In My Humble Jewish Opinion...

A Long Davening Isn't Necessarily A Good Davening

My family davens in a shul that finished 2:45 Rosh Hashana. Last year, I smartened up and went to a different shul for Yom Kippur. My high school principal, who davens in my family's shul asked where I had been. I bragged that my shul ended 1:30. She was very upset that I looked like it was a good thing. It was. I actually enjoyed that davening much more than I ever had. They didn't shlep, but they didn't rush. There was no incessant yappering. Just a nice group of sincere people who wanted to daven. When I explained to this woman that I was able to concentrate better in that shul, she proceeded to convince me that the other shul was better because if i finish so early, what am i doing all day if not davening-it leads to me wasting time. I know we are supposed to be on the level of Malachim on Yom Kippur, but I am not that good. Anyway, my point is that if your shul finishes earlier than others, but you davened well, and davened everything, then you're no worse than the ones that stayed all day.

posted by Michelle @ 5:23 PM