Shabbat Shalom! and the golden glow from candles in the menorahs

On that Friday night of Rockie's engagement party weekend (Oct 29th), Shirley asked me to go with her and Lewis to Shabbat services. Lewis is traditional and prefers a conservative synagogue : everything is said in Hebrew, men sit separately from the women, etc. Shirley does not like this at all. Lucky for her and me, the Tree of Life Congregation in Columbia, SC is of the reformed Judaism persuasion. Such a beautiful sanctuary! Vaulted ceilings, with stone on the walls behind the pulpit going all the way up to the ceiling. A dark purple curtain, equally as long, hung between the walls, behind which resided the torah. In front of each stone wall was a lit menorah. Unlike the conservative branch, where there isn't any kind of music, save for some chanting (by the men), we sang along together (there is writing in English under the Hebrew, so if the chorus was resung a couple of times, I could join in), and the rabbi even played the guitar! And, great, upbeat melodies - I loved it (and, Lewis hated it - oh, well....). Actually, it was just like going to church = basically looked the same, friendly people, lots of things for kids to do - I'm really glad I went....

The book that was used by the congregation is titled "Gates of Prayer for Shabbat and Weekdays." And, it is written (to non-Jews) backwards! In other words, the beginning of the book is where the end ususally is. On page 80 was written a silent prayer - I liked it so much that I went on line and purchased the book. Here is that prayer:

                             Silent Prayer

     These quiet moments of Shabbat open my soul. Blessed with another week of life, I give thanks to the One who creates and sustains me.
     For all the good I have known during the days that have passed, I am very grateful. I know that I have not always responded with my best effort, but often I did earnestly try. I have tried to give my family and friends love and devotion, and I pray that I may grow more loving as the years pass.
     Even as I regret my weaknesses, I rejoice in my accomplishments. Let these achievements, O God, lead to many others. May I be blessed on each Shabbat with the sense of having grown in goodness and compassion.