Monday, October 23, 2006

Daf Yomi - Sukkah 51 - Sun Worshippers

by Rabbi Yosef Dov Karr

The Mishna states that the Kohanim would declare that they are not sun worshippers but instead worship Kah, i.e. HaShem. It is difficult to understand why they would need to declare this. Perhaps one could answer that the Kohanim intended to teach us a lesson. They were saying, "Do not worship HaShem in the same manner as the sun, i.e. by rote." The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west daily in the same manner. We, however, should pray with proper kavanah, and not merely by rote.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Although praying in a set place is preferable

Anonymous said...

Rabbi Akiva started praying on one side of the room and they found him later on the other side of the room!

Anonymous said...

The gemara says that Rabbi Akiva only did so at home, in a shul it is preferable to have a set place.