Discussions on Prayer

In the blessings of the Shema we describe in great detail the lofty nature and divine service of the heavenly angels. In this lesson we explore three reasons why we focus in these prayers on the angels’ sanctifying G-d.

In this lesson we probe further the first blessing of the Shema, discussing the praise of the heavenly beings like the sun and moon, and how the administering angels above correlate with directing the animal within.

In this lesson we continue in the first blessing of the Shema and cover the first paragraph, which begins with the words ‘Hameir LaAretz. We examine the multifaceted nature of creation that emanates from G-d’s attributes, whilst He himself transcends it all.

The first blessing of the Shema begins with the notion of forming light and creating darkness (day and night). Also described is the uniquely divine nature of creation and the need for the continuous creative force.

The third section of prayer consists of the Shema and its preceding and following blessings. They correspond to the third rung on the ladder of prayer—the realm of intelligence, which is higher than the previous two rungs of action and emotion.

The prayer of Yishtabach is the concluding blessing of the section of Pesukei D’Zimrah (verses of praise). Learn the significance of the 13 or 15 expressions of praise recited in this blessing.

The song the Jews sang at the splitting of the sea was our first prayer as a people, which illustrates the special connection between prayer and song. Learn the context, the broad themes, and inner insights for the prayers of this song.

The prayer of ‘Vayevarech David’ serves as a transition from the six Halelukah chapters to the Song of the Sea. This part of prayer is packed with many foundational concepts of the Kabbalah, including the notion of the seven divine emotional powers.

After concluding the six Halelukah chapters from Psalms, which are at the heart of Pesukei d’Zimjrah (the prayer section of praise), we recite verses that invoke blessing to serve as a demarcation. Learn how praise and blessing – though closely related – vastly differ.

Now we reach the apex and culmination of the series of Halelukahs, which states that G-d is transcends and is beyond all the descriptions of praise we attribute to Him. This Halelukah is the 150th psalm from Tehillim.