Do Jews in rural areas drive lots of miles for Temple or just skip it?

1. 97

   peeplesposted 11 years ago

   Do Jews in rural areas drive lots of miles for Temple or just skip it?
   
   I'm curious, Since Synagogues/Temples aren't in every city, what do Jews do that live 30+ miles from their local Temple? Skip or make the drive?

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2. 69

   qeylerposted 11 years ago

   As you know; one is not supposed to drive on Shabbat; however, according to the Kabbalah if one has a choice of driving to Synagogue and making a minyan, or not going, one drives.  Hence you will find people driving to synagogue.

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3. 75

   Brainy Bunnyposted 11 years ago

   It really depends on your denomination and how observant you are. Reform Jews tend to drive to synagogue no matter how close they live, and many Conservative Jews do, too. (Conservative Jews are bound by halakha -- Jewish law -- but rabbis have different opinions, and some feel it's more important to be part of the Jewish community than not to drive, so they permit driving to and from synagogue only.) Orthodox Jews don't drive on Shabbat and holidays at all, but they usually live very close to their synagogues because of that. In my experience, when Orthodox Jews are far from a synagogue (for instance, if they're traveling), they will pray at home instead.

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      ElleBeeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This summarizes any answer I would have given very well. I know that I lived in a city with a moderately sizable jewish community for a few years, and we would always see folks walking to synagogue on Saturday mornings.

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   Deborah Sextonposted 11 years ago

   I can't speak for every Jewish person, but for most. ..God is very important in the life of a Jew and so is fellowship. We drive......
   I use to drive over 60 miles until we started a large group and rented a building.
   It does not have to be in a synagogue, as long as we worship God alone.

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   fpherj48posted 11 years ago

   Just as with any organized religion that has established "places of worship,"  the energy and effort one will exert to attend services, depends on how dedicated, orthodox and committed one is to his/her involvement with their church or synagogue.   
   I do know that very devoted Orthodox Jews, tend to establish primarily "Jewish Neighborhoods," and take pride in owning a synagogue in that area for their convenience.  For these Jews, just as with Muslims, their Religion is also WHO they are as, well as a total lifestyle.   
   The Jewish who do not LIVE their Faith, and attend synagogue, are basically shunned by the devout Jews.

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   Rachel Weinerposted 10 years ago

   When my parents moved to where we live now, they said that had there not been a temple somewhat close to us, we would have joined a Unitarian church.

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      qeylerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      There are two types of Jews; those who must do everything Halachial...that is to match the complete law, and those who, to maintain the faith will do what they have to.
      
      Orthodox Jews do not drive on Shabbat.  They can ride a bicycle, but that is it

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   2. 59

      Rachel Weinerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Very true, however, I am not one of the Halachial types of people seeing that I do live in a fairly rural area. There's absolutely no way for me to get to temple without driving.

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   3. 97

      peeplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      That is how it is here. Even a bike would not be an option.

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