ANA BEKOACH

Jewish Law makes it our duty to pray three times daily: in the morning, in the afternoon and at nightfall.

History

In Judaism, there are both public and private aspects of prayer. Jewish prayer is both set and spontaneous. The Talmud defines prayer as the service of the heart (Ta’anit 2a), thus suggesting that prayer should express the deepest feelings and longings of the soul. Through our long history, these longings have taken shape and been formed into a myriad of blessings (berachot) for nearly every occasion, both ordinary and extraordinary, and a fixed liturgy for prescribed times and seasons.
 prayers transmit values and ideals. For instance, in the Ve’ahavta, which is recited at every evening and morning service, we find: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your mind, with all your strength, with all your being. Set these words, which I command you this day, upon your heart. Teach them faithfully to your children; speak of them in your home and on your way, when you lie down and when you rise up.” This passage stresses the love of God, the value of learning, and the importance of transmitting Judaism to the next generation.

The Prayer