Books about Prayer

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  1. Our most important relationship is not with our parents, not with our spouse, not with our siblings nor our children. It is with our Creator. Yet how many of us speak to Him from the heart? Why do our prayers often seem mechanical or meaningless?

    Speaking to God, by the late chaplain and innovative Jewish educator, Rabbi Zev Schostak, teaches us to approach God with love and inspiration — the way we always wanted — guiding us toward developing a deeper, more personal approach to prayer. Passionate about prayer, Rabbi Schostak was devoted to demonstrating that tefillah is more than merely reciting prayers — it is the way we speak to God and develop a close relationship with Him.

    He lived long enough to perfect his masterpiece, but not to see it published. This book is his legacy to the Jewish People — his gift to us.

    “A comprehensive, nearly encyclopedic sourcebook for all who wish to expand their understanding of the Jewish prayer book … [will] enhance and intensify [their] emotional connection to the prayer experience.”

    Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb

    About the Author:
    Rabbi Zev Schostak
     was the founder and director of Legacy 613, the first organization dedicated solely to the mission of making prayer meaningful — intellectually and experientially — in the life of every Jew, young or old. In order to achieve its mission, Legacy partnered with like-minded organizations, foundations, and schools to provide vision, educational expertise, and resources in developing effective tefillah programming and instructional materials. Ordained in Jerusalem by Rabbi Yechezkel Sarna, rosh yeshiva of Chevron, and Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, he also held an MA from the University of Detroit and earned permanent certification as a New York State school administrator and supervisor.

    Prior to founding Legacy 613, Rabbi Schostak served as director of pastoral care at the Gurwin Jewish Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Commack, Long Island, for nearly thirty years. He also had a distinguished career as a teacher and principal at yeshiva elementary and high schools in New York and Michigan.

    Rabbi Schostak wrote extensively on end-of-life bioethics and the issues of aging in halachah. He served as a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Medicine in Contemporary Society at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and was honored for his leadership and contributions to professional chaplaincy and Jewish medical ethics as the Rabbinical Council of America’s Healthcare Chaplain of the Year in 2012. Learn More

  2. Birchos Ha’Shachar is the foundation of our daily prayers.

    We say them every morning, but have you ever wondered…

    …why we thank Hashem for the rooster’s intelligence every morning?

    …why we thank Hashem for being Jewish every day?

    …why there are separate brachos for men and women?

    …why we have two different brachos to appreciate our eyes?

    These questions and so many more are addressed in Arise & Aspire, a clear and thought-provoking book written by Mrs. Shira Smiles — a highly sought-after international lecturer who invites you to join her as she presents each brachah of the Birchas ha’Shachar with deeper meaning, showing us how they apply to our daily lives. Uncovering and internalizing the depth and wisdom of these brachos will not only lead the reader to a more inspired prayer, but a more inspired life.

    "[This] small book ... will certainly foster greater appreciation of the beauty and profundity of the brachos and more importantly will increase our awareness of the Chasdei Hashem that surround us every second of the day."

    Rabbi Yitzchok Breitowitz

    "This work will greatly increase one's appreciation and understanding of these blessings and thus enhance one's recital of them daily to be not only lip service but true service of the heart."

    Rabbi Zev Leff

    "Starting our day with [these defining] brachos will define our lives with the majesty and magic so inherent to our inner world and the universe that Hashem recreates each morning."

    Mrs. Chani Juravel


    ------

    Mrs. Shira Smiles is a world-renowned lecturer and a popular seminary teacher. She is well-known for her unique teaching style which seeks to bring understanding of Torah texts through analysis of relevant sources while making the lessons learned from every verse relevant to her students' lives. Learn More

  3. A parent's timeless prayer - composed by Rabbi Yeshayah HaLevi Horowitz of Prague with translation, commentary, and stories

    Written by Rav Yeshaya HaLevi Ish Horowitz -- the SheLah HaKadosh – Tefillas HaShelah is the prayer recited by generations of parents, asking Hashem for righteous and successful children. It is traditionally recited on Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan, while others choose to say it more frequently, with some reciting it every day.

