Two hundred years ago, there was a Chassidic Master known as Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov.
His synagogue's elders were disturbed by conversations during services.
After a great deal of discussion, they established a new rule for the synagogue: "From now on, no more trivial talk in this holy place. You come to worship, to study or to celebrate – and you go home. This is not a chicken market!"
But a few weeks later, Rabbi Moshe Leib got up and declared: "I am hereby revoking the new rule."
The elders were stunned. "Why, Rebbe?" "The shul is so much quieter, so it seems to be working!"
Reb Moshe Leib answered: "Before this rule, people would come to shul and they would hear who needs a job, who is sick, and who has a cause for celebration. They would open their hearts to others people's lives, and they would end helping by each other. Now people come to synagogue, do their spiritual thing, and leave. They come as individuals and they leave as individuals; we've lost the communal connection.
The talking ban is lifted! Talk amongst yourselves -- and motivate each other to be of help to those who need it!"
The saintly Reb Moshe Leib didn't mean that people should, G-d forbid, disrupt the sanctity of prayer. He meant that a Jewish community is a place where people always think and care about each other. That's the way it's always been.
We all have individual journeys in life, and each journey is uniquely important. But part of that journey is creating connections with others. That's community.
During the High Holidays, as we focus on things like personal prayer and self-introspection, this is a story to keep in mind. Find out if there is anyone in the community who does not have a place to go for the High Holidays and invite them to Chabad of Cary. Welcome that person who just walked into synagogue. Extend a heartfelt Shana Tova and warm smile to someone who may be going through a hard time. The many interactions with others we have during this time of year present so many opportunities for Mitzvos.