Praying Online: A Blessings and a Curse

Rabbi Sholomo Levy

There is a line from the old gospel song “God is Still On the Throne” that says, “God is still on the throne, within your bosom, you have a phone.” References to inventions like telephones were new to sacred music at that time and they were entirely metaphorical: the idea was that your heart was the instrument that allowed you to talk to God.  As a necessary response to the Covid pandemic, people began working from home, learning from home, and attempting to pray together from home.  Today people are literally using their phones and computers to connect with God over the internet.

Zoom and YouTube are now permanent features of our religious life.  Soon they may become the primary means by which young people worship.  The benefits of this technology have been tremendous.  People all over the world have access to religious services that are beyond their physical reach.  Zoom has been a blessing for those who live in places without synagogues where Torah is taught to our people.  Youtube has been a spiritual lifeline to people whose mobility has been limited by age or illness.  However, for the vast majority of people, the internet is merely a convenience; it provides an alternative to being physically present.  This sermon—which is being delivered electronically—attempts to teach our people the spiritual implications of the choices we make with regard to attending physical or virtual services.  And for those who have no choice or simply prefer the online experience, this sermon attempts to teach them a few rules and techniques that will enhance their spiritual connection.

First, acknowledge that there is a difference.  Don’t delude yourself into thinking that virtual is the same as reality.  Sometimes virtual can be better in terms of conforming to your schedule, allowing stop, rewind, closeups and portability.  You choose when, where, and how to engage with God.  On the downside, it is far more difficult to reach the same spiritual levels that can be achieved when praying in the physical company of devout worshipers.  In Hebrew, these levels are referred to as Kavanah, which refers to the degree of focus, concentration, and spiritual closeness with the heavenly power.  Let’s explore these concepts more deeply.

Does God Care About What We Wear?

The first prayer we should make every morning is called the Modey Ani.  It should be said immediately upon awaking, as soon as we gain consciousness, and before getting out of bed.  The word מודה  means “grateful” and the prayer expresses our gratitude for being granted another day of life in our right mind and spirit.  My father, Chief Rabbi Levi Ben Levy, taught us the reason we express our gratitude in that first prayer of the day without referring to  God’s most holy name יהוה in any way is because we can not utter that name—even in thought—until we have properly washed and dressed.  In other words, we can give thanks, but we cannot enter into the presence of the Most High in any manner.  We must show proper respect to the King of Kings who is the Lord of Lords.

This teaching by Chief Rabbi Levy is well supported by scripture and history.  When Moses came into the divine presence for the first time at the burning bush, God said,

“Do not come closer.  Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground.  Exodus 3:5 (JPS) When God gathered the Children of Isreal at the base of Mt. Siani, we were commanded to purify ourselves before we could receive the Torah.  The priests were required to wash themselves and wear consecrated garments before entering the Tabernacle and later the Holy Temple.  After the sons of Aaron were consumed, God said, “Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.  Leviticus 16:2 (KJV).  Therefore, if we seek an audience with the Creator, we must approach with respect and humility.  To be perfectly clear, it is not that God cares about  your clothes; God is not impressed by an expensive suit, stylish hat, or flashy jewelry.  On the contrary, how you dress often indicates the condition of your heart.  If you don’t bother to wash, dress, and look your best for the Creator, that attitude might suggest arrogance, ignorance, or the belief that God is there to serve instead of you serving the Most High.  Genesis tells us that Cain and Able presented offerings to God.  Able gave God his “best” and his offering was accepted.  Cain’s offering was rejected.  This teaches us that we should always do our best.  God expects and will not accept less from us.  When you stand before God come as your best self.  Remember, turning off your camera prevents people from seeing you.  God sees everything.  Dress your best for God instead of man.

Does the place matter to God?

