Pieces of the Prayer Book
We hope to encourage literacy and engagement in the elements of daily Jewish life. Everybody who wants to pray should be able to pray and feel confident and comfortable in their knowledge to do so.
There is no fee for this class. Everybody, at any knowledge or observance level, is welcome to join us. If the posted scheduling doesn’t work for you, reach out to contact@shleesh.org and we will make it work.
Class 1
History and Development
of Foundational Prayer Texts
Study how three of the foundational Jewish prayer texts came to be: the Siddur, Machzor, and Hagaddah.
Class 2
Structure and Order
of Daily Prayers
Review the structure and order of
daily prayers, from
Modeh Ani to the Bedtime Shema.
Class 3
Birkhot Hashachar
(Morning Blessings)
Discover the morning blessings in detail, including the use of a tallit, tefillin, and various head coverings.
Class 4
P’sukei D’zimrah
(Verses of Praise)
Discuss the origin and content of the verses intended to engender the proper emotional state for prayer.
Class 5
Barkhu, Shema
and Surrounding Blessings
Examine the Barkhu, Yotser, Birkat Hatorah, the readings the compose the Shema, and the G’ullah.
Class 6
The Amidah
(Shemoneh Esreh)
Examine contents and purpose of each of the 19 repetitious blessings of praise, petition, and gratitude.