Daily Living - Class #13

Prayer is our opportunity to speak directly to God.

By Rabbi Shraga Simmons

This class contains multi-media segments that are available online.

2007 JewishPathways.com

Introduction
Prayer is a daily obligation for every Jew, as it says: You shall serve the Lord your God with all your heart.1 The Talmud explains: What is service of the heart? That is prayer.2 Further, when an individual or a community faces an impending danger, the Torah requires them to call out to God in prayer.3 This obligation applies to Jews and non-Jews alike.4
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Through prayer, mortal man has the opportunity to speak directly to the Creator of the Universe and express his needs. God listens and responds to our prayers.6 Judaism all of our prayers are directed to God exclusively. We do not pray to angels. We do not pray to deceased people. Only God can respond to our entreaties.7 There are three primary prayer services each day: Shacharit, the morning prayers Mincha, the afternoon prayers Maariv, the evening prayers According to tradition, these three prayers were instituted by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, respectively.8 The three daily prayers also correspond to the three main daily services in the Holy Temple: the morning Tamid offering, the afternoon Tamid offering, and the sacrificial parts that burned on the altar every evening.9
1 2 3 4

Deut. 11:13 Taanit 2a

Ibid; Shut Igros Moshe (Orach Chaim 2:25) Shut Igros Moshe (Orach Chaim 2:25); cf. Ohr Sameach (Tefillah 1:2). 5 According to Rambam (Tefillah 1:1 and Sefer HaMitzvot - Positive #5), the obligation for daily prayer is of Torah obligation at all times. However, see Mishnah Berurah 106:4 who follows the ruling of Ramban that the basic daily obligation is rabbinic. Ramban (Hasagot to Sefer HaMitzvot, Positive #5) 7 Rambam, 13 Principles of Faith #5; Baer Heitiv (Orach Chaim 581:17)
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Talmud - Brachot 26b, based on Genesis 19:27, 24:63 and 28:11. See also Psalms 55:18 and Daniel 6:11. Talmud - Brachot 26b

Thus one who prays is likened to having brought an offering on the altar.10 By engaging in prayer during various times of the day, we make God part of every aspect of our lives.11 Newcomers to the prayer service can sometimes feel overwhelmed by the bulk of daily prayers. It is recommended that such a person begins with just a few prayers and gradually adds to his daily ritual.12 If necessary, he can even limit himself at first to a single prayer a day. This may be done as long as it is with the understanding that over the course of time, he will be living up to all his daily prayer responsibilities. The most important prayers that are said daily are the Amidah and Shema. Beyond that, one should seek rabbinical guidance as what else take priority in his growth process.

Language of Prayer
Prayers are read from a siddur,13 the Jewish religious text in widest circulation, surpassing even the Hebrew Bible.14 Siddur means order, as it contains the established text for prayer. For English speakers, it is highly recommended to have a copy of the ArtScroll Siddur. This is translated by top-rate Jewish scholars, who understand the subtleties of both the Hebrew and English languages, and includes an explanation of all prayers, laws and customs for everyday, Shabbat, holidays, and lifecycle events.15

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Talmud - Yoma 86b

See Kuzari 3:5 and the introduction to Rabbi Dr. Elie Munks World of Prayer [Feldheim]. As heard from Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovits 13 A special prayer book used for the holidays is called a Machzor, cycle.
14 15

Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin: To Pray as a Jew Can be ordered online at artscroll.com. ArtScroll also publishes a transliterated prayer book.

Technically, prayers may be said in any language that one understands,16 however, Hebrew is the preferred language for prayer.17 One may pray in the original Hebrew text, even without understanding it.18 In any case, it is a good idea to learn Hebrew as soon as possible in order to pray meaningfully in the original tongue. Many of the prayers are based on biblical verses, and the Amidah (for example) was composed in the fourth century BCE by the Great Assembly, led by the prophets Nechemiah and Ezra.19 Before that time, people would pray whatever was on their hearts,20 but due to the burden of the exile the Jewish nation began to lose touch with their "hearts." Therefore the Great Assembly fixed the text of the prayers, incorporating deep kabbalistic meanings into the words, so that even the simplest Jew would be able to communicate with God with the holiest words. As such, the prayer book transcends time and geography, allowing every Jew to deeply connect to the Almighty using the same words. It is a good idea to set aside a little bit of time each day to read and contemplate the meaning of the daily prayers and special prayers.21 There are slight variations in the text of the prayers, based on community custom. The three most common texts are:

16 17

Orach Chaim 101:4, 62:2 with Mishnah Berurah Mishnah Berurah 101:13. Regular communal prayer must be in Hebrew; a congregation may not adopt any other official language of prayer (Mishnah Berurah 101:13).