God will hear the prayer of a righteous person even if that person were at the bottom of the ocean, held in a lion’s den, or trapped in a fiery furnace.  Yet, God prefers that we pray together.  In fact, the Children of Israel are commanded to do so: “And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite who is within your towns, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow who are among you, at the place that the Lord your God will choose, to make his name dwell there.  You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt; and you shall be careful to observe these statutes.” Deuteronomy 16:11–12 (ESV)

One of the reasons we cover our heads is to remind us that God is looking down upon us.  Hence, we cover our nakedness as a sign of respect.  Similarly, when we arrive at a synagogue, we should pause for a moment, touch the mezuzah on the doorpost, and become aware of the fact that we are about to enter a holy space.  “Happy are those who dwell in Your house; they shall forever praise You. Selah.” Psalm 84:5 (JPS ) And in Psalm 24, perhaps the most quoted of all scriptures, God says She will be with us whether we are walking along the green pastures and still waters or find ourselves in the “valley of the shadow of death.” In either case, the Psalm ends with the pledge, “And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Kind David, who wrote most of the psalms proclaimed, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 (ESV)

There is a kabbalistic concept that we multiply our spiritual energy when we pray together.  Every person who joins our prayer circle raises our collective spiritual energy by another factor.  If you think of this in mathematical terms where X represents 3 people praying together in the same space, then if  3 more people joined them, they would become x³.  In algebra three to the third power is not just three; it is not six; it is not nine.  The correct mathematical answer is 27.  To put it simply, our power expands exponentially.  Six people praying together have almost the same spiritual power as thirty people praying separately.  The rabbis in many communities require that a quorum of 10 people (known as a Minyan) be present in order for certain prayers to be recited.  The point is that your presence makes a big difference.  When you are there, our spiritual power is greatly magnified; when you are absent, we are seriously diminished.

If you study the words of our prayers and the structure of our services closely, you will observe that we do not present ourselves before God haphazardly.  We do not show up before the King of Kings in our pajamas, with curlers in our hairs.  We do not listen to the Judge of the Universe with the TV on in the background.  We are not multitasking; dividing our attention between the Giver of Life and whatever music is on the radio, sporting event, or while we are simultaneously doing laundry.  To those who may say, “I can get my praise on anywhere: while I’m driving, in the gym, and while I am eating a tuna fish sandwich.” I say to you, “a distracted mind is an insult to God.” Your actions say that God is not worth your full attention.  My mother, Rabbinet Deborah Levy, taught her children to memorize the verse that says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might (mind).” Deuteronomy 6:5 (JPS) In fact, this very requirement is contained in the Shema prayer.

Everything we do physically corresponds to the transformation that is taking place within us spiritually.  For example, when we get to the Amidah prayer (which means standing) we stand.  We take three steps forward to symbolize that we are moving forward, elevating, and entering a higher spiritual realm.  We often cover our heads with a prayer shawl so that we will not be distracted by other worshipers who may be talking or walking around the sanctuary.  This condition is what I referred to earlier as a high level of Kavanah.  It is difficult to attain in a distracting environment.  Even in a synagogue, this requires great concentration and spiritual focus.  It should not be rushed.  And even though we are praying together, it is also very personal at the same time as we whisper into God’s ear.  At the end of the prayer, we take three steps back and bow as a way of signifying that we are leaving the abode of the Most High and returning to the secular world as transformed beings.

Without realizing it, looking at a screen changes our perspective from that of “active participant” to one of “passive observer.” Very often you are merely watching other people pray.  The people praying or speaking have become a form of spiritual entertainment.  They hold your attention for decreasing amounts of time.  When you become bored, you grab the remote to click away to the next service.  Seriously ask yourself, “Am I praying or am I merely watching other people pray?” When you are physically present, you are more likely to be a participant.  When you are watching from home, you are more likely to be a spectator.

How to Pray Effectively Online

If you must pray online, we recommend some techniques to maximize your experience.

