Prayer Series: The Amidah

Overview

• Topic: The Amidah, the core of prayer in Jewish tradition.
• Importance: Considered the official fulfillment of the mitzvah (commandment) of praying.
• Historical Context:
  • Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of the First Temple and the Jewish exile led to a decline in Hebrew language proficiency.
  • Ezra and the Men of the Great Assembly (Anshei Knesset Hagdola) established structured prayers, including the Amidah.

Structure of the Amidah

• 18 Blessings (Shemoneh Esrei), actually 19:
  • Three Blessings of Praise:
    1. Elohei Avot: God of our forefathers Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.
    2. Mechayei Metim: God who resurrects the dead.
    3. El Kadosh: God is holy.
  • 13 Blessings of Requests:
    1. Knowledge: Request for wisdom and understanding.
    2. Repentance: Opportunity for repentance and forgiveness.
    3. Forgiveness: Asking for God's forgiveness.
    4. Redemption: God redeeming Israel and the final redemption.
    5. Healing: Healing the sick of Israel.
    6. Abundance: Blessing of the years, abundance in produce.
    7. Gathering of Exiles: Return of Jews to Israel.
    8. Justice: Prayer for justice and righteousness.
    9. Enemies: Against heretics and those who betray or harm Jews.
    10. Righteous: Blessing for the righteous and reliance on God.
    11. Rebuilding Jerusalem: Prayer for the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
    12. Coming of Messiah: Prayer for the arrival of the true Messiah.
    13. Acceptance of Prayer: God hearing and accepting our prayers.
  • Three Blessings of Gratitude:
    • Gratitude for God and a final request for peace.

Mystical and Symbolic Aspects

• 18 Blessings: Correspond to:
  • God's name mentioned 18 times in Psalm 29 and Shema.
  • 18 vertebrae that protrude when bowing.
• 19th Blessing: Added for internal enemies and heretics, corresponding to the name "El" and the concept of unity (echad).

Physical Actions in Prayer

• Bowing: Symbolizes humility and connection with God.
• Three Steps: Taken forward and backward, representing ascending and descending through spiritual worlds.

Spiritual and Communal Aspects

• Unity in Prayer: Importance of communal prayer and intentions.
• Kaddish and Aramaic: The significance of saying Kaddish in Aramaic to bypass angelic interference.
• Kedushah: Mimicking angelic praise.

Enhancing Prayer

• Quality over Quantity: Pray slowly and with intention.
• Pray for Others: Focus on communal needs to enhance personal prayer.
• Successful Marriage: Prayers are more effective with a harmonious marriage.

Conclusion

• Alenu: The final prayer, summarizing Jewish mission to repair the world.
• Successful Prayer: Pray with meaning, for others, and in a spirit of unity.

These notes encapsulate years of tradition, historical context, and the spiritual significance of Jewish prayers, particularly focusing on the Amidah.