    Though written more than 400 years ago the words of the tefillah are timeless, speaking to the yearnings and hopes of every parent in every era. Even more: Tefillas HaShelah serves as a guide to the most effective way to pray for our children – and, yes, to pray for ourselves. Drawing upon both classic commentaries and fascinating true stories, bestselling author Yisroel Besser discovers the eternal messages in the tefillah.

    This is a book for parents, for those who dream of becoming parents, and for anyone who hopes to create an impact on future generations. The stories (and there are so many of them!) will touch our hearts. The insights will change our lives. Learn More

  4. Do we feel that our prayers open the gates of Heaven?

    Are we connected to Hashem as we pray?

    Does prayer elevate our soul, or leave us feeling frustrated and even empty?

    Prayer is both a science and an art, and is not something that necessarily comes naturally to us.

    Mean What You Pray is a book for those who believe in the power of prayer and want to learn how to leverage it more effectively. Specifically, this easy-to-read but powerful book takes each blessing of the Shemoneh Esrei — the fundamental prayer of the Jewish People — and explains how to use it most fully as a means to a deep, meaningful, and lasting relationship with Hashem.

    "I am sure that all who study this book will find themselves speaking to The Creator in a very real and intelligent manner."

    Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovits

    "I personally benefited from its ideas, explained by an author who clearly knows what he is talking about. Highly recommended for those who wish to take prayer seriously."

    Rabbi Dr. Akiva Tatz Learn More

  5. “How very proper it is for everyone to learn the meaning of the words for the entire Shemoneh Esrei!”

    Mishnah Berurah 101:2

    Three times a day, we stand in silent devotion and talk directly to Hashem. There is so much we want to tell Him. But do we really know what we are saying? Rabbi Avrohom Zelig Krohn takes us on a journey through the berachos of the Shemoneh Esrei, and with his fascinating elucidations, insights, and stories, opens our hearts to a deeper and more meaningful prayer.

    Change your life through a better understanding and appreciation of the holy words of our Anshei Knesses HaGedolah!

    The sefer you are holding will greatly enhance your davening, as it explains exactly what you are asking for in the daily Shemoneh Esrei.

    -Rabbi Paysach Krohn

    Learn More
  6. Forge a deep relationship with Hashem through tefillah
    Discover why tefillah "works" - and how it is most effective
    Learn practical exercises to improve kavanah

    Gifted educator Rabbi Shlomo David provides readers with a precious glimpse into the profound teachings of Rav Daniel Glanz on prayer. The ideas presented in this sefer serve as a guide to energize and empower readers to open their hearts to Hashem - and in turn be open to receive His blessings.

    "This sefer will arouse the reader's heart toward deep contemplation in prayer, as it is taught with great sense and knowledge."

    -Rav Asher Weiss, Rosh Machon Minchas Asher L'Torah V'Horaah



    "In today's day and age, there is a tremendous need for Klal Yisroel to find meaning and understanding in their prayers...Rav Shlomo David and Rav Daniel Glanz have produced a sefer that can motivate, inspire, and teach others to appreciate prayer - [and] change a life in untold ways."

    Rav Reuven Feinstein, Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshiva of Staten Island



    "This sefer is a clear, purposeful, and exceedingly practical guide to effective tefillah...It is a truly revolutionary work that can transform our entire way of approaching tefillah."

    Rav Moshe Weinberger, Marah D'Asra, Aish Kodesh, Woodmere, NY Learn More
  7. We learn how to daven early on in our spiritual journey. There’s nothing more heavenly than listening to a first-grade class reciting the Shema Yisrael. It emanates from their hearts, touches our hearts, and no doubt ascends toward G-d’s throne in Heaven.

