From the Rabbi's Study

February, 2010 Ma'aseem - The Virtue of Virtual

1/27/2010
Our movement, the one in which I grew up, has always used the phrase "tradition and change" as its guiding light. I love the fact that our branch of Judaism tries to uphold the wisdom of those who came before us but also recognizes that our modern world has so much to offer us. It is a very tough task to bridge these two values, as you know.







However, one current piece of Jewish law that I think embodies this spirit will be going to a vote in the coming weeks. The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards will be meeting at JTS to talk about Rabbi Shlomo Glickstein's responsa (paper on Jewish law) entitled "Teleconferencing Services to Our Members." Given the complexity of the job description of the Rabbi and Cantor in today's day and age, Rabbi Glickstein's paper hopes to alleviate the added stress and time of clergy having to be physically present at services. Rabbi Glickstein has truly found a way to embrace the deep need for prayer but also the modern use of technology.







I am sure many of you are wondering how this would all work. Given that we already have a video system in the sanctuary, we are way ahead of the game as the wiring exists. Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, one of the cameras in the sanctuary will be changed to a high definition projector which will be able to project the teleconference image near my lectern, at the Torah reading table, or even possibly the front of the Ark (we are working on this feature with our technology consultants). Then, via Internet access, Cantor Shammash and I can be at home or anywhere else in the world and be projected right to the spot where we would normally be standing.







In Rabbi Glickstein's responsa, he gives a few great reasons as to why our movement should adopt this important change:







"This halakhah allows our clergy the necessary time away from our communities but still lets them be with their congregants when needed most, during prayer. A rabbi can be home with his or her family, wearing pajamas, and still lead the community during Shabbat morning while the Cantor can still be the shaliach tzibur (prayer leader) and be getting ready for a concert in a city across the country. Furthermore, in a day and age when our smaller congregations cannot afford clergy, this gives them the chance to couple with larger synagogues and have a presence on their bimah."







While I know that for many of you this would be a drastic change from what we normally do at TBI, I want you to think of the possibilities for a moment: this truly would allow us to reach all of our member constituents. I could be on the first tee with congregants who like to golf, while giving a d'var Torah to those who are at services on a Saturday morning. Cantor Shammash could be visiting her family on the beach in Cape Cod while leading Psalm 23 during a Yizkor service at TBI. Eventually, we could even expand our use of this system to a neat program called "Shabbat with the Stars" where famous Jews around the country would fill in as Rabbi or Cantor!







I will be keeping you informed as to the future of this responsa and how best we can implement it at TBI. It is my hope on this Purim that everything we do becomes so "virtual" that we don't ever need to see each other in person again, and won't have the ability to come together in a special way on a joyous holiday such as the one we celebrate this month!







B'Shalom,



Rabbi Joshua Kalev





Show Other Articles