The Netivot Israel Class on Tefilah

In this class we explore the long history of Birchas HaTorah, from the Biblical times until today.

In this class we look at the final blessing of the morning blessings, Hamaavir Sheina. We examine its early history from the first source in Talmud Bavli, and we see parallel prayers that may have competed for its place. We also examine the relevant Yehi Ratzon formulas.

In this class we study the most controversial and complex of the Berachot of the "Birchot HaShachar". These 3 negative-tense blessings have a long history worthy of much exploration and thought.

For more advanced students, I would recommend beginning your research with Joseph Tabory's article "The Blessings of Self-Identity" in Kenishta v. 1 (English, Bar Ilan University Press). It's available on the Kotar website.

In this class we take a unique look at the Kinah as a genre, rather than as a survey of the texts. I offer some periodization for the development of the Kinah as it relates to Tisha B'Av.

In this shiur we learn about the morning blessings recited over the activities one performs upon awaking, as prescribed in the Talmud Berachot 60b. We study the history and background, touch upon the homiletics, and discuss some Halachic matters.

In this shiur we study the Beracha of Asher Yatzar from the time of the Gemara (Late Antiquity) until modern times. We look at its textual development, theology, and Halachic development throughout Jewish history.

In this shiur we introduce the topic of the Birchot HaShachar, the Morning Blessings. We learn about the first source for this practice, and discuss how Netilat Yadayim shaped the way we find the blessings fixed and ordered in our Siddur.

In this class we study the history of the Beracha as a liturgical formula and liturgical unit. We examine how the Beracha became the de facto liturgical formula for the Rabbanim and the various stages of its development.

In this class we study the development of the Seder HaTefilah (Liturgy) into a fixed form, and how that liturgy was eventually canonized. We then discuss its evolution into the codex that we call the Siddur, and finally its entry into the world of print.