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Both of these bastions of Jewish strength and vitality - the home and the synagogue/study hall - the meeting places so to speak of Israel with its God are under siege and attack in today’s modern society. The home, marriage, children and the sense of family has given way to relationships, moving-in and out, later marriages, a large number of divorces and spousal abuse, and the sacrifice of children and family on the altars of career and hedonism. Without strong Jewish families there cannot be a strong State of Israel or a viable Jewish nation. Certainly intermarriage has eroded the concept of Jewish family but even when this does not occur the bonds of family are frayed by television, the internet and the society generally. Sometimes even well meaning gestures are counterproductive. During my years as a rabbi in Miami Beach our children were small and we always had many Shabat guests that pretty much eliminated contact with them and we parents. One Friday one of our younger daughters said to my wife: "Mommy, are children also guests?" We got the message and made certain that one of the Shabat meals would now be exclusively with our children. The synagogue also has lost much since it became the matter of the whims and comfort of the attendees and no longer the House of God where He is to be glimpsed and served according to His wishes as expressed in Torah and halacha. I hope that the message of the Ramban will certainly not be lost upon us.

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