Davening : A Guide To Meaningful Jewish Prayer

A fresh approach to prayer for all who wish to appreciate the power of prayer s
poetry and song-and join the age-old conversation that Jews have had with God.

Even Jews who pray regularly know how challenging prayer can be. Some are uneasy with the idea of God, of talking to God as an Other, of petitioning for their needs. Some have trouble with the Hebrew or remain unmoved by the prayer book s kingly metaphors. Others are impatient with the shortcomings we perceive in our synagogues. They don t understand why prayer is relevant to their lives. They want access to prayer they can truly mean rather than just recite.

This fresh look at prayer practice offers a way around these problems through Hassidic spirituality and kabbalah. This is not prayer of obligation but prayer of invitation. Reb Zalman emphasizes the opportunities that prayer offers: opportunities for song and silence; for connection and remembrance; to unburden and to trust. Readers will learn:

How prayer can engage not just spirit, but mind, heart and body.
Meditations that open the door to kavanah, the focus or intention with which we pray.
How to understand the underlying deep structure of our prayer services.
How to find and feel at home in a synagogue.
How to sing and lead niggunim, the simple, wordless tunes that Jews sing to get closer to God.