The Observant Life (Book)

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We hear from God through our participation in liturgical prayer, and also through the study of religious texts.

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The Shema is the declaration of God’s uniqueness and unity that the Torah commands us to recite twice daily. 

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The Evening Service, called Ma’ariv (also called Arvit or spelled Maariv), is slightly longer than the Afternoon Service.

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The Afternoon Service, called Minḥah (or Mincha), is much shorter than the Morning Service and has no unique components. 

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Every day of the year, the Morning Service follows some variation of the order of the same Sharcharit prayers.

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The prayers at the very beginning of the morning service help us to start our day with intention and gratitude.

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There is a wide range of specific customs related to the issue of covering the head, including what to cover it with.

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The tassels of the Tallit, called tzitzit (or tzitzis) in Hebrew, are explicitly intended to serve as a reminder of God’s commandments.

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It is considered forbidden to fast on fast days if injurious to one’s health, for the sake of performing positive commandments.

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We give thanks to God every day for the gift of life, but recognize that we are mortal and that illness and death will come.

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