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PRAYER (50)

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Prayer: Prayer is a central part of Jewish life. Observant Jews pray three times daily and say blessings over just about every day-to-day activity. See Prayers and Blessings; Jewish Liturgy; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Birkat Ha-Mazon (BEER-kaht hah mah-ZOHN): Lit. blessing of the food. Grace after meals. The recitation of birkat ha-mazon is commonly referred to as bentsching.
Grace After Meals: Referred to in Hebrew as Birkat Ha-Mazon. It is one of the most important prayers in Judaism, one of the very few that the Bible commands us to recite.
Kavanah (kuh-VAH-nuh; kah-vah-NAH): Concentration, intent. The frame of mind required for prayer or performance of a mitzvah (commandment).
Prayer: Prayer is a central part of Jewish life. Observant Jews pray three times daily and say blessings over just about every day-to-day activity. See Prayers and Blessings; Jewish Liturgy; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Shema (sh'-MAH): One of the basic Jewish prayers. See also Jewish Liturgy; Signs and Symbols.

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Affixing a Mezuzah: The procedure for affixing a mezuzah, and the blessing to be recited, in Hebrew, English and transliterated Hebrew.
Birkat Hachamah: The blessing of the sun recited once every 28 years. The same blessing is also recited upon seeing or experiencing other significant natural phenomena.
Chanukah Candle Lighting Blessings: The procedure for lighting Chanukah candles, the prayers in Hebrew, English and transliterated Hebrew, and the traditional melody.
Common Prayers and Blessings: A list of common prayers and blessings that are available on this site for viewing online. Hebrew, transliteration, and English translation are available.
Donning Tallit and Tefillin: The procedure and prayers for putting on a tallit (prayer shawl) and tefillin before morning services, in Hebrew, English and transliterated Hebrew.
Guide to Transliteration: An explanation of how to pronounce the transliterated prayers on this site.
Havdalah Home Ritual: The blessings recited in the typical conclusion of Shabbat ritual, in Hebrew, English and transliterated Hebrew.
Jewish Liturgy: Learn about the history and structure of the traditional Jewish prayer service.
Mourner's Kaddish: The full text of the Mourner's Kaddish prayer, in Hebrew, English and transliterated Hebrew.
Oseh Shalom: A Prayer for Peace: The text of the common prayer for peace, Oseh Shalom, in Hebrew, English and transliterated Hebrew.
Prayers and Blessings: Learn about the importance of prayer in Judaism and the form and content of prayers and blessings.
Prayers for Healing: The Refuah Shleima and Mi Shebeirach prayers for healing the sick and injured, in Hebrew, English and transliterated Hebrew.
Rosh Hashanah Evening Home Ritual: Some prayers for rituals performed in the home on Rosh Hashanah, including candle lighting, Kiddush, Shehecheyanu and the blessing for dipping apples in honey.
Shabbat Evening Home Ritual: Some of the blessings recited in the home at the beginning of the Shabbat, including candle lighting, kiddush, washing hands and motzi. In Hebrew, English and transliterated Hebrew.
Shema: The full text of the Shema prayer, in Hebrew, English and transliterated Hebrew.
Signs and Symbols: Learn about various Jewish signs and symbols, including the mezuzah, tefillin, tzitzit and tallit, yarmulke, menorah, Star of David, and chai.
Sukkot Blessings: Some blessings for the Sukkot holiday, including Kiddush, blessings for dwelling in and leaving the sukkah, and for waving the four species, in Hebrew, English and transiterated Hebrew
The Month of Elul and Selichot: Discusses the Jewish month of Elul, a time of repentance, and the recitation of Selichot, prayers for forgiveness and mercy, during that period
Yom Kippur: Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, a day of fasting and prayer, seeking forgiveness for our mistakes of the past year and resolving to be better in the coming year, concluding with a triumphant final blast of the shofar.

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Aleinu (ah-LAY-noo): A prayer recited at or near the end of every prayer service. See Jewish Liturgy.
Aliyah (uh-LEE-uh; ah-lee-AH): Lit. ascension. 1) Reading from the Torah (or reciting a blessing over the reading) during services, which is considered an honor (generally referred to in English as having or getting an aliyah and pronounced uh-LEE-uh). 2) Immigrating to Israel (generally referred to in English as making aliyah and pronounced ah-lee-AH). See Torah Readings; Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah and Confirmation; The Land of Israel - Israel Today.
