The How & Why of Jewish Prayer

Table of Contents - The complete TOC is available upon request

Acknowledgments............................................................................................................xiii

Preface: What this Book is Not.....................................................................................xiv

Note from the Author...................................................................................................... xv

 

Part A: Introduction

1.Concept of Prayer........................................................................................................ 27

2. Fixed Prayers............................................................................................................... 33

3. Kavanah......................................................................................................................... 43

4. Interruptions to Prayers

 

Part B: Mechanics of Prayer

1.The Siddur & Language of Prayer........................................................................... 57

2. Respect & Handling of Holy Books........................................................................ 75

3. The Synagogue ........................................................................................................... 83

4. Prayer Postures & Gestures...................................................................................111

5. Pronunciation, Emphasis & Interruptions......................................................... 143

 

Part C: Preparation for the Morning Prayers

1. Upon Waking Up in the Morning............................................................................169

2. Tallit & Tzitzit...............................................................................................................175

3. Tefillin............................................................................................................................193

 

Part D: Daily Morning Prayers

1. Time & Order of Weekday Morning Prayers..................................................... 229

2. Pesukei d’Zimra......................................................................................................... 243

The Arrangement of the Prayers (244) 1 Barechu (252)

3. Shema Yisrael.............................................................................................................255

4. Shemoneh Esrei........................................................................................................ 269

5. Tachanun..................................................................................................................... 301

6. Special Additions to Shacharit...............................................................................313

7. Latecomer’s Guide.....................................................................................................319

8. The End of Shacharit............................................................................................... 327

 

Part E: Torah Reading

1. Introduction................................................................................................................. 339

2. Aliyah & Reading of the Torah............................................................................... 349

3. Bar Mitzvah................................................................................................................. 379

4. Scroll: Kosher or Pasul?......................................................................................... 381

 

Part F: Afternoon & Evening Prayers

1. Minchah. - Weekday................................................................................................. 387

2. Ma’ariv– Weekday Evening Prayers.................................................................... 393

 

Part G: Shabbat Prayers

1. Friday Evening........................................................................................................... 401

2. Shacharit on Shabbat............................................................................................. 427

3. Minchah– Shabbat Afternoon............................................................................... 443

4. Ma’ariv–Conclusion of Shabb at.............................................................. ............ 449

 Melaveh Malka (457)

 

Part H: Kaddish & other Solemn Observances

1. Kaddish........................................................................................................................ 461

2. Other Solemn Observances................................................................................... 473

 

Part I: Rosh Chodesh

1. History & Halachah................................................................................................... 479

 

Part J: Festivals

1. Major Festivals.......................................................................................................... 493

2. Minor Festivals.......................................................................................................... 501

 

Part K: Fast Days

Introduction 

 

Part L: Prayer Services at Home

 

Appendices

1. G-d’s Many Names.................................................................................................... 529

2. The Berachah & its Structure................................................................................ 541

3. Symbolism.................................................................................................................. 569

4. Psalms (Tehillim)...................................................................................................... 581

5. The Jewish Calendar............................................................................................... 589

6. Pronunciation & Dialect.......................................................................................... 597

7. Women......................................................................................................................... 609

Special Women’s Prayer Texts (609) 1 Synagogue Attendance (610) 1

Women’s Prayer Obligation (611) 1 Customs (614)

8. Life Cycles....................................................................................................................617

9. Anthropomorphism, Imagery & Gender............................................................. 625

10. Index to Actions & Activities................................................................................ 637

11. Index of Prayers...................................................................................................... 641

Bibliography.................................................................................................................... 647

Glossary.............................................................................................................................657

Abbreviations.................................................................................................................. 705

General Index.................................................................................................................. 707