Towards Better Davening and Torah Reading

Say Sh'Sh

No, we are not suggesting that you shush people in shul who talk at improper places in the davening and Torah reading. That can be counterproductive. We’re talking about a different Sh’Sh, the one that means SHABBAT SHALOM.
And we’re not talking about saying it to your friends; you don’t need us to tell you that. In fact, no one should have to be reminded to say Shabbat Shalom to any fellow Jew - but…
A recent olah told of going to a shul for the first time and found it upsetting that only one or two people said Sh’Sh to her after davening. When she expressed her disappointment to one of the two who did greet her, she was told, “Oh, they probably thought you were a visitor.”
Imagine that as a reason not to greet someone!
Shabbat Shalom, are you visiting or are you new to the neighborhood? That’s not a bad way to greet any unfamiliar face in your shul.
And when walking in the street on Shabbat, it’s not a bad thing to greet people you pass. You might even get a smile back. Or at least a Shabbat Shalom Umvorach.
In fact, the element of good interpersonal behavior is particularly important in the context of davening, specifically because davening is so “Bein Adam LaMakom” (between the Jew and G-d) and it is easy to forget the interpersonal side of our human and Jewish behavior.

• Other Towards Better Davening and Torah Reading
• Towards Better Davening and Torah Reading - Ki Tavo
• Towards Better Davening and Torah Reading - Sho-f'tim
• VAYIKRA V'SHEIM (pause) HASHEM!