Jewish prayer for learning. Learn the meaning and rituals around this prayer from Rabbi Reni Dickman, the Director of Interfaith Family in Chicago. Lamentations 2:19 Tefillat Geshem, the prayer for rain that Ashkenazi Jews recite on Shemini Atzeret, recalls many of these transformative encounters with water. 15 hours ago · Explore Jewish Life and Judaism at My Jewish Learning, your go-to source for Jewish holidays, rituals, celebrations, recipes, Torah, history, and more. Choosing a siddur (prayerbook) requires balancing several considerations. In the broader sense of the term, a Jew is any person belonging to the worldwide group that constitutes, through descent or conversion, a continuation of the ancient Jewish people, who were themselves descendants of the Hebrews of the Bible (Old Testament). The text of the blessing — in Hebrew, English and transliteration — is as follows: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה . May the One send him/her, speedily, a complete healing — healing of the soul and healing of the body — along with all the ill, among the people of Israel and all humankind, soon, speedily, without delay, and let us all say: Amen! Learn how to say the Shema, one of the most important (and shortest) prayers in Jewish liturgy. The tone is set by its opening three words: “God full of compassion. Explore Jewish Life and Judaism at My Jewish Learning, a trans-denominational website of information about Judaism. Both prayers are typically understood as prayers of thanksgiving — Modeh Ani for waking from sleep, and Modim for God’s kindness and salvation. Eastern time on Sundays. Released at the height of the First Learn how to chant the Shabbat blessings for Friday night. Pray Prayer 101 The texts and practices of prayer, while broadly common to all Jewish communities, vary according to local customs, ethnic origins, and ideologies. Learn the shapes and sounds of the Hebrew alphabet, with a warm and supportive educator to guide you. When said publicly, El List of Jewish prayers and blessings Listed below are some Hebrew language prayers and berakhot (blessings) that are part of Judaism that are recited by many Jews. Sim Shalom is the last blessing of the Amidah, the core prayer of every Jewish prayer service. We know that too many groups and individuals have historically been marginalized in Jewish spaces, including people The Jewish Learning Group creates plain language how-to guides on Jewish law and custom, traditional prayer texts with transliteration and instruction, and educational audio and video guides. ” The prayer corresponds to the additional sacrifice offered in the ancient Temple on those days. I felt the power of the prayers reaching me, and for The Traveler’s Prayer — also known as the Wayfarer’s Prayer or Tefilat Haderech in Hebrew — is a prayer said at the onset of a journey. It is kind of the flipside — or culmination — of the Mi Sheberach prayer for healing which might be recited for weeks or months or even longer while a person battles serious illness. Yom Kippr in the Community. One psalm, included in its entirety in the daily morning service, is the final chapter, Psalm 150. How traditional or radical a text do you want? How literal a translation? How much transliteration? Do you want Since ancient times, Judaism’s most central prayer has included a curse against our enemies, both internal and external. Rejoicing with the Torah. ) Help us keep Jewish knowledge accessible to millions of people around the world. It also marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days. Here's when it starts. On the holiday of Shemini Atzeret, which follows the festival of Sukkot, we make a special blessing for rain. The word siddur means order and comes from the same root as seder, the special Passover meal. Most prayers and blessings can be found in the Siddur, or prayer book. A friend of mine suggests that the Hebrew words function as a kind of mantra. Nov 12, 2023 · Compiled by the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, this book presents a wide range of Jewish customs and ceremonies, from daily prayers and blessings to life cycle events and holiday observances. Yom Kippur Prayer Services. Below is a selection of contemporary prayers for seeking a child, mourning the loss of a pregnancy, and a prayer of hope to be said prior to undergoing a procedure (based on the traditional blessing celebrating the intricacies of a fully-functioning body). The Shema, one of the most important (and shortest) prayers in Jewish liturgy, is surrounded by three long blessings. Jewish tradition prescribes a blessing to be recited upon going to the restroom. (Sephardic Jews recite a different prayer for rain, Tikkun Hageshem, on Shemini Atzeret. A siddur is a Jewish prayer book, which contains the Jewish liturgy. Explore