What does this Judaic reference mean?

Question

On a recent eps of Law & Order, a rabbi said of a wealthy congregatio member that "he doesn't even buy a seat on the High Holy Days". What does this mean? Is that the way the collection is taken (for lack of better simile)?

Answer 1

Yes. Many synagogues, as a way of raising money to support the synagogue and pay for expenses will "sell" seats for the HIgh Holy Day prayers. They particularly do this on these days because it is when the most Jews attend prayers. Even unaffiliated Jews who never attend regular Sabbath services will come to synagogue on the High Holy Days. In most synagogues, you can still atend if you have not paid for a seat. It is just a fund raising method, it's not like buying tickets.

In response to barefootgal, I disagree. The purpose of selling in most synagogues is not to limit the number of congregants. People who buy seats may get preference but I have never seen a synagogue turn people away.

Answer 2

Many Jewish synagogues rent their seats for the High Holy Days when members who do not normally come the rest of the year show up. This helps to pay the bills like collections try to do.

Answer 3

in some synagogues in very crowded areas there is often not enough room in the synagogue to accomodate all of the members as well as the huge rush of non-members who only come for the high holy days but skip all of the other weekly and yearly services. this is the season where there is a huge crowd. therefore they will often sell tickets. this also helps to raise money to cover the expenses of keeping the synagogue running. people who are poor either get a lesser fee or don't have to pay at all.

Answer 4

The Jewish High Holy Days are observed during the 10 day period between the first day (Rosh Hashanah) and the 10th day (Yom Kippur) of Tishri, the seventh month of the Jewish calendar.
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the most important of all Jewish Holidays and the only holidays that are purely religious, as they are not related to any historical or natural event.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is celebrated the first and second days of Tishri. It is a time of family gatherings, special meals and sweet tasting foods.
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most solemn day of the Jewish year and is observed on the tenth day of Tishri. It is a day of fasting, reflection and prayers.

To sum it all up; these are the most important holidays to Jews; so he was basically saying that he was being cheep and not honouring the High Holy Days as a Jew should

Answer 5

As a way to raise money for the synagogue, most synagogues sell seats for the High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). Usually there are more people going for these days than there are seats.

My synagogue does not sell seats, and we are open to all and any who do not belong to a synagogue, but want to go to these services.

Answer 6

In Reform and Conservative congregations, which are very minimally observant, most congregants only attend services during the High Holidays (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur). People thus make a donation to the Temple by purchasing seats for themselves and for their families for the holiday season.
Orthodox synagogues do not follow such customs.

Answer 7

In most synagogues, attendance is highest on the High Holy Days (kind of like Xmas and Easter in church). Often, more people want to attend than they have actual seats for. So they sell tickets, to ensure that everyone who comes will get a seat.

I did not see the episode of L&O but I presume he was saying that the rich congregant was cheap and didn't cough up the extra money for a ticket.

Now don't get me started on having to pay to go to synagogue. Just don't get me started...

In reference to ysteichman, with all due respect, I have been turned away. And not just from one synagogue, either.

Answer 8

In order to meet expenses, some synagogues "sell" the seats, while some have membership dues and others exist on contributions.

Don't expect to learn much about Judaism from television dramas.

Answer 9

I think you have to pay for a seat in the synagogue on Jewish holy days.

Answer 10

they charge thousands of dollars for a seat in a signage on there holy days they consider it tithing to pay the priest and for the daily operations of the signage.