“Worship in the home is more important than worship in the synagogue”
This essay will show why Jews believe worship in the home is more important than worship in the
synagogue.
Some Jews agree with the statement because they can spend time with God and their family on
Shabbat. Exodus 20 “Keep the Sabbath day Holy” enforces that setting aside time away from work is
a commandment and an obligation. Jews believe that Shabbat is a gift from God in order to bind
people together as a sign of God’s covenant, including the family. At dusk, the females in the home
will light Shabbat candles and circle them with their hands to spread joy and peace throughout the
home. This encourages children to take part in the practices of Shabbat and build a foundation in
their faith through the family. Shabbat is even followed by Secular Jews as community is a key
identity of Jewish culture. This is a strong point as furthermore, Jewish families will join together
during meals to remember the joy and togetherness of Shabbat, sometimes they will sing hymns at
the table. This unifies the family and Jews believe that God’s presence can be brought into a place by
following the mitzvot and praying. Therefore, Jews believe that worship in the home in more
important than worship in the synagogue because they can experience God’s presence and spend
time with family on Shabbat.
Other Jews believe that worship in the synagogue in more important because one can become more
disciplined in faith and prayer by having a regular structure. Deuteronomy 11:13 “Love the Lord your
God and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul” highlights the importance of prayer
in relation to God. In the synagogue, Jews pray the Amidah which is a prayer of blessings said silently
then repeated out loud. During this time, Jews will praise God, ask God to intercede for them and to
thank God for having the opportunity to serve Him. By praying in a congregation, Jews can feel part
of the Jewish community. Going to the synagogue regularly allows Jews to carve time especially for
God which allows Jews to communicate with God daily. Rabbis teach that the more we ask for God’s
help, the more God loves us. This is a weak point because the home is also valued as a place of
worship because during Shabbat not everyone is able to go to a synagogue. For example, if they live
too far away or if work does not enable Jews to take Friday night or Saturday day off. Therefore, due
to practicality most Jews will worship in the home, however, worship in the synagogue is still
important because Jews can intentionally set time dedicated to God.
Consequently, worship in the home is more important than worship in the synagogue because Jews
can spend time with their families on Shabbat and teach children ritual practices and cultural
traditions revolving around Judaism. For example, blessing the Challah bread and the wine which
reminds Jews when God provided food for them in the Sinai dessert.
This essay will show why Jews believe worship in the home is more important than worship in the
synagogue.
Some Jews agree with the statement because they can spend time with God and their family on
Shabbat. Exodus 20 “Keep the Sabbath day Holy” enforces that setting aside time away from work is
a commandment and an obligation. Jews believe that Shabbat is a gift from God in order to bind
people together as a sign of God’s covenant, including the family. At dusk, the females in the home
will light Shabbat candles and circle them with their hands to spread joy and peace throughout the
home. This encourages children to take part in the practices of Shabbat and build a foundation in
their faith through the family. Shabbat is even followed by Secular Jews as community is a key
identity of Jewish culture. This is a strong point as furthermore, Jewish families will join together
during meals to remember the joy and togetherness of Shabbat, sometimes they will sing hymns at
the table. This unifies the family and Jews believe that God’s presence can be brought into a place by
following the mitzvot and praying. Therefore, Jews believe that worship in the home in more
important than worship in the synagogue because they can experience God’s presence and spend
time with family on Shabbat.
Other Jews believe that worship in the synagogue in more important because one can become more
disciplined in faith and prayer by having a regular structure. Deuteronomy 11:13 “Love the Lord your
God and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul” highlights the importance of prayer
in relation to God. In the synagogue, Jews pray the Amidah which is a prayer of blessings said silently
then repeated out loud. During this time, Jews will praise God, ask God to intercede for them and to
thank God for having the opportunity to serve Him. By praying in a congregation, Jews can feel part
of the Jewish community. Going to the synagogue regularly allows Jews to carve time especially for
God which allows Jews to communicate with God daily. Rabbis teach that the more we ask for God’s
help, the more God loves us. This is a weak point because the home is also valued as a place of
worship because during Shabbat not everyone is able to go to a synagogue. For example, if they live
too far away or if work does not enable Jews to take Friday night or Saturday day off. Therefore, due
to practicality most Jews will worship in the home, however, worship in the synagogue is still
important because Jews can intentionally set time dedicated to God.
Consequently, worship in the home is more important than worship in the synagogue because Jews
can spend time with their families on Shabbat and teach children ritual practices and cultural
traditions revolving around Judaism. For example, blessing the Challah bread and the wine which
reminds Jews when God provided food for them in the Sinai dessert.