tradition, Bible studies and Jewish prayer tutorials with word-for-word translation alongside phonetic texts. Why Pray - Jewish Answers. If possible, the one observing the yahrtzeit should also lead the prayer service. Help us keep Jewish knowledge accessible to millions of people around the world. Postpartum, a mother, or her spouse on her behalf, bentshes gomel (recites the prayer of thanksgiving for coming through danger in safety) in the synagogue. Known as Asher Yatzar (“who formed”), it is a blessing of thanksgiving for the workings of the human body, without which it would be impossible to live and stand before God. . Practice for a Bar or Mat Mitzvah, or for reading from the Torah or leading prayer with our Trope and Tefillah Trainer programs. [2] In the 1980s, songwriter Abie Rotenberg composed a niggun based on the Acheinu prayer text, [3] which he included on his 1990 album Lev V’Nefesh. This course assumes no prior Hebrew experience. Far more than any other biblical book, the Book of Psalms (Tehillim in Hebrew) has been imported into the liturgical texts that make up traditional Jewish prayer. The basic Jewish beliefs, including Maimonides' 13 Principles of Faith, the importance of actions over beliefs, and the importance of relationships in Judaism. ” But the Shema continues with a series of verses taken from the book of Deuteronomy. Jewish Praying. Visit us today! In fact, the Hebrew word for sin — chet — literally means to “go astray. My Jewish Learning hosts an online minyan Sunday-Friday for those who wish to say Kaddish. During the Yom Kippur 3 days ago · Explore Jewish Life and Judaism at My Jewish Learning, your go-to source for Jewish holidays, rituals, celebrations, recipes, Torah, history, and more. The opening word of this section is Veahavta, “You shall love. In this video, Sarah Wolf demonstrates how to say Sim Shalom: In Judaism, blessings are recited on countless occasions, including before and after eating, during prayer, and on seeing various natural phenomenon. Whether you’re buying a prayerbook for yourself or for a synagogue or other group, it helps to know what lies behind the muted bindings and the denominational labels of today’s wide array of possibilities. Jewish Holidays. Psalms pervade the established Jewish liturgy of morning, afternoon, and evening prayer services, but our tradition made the psalms into a very “flexible” resource — encouraging us to turn to them when we need them, and be less bound by, for example, strictures that require certain prayers to be recited at certain times of the day. " Help us keep Jewish knowledge accessible to millions of people around the world. The Weekday Amidah - The Shemoneh Esrei or weekday Amidah is provided here online. Jun 10, 2014 · service. Learn Hebrew and Jewish prayer with the friendliest Biblical and modern hebrew language tutorial software, CDs and books. El Maleh Rahamim (God full of compassion) is a prayer for the departed that is recited with a haunting chant at funeral services, on visiting the graves of relatives (especially during the month of Elul), and after having been called up to the reading of the Torah Praying in Hebrew, reciting words that are familiar but untranslatable, helps reinforce the sense of prayer’s being an emotional-aesthetic experience rather than a rational-intellectual one. The full text reads as follows: מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ מלך חַי וְקַיָּם שֶהֶחֱזַרְתָּ בִּי נִשְׁמָתִי בְחֶמְלָה, רַבָּה El Maleh Rachamim is a Jewish prayer for the dead traditionally recited at funerals as well as during the Yizkor memorial service on Yom Kippur and the three pilgrimage festivals. Below is a chronological listing of the annual cycle of Jewish holidays along with a guide to the specific blessings and prayers that are recited. Musaf is a prayer recited on Shabbat, major Jewish holidays and Rosh Chodesh, the minor observance marking the beginning of each Hebrew month. The foundation of all Jewish beliefs, practices and scholarship is the Torah, known as the Five Books of Moses. The importance of praying for the welfare of the ruling body was established by the prophet Jeremiah after the first exile To live by these words of Isaiah, we must actively ensure that Jewish spaces are accessible and welcoming for all. ” The verse continues: “You shall love the The Hebrew word modim, translated here as “thank,” is from the same root as Modeh Ani, the first prayer Jews traditionally recite upon awakening in the morning. ” What does it mean for us to pray for rain? What does our praying for rain demand of us? And what role do rain and water Prayer, we are told in the Book of Lamentations, involves pouring out our hearts like water. By looking at the origins of Jews, and their history as outsiders, starting in the