Prayer and Blessings
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Davening – what is it?
Would you please explain the practice of davening? When does it happen and why? Thank you. Davening means prayer. The Jewish tradition is to pray three times daily; morning, afternoon, and night. It is an opportunity to reconnect with G-d…
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Kneeling in Prayer
I have heard that Jewish people no longer kneel to pray. I admit it sounds like a silly proposition, but I generally trust the person who told me. I know the Torah spells out many physical positions for prayer: lying…
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End of Hallel
In some Siddurim after Hallel it states “yaish nohaggin’ (some have the custom) that on Rosh Chodesh (the first day of the month) one recites V”avraham zokayn boh bayomim (Avraham was old, well on in years – Bereishis 24:1) What…
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Prayer
From my tenth grade student–Why don’t we say the 13 Ani Ma’amin’s on shabbos? (it isn’t in the siddur as part of shabbos davening) Thank You! Interesting question. I would say it is for the same reason that we don”t…
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The Shema in Bed
Is the Shema recited on going to sleep in the daytime? A person who sleeps in the daytime doesn't recite the beracha "ha-mapil", but he does recite the shema; see Mishnah Berurah 239:8.
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Modim
Why do we use a female form ("lach") in Modim? "Modim anachnu lach" is used in Divrei ha-Yamim I 29:13. In Modern Hebrew "lecha" is masculine and "lach" is feminine, but it Biblical Hebrew "lach" can be masculine as well…
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An Aliyah
What is an "aliyah"? When the Torah is read, three or more people are called up to the bimah to recite the blessings over portions of the reading. The "going up" to the bimah is called an "aliyah".
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Pointing at the Torah
Why do people point at the Torah with their little finger? The poskim don't seem to mention which finger is used to point at the Torah. (Another thing done with the little finger – but of the left hand –…
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Kaddish
Because of work, I am unable to attend morning prayers and therefore cannot recite Kaddish in the presence of 10 men. Is it permissible to recite at home? As far as Kaddish is concerned, the purpose of Kaddish is that…