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Introduction and Erev Shabbat - Page 3

Written by Rabbi Professor Jonathan Magonet Tuesday, 01 October 2002

A Prayer Book in the Making

On the page itself it is hoped that there will be sufficient notes to help clarify both some aspects of the particular prayer and any actions associated with it. However, there is only a limited space on the page and one of the new ideas is to develop a new section to the study anthology which goes into more detail about the individual prayers themselves exploring them from the historical, theological and spiritual dimensions. This should help and in addition provide the kind of educational materials that will make people more confident in the way they deal with the services.

These are just some of the elements which are open for debate and consideration as the new services are being tried out. The first task which the Prayerbook Committee has set itself is to provide the actual texts around which the support elements of explanation and commentary can be built. The consultation will allow for input from the congregations about everything from the translations themselves to the kinds of information which would be helpful to issues of how the layout can be more user friendly. At the end of the day it would be the work of the Prayerbook Committee to absorb all the information which is fed back and make a decision where necessary bearing in mind that so many different views will be held within our congregations about major issues. It is a challenging task for each generation to create the kind of worship service which reflects its own needs and voice. This is our opportunity to find the voice for our own changing world.