Praying On Purpose

In an effort to make prayer "feel more meaningful" and "seem more relevant," we risk reducing our understanding of prayer rather than enhancing it.  As we try to develop a comprehensive perspective on prayer we must remember that there are limits to our understanding.  

At least 100 times a day, we recite a declaration in which we appear to be bestowing a blessing upon God.  Today we take a closer look in an effort to discover the true message disguised in every blessing.

Knowing one’s place - where I am and where I am heading – is an essential component of a healthy prayer experience.  Today we return for a closer look at the institution of מקום קבוע.   

As we have seen, prayer is not simply transactional, nor designed merely as a means to assist us in getting what we want.  That being said, from the moment of creation, the need for prayer was embedded into the natural order of the universe.

As the rainy season in Israel officially commences, we are again offered the special opportunity to reflect 3x daily on the deeper meaning of God's strength and power.  And, in the process, we can renew our own commitment to exercise greater self-control. 

We shake the lulav during Hallel at two points which appear to be opposing poles.  Upon reflection however, we discover that these poles are much closer than they appear.

With proper focus, spending time in the sukkah provides us with a unique opportunity to experience more heartfelt and meaningful prayers all throughout the year. 

The day after Yom Kippur may seem like a relatively unremarkable point on the calendar but, in reality, it is a day that contains its own unique focus and agenda.  In this episode, we explore what the day after Yom Kippur can teach us about every time we pray.

From a place of peril and uncertainty, Yonah displays calm and expresses appreciation.  A quick "dive" into Yonah's eternal lessons on tefillah.

We typically pray for the things we want and for what we think we need. At times, however, we ask Hashem to consider the prayers that still reside deep beneath the surface.