When routine becomes intention, we bring our own meaning to spiritual practice

Betsy Frank is UHC para-rabbinic fellow and president.

Although I am not shomer Shabbat by any means, attending Friday night services has become a part of my routine.

Dick and I either eat out or order takeout before services. We do the same for Saturday morning breakfast, following up with a visit to the Terre Haute Farmer’s Market.

When scheduled, Shabbat also includes Torah study for me. All these activities are a part of Shabbat in the Frank household.

Keva begets kavanah

A few weeks back, Dick and I had a Friday evening event to attend at the university. I must say, I felt strange not attending services.

Even when we travel, I try to attend services in person locally, or remotely with UHC via Zoom. When I don’t participate in formal worship, something is missing from my life.

Even when we travel, I try to attend services in person locally, or remotely with UHC via Zoom. When I don’t participate in formal worship, something is missing from my life.

Shabbat can become routine, in the way daily household activities are routine. But routines help make spiritual practices a regular part of our lives. Once we make the decision to participate in spiritual practices, we can bring our own meaning to them.

The keva, or routine prayers, can become the intentional, or an expression of kavanah.

The intentional can provide true meaning.