Rabbi urges congregants to say goodbye to Zoom prayers
THE Chief Rabbi has advocated for congregations to return to synagogues, claiming that Zoom prayers cannot compete with the “spiritual growth” that in-person services offer.
Ephraim Mirvis said that during the pandemic, virtual services became a powerful tool which enabled people of all faiths to engage with worship.
However, after the success of the vaccination drive and a relaxation of Covid restrictions, he said Shabbat offered a “digital detox in our challenging world” and hybrid online services compete with the “spiritual growth” that going to synagogue and spending time with family provide.
Rabbi Mirvis, who serves as Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth and represents the Orthodox Jewish community, said before the return of Shabbatuk that “there’s nothing quite like the real thing” when it comes to services.
The annual event, last held in March 2019, is the largest mass participation event for the Jewish community and encourages observance of the weekly Jewish sabbath, which begins every Friday night and ends after dark on Saturday evening.
For religiously observant and Orthodox
Jews, Shabbat is as important as any other holy day. Many do not work, travel or use electricity on Shabbat and instead spend time in synagogue, praying and with family.
Chief Rabbi Mirvis said: “Some people associate [Shabbat] with being a day of restrictions, but actually, that is only a small part of it. It is primarily an opportunity to grow as individuals, as families, to grow in spirituality.
“It’s also a digital detox day, which is so healthy, and so welcome within our challenging world today, and so many families appreciate that digital detox opportunity.
“So, this is going to be an extraordinary Shabbat. Many, many people coming to synagogue being engaged in special learning activities, and community activities. And it’s brilliant that we can at long last do that.”
During Shabbat and festivals, Orthodox Jews do not use virtual communications or technology.
According to Chief Rabbi Mirvis, this means “we’re actually appreciating the in-person opportunity of community far more because you need to be there in person”.
He added: “While we’ve benefited so much from the Zoom opportunity, there’s nothing quite like the real thing and that is certainly what we’re going to be celebrating on Shabbat UK.”