I'm not as familiar with the New Testament -- can you remind me what the praying alone in your closet thing is? Is it about praying to/for God, rather than ostentatiously?
[Disclaimer: I am not speaking for anyone other than my not-very-observant self and my own experience.]
Judaism has prayers that one is supposed to say alone and prayers that one is supposed to say in a group. Some prayers one is not allowed to say unless there's a group of at least ten Jewish men (or Jewish adults, if you're Reform). So in that sense, group prayer is a joint effort. But there's also a mystical thread/aspect, and there are lots of charming Chasidic stories that focus on joy and sincerity at the expense of rule-following. Um, yeah. I will stop wildly overgeneralizing now, at least until I have a better idea of what you're asking.
Yeah, naked in New England is usually not the way to go. :-)
(no subject)
28/9/10 18:05 (UTC)[Disclaimer: I am not speaking for anyone other than my not-very-observant self and my own experience.]
Judaism has prayers that one is supposed to say alone and prayers that one is supposed to say in a group. Some prayers one is not allowed to say unless there's a group of at least ten Jewish men (or Jewish adults, if you're Reform). So in that sense, group prayer is a joint effort. But there's also a mystical thread/aspect, and there are lots of charming Chasidic stories that focus on joy and sincerity at the expense of rule-following. Um, yeah. I will stop wildly overgeneralizing now, at least until I have a better idea of what you're asking.
Yeah, naked in New England is usually not the way to go. :-)