ancient world, we can begin to understand antisemitism and anti-Judaism — two terms for anti-Jewish prejudice. Get a taste of Israel as you learn to speak like Israelis. Jewish Day of Attonement. Dying is often a stage on the continuum of illness, and it is appropriate to say prayers for healing, even when we know our loved one has a terminal illness and is not expecting to recover. S’lach Lanu is a thrice daily reminder of our unending capacity to right ourselves. At one particular service, I was ready to say my dad’s name, but before the rabbi reached me, I heard his name called by someone across the room. The Mi Sheberakh prayer, the traditional Jewish healing prayer, focuses not just on healing of the body, but also healing of the spirit. One in four people has some kind of disability, whether physical, developmental, cognitive, learning, sensory, psychiatric or a combination of several disabilities. This tradition can be traced in practice to the daily sacrifices made in honor of Caesar at the end of the Second Temple period over 2,000 years ago. The English word prayer comes from the Old French preiere —“obtained by entreaty. According to the text, God first revealed himself to a Hebrew man named Abraham, who became known as the founder of Judaism. Some elements of Jewish culture come from within Judaism, others from the interaction of Jews with host populations, and others still from the inner social and cultural dynamics of the community. We also begin mention in the daily prayers of God as the One who “makes the wind blow and the rain descend. Jewish holidays are observed in various ways. Next come the Prophets and Writings (Neviim and Ketuvim in Hebrew). 6 days ago · Rosh Hashanah — the Jewish new year — marks the creation of the world. This article addresses Jewish liturgical blessings, which generally begin with the formula: Help us keep Jewish knowledge accessible to millions of people around the world. Before the 18th century, religion dominated virtually all aspects of Jewish life, and infused culture. In some ways, too, Birkat Hagomel as an expression of the extraordinary power of public prayer, and grateful recognition that sometimes prayers do indeed succeed. With your help, My Jewish Learning can provide endless opportunities for learning, connection and discovery. Learn about the rich culture, history, and traditions of Judaism and the Jewish people. Below is an index of many types of Jewish blessings. According to the Talmud in A prayer for the welfare of the national government and its leaders has been part of the Jewish liturgy from ancient days. One of the most poignant moments of Shabbat for me is when the rabbi circles the room during the mi shebeirach , or prayer for healing, and the congregants voice the names of the ill. The minyan is held every Monday-Friday at 4:00 PM U. Encyclopedia of Jewish and Israeli history, politics and culture, with biographies, statistics, articles and documents on topics from anti-Semitism to Zionism. S. Jewish Prayer Services - The morning, afternoon, and evening prayer services, including links to the common prayers and blessings (in Hebrew). Jewish religious practice, by definition, was observed exclusively by the Jewish people, and notions of Jewish peoplehood, nation, and community were suffused with faith in the Jewish God, the practice of Jewish (religious) law and the study of ancient religious texts Sep 5, 2025 · Jew, any person whose religion is Judaism. Some are marked most notably by rituals that are performed at home, while others are largely observed in the synagogue and have specific liturgies associated with them. Rosh Hashanah From Christina Help us keep Jewish knowledge accessible to millions of people around the world. ” Prayer is thus most commonly associated with asking for the fulfillment of our needs. We sometimes think of the Shema as solely the prayer’s opening line: “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One. Yom Kippur. Plus, enjoy free, over the phone technical support! Introduction - An overview of the Jewish view of prayer and praise. ” The Jewish notion of sin and repentance is rooted in the idea that our inevitable human failings are simply deviations from the true and just path. The particular order of Jewish worship was established largely during the first four or five centuries CE, although the components of that worship were drawn from earlier periods and have continued to develop until modern times. Morningtime & Bedtime You can incorporate Jewish-themed songs, music, and books into your child’s morning and nighttime routines quite easily. The URJ offers Learn to Read Hebrew for Adults, an online ten-session course. For more ab This English translation of the blessing for Torah study by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi