Worship in the Cloud 53

simhah, who are not able to join their families for their loved ones big day. We live in a time where family is often spread far and wide, and unable to come together for the major moments of life. Without suggesting that itis as good as being here, this does allow people a kind of participation, even if passive.

Interestingly, in the RA's responsum on this issue, Rabbi Reisner suggests that this kind of connection over a distance may have a very ancient analog. In 1998, Rabbi Saul Berman argued that the maamadot service may have originally been intended to solve this exact problem. It might have been a way for persons living too far from Jerusalem to participate vicariously in the Temple service. As Rabbi Reisner says,“One cannot help but wonder what arrangement would have been made had our current technology for distant connection been available.” Less often cited as a motivation for making services available online: iis;!the:hope that this; will serve: as..an enhancement or promotion of Judaism . By allowing those who might not otherwise enter a synagogue be spurred into greater observance. It is true that fear and inertia have kept many a person from attending services. It's certainly possible, therefore, that an easy way to observe and learn could be the first step towards a life of larger observance and participation.’

There are other reasons, as well, for some synagogues to make their services available on the Internet. It can be a form of advertising, and outreach. What better way to judge a synagogue than by observing its services? Some synagogues, and non-synagogue communities, are exploring the possibility of promoting Internet services as an equally valid alternative to physical congregating. This last