Judaism is a religion of action as much as it is one of faith. The Jewish people are known for their high degree of religious observance, which is made possible by their commitment to practices and rituals outlined in the Torah. In this article, Rabbi Shmuel Waldman explores the basics of praying as a Jew and the meaning of prayer in Judaism. Praying as a Jew consists of specific mitzvahs and customs that are different than practices in other religions. Understanding how to pray as a Jew can be challenging, but with practice, you will feel more comfortable praying and know when, where, and how to do so. Praying is an essential part of being Jewish, so with these tips, by Rabbi Shmuel Waldman you’ll be able to start practicing right away!
What are the basic practices of praying as a Jew?
There are many different reasons to pray, and different times of day to pray. Jews may pray privately or with other people, and in many different places.
When to pray:
– Different Jewish prayer practices depend on the day of the week as well as the time of year.
– Praying on a regular basis is important, and it is recommended to pray at least three times a day.
Where to pray:
– In general, prayer can be said wherever you are: at home, outdoors, or at the synagogue.
– Most Jews pray at home, though some pray at a synagogue or other place of worship.
– You can pray alone or with other people. If you choose to pray with others, you can join in with their prayers or say your own prayers at the same time.
– If you choose to pray alone, you can say prayers out loud or in your mind.
Morning Prayers (Shacharit)
According to Rabbi Shmuel Waldman, who has a large experience in religious education, Shacharit is the daily morning prayer. It can be recited alone or with a group and is usually said in a synagogue. The traditional way to say Shacharit is to begin with the silent Amidah (“standing prayer”), and then add the Psalms. The Amidah contains 19 blessings, each of which is recited with a specific set of prayers. When the Amidah is recited, the person may use a Jewish prayer book or follow along in the Torah scroll. During Shacharit, certain Torah passages are read aloud. Such readings are dependent on the day of the week and the time of year.
Evening Prayers (Mincha and Arvit)
Rabbi Shmuel Waldman shares that Mincha is a daily afternoon prayer that is said between noon and 3 p.m. It can be recited alone or with a group and is usually said in a synagogue. The traditional way to say Mincha is to begin with the silent Amidah and then add the Psalms. Arvit is a daily evening prayer that is said after sunset. It is recited by most Jews but is not a required prayer. The traditional way to say Arvit is to begin with the silent Amidah and then add the Psalms.
Conclusion
The practice of prayer is an essential part of being Jewish. Jews are known for their high degree of religious observance, which is made possible by their commitment to practices and rituals outlined in the Torah. There are many different reasons to pray, and different times of day to pray. Jews may pray privately or with other people, and in many different places. There are specific prayers that are said at certain times during the day. There are also special prayers and rituals that are practiced on the Sabbath. In general, prayer can be said wherever you are: at home, outdoors, or at the synagogue. With these tips by Rabbi Shmuel Waldman, you’ll be able to start practicing right away!