Prayer

Question 1

What is the purpose of Jewish prayer?

Answer 1

1. They are obeying God’s commandment to love the Lord with all your heart.
2. Build up their relationship with God.
3. Have the opportunity to speak directly to God, God will respond to their prayers.

Question 2

Prayer in the home:

Answer 2

1. When a Jew wakes up in the morning, they thank God for waking them before pouring water on their hands.
2. The day should end by praising God.
3. The mezuzah on each door in the room.

Question 3

3 daily prayers:

Answer 3

1. Shacharit- morning prayer
2. Minchah- afternoon prayer
3. Arvit- evening prayer

Question 4

Private prayers

Answer 4

1. Should develop a relationship with God, when people reach out to God he will listen.
2. In private prayers, they can express what they want instead of what other people’s words.
3. They can ask for God’s help for other people and themselves.

Question 5

Why is it important to have set forms/public worship?

Answer 5

1. Stops prayers being focused on selfish concerns.
2. Sense of community.
3. Feeling of stability by repeating familiar phrases in a familiar place.

Question 6

Why is it important to have private worship?

Answer 6

1. Contact God when they want.
2. They can ask for God’s help for themselves and others.
3. They can express their own thoughts.

Question 7

SOWAAs:

Answer 7

1. “serve him with all your heart.”
2. “you will be blessed when you come in”- said when you touch the mezuzah
3. “What is the service of the heart? That is prayer.”-Talmud