Shalom Rav Reuven, What is more important: attending family Rosh Hashana dinner or going to shul on Rosh Hashana? If I stay home for the holiday, I can attend the dinner but we do not live in walking distance to a shul. On the other hand, if I stay in my apartment, I can walk to shul but cannot walk to the family dinner. It is a smaller dinner this year due to covid but still a family dinner. I am a Baal Teshuva, and my family has really respected my doing Shabbat, and I am in a situation where I really need to do the right thing by Hashem and not anger Him. I am in touch with a rabbi about this but was hoping for your input. Does Shalom Bayit play a role here? There is some considerable pressure by the family to stay for the dinner. Thank you, and wishing you strength, blessings, and a healthy and successful new year.

Asked on September 14, 2020