Prayers hold deep significance in Jewish tradition and are an integral part of religious practice in Judaism.
The Siddur, the traditional Jewish prayer book, contains the three daily prayers, as well as prayers for Shabbat, Rosh-Chodesh, and the festivals. These prayers are recited as part of the observance of Rabbinic Judaism and often include instructions and commentary.
Prayer, as a "service of the heart," is fundamentally a Torah-based commandment. It is obligatory for both Jewish men and women. However, there is a distinction in the rabbinic requirement regarding the recitation of specific prayers in that Jewish men are obligated to recite three prayers daily, within specific time frames, while women, according to various interpretations, may be required to pray once or twice a day, and might not need to recite a specific text.
Traditionally, prayer services are recited each day in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
The morning prayer is known as the Shacharit. It is recited after sunrise and before midday. The main components of the morning prayer are preparatory prayers and readings, which set the stage for the main prayer. The Shema, the central declaration of faith, is recited along with its blessings. This section contemplates the workings of the supernal worlds and comprehension of G-d's greatness and oneness. The Amidah is the heart of the Shacharit. It is when one stands before G-d and addresses Him directly, asking for personal needs. After the Amidah, there are penitential prayers, a brief Torah reading on Mondays and Thursdays, and hymns. When there are ten men present, Kaddish is recited several times during the prayer.
Known as the Minchah, the Jewish afternoon prayer is recited approximately a half hour after midday until sunset. The Minchah could still be prayed until nightfall if the deadline is missed. Minchah minyans (prayer groups) can be found in synagogues, offices, storefronts, restaurants, and airport lobbies. When ten men are not available for a minyan, Jewish people can pray privately while facing Jerusalem from wherever they are. Hands are to be washed first; then, the Minchah is read using a prayer book or digital device. It includes passages related to the daily afternoon service in the Holy Temple, followed by Psalm 145, referred to as Ashrei. The centerpiece is the nineteen-blessing Amidah, which is recited while facing Jerusalem. The Minchan concludes with brief penitential prayers, which are omitted on feast days, and the Aleinu hymn. When ten men are present, the leader repeats the Amidah aloud, and the rest answer "Amen."
The evening prayer, known as Maariv, Arvit, or Arbit, is recited after dark. However, since the Jewish calendar date begins with the preceding nightfall, Maariv is actually seen as the first of the day's prayers. The prayer opens with the recitation of the Shema, a central declaration of faith. Two blessings are said before and two after the Shema. Then, the nineteen-blessing Amidah is recited while standing and facing Jerusalem. This prayer is silent. The prayer concludes with the Aleinu hymn. When praying with a congregation, the leader begins with the Kaddish and Barchu, followed by the Amidah.
There are several other prayers associated with Judaism, and it should also be recognized that there are denominational variations. Conservative services generally use the same basic format for services as Orthodox Judaism, with some doctrinal leniencies and some prayers in English. However, in practice, there are wide variations among Conservative congregations. In traditional congregations, the liturgy can be nearly identical to that of Orthodox Judaism, almost entirely in Hebrew, with few exceptions. In more liberal Conservative congregations, there will be greater changes to the service, including more use of English, abbreviations, omissions, and replacements of some traditional prayers with contemporary forms. The liturgies of Reform and Reconstructionist congregations are based on traditional elements but contain language more reflective of liberal belief. Doctrinal revisions often include the omission of references to bodily resurrection, a personal Jewish Messiah, and other elements of traditional Jewish eschatology. Reform Judaism has made greater alterations to the traditional service, such as dropping references to bodily resurrection, a personal Jewish Messiah, and conceptions of rewards and punishments.
While there is no single form or tradition of prayer in Judaism, prayer serves as a powerful means of communication, connection, and devotion to G-d.
