The warm atmosphere of The Roslyn Synagogue reflects the philosophy that the viability of our congregation, and of American Judaism, is dependent on the enjoyment of observance by current and future generations.
That's a very interesting philosophy. I didn't know that the key to American Jewish survival was enjoying observance. So if only people liked keeping kosher, the majority of American Jews would keep kosher? If only people liked walking to shul on Shabbos, the majority of American Jews would keep Shabbos?
This seems very unlikely. Jews who live their lives according to halacha do so because they are convinced it is important, because they believe that that is what Hashem wants us to do. Certain aspects of observance may or may not be enjoyable, but that's not why people are religious. If we are going to rely on the enjoyment factor to get people to be observant then we are not likely to succeed, because there will always be something more enjoyable coming around the bend that will supersede Judaism in that regard. Jews need to understand the necessity and importance of being observant, and have enough faith in Hashem and His Torah to make that commitment; relying on the entertainment value of religion isn't going to cut it.
And the reality proves the opposite: most members of the Roslyn Synagogue are not observant, implying that the fact that they supposedly "enjoy" the shul has no effect on their religious life.
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