Pray
The Mystery of the Yizkor Service
The mass exodus before the memorial service reflects a common attitude regarding death, part advice and part superstition.
Cantillation: Chanting, or Leyning, the Bible
Today the Bible is chanted in synagogues with an intricate musical system, but the practice began with one man projecting in a marketplace.
The Amidah
Moving from praise to petition to thanksgiving, the Amidah inculcates a sense of connection to God.
Acheinu: A Prayer for Freeing Captives
For over 1,000 years, this prayer has been recited in the presence of the Torah, when Jews are gathered together.
Acheinu: We Are One Family
The words of this ancient prayer speak eloquently to the dire situation of Jews held in captivity.
What Does ‘Amen’ Mean?
As in other faith traditions, saying amen indicates the speaker affirms the truth of what was said.
What Jews Pray for When They Pray for Peace
Peace is a central element of Jewish prayer, but what does praying for peace mean?
Psalm 23: Who Walks in the Valley of the Shadow of Death?
These words are commonly understood as reassurance that God accompanies us in our darkest moments, but some ancient rabbis understood them differently.
Praying for the Government
The tradition of praying for the government reflects a recognition that Jewish welfare is bound up with that of the nations in which Jews live.
Praying for a Rebuilt and Redeemed Jerusalem
The 14th and 15th blessings of the Amidah pose some difficult theological questions.
Vayehi Binso’a Ha’aron: Two Aspects of Torah
The Torah is not merely an artifact of the past, but part of an ongoing process of revelation.