Jun 23, 2012 -- 7:14PM, Ariel_bty wrote:

Let me tell you a little story; boring perhaps or even trite.  Many years ago my Rabbi, when I was studying Hebrew under him and a few others, told me "back in the old country (he was speaking of Germany) a travelling Rabbi (there was such a thing once in Europe) came upon a young child."  "That young child had made wood block Hebrew letters and was throwing them into the air and  athletically making sure to catch them as they fell toward the ground.

The Rabbi asked the child ... "what are you doing and why?"  The child said, ..."my Rabbi told me Hebrew is the language of God.  I don't know Hebrew, so I throw the letters to God and hope God will respond.

The Rabbi walked away with tears on his face knowing that that child has more faith than the Rabbi's education could ever give.

Tradition is fine. I enjoy it. But it is not what brings us close to the Master of the Universe.

Such a meaningful story. Thank you, Ariel.

The form exists only to serve a deeper purpose. Not for its own sake.