Prayer is the way we communicate with the Almighty. The word for prayer in Hebrew is “Tefillah” pronounced teh – fee – lah which means “connection”. Prayer recognizes that we are more than just physical beings. We have a spiritual nature within us that longs to cling to the Almighty. When we pray we strengthen our relationship with God.
In Jewish Prayer, there is form and structure. The entire Shemoneh Esreh contains 19 individual blessings. In the synagogue, the daily Jewish Prayer Service is recited silently and after completion, it is repeated out loud by the Congregation Leader, also know as the “Gabai”.
The individual prayers are known as the “Amidah” or “Shemoneh Esreh“. They were formally instituted after the destruction of The First Temple when the Jewish people were exiled to Babylon. Ezra and the Men of the Great Assembly composed each individual word. Since then, the prayers are recited daily in Hebrew by Jews in synagogues throughout the world.
Prayer in Judaism: When we pray, we are talking to God. We break down all communication barriers and we reveal our innermost thoughts and deepest requests. We turn to Him for guidance, assistance, wisdom, sustenance, success and a home filled with peace.
Prayer elevates us to higher and higher levels. In the synagogue, Hebrew is the language of the Prayer Services. The purpose and goal of this learning program is to make you competent and confident when reciting the Shemoneh Esreh in Hebrew.