    What happens afterwards? Why is it that when that seven-year-old turns seventeen he no longer has the heartfelt sincerity he had in first grade? What about when he’s twenty-seven, thirty-seven, and forty-seven? Does he attend the early “express minyan” to get him to the train on time? Does he attend a minyan three times a day? Whatever he does, it is likely that his tefillah doesn’t touch him like the Shema Yisrael did in his early years.

    Is there anything that can be done to strengthen our tefillah muscles to enhance and enrich our daily encounter with our Creator?

    Absolutely! We can advance in our davening skills by doing the following:

    • Studying the meaning of our prayers 
    • Understanding the order of the services 
    • Noticing the patterns within our prayers 
    • Finding personal inspiration through the medium of our davening

    Davening Divine helps readers on their journey of enriching their davening experience with inspiring essays on the Shabbat tefillot. With insights from a wide variety of commentaries, this davening companion brings to more meaningful prayer, strengthening the desire for and the commitment to heavenly and heartfelt tefillah.

    About the Author:

    Rabbi Ephraim Epstein has been serving as the rav in Congregation Sons of Israel in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, since 2000. He received his rabbinic ordination from HaRav Berel Wein, shlita. Before serving in the rabbinate, he was a founder and educator at the Center Program located at Ohr Somayach International in Yerushalayim. Rabbi Epstein teaches regularly, not only in New Jersey but also globally on the popular website TorahAnytime.com. He holds a degree in marriage and family therapy and serves as a counselor and advisor to many regarding their family relationships and their relationship with Hashem. Learn More

  8. From the approbations of the author’s Hebrew work, Tehillos Yisrael:

    “I have reviewed the sefer Tehillos Yisrael and it is a very beautiful sefer . . .”

    —HaRav Hagaon Chaim Kanievsky

    “lt is a sefer that is unique . . . which reveals the depth and hidden light of the language of tefillah . . .”

    —HaRav Dovid Cohen

    Now, in Coming Closer, Rabbi Goldfinger uncovers the language and deeper intent of tefillah in a form accessible to everyone.

    “Rabbi Goldfinger has published a deep and beautiful work. . . The serious student will gain tremendously from both the fun- damentals clarified and the meaning that it adds to tefillah . . .”

    —HaRav Ahron Lopiansky

    “The insights [of Coming Closer] speak to both the heart and the intellect simultaneously . . . creating a palpable new appreciation of tefillos . . . I personally thank you for the positive effect on my own davening.”

    —HaRav Mordechai Finkelman

    This sefer can help us come closer to Hashem with each and every davening. Learn More

  9. בחלק זה מבוארים קטעי התפילה של ערב שבת - קבלת שבת

    ביאורים אלו נכתבו על-פי שיעורים שמסר הרה"ח ר' זלמן גופין, בישיבת תומכי תמימים המרכזית בכפר חב"ד Learn More

  10. At the Amud, A Halachic Guide for the Sheliach Tzibbur
    From the age of bar mitzvah, we pray at the amud. Yet many who do are unfamiliar with the halachos that apply to the sheliach tzibbur. This is especially true of those in mourning, who are suddenly and unexpectedly called upon to lead the congregation on a daily basis. Even those well versed in halachah are not always knowledgeable in these laws.

    At the Amud is designed to guide and familiarize the sheliach tzibbur with the halachos he needs to know to fulfill his obligation. It includes chapters on the halachos that apply to a minyan and to those saying Kaddish . The laws and minhagim of the daily tefillos, Kerias HaTorah and the different Kaddeishim are also discussed. Authoritative and fully annotated, with appendices and a useful index, this sefer is a must for every Jewish home.

    Commendations:

    Rabbi Yaakov Gordon is a talmid chacham renowned for his Torah works, especially in English, and praised by gedolei Torah. …One who wishes to be a sheliach tzibbur will find in his sefer every detail he must know. --Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg

    Whoever sees the author’s work is amazed; his words are clear, straightforward, and arranged beautifully, and enlightening to all who delve into them. --Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen Learn More

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