It can be hard to feel connected to each other during virtual services. Praying in front of a screen might seem less than inspring when you first think about it, but there are plenty of ways to get engaged in Nafshenu’s virtual prayer services. Here are a few tips:
- Set up a dedicated “sacred space” in your home – make it intentional.
In the Mishnah – the oral tradition of our people – there are passages that express this idea of intentionality in prayer. Rabbi Eliezer said, “One whose prayer is fixed, his prayer is not pleading (from the heart).” (Tractate Brachot, Chapter 4, Mishna 4). Another influential Rabbi, Maimonides, expanded on this idea – “How does one achieve intention? The mind should be free from all extraneous thoughts” (Maimonides, Mishne Torah, prayer and priestly blessing chapter 4, 16).
We can take these words of advice from our ancestors to enhance our own prayer experiences today, especially as we transition to a virutal experience for the next few weeks. To start, try setting up a comfortable, dedicated prayer space. Maybe connect your Zoom device to a larger monitor, TV, or even speaker. Set out your Shabbat candles, wine, grape juice, and challah ahead of time so that you can stay present in the moment when it is time to say the prayers together. And perhaps most importantly, remove the potential for distractions. Silence your phone’s notifications, and even put it out of reach. Life will be there waiting when you are ready to return – taking the time to intentionally disconnect from the routine allows us to connect with ourselves, our spirituality, and our community in prayer.
- If possible, keep your camera on and be ready to participate.
Part of attending services is about coming together in community and discussion, espeically at Nafshenu. While we are gathering in the virtual prayer-space, we can still stay “hinei Mah tov u-ma nayim, shevet achim gam yachad” – how good and pleasant it is to join together! It is truly a miracle that although we must be physcially distant, we can still gather together – so keep those cameras on, and be ready to unmute your microhpones and join the conversation!
- Sing your hearts out!
If there was a ever a time to sing your loudest and proudest during services, it’s now. We’re at home, and if we’re with anyone it’s those closest to us that hear us singing in the shower on a daily basis anyway. Plus, when we see each other singing, praying and celebrating Shabbat in Zoom’s gallery view, one thing is clear – we are together in spirit.
An early Shabbat Shalom – and see you on Zoom!