Traveling to synagogue on Sabbath

[Sarah]

I am a new convert/conservative...the closest synagogue is a 4 hour round trip to have access to a Rabbi. I realize we are forbidden to drive a car on Sabbath....how can we develop Jewish relationships and have bonding with our new Jewish famly if we are unable to drive to the synagogue?

There are so many Jewish people coming from out of town that if none of them were driving - the synagogue would have to close their doors. So what are our options when we are here - out of the land of Israel?
Thank you for your assistance, Gail.

[Yisroel Phillips]

The short answer is that you should move to within walking distance of a synagogue. Were you not given that advice during the course of your conversion?

If the community is a lively and vibrant one then there should be lots going on during the week, not just on Shabbos.

[Rephoel]

One can bond with GD even without a shul.When one davens (prays) at home and keeps the Shabbos,he is doing the right thing and when he travels to shul by illegal (against Torah law) means of transportation or distances,to daven with a (kosher) minyan,he is doing the wrong thing by transgressing the Sabbath and the prayers are then worthless. Jews are communal people. They MUST live together,pray together,study with each other,help one another.This togetherness makes GD bless us.

[Matisyahu Glenn]

I'm a bit confused - on your page it says you're modern orthodox, and on this post it says you're conservative. There's a huge, as in, universe of difference, namely one is a community of jews who believe in torah and the other is not.

[Rephoel]

First of all,there are no branches in Judaism If you're a Jew you adhere to the Torah or you're not a proper Jew. Secondly, I am NOT "modern orthodox or conservative. I am a Ben-Torah .It is not a mitzvo to do something through disobeying the Torah.

[Yisroel Phillips]

For some reason I can't open the box to reply directly to Rephoel's last post.

Rephoel, Matisyahu wasn't referring to you, but to Sarah whose Profile shows her to be "Modern Orthodox" whereas in the first post in this topic she states she is Conservative.

[Matisyahu Glenn]

rephoel, I'm sorry if you thought I was talking to you - I was talking to Sara, and I agree with what you said 100%

[Rephoel]

THANKS for the clarification!!
Staying home on Rosh HaShono and NOT traveling by illegal (halachically) means,resulting in not hearing shofar,or not going to a non-frum shul to hear it,it is preferable to stay home and not to commit an aveira (SIN) by transgressing the Yom Tov!(Or going into a non-kosher temple).
Davening (praying) at home without a minyan can be holier than going to a minyan by chillul Shabbos!

[Gavriel Silverstein]

Absolutely - shul is not what makes Shabbat, shekina is! Exodus 16:29 tells us that we aren't to go anywhere on Shabbos at all (and rememer, to the Israelites being given Torah then, there were no non-Israelites in their midst, like there are in most neighborhoods around the world). Not only does one pollute Shabbos by traveling by car to shul, but certainly just as polluting to the experience would be to walk outside to shul in a neighborhood where bilboards, people, etc. are anti-Torah.

The shul experience is a very new one in the overall history/timeline of Judaism, really only a couple hundred years old. The point of that verse is to tell us that unless we spend that most important 24 (or 25) hours with someone, we don't know if they are truly, properly observing Shabbos and therefore if they aren't we may not know it, and not even be aware that they are polluting our Sabbath! Therefore, a strong case can be made that shul should be left for the other six days of the week.

The following verse (Ex. 16:30) tells us that as a result of that commandment the Israelites remained inactive on the Sabbath. That is our guide for observance, and Rephoel's note about togetherness and learning with each other might suggest a solution for you - perhaps you and several like-minded attendees of that shul should get together and rent a Shabbos house (or two of them, one for men, one for women) or rotate who would host that at their own house - so you can all come in earlier on Friday afternoon and spend Shabbos together just as it is meant to be spent, singing and praying together without going out in the spiritually polluted world and instead sanctifying the day as a group.

If that can't happen, you are indeed better off to sanctify the day yourself. In time, as you get more and more into the faith you have embraced, you may find yourself compelled to move to an area that is predominently Jewish so this is not such an issue.

[Sarah]

I understand what you are saying. This clears up the problem for me. I have much to learn and coming from a non Jewish lifestyle I have much to unlearn as well. Thank you for the information. Have a Blessed Shabbath.

[Gavriel Silverstein]

B"H (Baruch HaShem) that it helps (you're very welcome) and B"H that you found this site, as well as found your way to the Truth by HaShem's guidance. Gut Shabbos!

[Rephoel]

Excellent! Very well said! Even if one sits and davens and learns by himself,the shechina will be on his/her side. See Pirkei Avos!
(Of course,b'rov am hadras melech. But the am have to follow the laws of their Leader!-G-D) (Am=people who are the followers)

[Rephoel]

All the best to you and continued success!