8.3 Private Prayer Flashcards
Examples of private prayer
Prayer to God before eating
After eating
Touching the Mezuzah
What is the Mezuzah?
On the door of most Jewish households
Contains the Shema
They touch it when entering and leaving the house
Jews thank God whenever they touch it
Quote 1 (the Mezuzah, Deuteronomy 28:6)
“ you will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out”
Quote 2 (Daily Prayer, Psalm 55:18)
“Evening, morning , and noon, I supplicate and moan; and He has heard my voice”
Morning
Shacharit
Afternoon
Minchah
Evening
Arvit
Orthodox Jewish prayer services:
Men wear Tefillin
Men wear Tallit
Pray in Hebrew
Reform and Liberal Jewish prayer services:
Women can wear Tallit and Tefillin too
—> don’t all wear them
Pray in English
Why are different forms of prayer important?
Daily - regular connection
Individual - personal connection
Constant - keeps focus
Shabbat - family + regular celebration
Set prayers
Set words of prayer (e.g. Shema)
Gives order and purpose to the religious life (set times, routine structure)
Freeform prayers
Change what you say (spontaneous)
Happens whenever you want
Can ask for God’s help (for themself and others)
Can express their own thoughts and feelings rather than other people’s
—> more personal, feel more seen, still feel important
What are Jews encouraged to do before they begin to pray?
Clear their minds
—> to focus only on God
Forget the world around them
—> to connect to God
—> this is most important during prayer
Shabbat prayer
Shabbat meal is prepared before candles are lit
—> to welcome Shabbat
Prayers are recited before the meal begins
Kiddush - prayer of sanctification
—> celebrates God’s creation of the universe
—> remembers the release of their ancestors from slavery in Egypt
Food is eaten after
Connection of family and friends through prayer and thanksgiving is considered to be of great value
What is Modeh Ani?
‘I give thanks’
Prayer recited upon waking
What do many Jews recite up upon retiring at night?
The Shema
When and why prayer is used
Praise, request, and thank
Praying in a group brings Jews together as a community
—> Torah commands it (to thank God)
—> strengthen their personal relationship with him
Say blessings before and after eating
—> instructed in the Torah
Quote 3 (Blessings when eating, Deuteronomy 8:10)
“You will eat and you will be satisfied, and bless Hashem, your God, for the good Land that He gave you”
