Topics

• Formal and informal prayers
• Origins and sources of prayer texts
• The role of communal prayer and the synagogue
• Considerations when engaging in prayer: attitude, kavanah (focused intent), demeanor, timing (joy, sadness, etc.)
• Divine responses to prayers: factors in determining G-d’s response to our prayers

Course Outline

Prayers

• Objectives: requests, connection to G-d, and more

• Components: Formal and informal prayers; Origins and sources of prayer texts

• The role of communal prayer and the synagogue

• Considerations when engaging in prayer: attitude, kavanah (focused intent), demeanor, timing (joy, sadness, etc.)

• Divine responses to prayers: factors in determining G-d’s response to our prayers  

Blessings

• Categories of blessings

• Components

• Formal and informal blessings

• Giving and receiving blessings

• How to confer a blessing

Course Schedule

Course Fee

Classical Sources

• Midrashic Literature (1st - 6th centuries Israel & Babylon) - The repository of the Oral Law
• "The Kuzari" (Rabbi Yehudah Ha'levy, 1080-1145, Spain) - Examines the fundamentals of Judaism based on the philosophical dialogue between the Khazar king and a Jewish scholar.
• The Writings of Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe, son of Maimon, 1135-1204, Egypt) - From the comprehensive works of one of the great codifiers of Jewish knowledge. 
• "Beit Elo-him” (House for G-d), Gate of Prayer - Rabbi Moshe Trani [1500-1580, Safed (Israel)] – A thematic discussion of the elements of prayer.

Interactive Feature

• Personal Responses: Students will receive personal responses to their letters, via E-mail.
• Posting Student Correspondence:  Select teacher-student correspondence will be posted on-line for viewing and further comment by the entire class.

Confidentiality of student correspondence will be respected