A Multimedia Guide to Jewish Prayer and Meditation
Work in progress
A mitzvah is an opportunity to act out your inner soul. A thought of Torah is an opportunity to hear it speaking. But when do you have an opportunity to experience that soul? When, other than at prayer?
To pray comes as naturally to the human being as breathing—where there is an openness to something greater, something beyond, naturally we cry out to it from within. Nevertheless, there is a ladder, a set of skills and techniques that can be learned. With knowledge, with practice and with persistence, we can all learn to excel at the art of dialogue between that breath of the divine within us and her Beloved Above.
This guide will work its way through:
- The basic assumptions of prayer; why we do it and what it achieves
- The structure and form in which they have been ordered
- The meanings of particular prayers
- Techniques for meditation and focus, for awakening the mind, heart and soul
Is Jewish prayer inherently paradoxical?
Does an Infinite Being really need us telling Him what to do?
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Why there's really nothing to complain about
It must be that for whatever reason, the Creator of this reality is interested in the experience from within, and not just from above.
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The true essence of prayer
Once you realize who you are and where you are, it all fits together. We are characters in G-d's story.
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First, an overview
How high does it go, how many light years away does it take you? The answer is zero. It takes you directly inside the place where you are standing right now.
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How to go to sleep to be awake
Where will your head be in the morning? Wherever you left it the night before.
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Pack your bags. Actually, unpack your bags.
Everything you need for sweet dreams and a fresh lease on life every morning.
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Solid bedrock
When you first wake up, you’re a new creation. The seed of everything you must be, of all you must accomplish, is there then. Grab it while you can.
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Step by step
The first words of your day are the trunk of the tree from which every branch of that day will grow . . .
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…and really mean it
Received wisdom on starting off your day on the right foot-and the right state of mind.
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Morning Blessings
There is a deep truth hidden in the hole of the bagel: Always start with the knowledge that you truly have nothing, and your bread will be ever satisfying and chewy.
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And if so, why aren’t we doing it?
Is it possible to be a good Jew, do mitzvahs, study Torah and pray to G‑d without ever thinking too deeply about who He is and what’s my relationship with Him?
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The real reason angels don’t rush in
Getting your head out of the street, and the street out of your head.
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Join the Discussion
I am learning my Jewishness after a long sleep in religion. I so appreciate your waking me to the depth and beauty of prayer.
Hi. Thanks. But I don't understand. What's coming next from that? There were some points? Where they are reached?
I am a Muslim, and I teach a prayer course online. And I love the way you approach prayer. I wish peace to all.
Peace and well being to all people of good will. We must all work to route out the haters, among us. Hate cannot stand the light of day.
Peace to you!!! What a blessing it is having you reaching out in this way. May the God of our peoples watch over us and watch over the world, and give us opportunities in the future to learn from one another.
it is very beautiful what Wim said but this that you say that we should learn one from another etc. is not a correct and proper statement, for we as Jews are commanded not to learn from the non Jews. The above mentioned shows on a lack of Jewish pride and confidence. WE MUST STAND STRONG AND CONFIDENT IN OURSELVES G-D ALMIGHTYS' NATION!!!!!!!
Value of Prayer. I found the articles on prayer very enlightening, but since I am a WW2 vet and saw the results of the holocaust, I have not been able to pray. My simple reason is if He did not respond to the prayers of 6 million of his "Chosen People" why should he take notice of one average guy, like me.
Thank you for your Service Sir
I have been Granted more Miracles than I could possibly deserve, I have PTSD from duty related violence. I discovered my Jewish Roots and am supposed to be Praying right now. I saw your comment by accident however, and wonder if it ever occurred to you that you are a living Miracle?
1.All of us, who would have been blotted from the face of the earth were it not for your service (and that of hundreds of thousands who served alongside you)...see you as an answered Prayer.
2.My life is sustained by constant ongoing Miracles keeping me alive today-and every day. Seeing your comment/question gives me pause to respond to a true hero and answer my own similar question/crisis. Thank you sir, You’re an answered Prayer.
3.You survived to tell the story and ask this question. Untold numbers of allied soldiers gave their lives-in Great part to save millions of us who would have died otherwise. Thank you sir, for being an answered Prayer.
Dear Anonymous, I am a survivor of WW2 because my Jewish Grandparents fled Romania during WW1. Now that I live here in Canada, I support our armed forces and all peace activities.
Your answer blew me away. Sometimes being in the storm life gives us we are unable to see answered prayer. I love how you answered the question.
As I began reading ...and found what was under my eyes quite interesting...I thought: must be the guy who was so inspiring when he meditated on the Modeh Ani...same way of looking at the Divine...What's his name? Yes, Tzvi Freeman! Thank you, Rabbi !
Why do Jews read the qetoret from a scroll?