I often wonder what it is that makes prayer meaningful to us, to me and to you. I would like to explore this question with you on a daily basis while also encouraging you to pray. Prayer is personal and public, certainly we choose our venue, some pray at home, some pray only in the synagogue and others wherever and whenever.
Our weekday services are not well attended. Does this mean that our congregation lacks a sense of spirituality? I’m certain that his is not true, but at the same time I think your spirituality will likely be increased by attending services. Far too often we “pray” when “we must”. Praying has become a secondary reason for attending services. More often our members attend a service to memorialize and to show respect for our beloved relatives and to support others in need, few attend to simply praise G-d.
The first question I must reflect upon is, are these services spiritually uplifting?
Are we asking people to read a lot of words that ultimately lack context? I’m willing and anxious to know what would make prayer more meaningful to us, to you and to me. Too often my focus is upon whether or not we have a minyan and not the focal point of my prayers.
This past summer I blogged during my visit to Israel, I was heartened by your response. I would like to revive my blog and focus on “Passionate Judaism”
I’d like to engage in an ongoing conversation about G-d, Israel, Prayer and the Jewish People.
So, let’s begin a discourse about prayer with. I’m hopeful that within the next month I will be able to link a new blog to our website, www.bnaitikvah.org and in the meantime, I will be sending out regular emails. My messages will include a measure of inspiration and some information. Please email me “privately” at so that I will know that you would like to be a part of this conversation, I need to hear your thoughts.
“…a variation of a blessing or b’rechah includes the Hebrew words “asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav”, stating that G-d is “instilling in us the holiness of mitzvoth by commanding us to…” Our use of b’rachot can heighten our awareness that the dimension of holiness is constantly available to each of us, and that we are as holy as we allow ourselves to be.”
From the introduction in Siddur Sim Shalom
Worship the Lord in gladness; come before G-d in joyous song.
Cantor Bruce
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