts if I'd had to pay full price for everything).
So....I have a white top, a pink top, and grey pants, and all for under $25.00. It was a good shopping trip and I'm happy.
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
The Mosque
For World Religions, I was supposed to visit 3 different religious services. One of my first choices was a mosque. I'm interested in learning about Islam as I'd like to one day be a missionary in a country like Pakistan.
It's a very good thing that the prof was willing to accept visiting a place of worship outside of a service if that was all we could do, since visiting the mosque had a lot of complications. First, I was told by a friend (who talked to a friend) that we wouldn't be allowed to attend a service at a mosque because we aren't Muslim. I later learned, however, that this restriction only applies to certain types of Muslims. Two of my teachers are Muslims and they said that of course we would be welcome at the mosque close to where I work. The ladies would all be happy to see us, and would ask questions, and when they found out why I came, they would tell me all about everything.
They also told me that Friday prayers were they best time to visit; Friday is their holy day and before prayers there is a sermon. Unfortunately, they also said that Friday prayers start at 11:30, which is when my friend and I were waiting outside the mosque. Alone. Finally someone showed up and went inside, so we followed.
Here is what we learned that day: first, that we went in the men's door (we knew there were separate doors, but we didn't know what one to use); second, that prayers start at 1:00 (they were there early to get a good seat). We went home then, and weren't able to visit the mosque either later that day or any other Friday due to other obligations (like work).
I did talk to one of my teachers about the mosque and the service and how things are done. She said the men especially like to be early because the seats nearest to the front are also nearest to Mecca. There are lines on the floor so when you kneel to pray, you can line yourself up to face Mecca. The men and women are separated to keep the men from being distracted by the women as they pray. They used to have the men at the front and the women at the back, but when any men were late they had to step over and around the women and that didn't work so well. Now they are on different sides with a solid barrier (or a window with blinds); this is also nice for the women who can sit more comfortably if the sermon is long.
And that's my tale of visiting the mosque.
It's a very good thing that the prof was willing to accept visiting a place of worship outside of a service if that was all we could do, since visiting the mosque had a lot of complications. First, I was told by a friend (who talked to a friend) that we wouldn't be allowed to attend a service at a mosque because we aren't Muslim. I later learned, however, that this restriction only applies to certain types of Muslims. Two of my teachers are Muslims and they said that of course we would be welcome at the mosque close to where I work. The ladies would all be happy to see us, and would ask questions, and when they found out why I came, they would tell me all about everything.
They also told me that Friday prayers were they best time to visit; Friday is their holy day and before prayers there is a sermon. Unfortunately, they also said that Friday prayers start at 11:30, which is when my friend and I were waiting outside the mosque. Alone. Finally someone showed up and went inside, so we followed.
Here is what we learned that day: first, that we went in the men's door (we knew there were separate doors, but we didn't know what one to use); second, that prayers start at 1:00 (they were there early to get a good seat). We went home then, and weren't able to visit the mosque either later that day or any other Friday due to other obligations (like work).
I did talk to one of my teachers about the mosque and the service and how things are done. She said the men especially like to be early because the seats nearest to the front are also nearest to Mecca. There are lines on the floor so when you kneel to pray, you can line yourself up to face Mecca. The men and women are separated to keep the men from being distracted by the women as they pray. They used to have the men at the front and the women at the back, but when any men were late they had to step over and around the women and that didn't work so well. Now they are on different sides with a solid barrier (or a window with blinds); this is also nice for the women who can sit more comfortably if the sermon is long.
And that's my tale of visiting the mosque.
Friday, 19 March 2010
Words
Yes, yes, I know, it's been over a month, and probably my loyal readers have abandoned me by now. I really meant to write. In fact, I've written and written and written this month -- I wrote over 3000 words today alone. The problem is, they've all been for school. The other problem is, they left me really not wanting to write any extra words.
Those two classes are over now; I handed in the last of the assignments this evening. Which does not mean that I'll write here instead; I have started 2 more classes already. Still, I'll try to be more faithful. At some point soon I'll tell you about my experiences visiting a Synagogue and a Christian Science testimony meeting for World Religions (I tried to attend Friday prayers at the Mosque as well, but there was a time issue and it didn't quite happen). But all that will be later; right now I'm glad the classes are done and there's no need to write any more words.
Those two classes are over now; I handed in the last of the assignments this evening. Which does not mean that I'll write here instead; I have started 2 more classes already. Still, I'll try to be more faithful. At some point soon I'll tell you about my experiences visiting a Synagogue and a Christian Science testimony meeting for World Religions (I tried to attend Friday prayers at the Mosque as well, but there was a time issue and it didn't quite happen). But all that will be later; right now I'm glad the classes are done and there's no need to write any more words.
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