How To...Prayers

Shabbat

Shabbat is primarily a day of rest and spiritual enrichment. The word "Shabbat" comes from the root Shin-Beit-Tav, meaning to cease, to end, or to rest.  

Friday Night Prayers Selection – Listen

Shabbat Morning Prayers Selection – Listen

 Kiddush For Friday Night             Kiddush for Friday Night Dinner Listen 

Kiddush Saturday Morning            Kiddush Shabbat Day Listen

Mourners Kaddish

"Mourners Kaddish" is said at all prayer services and certain other occasions. It is traditionally recited several times, most prominently at or towards the end of the service, after Aleinu and/or closing Psalms. Following the death of a child, spouse, or sibling it is customary to recite the Mourners' Kaddish in the presence of a minyan (ten Jewish adults) daily for thirty days. In the case of a parent, an adult child recites the Mourner’s Kaddish in the presence of a minyan (ten Jewish adults) for eleven months and then at every yahrzeit (anniversary of the death) and during the Yizkor services that take place on certain days of Jewish holidays.

Customs for reciting the Mourners Kaddish vary markedly among various communities. In Sephardi synagogues, the custom is that all the mourners stand and chant the Kaddish together. In Ashkenazi synagogues, the earlier custom was that one mourner be chosen to lead the prayer on behalf of the rest, though most congregations have now adopted the Sephardi custom. In some congregations (especially Reform and Conservative ones), the Rabbi will read a list of those who have a Yahrzeit on that day (or who have died within the past month).

It is important to note that the Mourners Kaddish does not mention death at all, but instead praises God. Though the Kaddish is often popularly referred to as the "Jewish Prayer for the Dead," that designation more accurately belongs to the prayer called "El Maleh Rahamim," which specifically prays for the soul of the deceased.

Kaddish D'Rabbanan is another form of the Mourner's Kaddish which may also be recited by anyone after the study of sacred texts as it contains a special prayer for the well-being of teachers, their disciples, and all who study Torah.

How to Mourners Kaddish       Mourners Kaddish Listen

How to Kaddish D'Rabbanan   kaddish D' Rabbanan Listen

Festivals

Passover

Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the three major pilgrimage festivals of ancient Israel and commemorates the Exodus from Egypt. Its name comes from the miracle in which God “passed over” the houses of the Israelites during the tenth plague. It is centered on the family or communal celebration of the seder (ritual meal).

passover planning guide      Hametz Form     The Four Questions 

Holidays

Hannukah

Celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over the larger Syrian army. It also celebrates a miracle that happened during this time, where just a day's supply of oil allowed the menorah in the rededicated Temple in Jerusalem to remain lit for eight days.

How to Light the Hanukiah   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Hanukkah 1st blessing     Hanukkah 2nd Blessing    Shehechyanu   ADON OLAM