Recommended Resources
Started by Dr. Yosi Fishkin in 2001, GoDaven is the Worldwide Orthodox Minyan Database. It is designed to help people find a minyan regardless of where they are, whether traveling or just looking for a nearby minyan. Minyan information is updated daily and easily searched by time, location, or other criteria. Shuls, schools, and office-based minyanim can log in to modify their own minyan times, and site visitors can also submit minyan updates. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
https://www.godaven.com/
Jewish Prayer - Prayer in Judaism
Using the Internet to unite Jews worldwide, empower them with knowledge of their traditions, and foster a deeper connection to Judaism's rituals and faith, Chabad.org was one of the first 500 domains registered in 1993, and operated, before that, on a Bulletin Board System (BBS). Its section on Jewish prayer includes lengthy documentation on the significance, history, and procedures of prayer, including videos and audio, Jewish liturgy, meditation, and stories.
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/862308/jewish/Jewish-Prayer.htm
The Kaddish Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to elevate the souls of the departed by facilitating the recital of the Kaddish prayer, a special prayer said in the memory of loved ones. It also allocates funds for Jewish education and supports Judaic scholarship studies. The Foundation was founded by Rabbi Yitzchok Kurlander and offers services such as Kaddish recitals, Yizkor observances, and Yahrtzeit observances. Its services, stories, and contacts are provided.
http://kaddishfoundation.com/
Mincha is an online source of the original Hebrew text for Shacris, Shacharit, Mincha, Minha, Maariv, and Abrit prayers and other Hebrew blessings or Brochos, including Krias Shemah, Kriat Shemah, Sefirat HaOmer, and Birchat Hamazon. The site can be viewed as an electronic Siddur or prayer book, accessible anywhere there is Internet access. It can also be useful for travelers. Listed prayer files are either in PDF or image format, so having Hebrew text on the computer isn't necessary.
http://www.mincha.com/
The non-profit website was launched as a collaborative effort between the Afikim Foundation and Partners in Torah and is designed to provide assistance to Jews navigating the process of mourning and acquiring a deeper understanding of the customs and laws associated with death and mourning in Judaism. A copy of Kaddish can be downloaded from the site in PDF format, and Kaddish arrangements, finding a Kaddish tutor, or a synagogue, can be accomplished online. Study courses are also available.
http://www.mykaddish.com/
This is an online version of the traditional Jewish Siddur in Hebrew weekday portions with vowels. When possible, the site presents each popular Nusach in various formats so visitors can download a copy and use it most conveniently. As there are no advertisements, donations are welcome to help defray some hosting costs. Printed copies of the Siddur may also be purchased from the website. The Shacharit, Mincha, Maariv, Birkat Hamazon, Bracha Achrona, and Tefilat Haderech are included.
https://www.onlinesiddur.com/
Online since 2009, the Open Siddur is a volunteer-driven, non-profit, non-denominational, and non-prescriptive community project growing a collection of Jewish prayers, liturgies, and related works, composed over every era, region, and language in which Jews and related Israelites have prayed. It is accessible under open/libre terms for creative reuse. Its main categories are Prayers & Praxes, Public Readings, Compiled Prayer Books, and Miscellaneous. The project is supported by donations.
https://opensiddur.org/
The Siddur is a traditional holy Jewish prayer book with several variations. Typically, it contains the three daily prayers and prayers for Shabbat, Rosh-Chodesh, and the festivals. "Siddur" means "order," and within the book, prayers are listed in their proper and fixed order. The website provides access to traditional Jewish prayer books. The definition, purpose, variations, arrangements, historical context, and access to English, Hebrew, and transliteration content are available.
https://siddur.com/
The anniversary of a death in Judaism is known as "Yahrzeit." It holds significant cultural and spiritual importance, as it is a time to remember and honor the memory of the one who has died. Customarily, family members will recite the Kaddish prayer in the synagogue, a long-burning candle is lit at home, and acts of kindness are performed in the name of the departed. Studying the Torah and prayer are common during Yahrzeit. The organization provides assistance in this.
http://www.yahrzeit.org/
