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How do you go to Synagogue on Shabbat?

Parzival

Member
I am not a Jew, but I am curious how Jews get to the synagogue on Friday nights if they can't drive because it is forbidden?
 
Observant Jews walk to the synagogue that they live near, and they observe every Shabbat. Those of us who are less than observant drive, ride a bike, or take public transit. Nobody will be turned away for doing so. The prohibition of starting a fire on Shabbat lies at the root of the question, and the prohibition of doing work is the reason for not starting a fire. The rules have been around a lot longer than this world of computers and cars. Walking helps clear one thoughts on the one day out of seven we're supposed to rest and reflect on that which is holy.
 

Zardoz

Wonderful Wizard
Premium Member
Walk. I wouldn't have bought this house if a shul wasn't within walking distance. Hard to do in a semi-rural area like I'm in, but there is a Reform Temple here so now I'm Orthodoxireform-ish...ish.
 

Flankerl

Well-Known Member
To be honest i dont visit the synagogue that often on shabbat. For one i dont live near the synagogue so i'd have to go there by bus or car.


Though i go there during the week.
 

punkdbass

I will be what I will be
The Reform synagogue I go to is almost 30 minutes away. After Im done with college and get a job and house Im going to make sure I live very close to a synagogue :)
 

Dena

Active Member
I don't know if there is any way I'll ever be able to live really close to a Reform or Conservative synagogue. The housing is just expensive.
 

Tarheeler

Argumentative Curmudgeon
Premium Member
I don't know if there is any way I'll ever be able to live really close to a Reform or Conservative synagogue. The housing is just expensive.

Same here. Our single synagogue is in the historic downtown area and house prices/rent is more than triple the county average.

I'm about 30 miles away from the synagogue and don't foresee moving any closer in the near future. I'd actually love to move to a city with a much larger Jewish community.
 

Flankerl

Well-Known Member
I don't know if there is any way I'll ever be able to live really close to a Reform or Conservative synagogue. The housing is just expensive.

Well same for me. Our synagogue is right in the city. The only place affordable are apartments and those are neither nice nor available.

Or i just become rich. Then i could buy a house on the hill next to the synagogue. But that could take a while.
 

Poisonshady313

Well-Known Member
Chabad houses have the advantage of being... houses... so when I was at school, people who lived farther away would show up Friday afternoon, spend the night, and stay until Saturday night.
 

Levite

Higher and Higher
I am not a Jew, but I am curious how Jews get to the synagogue on Friday nights if they can't drive because it is forbidden?

At the moment, I don't go to synagogue much, because I don't live near enough to walk, and I try not to drive on Shabbat.

The Conservative movment claims that it has permitted driving on Shabbat, but the way it claims to have done so is surprisingly un-halachic. There are a couple of rabbis working on a proper halachic solution to this problem, and when their solution is complete, I then might drive to synagogue more often.

Although in general, I go Shabbat mornings, not Friday nights-- I like starting Shabbat at home.
 

xkatz

Well-Known Member
I'm not big on synagogue. My synagogue in particular is very cliquey and I personally enjoy studying my religion and praying at home more than I do at my shul. Not to mention it's fairly far from my house.
 

Rakhel

Well-Known Member
At the moment, I don't go to synagogue much, because I don't live near enough to walk, and I try not to drive on Shabbat.

The Conservative movment claims that it has permitted driving on Shabbat, but the way it claims to have done so is surprisingly un-halachic. There are a couple of rabbis working on a proper halachic solution to this problem, and when their solution is complete, I then might drive to synagogue more often.

Although in general, I go Shabbat mornings, not Friday nights-- I like starting Shabbat at home.
as it turns out, even though we don't go to Shul as often as we would like, we are the only ones within walking distance of the nearest Conservative synagogue, that I am aware of. The building is in a Hispanic neighborhood, and none of the participants are Hispanic. This leave me to assume that every one drives. That and we have seen several give us funny looks when they see us walking as they are climbing into their nice, shiny, new SUVs.
 

Zardoz

Wonderful Wizard
Premium Member
Sometimes, it's more rewarding to start Parshat HaShevua study groups and/or Chavurah groups with local fellow Jews. How do you all think new congregations get formed, anyways???
 

erelsgl

Member
Reading this post makes me so grateful I live in Israel, where almost in every town or village there is a synagogue at walking distance.

I think Judaism were originally planned for Jews living in Israel.
 

Tamar

I am Jewish.
Reading this post makes me so grateful I live in Israel, where almost in every town or village there is a synagogue at walking distance.

I think Judaism were originally planned for Jews living in Israel.


It may have been the original intention but given that is not what happened in history and we all live in the diaspora, Judaism doesn't always look like it does in Israel.

My Israeli friend once told me that all the Jews in Israeli want the Jews in the diaspora to move to Israel but she says there is not room for all the Jews of the world to go to Israel.

I think that Judaism has survived given all the twists and turns it has taken and that is a wonder.

Judaism can be practiced anywhere and has been for the last 2000 years in the diaspora.
 
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