Traditional & Contemporary Approaches

At many times in our history the repetition of sacred phrases has been recognized as helpful to a meaningful prayer experience. In my case I resisted a long time before trying any of this - some sort of fear kept me from it, as though I would die or something like that. Instead once I plunged in, each time the practice grew on me....like cultivating a taste for olives only much more special and valuable (forgive me, any olives that are reading this). Rabbi Shefa Gold introduced me to these practices, and I encourage you to seek out her work and teachings on the subject, she is a wise, authentic and safe teacher.

Many complain of having difficulty finding deep meaning in the traditional prayer service. Many of us were conditioned to accept that for Jews "praying" is accomplished by simply reciting or chanting all the words, preferably in Hebrew. It is helpful and interesting to note that in the Talmud our ancestors worried that writing down their prayers could lead to just such a deadening rote recitation by subsequent generations.

While there is some comfort in repeating that which is familiar, there is deep healing and joy possible from engaging in meaningful Jewish prayer. For example, at the core of each service is a lengthy set of prayers, said while standing, known as the "amidah." While each of the numerous amidah blessings is set in a careful sequence intended to help us find the prayer of our hearts, many find the traditional amidah impenetrable.

Jewish meditation offers a way to infuse each of facet of Judaism with deeper meaning. Jewish meditation is not an end in itself, rather a partner process for healthy Jewish living. Reports of meditation experiences are widely found in Jewish sacred texts. For example:

Mkor HaHayim...Source of Life.....Tzur...Rock......HaMakom...The Place.....Yotzeret....Form Giver....Yah Ribon

For me God expresses the oneness of the evolving Cosmos. God is that to which I cry out when I am in pain. God is a direction for my praise of the stunning creation of which we are a part. God is that which you and I resemble..........in our creative and destructive nature.

God is everything unfolding, seeking all possibilities, becoming what it is becoming. God is the encoded consciousness of the cosmos which is aware of Its needs and deploys every one of us as an important part of the present and future.

Trope is the term for the notation system for chanting Torah. Trope are symbols for when to pause and where to stop in the Torah reading. They each have a different set of associated notes and when strung together become the chant for a given portion. The technical term for trope is Ta'amei haMikra, "the flavor of the reading."

How to Create a Meaningful D’var Torah
Как сделать Двар     Тора интересной    [with gratitude to all our translators; any corrections please write publisher@reclaimingjudaism.org]  To view chapter in English only start here

The Thirteen Attributes of God, as interpreted by Rabbi David Wolfe-Blank, zt"l, in line with the Jewish meditation method of Rabbi Abraham Abulaffia [1240-@1291]. The breathlessness that occurs is part of this practice.

To be recited without stopping, then remain in silence and allow awareness to arise from the power of the terms.

-Emet. Authentic, Emet.

--Emet, v'yatziv, Authentic and Stable, Emet.

---Emet, v'yatziv, v'nakhon, Authentic, and Stable, and Aligned, Emet.

For me God expresses the oneness of the evolving Cosmos. God is that to which I cry out when I am in pain. God is a direction for my praise of the stunning creation of which we are a part. God is that which you and I resemble..........in our creative and destructive nature.

God is everything unfolding, seeking all possibilities, becoming what it is becoming. God is the encoded consciousness of the cosmos which is aware of Its needs and deploys every one of us as an important part of the present and future.