Category: Personal Prayer

A Prayer for Light in Times of Darkness

A Prayer for Light in Times of Darkness as we mourn the souls of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgram, who were murdered in Washington, D.C.

Rabbi Mordechai Rackover May 22, 2025 Every Day Israel

What is Jewish Mindfulness and How do I Get Started?

Learn more about what Jewish mindfulness is and answer the question "How do I get started?" There's many ways to practice—here are a few.

Rabbi Lauren Tuchman March 7, 2025 Blessings Every Day

Reading Psalms in Difficult Times

If you've never been in the practice of reciting Psalms, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Here's how to adopt the practice. ...

Rabbi Lauren Tuchman March 7, 2025 Every Day Personal Prayer

The Deeper Meaning of Havdalah: Make it Personal

Through its symbolism, Havdalah teaches us that the boundary between sacred and the ordinary are not truly separate, but can also be fun!

Boaz Davidoff February 13, 2025 Havdalah Holidays

Wake up with Gratitude to Cultivate Happiness

Engaging in gratitude every morning for being alive is a religious habit that can contribute to a healthier and happy life.

Daniela Rusowsky February 13, 2025 Embodied Prayer Every Day

How to Manage Distractions During the Amidah

Getting distracted during the Amidah and prayer is normal. But what do I do about it? There are a number of approaches that might work.

Boaz Davidoff December 18, 2024 Amidah Every Day

Caring For Creation Prayer

A short prayer, inspired by and quoting the Prophet Isaiah, connecting us to nature, the environment, and all of creation.

Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin, Rabbi Avram Israel Reisner September 23, 2024 Climate and Environment High Holidays

Redirecting My Heart to God: My Powerful Sh’ma Intention

Through using this personal kavannah, a spiritual intention, the recitation of the Sh'ma is transformed, and so am I.

Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein August 30, 2024 Evening Service (Ma'ariv) Every Day

Listener of Prayer

"Listener of Prayer" is an important phrase in many of our blessings and prayers. Learn more about why that is.

Rabbi Alex Hamilton July 3, 2024 Amidah Every Day

Tallit on the Bimah: Optional or Required?

This CJLS teshuva explores where and when a tallit should be worn on the bimah. This also addresses women wearing tallitot.

Reena Bromberg Gaber January 3, 2024 Accessories for Prayer CJLS

Psalms for this Time of Crisis in Israel

Seven psalms as a liturgical response to our individual and collective emotions, including grief, fear, rage, desperation, and others.

Rabbinical Assembly October 19, 2023 Hebrew Bible Israel

Prayer for Israel

Rabbis Nicole Guzik and Erez Sherman offer a prayer for Israel. This was first offered at a vigil on October 8th, 2023.

Rabbi Nicole Guzik, Rabbi Erez Sherman October 13, 2023 Israel Living

Prayer for Kidnapped Israelis

A prayer for kidnapped Israelis by Hamas and are being held in Gaza.

Exploring Judaism October 13, 2023 Israel Living

Prayer for Simchat Torah War

Prayer for Simchat Torah War by The Rabbinical Assembly of Israel and Masorti Israel.

Rabbinical Assembly of Israel, Masorti Israel October 13, 2023 Israel Living

Prayer for the Welfare and Return of Israel’s Captured and Missing

Prayer for the Welfare and Return of Israel's Captured and Missing by the Rabbinical Assembly of Israel and Masorti Israel

Rabbinical Assembly of Israel, Masorti Israel October 13, 2023 Israel Living

What Do People Think About While Praying?

While Judaism tells us various ways to pray, we are not told what to think: Here are three different takes on the subject.

Rabbi Alex Braver September 7, 2023 Every Day Personal Prayer

What do I do if I can’t go to minyan when saying kaddish?

Saying Kaddish for a loved one is a cherished and prized custom, but it is not the only way to remember and honor the lives ...

Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone May 19, 2023 Death and Dying Every Day

Prayers of the Matriarchs of Agency, Choice, and Action

Despite the odds, when things feel out of your control, when you feel abandoned – do not despair and do not simply pray – ACT.

Jacquelyn S. G. Pruet February 15, 2023 Liturgy Personal Prayer

Blessings and Bodies: Praying Without the Book

Jewish spirituality doesn’t live in a book. Our bodies can guide our awareness and blessing. What could this practice look like in your life?

Rabbi Susan Leider January 5, 2023 Blessings Daily Living

Asher Yatsar: My Favorite Blessing

Our bodies are wonderful and wondrous. Asher Yatsar helps us recognize our physical selves and offers a moment of gratitude to The Creator.

Rabbi Uri Allen November 30, 2022 Blessings Daily Living

Unpacking the Phrase: Barukh HaShem

What does “Barukh HaShem" really mean? What is the origin of this phrase? If we don’t believe in God, how do we relate to the ...

Rabbi Susan Leider November 16, 2022 Blessings Daily Living

Questions of Revelation: A Poem

Rabbi Suzanne Brody shares her poem that embraces a variety of midrashim about what happened at Sinai when we received the Torah.

Rabbi Suzanne Brody May 20, 2022 Personal Prayer Prayer

Revelation: A Poem

Yakira Keshet offers a poem to commemorate Shavuot, her journey to Judaism, and the presence of our souls at Mount Sinai.

Yakira Keshet May 12, 2022 Conversion LGBTQ+

The Sunflower on Our Seder Table

The Sunflower on Our Seder Table by Rabbi Ilana Garber on behalf of the people in Ukraine in 2022.

Rabbi Ilana C. Garber April 6, 2022 Passover Passover Prayer

All Who Are Hungry: A Prayer for Action, A Prayer for Ukraine

All Who Are Hungry: A Prayer for Action, A Prayer for Ukraine by Rabbi Mark Greenspan on behalf of the people in Ukraine in 2022.

Rabbi Mark Greenspan April 6, 2022 Passover Passover Prayer

Dedication for First Cup of Wine

Dedication for the First Cup of Wine at the Passover Seder by Rabbi Martin S. Cohen on behalf of the people in Ukraine in 2022.

Rabbi Martin S. Cohen April 5, 2022 Passover Passover Prayer