Amidah (uh-MEE-duh): Lit. standing. A prayer that is the center of any Jewish religious service. Also known as the Shemoneh Esrei or the Tefilah. See Jewish Liturgy.
Arba Minim: Lit. four species. Fruit and branches used to fulfill the commandment to "rejoice before the L-rd" during Sukkot. See also Blessing over the Arba Minim.
Avinu Malkeinu (ah-VEE-noo mahl-KAY-noo): Lit.: Our Father, Our King. A penetential prayer sung repeatedly during services from Rosh Hashanah through the Days of Awe to Yom Kippur, asking G-d to forgive us and fulfull our needs in His role as our Father and our King. See Rosh Hashanah through the Days of Awe to Yom Kippur
Bentsch (BENTSCH): Yiddish: bless. To recite a blessing. Usually refers to the recitation of the birkat ha-mazon (grace after meals). See Prayers and Blessings; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Berakhah (B'RUHKH-khah; b'ruhkh-KHAH); pl: Berakhot (b'ruhkh-KHOHT): A blessing. A prayer beginning with the phrase "barukh atah..." (blessed art Thou...) that marks the performance of a mitzvah (commandment). See Prayers and Blessings; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Birkat Ha-Mazon (BEER-kaht hah mah-ZOHN): Lit. blessing of the food. Grace after meals. The recitation of birkat ha-mazon is commonly referred to as bentsching.
Blessing: A prayer beginning with the phrase "barukh atah..." (blessed art Thou...). See Prayers and Blessings; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Chanukah (KHAH-nik-uh; KHAH-noo-kah): Lit. dedication. An eight day holiday celebrating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after it was defiled by the Seleucid Greeks. Also known as the Festival of Lights. See also Chanukah Candle Lighting Blessings.
Chanukat Ha-Bayit (KHAH-noo-KAHT hah BAHY-eet): Lit. dedication of the house. A brief ceremony dedicating a Jewish household, during which the mezuzah is affixed to the doorposts. The procedure and prayers for affixing the mezuzah is available.
Chazzan (KHAH-zen; khah-ZAHN): Cantor. The person who leads the congregation in prayer. May be a professional or a member of the congregation.
Daven (DAH-ven): Yiddish: Pray. Observant Jews daven three times a day, in addition to reciting blessings over many common activities. See Prayers and Blessings; Jewish Liturgy; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Etrog (ET-rohg): A citrus fruit grown in Israel and other parts of the Mediterranean, used to fulfill the commandment to "rejoice before the L-rd" during Sukkot. See also Blessing over the Arba Minim.
Four Species: Fruit and branches used to fulfill the commandment to "rejoice before the L-rd" during Sukkot. See also Blessing over the Arba Minim.
Grace After Meals: Referred to in Hebrew as Birkat Ha-Mazon. It is one of the most important prayers in Judaism, one of the very few that the Bible commands us to recite.
Havdalah (Hahv-DAH-luh): Lit. separation, division. A ritual marking the end of Shabbat or a holiday. See Havdalah Home Ritual.
Hebrew: The language of the Torah, in which all prayer should be recited. See Hebrew Alphabet; Hebrew Language: Root Words.
Hosea: Hosea was one of the 55 prophets of the Bible. He is best known in Judaism for Hosea 14:3, "Take words with you and return to G-D ... instead of bulls, we will pay our lips," from which Judaism interpreted that prayer (our words) is an acceptable alternative to sacrifice (bulls) now that the Temple is no longer available.
Hoshanah Rabbah (hoh-SHAH-nuh RAH-buh): Lit. great hosanna. The seventh day of Sukkot, on which seven circuits are made around the synagogue reciting a prayer with the refrain, "Hosha na!" (please save us!).
Jerusalem: The holiest city in Judaism, King David's capital and the site of King Solomon's Temple and the Second Temple. Since ancient times, Jews have faced Jerusalem during prayer, and have prayed daily for a return to Israel and Jerusalem. See The Land of Israel.
Kaddish (KAH-dish): Aramaic: holy. A prayer in Aramaic praising G-d, commonly associated with mourning practices. See also Jewish Liturgy. Full text of the Mourner's Kaddish is available.
Kavanah (kuh-VAH-nuh; kah-vah-NAH): Concentration, intent. The frame of mind required for prayer or performance of a mitzvah (commandment).
Kiddush (KID-ish): Lit. sanctification. A prayer recited over wine sanctifying Shabbat or a holiday. See also Common Prayers and Blessings.
Kol Nidre (KOHL NID-ray): Lit. all vows. The evening service of Yom Kippur, or the prayer that begins that service.
