Tefillah tips,written by Rabbi Ephraim Epstein of Congregation Sons of Israel in Cherry Hill, NJ focus on exploring and understanding the Tefillah prayers and are designed to inform the public of the meaning of our most common tefillot, and to inspire increased spirituality in our prayers.
* Rabbanim are invited to spend a few minutes every Shabbat Mevarchim emphasizing an aspect of tefillah of their choice.
* OU Torah has many wonderful presentations on tefillah by Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Executive Vice President, Emeritus of the Orthodox Union. Rabbi Weinreb draws upon a number of sources including the commentaries of Rabbanim Hirsch, Munk, and Schwab. He also presents material drawn from Chassidic sources and offers numerous insights. The lectures are designed to inform the public of the meaning of our most common tefillot, and to inspire increased spirituality in our prayers.
Mizmor Download the PDF Version Here After the festive singing of Lecha Dodi and the ushering in of the Shabbat Queen, we acknowledge the cosmic shift of realities from the mundane week to the holy Shabbat by reciting Psalm 92 – Mizmor Shir Layom HaShabbat – The Song of Shabbat. This Psalm reflects the future […]
Lecha Dodi III Download the PDF Version Here The remaining seven stanzas of Lechoh Dodi are divided into three parts. Part 1: Mikdash Melech…Hitnaari…and Hitoreri…all advance words of consolation, hope and renewal of Jerusalem from a state of exile. We implore Jerusalem, the throne of Hashem to arise from her desolation, cloak herself with […]
Lecha Dodi II Download the PDF Version Here The signature Tefillah of Kabbalat Shabbat is Lechoh Dodi – “Come my Beloved”. The opening letter of each paragraph spells out the name of the author Rabbi Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz who lived in Safed in the 1500s at the time of the Arizal and Rav Yosef Karo. […]
Lecha Dodi Download the PDF Version Here The crescendo of the Kabbalat Shabbat service is the beautiful poem Lechoh Dodi – Come my Beloved. It was composed by HaRav Shlom Halevi Alkabetz who lived in Tsfat in the sixteenth century alongside the great scholars and Kabbalists of the day such as the Arizal, Rav Moshe […]
Mizmor LeDovid & Anah Bakoach Download the PDF Version Here Although we already reviewed Psalm 29, Mizmor LeDovid in our Mussaf Tips, since we recite it again at this point in Kabbalat Shabbat and all the commentaries stress that it should be recited with vigor and joy it is worthwhile for us to take another […]
Footstool to Heaven Download the PDF Version Here Psalm 99 is the last of the consecutive Psalms recited during the Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat Ashkenazic Service. King David again foretells of the thundering revelation of G-d’s presence on earth amidst awe and trembling, and invites the people of Israel to Praise the G-d of Zion. […]
The Inner Circle Download the PDF Version Here Picture this: You are at a close friend’s wedding waiting for the bride and groom to appear in the ballroom. Suddenly the band leader introduces the couple for the very first time and the opening dance begins. After a song or two of circling the dance floor, […]
Psalm 97 Download the PDF Version Here In recent times, the world experienced many “natural disasters”. We have witnessed earthquakes and tsunamis as well as hurricanes and cyclones. In our current state of exile, we are unable to explain exactly why they occur and why they took place in the countries they did. However […]
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Orthodox Union