Davening Video: Very Interesting

Different sects of Judaism have different styles of prayer. Some move a lot while praying while others are very still. Some sing while others do not. Here is a video of a Breslov chasid davening Shemonah Esrai (Chazoras Hashas) in a style that is a bit unusual and very joyful.

Mi Shebairach Rant....

This blog is generally not of the ranting sort. Perhaps informational or inspirational but not a rant. Today I bring you some of my thoughts on a issue I think plagues our Jewish Nation: the Mi Shebairach. When people started saying Mi Shebairach it was for the sick people of the town or perhaps a relative. Now with the advent of the internet and email many people have lists a mile long. This is extremely problematic especially in a shul that has one for every possible scenario: the state of Israel, the POW, the MIA and the list goes on and on. There is no question that there are many sick people who need a refuah and should be in our prayers. The problem is one of decorum. When you extend these ideas out too far it invites lots of gabbing. This talking then extends itself into either the Torah reading or the prayer services. The answer I believe, lies in the Gabbbai asking everyone to insert the name of the sick while saying the Mi Shebairach. Instead of waiting for everyone to go through their names, trying to remember it while others wait in line: you get the picture. For all you gabbais out there, this rants for you...