In Hebrew, we use the term, “minhag ha-makom” (min-hahg hah-mah-kome) to describe the “custom of the place.” It’s a Talmudic term that explains the manner in which certain rituals and other functions are unique to a particular locale or district. For example, Jewish law may be specific about a ritual on a holiday, but since Jewish law cannot today nor generations ago be regulated consistently, it was natural for regional differences to crop up. Rather than enforce a law that could not be enforced due to such regional differences, the ruling to accept “minhag ha-makom” enabled a community to be well within the boundaries of Jewish law.
For example, across synagogues in Houston, even among the orthodox, there are differences in the way ritual and other functions are performed. What makes them different? Sometimes it’s attributed to real differences in interpretation of Jewish law; but, other times it’s just a matter of slight differences that make that worshiping community unique. It’s their “minhag,” their custom. Who’s right? Yes. They’re both right.
At Beth Israel, for many years in the Friday evening sanctuary service it has been the “minhag ha-makom” to place the Shabbat message after Kaddish, near the end of the service. When the Shabbat message was moved to this position in the service from its original place near the middle, the prevailing rationale was to allow mourners to recite Kaddish without having to stay for a message that may not meet their immediate needs. In addition, the Shabbat message used to be a highlight that lasted nearly 20-25 minutes. Need I tell you that no one speaks for that long anymore, anywhere? The Shabbat message, which used to be more than 30 minutes decades ago, and then 20 minutes not so long ago, has become routinely less than 15 minutes now. It has less to do with rabbinic interest and more to do with the prevailing culture of our day. The service used to begin at 8:15 p.m., and end at 9:20 p.m. Today, services begin at 6:30 p.m., and end at 7:30 p.m. So the “minhag ha-makom” is being revisited.
At a recent Worship Committee meeting, the clergy raised for discussion the idea of moving the Shabbat message back to the middle of the service, right after the Silent Prayer, or after special blessings on Shabbat. The discussion led to a thoughtful and speedy decision to support the idea. In coming weeks, please anticipate this new “minhag,” or custom of the place. The service will still end with special announcements, a closing song and a benediction. The “minhag” will become familiar quickly, I believe. The rhythm of the service will be improved and the overall worship experience enhanced. I’m sure that you’ll let me know your opinions, and as is my “minhag” I will welcome your thoughts and respond in kind.
The Torah portion this week brings us near the end of the Book of Exodus. The Tabernacle is almost complete and the Israelites are gearing up for their journey from Mt. Sinai to the Promised Land. They’ll carry their customs with them and anticipate new ways to meet their religious duties before a God they’re still coming to know. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Each of us is on a journey that requires us to carry our customs with us wherever we go, and to accommodate new ways to experience the world God has given us while we make positive differences wherever we can.
From my desk to yours, Shabbat Shalom.
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