Reply To: how did early jews keep warm in terribly cold climates during the winter?

It’s a big myth about Jews “Religiously” attending Minyan. It’s hard to imagine how dark it is without all the “Light pollution” we have. If a Jew lived in a Shtetl good luck walking a few hundred feet down a rutted, potholed dirt road without breaking your neck. So many many Jews davened Friday night at home. Shabbos morning wasn’t an issue. It was difficult to walk home after Mincha so they served Shalos Seudos in Shul so the men could use fire to light the way home after Shabbos ended.