Books about Prayer

Make Your Siddur A Part of the Conversation ... with Hashem!

Rav Schwab on Prayer, the brilliant book on tefillah by one of the great rabbinic personalities of the twentieth century, has inspired thousands to enhance their davening. Now, Rav Schwab’s classic sefer on tefillah has been adapted into a practical and effective learning tool to improve your tefillos. Its concise format and features are based on Rav Schwab’s more complex work. Inside, you will find:
• Ideas and explanations that make each prayer relevant to you
• Stop and Think: An image or thought that helps you internalize a central theme of each tefillah.
• Quotes throughout the book of Rav Schwab’s own original words, set apart for you to ponder and gain deeper understanding.
• Power On, a unique feature aimed at helping bridge the gap between the ideas on the page and your real-time davening experience. There are many suggestions for noting, directly in your siddur, keys to inspiration that you can access as you daven.

Relationships are based on communication. If you want an authentic and fulfilling relationship with Hashem, open this book – and then open your siddur! Learn More

Inspirational Insights, stories and lessons, making one's davening more powerful

My Essence Is Tefillah is an adaptation of the highly popular, two-volume sefer, Ani Tefillah, written by Rav Binyamin Zev Shisha. This beautiful sefer focuses on the importance of tefillah and kedushas beis haknesses in an extremely comprehensive manner. Chock-full of gems from the ba'alei mussar and other Torah sources, both Chassidishe and Litvishe, the book also includes hundreds of stories of tzaddikim to illustrate various concepts.

Readers will find a detailed discussion of the morning preparations for tefillah, followed by an examination of the different parts of the tefillos themselves and the significance of the shul, the place that is designated for davening. Other chapters discuss tefillah b'kavanah in depth; the great advantages of tefillah b'tzibbur; the power of "amen"; and much more.

Based on the enthusiastic feedback garnered by the Hebrew and Yiddish editions of this book, our hope is that My Essence Is Tefillah will serve as an invaluable guide to all those who wish to grow in their avodas hatefillah and pour out their hearts before Hashem with meaning and passion. Learn More

Discovering The Gems In Our Daily Prayers, Uplifting Insights, Clarity And Direction

Living with vibrant faith demands constant inspiration. Sparks of Inspiration reveals wellsprings of emunah that are found all around us waiting to be tapped. After opening our eyes to appreciate the kindness and love with which Hashem fills the world, Rav Falk takes us throug the siddur, discovering faith affirming insights contained in the words of our daily prayers.

Rav Falk draws from a breathtaking array of sources, ranging fromChazal to contemporary Gedolim including Torah commentaries, sifrei mussar and chassidus, developing the ideas into powerful messages for our times. He reveals refreshingly positive perspectives on the world at large, our relationship with Hashem, and our connection to Him through prayer. This books is a treasury of insights, guidance, and practical advice.

Topics include:

• Appreciating our blessings
• Strategies for improving prayer
• Serving Hashem with joy
• Sincerity in serving Hashem
• Confronting the challenges of our times
• Anticipating Mashiach
Learn More

Includes an in-depth discussion on Talking in Shul

Said a berachah on food? That’s good.
Said a berachah with deep kavanah? That’s better.
Said a berachah and let every word bring you closer to Hashem?
That’s ... AWESOME!

The Awesome Power of Berachos

Based on Make Your Berachos Meaningful

Berachos. You say them so often: when you eat, when you daven, when you do certain mitzvos. You’ve probably been doing that since you were a little kid.

Now it’s time to take your berachos to the next level. A level so awesome, it will transform your life! In The Awesome Power of Berachos, you’ll learn about the many benefits of saying a berachah. You’ll read all about kavanah, and learn how to power up your focus and concentration. You’ll learn to beware of “microwave berachos” and about the connection between berachos, treasure hunts, and coffee beans. You’ll discover the hidden meanings in every single word of berachos and how “berachos bring berachos” – the incomparable benefits and blessings Hashem grants you when you say a berachah properly.

Written in an upbeat and interesting way, with lots of stories, summaries at the end of each chapter, sections on specific berachos, and explanations of each word of the berachos, The Awesome Power of Berachos is a must-read for young and old, in school settings or at home.

You will be saying about 3 million berachos in your lifetime. Learn to say them right! Learn More

“Want a sandwich?”

“No thanks. I don’t feel like bentching.”

What you have lost, if you’ve ever expressed such hesitation, is a golden opportunity to tap into the enormous power contained in Bircas HaMazon -- the only berachah that is a mitzvah d’Oraisah, ordained by the Torah itself. You’ve lost a chance to say “thank You" to Hashem, who has given you so many blessings, so many gifts.

A lost opportunity indeed.

In Touched by His Blessing, bestselling author Rabbi Yechiel Spero gives us a book that will transform the way we “bentch" -- and the way we live our lives. We will discover the power of Bircas HaMazon to enhance our emunah. To alleviate our stress about our financial situation. To bring about a deeper connection with Hashem.

Touched by His Blessing brings us inspirational insights, fascinating halachic discussions -- and, of course, stories. Stories of both famed tzaddikim and simple Jews who said Bircas HaMazon with devotion and love. We will meet the Jew who survived as “the chef of Auschwitz" through his care in bentching. We’ll gaze with wonder upon the siddur used by the Ba’al Shem Tov -- and at its pages of Bircas HaMazon, stained with his tears. We will read stories about the amazing power of Bircas HaMazon to protect our property, our livelihoods, and transform our very lives.

We will be privileged to be Touched by His Blessing. And we will never, ever say “I don’t feel like bentching” again!

Special section: Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundations Illuminated Bircas HaMazon featuring text, linear translation, inspirational commentary and illustrations; also available in full color from Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundations. Learn More

Of all the many hashkafah topics that Rav Miller spoke about, the subject of tefillah was, without a doubt, one of his specialties. Tefillah offers so many opportunities for spiritual growth and for developing our relationship with Hashem, but Rav Miller would often bemoan the great misfortune of Jews who spend so much of their lives davening without ever internalizing the lessons or realizing the profundity of the words they say day after day.

Now Rabbi Yaakov Astor, editor of Rav Avigdor Miller on Emunah and Bitachon, Rav Avigdor Miller on Olam Haba, and Rav Avigdor Miller — His Life and His Revolution, has created another masterful work by collecting and adapting Rav Miller’s timeless words and thoughts on the critical topic of tefillah. Rav Miller’s practical, incisive approach never fails to inspire, and this book is sure to revitalize your understanding and appreciation of tefillah and breathe new life into your relationship with Hashem.

About the Author

Yaakov Astor has written, co-written, or edited more than thirty published books. His most recent books are Rav Avigdor Miller on Olam Haba, The Secret Life of Gershon Burd, and Nothing Bad Ever Happens (re-titled Run, Rachel, Run), which documents the amazing Holocaust story of his mother-in-law, Rachel Blum.

A former yeshiva teacher and principal, he was also the founding Editor-in-Chief of Zman Magazine and editor of Nehemiah and Trei Asar, Vol. 1, in the ArtScroll Tanach Series. He has published hundreds of articles over the years in Yated Ne’eman, Hamodia, Mishpacha, The Jewish Observer, and other publications.

He worked with Rabbi Joseph Elias, zt”l, on producing the Holocaust Curriculum for Zechor Yemos Olam (the Holocaust branch of Torah Umesorah) and then served as its Deputy Director, helping administer its online Holocaust course and leading annual tours to Poland. Learn More