Siddur Sessions 4 & 5

With barchu, we are summoned, and we respond “yes!” The word barchu has the same root as baruch, i.e., berech, meaning “knee.” Hence, the leader draws attention by bowing on “barchu” and we respond by bowing on the “baruch” of our response.

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Purim Katan

My recent posts...Purim katan — little Purim? PARTY!!! Well, party. click here. Shabbat shalom! שבת שלום

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Siddur Session 3

My recent posts...SIDDUR SESSIONS Third Session (Feb 15) After the preliminary warm-ups of the morning service, “baruch she’amar,” the opening prayer of the next section, pesukei d’zimra, verses of song, tells of God creating the universe by speaking. Speaking!...

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Siddur Session 2

My recent posts...SIDDUR SESSIONS Second Session (Feb 8) Last week, we reviewed reasons for praying; this week, reasons for not praying: I’m not sure God listens; I don’t know the Hebrew; the prayers don’t speak to me, they aren’t modern…. Well, maybe God hears all,...

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Siddur Sessions: Introductory Meeting

My recent posts...SIDDUR SESSIONS Introductory meeting (Feb 1) For participants’ perusal, on the table were a dozen or so siddurim, ranging across time and place from 1706 Amsterdam to late 20th-century Italy to the newest siddur published by the American Reform...

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Kol Tefila

My recent posts...Kol Tefila Sometimes, the voice of prayer, kol tefila, has no words.  Shabbat shalom! שבת שלום

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