Matir Asurim

The previous post touched on the futility of blame, whether directed towards others or to oneself.  More thinking and talking about self-bl...

This morning I prayed the Amidah , and an incredible feeling came over me. I got to the Blessing of the Year : Bless for us, L-rd our G...

Traditionally, the Amidah is concluded with the following meditation: My G‑d, guard my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking deceitf...

We end with a prayer for peace: Bestow peace, goodness and blessing, life, graciousness, kindness and mercy, upon us and upon all Your pe...

What do we give thanks for each day? We thankfully acknowledge that You are the L-rd our G‑d and G‑d of our fathers forever. You are the ...

How is the concept of religious service related to the concept of prayer?  Look with favor, L-rd our G‑d, on Your people Israel and pay he...

Here we pray for our prayers to be heard: Hear our voice, L-rd our G‑d; merciful Father, have compassion upon us and accept our prayers i...

Here we pray for the glory of Jerusalem, for the kingship of David's descendants, and for resulting salvation. Return in mercy to Jeru...

This section is also a bit complicated: May Your mercies be aroused, L-rd our G‑d, upon the righteous, upon the pious, upon the elders of...

The next blessing is a bit complicated.  It is believed to have been introduced after the inception of Christianity, and partly in response...

After talking about Freedom, we talk about the other side of Freedom -- Justice. Restore our judges as in former times, and our counsellor...

Yesterday, Susanna Musser made another plea for prayers on behalf of an anonymous "warrior". I think today's section of the...

Next, the Amidah reminds us that every day is like New Year's.  Think, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life."  We ...

Next, we pray for healing: Heal us, O L-rd, and we will be healed; help us and we will be saved; for You are our praise. Grant complete c...

What does the Amidah say about Redemption? O behold our affliction and wage our battle; redeem us speedily for the sake of Your Name, for...

Continuing with the Amidah ! Right after Repentance , we look at Forgiveness -- related, but distinct concept: Pardon us, our Father, fo...

The fifth blessing of the Amidah : Cause us to return, our Father, to Your Torah ; draw us near, our King, to Your service; and bring us ...

In part 4 of the Amidah , we ask for guidance in matters of Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding: You graciously bestow knowledge upon man ...

The Shabbat version of the Amidah prayer highlights the notion of  Holiness as Separateness .  The weekday version of the Kedusha (Holiness...

I was fascinated when I heard this at my Catholic best friend's daughter's First Communion: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts!...