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Mishnah Berurah 62:3 Talmud - Brachot 33a; Megillah 17b 20 Rambam (Tefillah 1:3) Rabbi E.M.M. Shach as quoted in the introduction to Rabbi Meir Birnbaums Kuntros Avodat HaTefilla; cf. Mishnah Berurah 101:2.
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 Nusach Ashkenaz [lit. German edition] used by Jews of Ashkenazi ancestry.22 Nusach Eidot HaMizrach [lit. version of the Eastern communities] used by Jews of Sephardic ancestry.23 Nusach Sefarad [lit. Spanish edition] used mostly by chassidim, based on the teachings of the 16th century mystic the Arizal. There is historical precedent for slight variations in the text; the mystical writings teach that there are 12 heavenly windows through which each o the Twelve Tribes submitted their entreaties. Thus, the sages originally composed 12 editions of prayer, corresponding to the differing spiritual makeup of the different segments of the Jewish nation.24

Various Obligations
Men should pray with a minyan whenever possible.25 This is because a prayer said publicly is more likely to be accepted, as opposed to a private prayer which depends largely on ones degree of concentration.26 Further, certain parts of the service can be said only in the presence of a minyan: Kaddish27, Borchu,28 repetition of the Amidah,29 the Priestly Blessing,30 and the Torah reading.31 One should always try to pray in a synagogue,32

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Ashkenazi Jewry refers to those who ancestry stems from most of the European countries including England,

France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Poland and Russia. 23 Sephardic Jews generally refers to those whose ancestry stem from the countries that were under Moslem influence such as Spain, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Turkey.
24 25

Mishnah Berurah 68:4 Orach Chaim 90:9; Shut Igros Moshe (Orach Chaim 2:27, 3:7) 26 Talmud - Brachot 6a; Mishnah Berurah 52:3, 90:28 27 Orach Chaim 55:1
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ibid Mishnah Berurah 55:5 30 Mishnah Berurah 55:6

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ibid Jerusalem Talmud - Brachot 4:4

even if there is no congregation present at the time.33 More detailed laws pertaining to a minyan are discussed in Daily Living - The Synagogue. Women are also obligated to pray each day.34 However, because this is a time-bound positive mitzvah, the specific obligation differs. A woman who needs to care for her children may fulfill her prayer responsibility with a short informal prayer.35 The details are discussed in Daily Living Women and Mitzvot.36 Children must be trained to pray properly.37 In fact, as soon as a child is able to speak, he should be taught to say the first verse of Shema.38 Traditionally, even very young children are brought to the synagogue, if they will not disturb the prayers of others.39

Where to Pray
God listens to our prayers wherever we are. But prayers are betterreceived when recited in an established place,40 as this aids in concentration. Thus one should select a particular spot to pray unless there is some compelling reason to do otherwise.41 In general, one should try not to pray in an area where others might disturb your prayers.42 Further, since King Hezekiah turned toward the wall in order to entreat God,43 when possible it is better to pray facing a wall.44

33 34 35

Orach Chaim 90:9

Orach Chaim 106:1 Ishei Yisrael 7:7, in the name of the Chafetz Chaim and the Chazon Ish 36 More information on the womans role in prayer can be found in Rabbi Menachem Nissels Rigshei Lev [Targum Press]. 37 Orach Chaim 106:1 38 Mishnah Berurah 70:7 39 Mishnah Berurah 98:3
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Orach Chaim 90:19 Aruch HaShulchan 90:23 42 Orach Chaim 98:2

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Isaiah 38:2; 2-Kings 20:2 Orach Chaim 90:21 with Mishnah Berurah

There are certain places where one should not pray or recite blessings. For example, it is not ideal to pray in an open area that has no roof over it,45 if another place is available.46 One may not pray or recite blessings in a bathroom47 or in any place where there is a bad odor or exposed waste.48 Nor may one pray in the presence of someone who is insufficiently dressed.49

Focusing on Prayer
There are two mindsets when praying: remember that you are standing before the Omnipotent King of the Universe focus on the simple meaning of the words50 During prayer, one should be of clean mind and body. One should endeavor to remove all extraneous thoughts (about business, errands, etc.) and concentrate solely on the words of the prayers. If one has difficulty focusing on all the prayers, he should at least concentrate properly on Shema and the Amidah. When saying the Amidah, it is especially critical to maintain focus during the first blessing.51 Before beginning to pray, put yourself into a solemn frame of mind.52 Do not pray when you are in a silly mood or when something is bothering you.53 If some foreign thought does enter your mind during prayers, wait silently until the thought leaves and then resume the prayer.54
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Orach Chaim 90:5 Mishnah Berurah 90:11

