How do Jews pray?

[Thyme]

How do Jews pray?

Christians usually just say prayers in their mind, often putting their hands together, Muslims pray at specific times, changing positions and reciting specified prayers.

But how do Jews pray? Could they say something like “thank you, God” while driving, for example, or do a quick prayer when they’re upset?

Thanks.

 

[GerardMajella]

Jews pray 3 times per day during the week. They utilize a Jewish prayer book called a “Siddur”.

The morning prayer is called Shacharis, the afternoon prayers are called Minchah, and the evening prayers are called Maariv. Jews also recite the Bedtime Shema prior to going to bed at night. Prayers incorporate the use of a prayer shawl, tefillin (a leather arm and headstrap), and various ritualistic elements (washing hands in a ritual manner, bowing at certain intervals, etc.). Many of the prayers come directly from the Book of Psalms (“Tehillim”), and readings from the Old Testament.

The Jews celebrate the Sabbath on Friday evening through Saturday evening, and there are specific prayers for the Sabbath, and for the Jewish high holidays such as Passover, Rosh Hashanah, etc.

On a personal note, I have a copy of the Art Scroll Edition of the Jewish Siddur, which can be found at artscroll.com. It is a wealth of some of the most beautiful prayers, and has really helped me to understand Judaism better. When you truly understand Judaism, you begin to realize that Catholicism and Judaism are not that far apart from a theological perspective.

 

[Thyme]

Jews pray 3 times per day during the week. They utilize a Jewish prayer book called a “Siddur”.

The morning prayer is called Shacharis, the afternoon prayers are called Minchah, and the evening prayers are called Maariv. Jews also recite the Bedtime Shema prior to going to bed at night. Prayers incorporate the use of a prayer shawl, tefillin (a leather arm and headstrap), and various ritualistic elements (washing hands in a ritual manner, bowing at certain intervals, etc.). Many of the prayers come directly from the Book of Psalms (“Tehillim”), and readings from the Old Testament.

The Jews celebrate the Sabbath on Friday evening through Saturday evening, and there are specific prayers for the Sabbath, and for the Jewish high holidays such as Passover, Rosh Hashanah, etc.

On a personal note, I have a copy of the Art Scroll Edition of the Jewish Siddur, which can be found at artscroll.com. It is a wealth of some of the most beautiful prayers, and has really helped me to understand Judaism better. When you truly understand Judaism, you begin to realize that Catholicism and Judaism are not that far apart from a theological perspective.

Sorry, I haven’t checked this thread in a while, but if you read this again, thanks so much for that good answer!

 

[Kaninchen]

When somebody asked this before, I suggested that they check out YouTube, there were examples available.

 

[stpetric]

How do Jews pray? … Could they say something like “thank you, God” while driving, for example, or do a quick prayer when they’re upset?

Yes, they could, and observant Jews do! (Tevye does this in “Fiddler on the Roof.”) One of the most beautiful features of Judaism are the “berachot” – “blessings” of God up on encountering something wondrous. And “wondrous” is broadly construed. It could be a great scholar, a rainbow, a peal of thunder…the list is long. The aim is at least 100 berachot per day, inculcating the habitual praise of God.

The form of a berachah (the singular form of “berachot”) will be familiar from the offertory prayer of the Mass: “Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who hast _____.”

The standard posture for Jewish liturgical prayer is standing; Hasids and some Orthodox Jews will sway back and forth, or bow, as they pray. As our deacons reverence the gospel book, they reverence the Torah scrolls.

 

[yossi]

Jews pray in an organized and regulated manner and as a community of at least 10 male adult Jews (over 13 years of age). Prayers today are a substitute for Temple sacrifices and follow the times when sacrifices were preformed (morning, noon and evening). Prayers essentially start from awakening and follow-up with prayers preparing for the morning prayers. Morning prayers are a series of prayers increasing in their importance until finally they recite the declaration of faith (the shema) and the 18 benedictions (the shemonai esreh), then followed by prayers that decrease in their importance. It is a time that mourners or those observing the anniversary of a death recite the Kadesh prayer in Aramaic. Prayers are usually said at a fast clip, lead by a prayer leader and completed usually within 45 minutes. Prayers are not said inspirationally but by rote and usually from memory. The attitude towards prayer is similar to fulfilling the obligatory laws and commandments and that is a sense of duty and devoted to complying with the will of the King of kings.

 

[stpetric]

It is a time that mourners or those observing the anniversary of a death recite the Kadesh prayer in Aramaic.

The Kaddish prayers are quite lovely:

"Glorified and sanctified be God’s great name throughout the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days, and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon; and say, Amen.

"May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.

"Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.

"May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

“He who creates peace in His celestial heights, may He create peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.”

Prayers are usually said at a fast clip, lead by a prayer leader and completed usually within 45 minutes. Prayers are not said inspirationally but by rote and usually from memory. The attitude towards prayer is similar to fulfilling the obligatory laws and commandments and that is a sense of duty and devoted to complying with the will of the King of kings.

That’s kind of a sweeping generalization; and like most generalizations, it’s not untrue but it is incomplete. There is a great value placed on “kavannah” in Jewish prayer, a concept similar to the value Christians place on recollectedness. Likewise, Jewish congregations seek, value, and esteem a cantor (who is the person that actually leads worship, not the rabbi - -the rabbi is there more as a teacher) who inspires and moves people.

 

[yossi]

It’s true, Kaddish is a very beautiful prayer and devoted to praising the Almighty. In fact all the prayers in the Siddur are absolutely lovely and because they are said every day and some 3 times a day, you develop a relationship with each prayer and they become very dear to you, like friends because you pray with them when you are happy, when you are sad or in trouble or depressed, bored or any of the range of feeling you can experience. It is similar to attending early morning mass but more intense and with a heavy sense of obligation to attend Shacharit – morning prayers.