Discussions on Prayer

The silent prayer called the Amidah, also known as the “Shemoneh Esrei” (eighteen blessings), is the climax and highest rung on the ladder of prayer. Discover the significance and broader context of the Amidah, and why it contains 18 blessings.

The blessing following the Shema is an uninterrupted continuation, wherein we affirm the absolute truth of the Shema with fifteen different expressions. We validate the fulfillment of G-d’s promises of the past and declare our confidence in His salvation for the future—immediately prior to asking for our needs in the Amidah prayer.

The third section of the Shema contains the mitzvah of tzitzit, which serves as a reminder for our commitment to all of G-d’s mitzvahs, and not fall astray to our eyes and hearts temptations. It concludes with the remembrance of the exodus from Egypt.

The second paragraph of the Shema (v’hayah) restates and expands on elements of the first paragraph, but in markedly different form. Also, the Torah informs us of the ‘reward and punishment’ for mitzvah observance, warning us not to abandon them.

In the first paragraph of the Shema (v’Ahavta), after submitting to G-d’s sovereignty, we accept the yoke of His commandments. This begins with the instruction to love G-d, which motivates and energizes the performance of mitzvahs. This class also addresses the famous question of how G-d can expect us to love Him on command.

In this class we learn the deeper meaning of the verse “Shema Yisroel” (Hear O’ Israel), in which we bear witness to the oneness of G-d.

The central prayer of Shema Yisrael (Hear O Israel . . . G-d Is One) begins with the essential statement of Jewish faith, wherein we proclaim our absolute belief in one unified G-d. Discover profound insight into how the Shema stands at the epicenter of our existence and ultimately encapsulates our historic experience at Sinai.

The second blessing of the Shema begins with the words Ahavat Olam (an everlasting love), and highlights the special love G-d displays towards the Jew, which in turn arouses a love from the Jew to G-d.

There are two general classes of heavenly angels, one intellectual and the other emotional. In this lesson we discuss the distinction in the sanctification of G-d recited by these two categories of angels, and how this influences our declaration as well. We then proceed to conclude the first blessing of the Shema.

We recite in our prayers the angels’ sanctification of G-d. However, the angels first ask permission from one another and accept the yoke of heaven prior to sanctifying G-d. What is the meaning of the sanctification (holy, holy, holy…)?