Tag: Tefillah

Why I Love Tefillin

Rabbi Lauren Tuchman writes "Why I Love Tefillin" and explores how all people can wear tefillin, based on her own experience.

Rabbi Lauren Tuchman February 6, 2024 Accessories for Prayer Every Day

The Times of Day for Prayer

A Talmudic Midrash obligates prayer three times a day, instituted in honor of our three patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed, The Observant Life (Book) May 17, 2023 Every Day Prayer

Prayers and Practices of the Weekday Amidah

The Amidah is considered the central part of daily Jewish prayer, with minor variations in the text based on time of day, year and season.

Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed, The Observant Life (Book) May 16, 2023 Afternoon Prayers (Mincha) Amidah

The Interplay of Routine and Intention: Keva and Kavanah

Our prayers are almost always a mixture of both keva (oft-recited text) and kavanah (deeper layers of meaning).

Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed, The Observant Life (Book) May 16, 2023 Every Day Prayer

What Prompts Change in Our Liturgy?

Changes in liturgy are born out of changes in the theological and historical life of a people, both the individual and the community.

Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed, The Observant Life (Book) May 16, 2023 Every Day Liturgy

Why Prayer Matters

Tefillah is more than the sum of its parts and encompasses far more than the obligation to recite certain specific daily prayers.

Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed, The Observant Life (Book) May 16, 2023 Every Day Prayer

The Value of Using Set Prayers

By the use of set prayers, are we ipso facto guaranteeing that some will be obliged to recite words they do not find true or ...

Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed, The Observant Life (Book) May 15, 2023 Every Day Prayer

What is the Shema?

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

Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed, The Observant Life (Book) May 15, 2023 Evening Service (Ma'ariv) Every Day

Overview of the Evening Service

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

Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed, The Observant Life (Book) May 15, 2023 Evening Service (Ma'ariv) Every Day

Overview of the Afternoon Service

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

Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed, The Observant Life (Book) May 15, 2023 Afternoon Prayers (Mincha) Every Day

The First Prayers in the Morning Service

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

Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed, The Observant Life (Book) May 11, 2023 Every Day Morning Service (Shacharit)

What is a Kippah?

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

Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed, The Observant Life (Book) May 11, 2023 Accessories for Prayer Every Day

What is a Tallit?

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

Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed, The Observant Life (Book) May 11, 2023 Accessories for Prayer Every Day

T’fillah/Prayer: A Mitzvah to Take a “Time Out”

T'fillah, Jewish prayer, is rooted in self-judgment, reflection, and connecting to something greater than ourselves.

The Observant Life (Book), Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed June 29, 2022 Prayer Understanding Prayer