Orach Chaim 83:1 Orach Chaim 90:26 49 Orach Chaim 75:1 and Mishnah Berurah 75:2, 76:2. More details about the standards of dress can be found in Halichot Bat Yisrael 4:9.
50 51

Rambam (Tefillah 4:16); Orach Chaim 98:1 Orach Chaim 101:1 52 Brachot 30b
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Brachot 31a Orach Chaim 89:1

To keep your mind from straying, it is a good idea to keep your eyes focused on the siddur.55 In fact, one should not hold anything during prayer other than a prayer book.56 When praying, ones dress should reflect the importance of the experience.57 Similarly, ones hands should be washed before prayers,58 and one should not touch any of the normally-covered part of the body during prayer.59 Before prayers, one should also use the bathroom, if necessary.60

The Jewish Day

In our next lesson, well be discussing the daily prayer schedule. But first, we need some basic concepts of how the Jewish day is structured. For starters, there is the idea that the Jewish day begins with night, based on Genesis 1:5 which places evening first: and it was evening and it was morning.61 However, for most people it is more intuitive to think of the day as starting in the morning, so for the sake of simplicity, our discussion will begin with daybreak and continue through till nighttime. Terminology Here are the key terms to understand and remember: Alot Hashachar daybreak, 72 minutes before sunrise Neitz HaChama sunrise

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Mishnah Berurah 53:87; Tefillah KHilchato 2:8 Orach Chaim 96:1-2

Orach Chaim 91:5 Orach Chaim 92:4 59 Orach Chaim 90:3

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Orach Chaim 92:1 Talmud - Brachot 26a

 Chatzot Hayom noon Shkiya sunset Bein Hashmashot The period between sunset and nightfall (Tzeit HaKochavim) is regarded as "doubtful day and night. Tzeit HaKochavim Nightfall is defined as the appearance of three stars,62 which is approximately 30-40 minutes after sunset, depending on season and location. Chatzot Halaila midnight Prayer Times Each specific prayer is discussed more fully in this class, but for now lets get the basics: Morning Shema the earliest time one may recite the morning Shema is about an hour before sunrise,63 and continues until one-fourth of the day. Shacharit begins at sunrise, and continues until the end of the fourth halachic hour, which is equivalent to one-third of the day.64 Mincha the afternoon service begins one half-hour after noon,65 and continues until sunset.66 Evening Shema may be recited at nightfall (Tzeit HaKochavim), up until halachic midnight.67 Maariv the evening service begins at nightfall (Tzeit HaKochavim),68 and continues until halachic midnight.69

Talmud - Shabbat 35b. from when you can recognize a friend from a distance of four cubits (7 feet). 64 Orach Chaim 443, Mishnah Berurah 8. If one neglected to pray before this time, Shacharit may be said until Noon.
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Orach Chaim 233:1. Mishnah Berurah 233:14 67 Orach Chaim 235:3.

68 69

Under certain conditions, Maariv may be said as early as 72 minutes before sunset. See your rabbi for details. If necessary, both Shema and Maariv may be recited until daybreak (Alot Hashachar), 72 minutes before sunrise.

Seasonal Hours The times listed here are called seasonal hours (in Hebrew, Shaot Zmaniyot), which are different from conventional hours. A conventional

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hour always consists of 60 minutes. But a Jewish seasonal hour may have more or less than 60 minutes, depending on the season and location. Simply put, seasonal hours are determined by dividing the day into 12 equal parts, and the night into 12 equal parts. For example, lets say that in a particular city, on a particular summer day, the sun rises at 5 a.m. and sets at 8 p.m. That means there are 15 hours of day, and 9 hours of night. In Jewish terms, we would: divide the day into 12 equal parts. Since there are 15 hours of day, each seasonal hour would be 75 minutes long (15 hours X 60 minutes = 900 minutes, then divided by 12 = 75 minutes per seasonal hour). also divide the night into 12 equal parts. Since there are only 9 actual hours of night, each seasonal hour would be 45 minutes long (9 hours X 60 minutes = 540 minutes, then divided by 12 hours = 45 minutes per seasonal hour). The opposite scenario would occur in wintertime, where the nighttime seasonal hours will be longer, and the daytime seasonal hours will be shorter. And on a day when the sun rises at 6 a.m. and sets at 6 p.m., each seasonal hour would be exactly 60 minutes long. Regarding your specific local times, you can get all the information very easily by downloading a simple yet powerful Jewish calendar program at www.aish.com/kaluach/ Now that we have the basics, our next lesson will discuss the specifics of the Jewish daily prayers.

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