The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer
Teacher Title Abstract Course
Rav Ezra Bick Shiur #01: Birkot Ha-shachar In this course, we will try to understand the different parts of what constitutes the seder tefilla, the order of the prayers. The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer
Rav Ezra Bick Shiur #02: Asher Yatzar Having examined the concept of birkot ha-shachar, we now turn to analyzing some of the individual blessings. The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer
Rav Ezra Bick Shiur #03: Elokai Neshama In most modern siddurim, the berakha of Asher Yatzar is followed by the berakha that begins with the words “Elokai neshama.” This berakha will be the focus of today's shiur. The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer
Rav Ezra Bick Shiur #04: Ha-ma’avir sheina The last blessing in the series of birkot ha-shachar is “ha-ma’avir sheina mei-einai u-tenuma mei-afapai,” Blessed are You who has removed sleep from my eyes and slumber from my eyelids. The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer
Rav Ezra Bick Shiur #05: Birkat Ha-Torah Why does birkat ha-Torah belong in the order of the daily prayer? The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer
Rav Ezra Bick Shiur #06: Le-olam Yehei Adam In all modern siddurim, the prayer that begins with the words “le-olam yehei adam” appears between birkot ha-shachar and the section known as “korbanot.” The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer
Rav Ezra Bick Shiur #07: Korbanot Korbanot is a section of the siddur recited before the beginning of the prayers, centered on the tamid sacrifice. What is its purpose? The article discusses the significance of sacrifices in general and the importance of reciting a text about them. The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer
Rav Ezra Bick Shiur #08: Pesukei De-Zimra In this shiur, we will study the purpose and nature of Pesukei De-Zimra, the “verses of song” that serve as an introduction to prayer. The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer
Rav Ezra Bick Shiur #09: Kaddish and Barkhu Before the section centered on the shema, we find two recitations, kaddish and barkhu, both of which fall in the category of davar she-bikdusha. We need to understand the category and its place at this point in the prayers, as well as the difference between the two. The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer
Rav Ezra Bick Shiur #10: Birkot Kriat Shema – Yotzer Or In this shiur, we introduce the Birkot Kriat Shema, the blessings recited before and after the recitation of the Shema and our acceptance of "the yoke of heaven." We focus in this shiur on the blessing of Yotzer Or, its structure and theme, and discuss how its various components express the idea of God's presence in this world. The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer
Rav Ezra Bick Shiur #11: Ahava Rabba In this shiur, we will examine the second of the birkot kriat shema, Ahava Rabba. The theme of this blessing is the Torah, which reflects the love relationship between Hashem and the Jewish People. That love is described at length over the course of the blessing. The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer
Rav Ezra Bick Shiur #12: Geula In this shiur, we will study the final berakha of kriat shema, the blessing of Geula ("Ga'al Yisrael"). In particular, we will examine why specifically this blessing follows the recitation of the shema and how the theme of "emet" relates to that of the redemption from Egypt, the two concepts that are discussed at length in the blessing. The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer
Rav Ezra Bick Shiur #13: Geula and Tefilla In this shiur, we will discuss the principle of “semikhut ge’ula le-tefilla,” juxtaposing the final berakha of Shema with the Shemoneh Esrei. Why is it so important to do so? What is the connection between the recollection of God’s redeeming us and our turning to Him with our petitions? The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer
Rav Ezra Bick Shiur #14: The Structure of the Shemoneh Esrei In this shiur, we begin to evaluate the structure of the Shemoneh Esrei. What is the importance of the three part structure, which the Rambam indicates is a Torah obligation? We will see that this structure reflects the nature of Shemoneh Esrei as avoda, service of the King. The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer
Rav Ezra Bick Shiur #15: Before God In this shiur, we will discuss the placement of Birkat Kohanim and Kedusha within the Shemoneh Esrei. In order to understand why this placement is appropriate, we will analyze a central feature of the Shemoneh Esrei through study of the Rambam's list of ideal circumstances for prayer. The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer
Rav Ezra Bick Shiur #16: Tachanun In this shiur, we will study the Tachanun, in particular focusing on the unique position of prostration (nefilat apayim) assumed while reciting the prayer. We will see that Tachanun expresses our realization that we are utterly helpless and unworthy of the audience with the King granted to us in the Shemoneh Esrei. The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer
Rav Ezra Bick Shiur #17: Ashrei and Uva-leTzion In this shiur, we will discuss the prayer Uva Le-Tzion, specifically the significance of the Kedusha and itstargum that are found within it. Why is Kedusha recited at this juncture, and why is its Aramaic translation included as well? We will discover that this teaches us an important lesson about the transition from our prayers to our mundane experiences in the world. The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer
Rav Ezra Bick Shiur #18: Aleinu In this shiur, we will discuss the significance of the concluding prayer of Aleinu, which was originally found only as part of the Rosh Hashana Musaf service and was only later incorporated into the daily prayers. What is the unique message conveyed to us by Aleinu and the second paragraph of Al Kein Nekaveh, and why is it so important that we conclude our tefillot with that message? The Structure and Meaning of the Daily Prayer