Tip #1 Create a Home Altar.  Chief Rabbi Levy taught us to create a sacred place in our homes decades before the internet became a thing.  As a child, six of us lived in a small housing project in New York City.  Even though our synagogue was spacious and majestic, Chief Rabbi Levy taught that we should create sacred space in our homes to meet with God.  Even if you live in a tiny, crowded apartment, you can always make room for God.  Your home altar could be a corner in a room.  It could be a simple window or even a place on the floor.  Closets are great options.  Your home altar should be kept clean at all times.  This is the place where you keep your holy objects (Bible, tallith, tefillin, etc).  If you follow these instructions, you will have a sacred space in your home to meet with God.  This is far superior to sitting on the same living room couch that you use to watch your favorite TV shows.  King Solomon said in the book of Ecclesiastes, “There is a purpose for everything under the sun.”  Your kitchen has a purpose; your bathroom has a purpose, and now your home

has a sanctified purpose.  You will find God there.

Tip #2 Inviting the Spirit.  Sanctify your altar with holy oil that you use to anoint yourself when praying there.  Our first Chief Rabbi, Rabbi W.A. Matthew, had a secret society called the Royal Order of Ethiopian Hebrews, where he taught the kabbalistic use of biblically proscribed oils, candles, and incense.  Laypeople should limit themselves to products with frankincense and myrrh.  Avoid everything else because those items might be associated with satanic cults.  In recent years we have been reluctant to talk about these techniques in public because they are easily misunderstood and ridiculed by atheists.  However, I believe that people who are praying alone online need some of these techniques to reach a higher level of Kavanah.  Beware of charlatans and conspiracy theorists.  Find a qualified rabbi who can instruct you in proper Torah-based practices.

Tip #3 Preparing Yourself.  Wash and dress as if you are going to the synagogue because you are.  You are attending the temple in your home.  When a police officer, mailman, pilot, or fireman puts on their uniform, they are preparing to perform specific activities.  The act of wearing the uniform places them in a different state of mind.  Having special clothing that you wear for prayer puts you in a unique mental and spiritual space.  Again, this does not have to be elaborate.  It can be a nice shirt, suit, or dress.  It should not be the same T-shirt that you would wear to a baseball game.  Think about where you are going and who you hope to meet on your spiritual journey and dress appropriately.  Always wrap yourself in tefillin and a kosher prayer shawl, one with tzit tzit.

Tip #4 Designated Times.  Make appointments to meet with God.  The Creator has designated specific days (Sabbath) and festivals when we are invited to be with the Holy One of Israel.  Be there at those appointed times.  (see Leviticus 23) In addition, set your times to be with God.  Early mornings or late evenings when everyone is asleep and things are most quiet are desirable.  Join prayer groups and prayer lines that are based on Torah.  These groups should be positive and loving of all people.

Tip #5 Online Engagement.  Be present online.  Don’t be a spectator.  That means turn your camera on.  Pray along out loud with the service participants.  Stand, sit, kneel, or prostrate as needed.  Sing, clap and be active in the chat with words of praise and encouragement (Amen, Hallelujah, Praise the Lord, etc.).  The Israelite Board of Rabbis offers several videos and audio recordings that you can pray along with for this purpose.

Tip #6 Be A Blessing.  Remember to pray for other people.  Don’t let your prayer sessions become a list of demands, grievances, and pleas for God to increase your finances.  God is not a lottery ticket or ATM machine.  Most of your prayer time should be devoted to thanksgiving and praise.  Remember, “The dead praise not the Lord neither any that go down into the silence  of the grave.” Psalm 115:17 So, be thankful to be alive even with the problems you have.  And, if you are truly thankful for the opportunities that these online sites provide for you, support the content creators with generous donations and tithe regularly to a congregation that is trying to remain open for physical contact.  If every congregation goes virtual online, eventually there will be nothing for you to watch—except old videos of when we had real places of worship.

Tip #7 Create Community.  Think of your online experience as temporary.  Use those sites as a means to connect with other like-minded people in your area. One family or group of people can start a Kavurah (holy community).  Rent temporary space to celebrate the festivals together.  Plan to attend Israelite events in person.  For example, we are holding an International Israelite Convention on the island of Barbados in August 2023.  Be there with your family.  Travel to other events and make your physical presence felt as often as possible.  If we are fortunate and use this technology correctly, the online environment could lead to the creation of more physical places of worship for our people all over the world.