What do you think about prayer?
Do you envision prayer as participation in a Sacred Drama?
Do you think of the Siddur as an instrument of holiness?
As the High Holidays approach, it is appropriate to think deeper about prayer. For when we pray, we are not just reciting meaningless words, or remembering something that happened in the past. Rather, Jewish prayer is a re-enactment and reliving of sacred events. Through the ritual of prayer we become participants in the Sacred. It is important to think of the Siddur as one would think about a script. Through reenacting these events, we live out the story of the Jewish people, our Covenant with HaShem, and participate with the angels in heavenly worship.
Dancing through History
For example, through the Mi Khamokha section of a prayer service (which comes before the Amidah), we relive our redemption from
Renewing Covenant
The Torah Service as well serves as a reenactment of the giving of the Torah on
According to John 1, Yeshua is the Torah made flesh. The Torah is the symbol of our covenant with HaShem, deepened and permeated through the Living Torah, our Messiah. When we remove the Torah from the ark, it is an illustration of the incarnation. When we process it through the congregation, we each have an opportunity to reach out and take hold of the message. When the Torah is brought to the bimah and read out loud in front of the community, it is a picture of the Gospel message proclaimed before
Singing with Angels
One of my favorite parts of the service is the Kedusha during the Amidah, when we rise up on our toes while reciting “Kadosh, kadosh, kadosh … Holy is the L-rd of Hosts, the whole earth is filled with Your glory!” The Kedusha is our participation alongside the angels of heaven worshiping around G-d’s throne. In ancient Jewish understanding, it was believed that angels did not have knees. So in keeping with this ancient practice, we still rise up on our toes with knees locked in imitating the angels in heaven.
According to Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks:
"The most significant mystical contribution to the Siddur is the Kedusha, said in three different forms, most notably during the readers repetition of the Amida ... This is a mystical idea, and like all mysticism it hovers at the edge of intelligibility. Mysticism is an attempt to say the unsayable, know the unknowable, to reach out in language to a reality that lies beyond the scope of language. Often in the course of history, mysticism has tended to devalue the world of senses in favor of a more exalted realm of disembodied spirituality. Jewish mysticism did not take this course. Instead it chose to bathe our life on earth in the dazzling light of the Divine radiance."
Shaping Theology
However, Jewish prayer (when understood as sacred drama) is more than just a reenactment of defining events. Prayer actually shapes our theology. It establishes the way we think about Torah and shapes our concepts of redemption and salvation.
The Siddur also serves as a guide for preparing the way for Mashiach, and the concept that prayer must lead to action. Repentance (teshuva) is also one of the primary tools the Siddur uses in preparing the way of HaShem. The Siddur also teaches us how to be holy.
In my own personal davening, I often prefer the Conservative Siddur, Sim Shalom, because of its traditional feel, yet intentional deviations of inclusiveness and social consciousness. For example, on pages 8-9, Sim Shalom inserts a passage from the Torah (Parashat Kedoshim) recalling our obligation to be holy:
"You shall all be holy, for I, the L-rd your G-d, am holy. You shall not insult the deaf, or put a stumbling block before the blind. You shall not render an unjust decision; do not be partial to the poor or show deference to the rich; judge your neighbor fairly. Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor. You shall not hate your brother in your heart. Love your neighbor as yourself; I am the L-rd" (selected from Lev. 19:2, 14-18).
This recitation reminds us that in Jewish understanding, Holiness is not some mystical state of being that we all hope to attain. Rather, Holiness is a lifestyle. According to Abraham Joshua Heschel:
"The question of religion is what we do with the presence of G-d: how to think, how to feel, how to act; how to live in a way compatible with our being created in the image of G-d."
The Siddur, in so many ways, reminds us of who we really are and what G-d expects from us. Through the Aleinu we remind ourselves that redemption begins with us, and through our concluding morning prayers we anticipate Yimot Ha’Mashiach – the days of Messiah.
Stay tuned next week as we discuss the baggage we often bring to the Siddur which keeps us from experiencing prayer as sacred drama. We will also explore how to shop for a Siddur, and practical suggestions for delving deeper into Jewish prayer.
“L’Shanah Tovah Tikateivu – May you be inscribed for a sweet New Year!”
Rabbi Joshua, I really enjoyed reading this today. I found your description of the symbolism surrounding the removal of the Torah from the ark to be most enlightening. When the Torah moves through the congregation, I had viewed it as being symbolic of Adonai leading us in the wilderness, but your description makes it even richer. I look forward to reading more on this. Thanks, Donna
Rebyosh,
Great post. There is a lot to learn from prayer. One thing that bothers me for years, and I have not heard much opinion on is, as believers in Messiah Yeshua should we recite prayers that were written by people who deny Him?
This is not meant to offend or cause an argument, since we use Jewish liturgy in our community, it is just a thought that keep lingering. I would very much like to hear your opinion.
Dan,
Good question. However, to possibly do it any justice, and instead of reinventing the wheel, let me refer you to a couple other sources that already address that issue:
-Rabbi Dr. Stuart Dauermann addressed that question in one of his previous blog posts: http://xrl.us/bhwh4y
-Rabbi Dr. Mark Kinzer's paper, "The Shema in Messianic Jewish Perspective" http://xrl.us/bhwh5i
-I think Dr. David Stern also addresses this in his classic book "Messianic Judaism" (previously titled, "Messianic Jewish Manifesto"), in the chapter section on Congregational Life.
-Also see Chapter 2 of "Voices of Messianic Judaism," Ed. by Dan Cohn-Sherbok.
I hope this helps.
Rebyosh,
Thanks,will do.