Liturgy: Observant Jews pray three times a day, and Judaism has an extensive liturgy. See Prayers and Blessings; Jewish Liturgy; Yom Kippur Liturgy; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Lulav (LOO-lahv): Lit. palm branch. A collection of palm, myrtle and willow branches, used to fulfill the commandment to "rejoice before the L-rd" during Sukkot. See also Blessing over the Arba Minim.
Ma'ariv (MAH-reev): Evening prayer services. See Jewish Liturgy.
Machzor (MAHKH-zawr): A special prayer book for the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Menorah (m'-NAW-ruh; me-NOH-ruh): A candelabrum. Usually refers to the nine-branched candelabrum used to hold the Chanukah candles. Can also refer to the seven-branched candelabrum used in the Temple. See also Chanukah Candle Lighting Blessings; Ritual Items in the Synagogue.
Mezuzah (m'-ZOO-zuh; m'-ZU-zuh): Lit. doorpost. A case attached to the doorposts of houses, containing a scroll with passages of scripture written on it. The procedure and prayers for affixing the mezuzah is available.
Minchah (MIN-khuh): 1) Afternoon prayer services. See Jewish Liturgy. 2) An offering of meal or grain. See Food and Drink Offerings.
Minyan (MIN-yahn; MIN-yin): The quorum necessary to recite certain prayers, consisting of ten adult Jewish men. See Group Prayer.
Musaf (MOO-sahf; MU-sahf): An additional prayer service for Shabbat and holidays. See Jewish Liturgy.
Prayer: Prayer is a central part of Jewish life. Observant Jews pray three times daily and say blessings over just about every day-to-day activity. See Prayers and Blessings; Jewish Liturgy; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Rituals: See Shabbat, Jewish Holidays and specific holidays listed under it, Brit Milah: Circumcision, Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah and Confirmation, Marriage, Divorce, Life, Death and Mourning, Prayers and Blessings, Common Prayers and Blessings, and Qorbanot: Sacrifices and Offerings.
Sabbath: A day of rest and spiritual enrichment. See Shabbat; Shabbat Evening Home Ritual; Havdalah Home Ritual.
Selichot (s'lee-KHOHT; SLI-khus): Prayers for forgiveness, especially those that are added to the liturgy during the month of Elul, as the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur approach.
Shabbat (shah-BAHT; SHAH-bis): Lit. end, cease, rest. The Jewish Sabbath, a day of rest and spiritual enrichment. See also Shabbat Evening Home Ritual; Havdalah Home Ritual.
Shabbat Mevarekhim: Lit. Sabbath of Blessing. The Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh (the beginning of the new month) when the prayer leader at services recites a blessing praying that the new month will be a good one.
Shacharit (SHAHKH-reet): Morning prayer services. See Jewish Liturgy.
Shammus (SHAH-mis): Lit. servant. 1) The candle that is used to light other Chanukah candles; 2) the janitor or caretaker of a synagogue. See also Chanukah Candle Lighting Blessings.
Shema (sh'-MAH): One of the basic Jewish prayers. See also Jewish Liturgy; Signs and Symbols.
Shemoneh Esrei (sh'MOH-nuh ES-ray): Lit. eighteen. A prayer that is the center of any Jewish religious service. Also known as the Amidah or the Tefilah. See Jewish Liturgy.
Siddur (SID-r (sounds like "sitter"); sid-AWR (sounds like "see door")): Lit. order. Prayer book, which shows the prayers in the order that they will be prayed. See Jewish Liturgy.
Sukkah (SUK-uh): Lit. booth. The temporary dwellings we live in during the holiday of Sukkot. See also Blessing for Dwelling in the Sukkah.
Sukkot (soo-KOHT; SUK-uhs): Lit. booths. One of the Shalosh R'galim (three pilgrimage festivals). A festival commemorating the wandering in the desert and the final harvest. Also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or the Festival of Ingathering. See also Sukkot Blessings.
Tallit (tah-LEET; TAH-lis): A shawl-like garment worn during morning services, with tzitzit (long fringes) attached to the corners as a reminder of the commandments. Sometimes called a prayer shawl.
Tefilah (t'-FEE-luh): Prayer. Sometimes refers specifically to the Shemoneh Esrei prayer. See Prayers and Blessings; Jewish Liturgy; Common Prayers and Blessings.
Yizkor (YIZ-kawr): Lit. may He remember... Prayers said on certain holidays in honor of deceased close relatives. See Mourning.

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