[HANASHIR:11476] Re: facing east

[joshman234 <joshman234...>]

Hello everyone,

>From my understanding we Jews are not even suppost to bow toward the ark, but 
>rather if we are going to face the ark we should be facing the wall it is 
>located on.  I have heard that this is to dispel any notion that we might be 
>bowing to the torah and therefor creating an idol.  This makes sense in my 
>mind although I do not know the halacha of it all.  

When I am leading services and I know for a fact that east is a completly 
differnt direction then I would be facing by turning toward the ark wall, I 
have issues as I do not want to disrespect the torah, plus it just feels wierd. 
 

In the end, we are lucky that we live on a round planet as our prayers will 
hopefully reach Jerusalem no matter which way we are facing.

On a different note, if anyone is looking or knows a songleader who needs a job 
this summer, I would love to talk with that person.  Camp Newman still needs 
another songleader, come join an awsome staff and spend the summer in 
California, it is great.  Please email me privately.

Thanks,

Josh Whinston

------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------+