He was becoming rapidly frustrated by such an unsatisfying explanation. Finally, he encountered a very elderly gentleman who had been a life-long member of that synagogue. There used to be a low hanging chandelier above the Ark, and people ducked to avoid hitting it. So much in life is sustained by a slavish adherence to tradition. Please don't get me wrong.
Tradition can be valuable.
Tradition brings us a sense of security. It deepens our feeling of rootedness. It connects us with our past. It binds us with others who share that heritage. But from time to time, we must examine our traditions analytically to see if these once-hallowed practices are worth continuing, modifying, or discarding.