The Power of Tefilah b’Tzibbur

The Shul generally davens Nusach Ashkenaz and their Chabad Rav has been serving as shliach tzibur for Ne’ilah for over thirty years. Instead of repeating the Yud Gimmel Midos seven times, he only recites them three times, and has done so for over three decades. Has the Rabbi deviated from a well-established norm dating back over a millennium, or is the congregation blissfully unaware of the genesis of this practice? This paper highlights all available original sources on the matter and allows the reader to draw his own conclusion.

Ana Bechoach is an ancient and mystical Jewish prayer and spells the names
of G-d acrostically. What is the meaning of this prayer?

A minyan of seniors, a common occurrence at old age homes, can be challenging. What does Jewish law say about seniors sleeping during the prayers, or seniors who are unable or unwilling to actively participate in the services?

Beseeching the Creator for His benevolence and salvation is a practice of universal import and value. But how did the uniquely Jewish form of prayer evolve? What was the process by which the first siddurim were designed?

Part II in a Series

This broad analysis of Birchas HaGomel takes a modern focus: Does a domestic flight over water trigger this blessing? An international one over land? What about a missed flight that crashes? A look at the basic laws and rational behind Gomel lays the foundation to determine when and why the blessing is required. (See also Thanking G-d for Goodness Part II)

אמן. מילה קטנה הטומנת בתוכה אוצרות גדולות. המילה שהפכה לביטוי עמקי האמונה, בכוחה להמשיך ברכות וכוחות עצומים. מהו אפוא סודה של עניית אמן? האיך אמור האדם להתחבר אליה במדה מלאה? סקירה מקיפה לאור גנזי הקבלה והחסידות (חלק א).