Creating a new Reform prayerbook isn’t an everyday occurrence. First there were surveys to find out what our people believed and wanted. Then there were drafts inspected by editors, “tried out” in selected Congregations, and used at Rabbinic conferences and lay leadership conferences. Then, finally, the final version was accepted. The book was to be published! A very generous family in our Congregation who has managed to remain at least partially anonymous, immediately donated the full set of books that is now with us in our sanctuary.

But when the first copies were delivered to the distributor they found, the books didn’t stand the test of time. Not theologically, physically. They fell apart! The entire printing process had to go back to the beginning.

A new prayerbook, whatever else it is, is obviously an attempt to rectify the mistakes of the preceding one and to improve upon it. How has Mishkan T’filah done this? Let me give you my opinion of our new prayerbook, which I fully expect to change since we are just beginning to use it, by way of a scorecard. Mishkan T’filah:

- Tries to promote davening. Two page spreads with four items from which to choose. Assumes the Congregation will follow without further instructions from the leader. This is the prayerbook’s main innovation, which is an attempt to return to the way services were held traditionally. Whether this is doable remains to be seen. Initially, I will give instructions as to place and page number to make it easier to follow along. There are two services: the “main” one with the two page spreads, and a second, “linear” service that is supposedly easier to use. It has, to me, at least a hint of being the poor stepchild to the first service, a concession to those who need it. C.
- Uses gender neutral language throughout. A complete success. A.
- All Hebrew translated right where it occurs. Another success. A.
- Some very beautiful English readings. Time will tell if they maintain their meaningfulness. B.
- Service “navigation” lists in the margins in both Hebrew and English. Excellent. A.
- Notes on some of the ideas, issues of the prayers. Fair. C
- Faithful translation of the Hebrew. Excellent. A.

Final grade: 3.28. Not dean’s list, but not bad. With further studying the grade may improve.

I’m sure the editors envisioned Mishkan T’filah as a triumphal leap forward in Reform Jewish But in terms of what is needed for Reform prayer, I must tell you in my opinion Mishkan T’filah is no better, and no worse, than Gates of Prayer that preceded it. Why? Let me share with you a callisthenic theory of Jewish worship taught by a master teacher named Joel Grishaver in his masterful text entitled Shema is for Real. Prayer, Grishaver says, based, I believe on a Midrash, is something in which we reach up to God, in to ourselves, and out to our fellow human being.

That, my friends, is something we must bring with us or no prayerbook, no matter how good, is of much value. It is us, not the book that creates meaningful Jewish worship. How often have you seen some of those around you, or yourselves, sit there and almost dare the service to somehow reach you, move you, teach you? It’s not going to happen. It’s like trying to pour wine into a cup without opening the bottle.

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