Reply To: Why I'm going to let my kids run around in shul

OK.

Firstly, for purposes of this discussion I will factor out the issue of disturbing other people.

Perhaps I should re-clarify.

While certainly the truth, I do not want to teach my kids that a shul is a mikdash miat and only for davening. I do not think that makes me a kofer as I will explain. (and if you quote just the above line, I will hunt you down and disturb your kids during davening.)

What is ideal changes based on the circumstances. Children are not equipped to only daven in shul. I contend that if one comes to shul and davens to one’s ability, that is a good thing to do. I want to teach my kids to do what is right to the best of their abilities.

I do not want to teach them that if they cannot do it in the best way that it is not worth doing. I do not want to teach them that if they cannot daven the whole time it is not worth coming to shul.