Daily Jewish Prayers

Description

Jewish prayer is the prayer recitation that forms part of the observance of Rabbinic Judaism. These prayers, often with instructions and commentary, are found in the Siddur, the traditional Jewish prayer book.

Prayer, as a "service of the heart," is in principle a Torah-based commandment. It is mandatory for Jewish women and men. However, the rabbinic requirement to recite a specific prayer text does differentiate between men and women: Jewish men are obligated to recite three prayers each day within specific time ranges (zmanim), while, according to many approaches, women are only required to pray once or twice a day, and may not be required to recite a specific text.

Jewish liturgy is the broad category of activities that Jews do in order to invoke God. It includes reciting, chanting, or singing texts; using ritual objects and wearing ritual garments; performing choreographed physical actions and gestures; and reciting blessings. Although Jewish liturgy includes far more than just the texts that are recited, the texts themselves provide a valuable way of understanding what Jewish prayer and worship is all about.

Jewish liturgy can be divided up into three main categories: prayers, blessings and rituals.

Prayers are recited on a daily basis, and have a specific structure to them.
- Blessings are recited on certain occasions, when eating something, or when performing a commandment like lighting candles before the Sabbath.
- Rituals are particular activities, like the Passover seder or redeeming the first born child (pidyon haben).
- Jewish liturgy constantly balances the interplay between using fixed texts (keva) and creating a personally meaningful, sincere interaction with God that reflects the intention (kavana) of the one who prays.

The Shema is one of the most important Jewish prayers in Jewish tradition, recited twice a day as a declaration of faith in God’s oneness and as a reminder of the central teachings of the Jewish faith. It is found in the Torah, specifically in the book of Deuteronomy (6:4-9), and is often regarded as the Jewish “creed.” The prayer is traditionally recited while standing and covering one’s eyes with one’s right hand.