Shabbat Shalom, and a Baseball-Davening Connection
Judaism and baseball have much in common, like the famous phrase “In the Big Inning…”
Dear Reader,
What do Major League Baseball (MLB) officials and Orthodox rabbis have in common?
They’re trying to find a way to shorten the experience – ballgames and Shabbat services – without deviating too much from tradition.
(The liberal denominations have done well in Zooming their services and drawing worshippers from anywhere and everywhere.)
The MLB folks, well aware that fans don’t appreciate games that take well over three hours these days, have instituted a few radical innovations this year, like 7-inning games for double-headers and starting the 10th inning of extra-inning games with a runner on second base.
“Good idea,” say many fans, “it’s about time.”
“Blasphemy,” cry the traditionalists.
Rabbis and other clergy I’ve spoken to can relate to the MLB effort, and, as anticipated, the divided reactions. The rabbis are wondering if the Shabbat services that have been streamlined in the Age of Covid should be carried over to the post-pandemic future, but it’s not so simple.
Among the many thoughtful responses I received from readers on yesterday’s post -- describing my ambivalence about going back to shul -- were those that addressed the issue of whether congregants will be willing to go back to full (read: long) Shabbat services.
One reader noted: “Rabbis who have streamlined the services” within halachic limits, of course, “worry that the lack of the warm, cozy, connected stuff like sermons, singing, etc. leaves the less hard-core worshippers cold. But they also worry that cutting some traditional parts will alienate hard-core congregants.”
It’s one of the many delicate but vital issues the community will face in deciding which Covid-driven innovations to keep and which to let go down the road.
Who knows, maybe baseball teams will take a page from the Shabbat Torah reading service and only call seven men to the plate. And shuls could institute Designated Daveners to fill in for those who need a break.
I guess the MLB officials and the rabbis are trying to cover all the bases.
In the meantime, Shabbat shalom.