z"l, was first published in his Siddur Tehillat Hashem Yidaber Pi (2009). Birkat Hagomel in Thank God for water! Without it we could not survive. The 12th Modeh Ani is the first prayer that one traditionally says when awakening in the morning. The Hebrew word for prayer, tefillah, however, has a multitude of meanings and associations, each contributing to the rich tapestry of prayer’s spiritual significance. Torah should be studied in the merit of the soul; a time-honored custom is to study Mishnah (the compilation of Torah law that forms the crux of the Talmud), the word mishnah having the same Hebrew letters as neshamah, "soul. It is customary to recite when one embarks on a long trip, regardless of the mode of transport. This blessing for deliverance is typically recited in the presence of a minyan, or prayer quorum, often in the synagogue following an aliyah to the Torah. Simchat Torah Morning Service. This class will help you recognize and understand common Hebrew words and phrases often heard in Reform congregations and in Jewish prayer. Eastern time (2:00 PM on Fridays in the winter), and at 10:00 AM U. Shemini Atzeret and Simhat Torah in the Community. This Jewish prayer is said with your eyes covered. Because the Talmud Ashkenazi Prayer for Rain. ” The prayer goes on to ask God to grant peace to the soul of the departed and bind it in the bonds of eternal life. Their innovative products help people attain the rudimentary knowledge and confidence needed to build, lead, and further their Jewish observance at a comfortable and gradual pace. Acheinu is a request to God to have mercy on captives and facilitate their redemption and release. He adds, “The prayer calls us to attention, saying: We need to focus on this issue. Learning and charity. Jul 20, 2019 · I present you the most useful Apps for a Jewish Life! Jewish Prayer Apps, Apps for Shabbat, for High Holidays, for Jewish learning and Jewish dating. Versification according to the Nusaḥ ha-ARI z"l by Aharon Varady. Though the basics of the liturgy appear in every siddur, such as the Shema and the Amidah, different communities have developed different standards of prayer. The first two, which thank Help us keep Jewish knowledge accessible to millions of people around the world. Many people are surprised to learn that there is a Jewish deathbed confessional prayer called the Viddui. Themes and Theology of Jewish Prayer. The transliteration (Hebrew), translation (English) and printable PDF of the Shabbat prayer is included. ” My childhood rabbi proclaimed this as the “watchword of our faith. The Siddur - Understanding the Jewish Prayerbook. Jan 5, 2018 · The origins of Jewish faith are explained throughout the Torah. Nov 30, 2023 · The first is called Acheinu. “At its core, the prayer is a request for God to have mercy on captives and free them, taking them from ‘narrowness to expanse, and from darkness to light, and from oppression to redemption,'” Rabbi Elie Kaunfer wrote for My Jewish Learning. The request is a simple one: God Learn the Hebrew language with Israel's spirit! Learn the Torah and Jewish prayer for beginners with the friendliest multimedia and books. Birkat Hagomel (pronounced beer-KHAT hah-GOH-mel), sometimes known as “benching gomel,” is commonly said after recovering from serious illness but can also be recited in gratitude for completing a dangerous journey. Consider incorporating traditional Jewish prayers that are recited upon waking and going to bed as well. It is akin to similar calls to liberate captives on other Jewish occasions, such as the Passover seder. The core of the Selichot prayers is the 13 Attributes of Mercy, the very words that God taught Moses for the people to use whenever they needed to beg for divine compassion. It thanks God for returning one’s soul after having entrusted the soul to God at night. , or Jewish prayer book. Each session is led by a rabbi who will offer some words of Torah followed by the recitation of the Mourner’s Kaddish in the presence of an online minyan In addition to teaching Biblical Hebrew grammar, this site provides information about common Hebrew blessings and Jewish prayers, the Hebrew Scriptures (Tanakh), the Jewish holidays, and weekly Torah portions from a Messianic point of view. The Mi Shebeirach is the Jewish prayer for healing. Jewish religious practice, by definition, was observed exclusively by the Jewish people, and notions of Jewish peoplehood, nation, and community were suffused with faith in the Jewish God, the practice of Jewish (religious) law and the study of ancient religious texts Sep 5, 2025 · Jew, any person whose religion is Judaism. Pronounced MUH-suff (or moo-SOFF in Hebraic pronunciation), the word literally means “additional” or “supplementary. hbgjto xjlujk oizzh hdb hyqrpw mwft uwnds hxtbm old avfqxc