Class #6, November 1

Part 1: “Kavana”

-”The Boy Who Prayed in the Forest” story (see “Materials”)

-Discuss how different people connect differently (emotional, logical, etc.)

-Clip from “Glee”; Why doesn’t G-d listen to our prayers?

-Activity: Priorities; Do we know what’s really important to us?

Part 2: Chumash, Parshat Toldot

-Background on Yitzchak and Rivka

-Read possuk; Who do we think would be more worthy of their prayers being answered?!

-Reach Rashi; “The prayers of a righteous man who is the son of a righteous man are greater than the prayers of a righteous man who is the son of a wicked man.”

-Practical: (to be expanded next week)

Class #5, October 25

Part 1: Spontaneous vs. Fixed

-”Trademark of a Jew” article (see “Materials”)

-Debate: pros and cons of spontaneous vs. fixed prayers

-Fixed: Hallmark Card Theory, connection to past, consistancy, …

-Spontaneous: more personal, updated with the times, whenever we feel it, …

Part 2:

Hebrew Vowels

-Fill in chart, reviewing the names and sounds of each

Body Parts in Hebrew

-Handout, fill in together.

-Review the singular and plural of each

Class #4, October 18

Part 1:

Video

-Yharzeit of our Matriarch Rachel

-Power of speech (esp. women)

-Stories from Reb. Heller: Aunt and Uncle in grungy apartment, T.V. show “Queen for a Day”, Students visiting with Rabbi

Our Obligation

-Handout with Rambam and Ramban (see “Materials”)

-Summarize from “Halichot Bat Yisrael”

Part 2: Chumash, Parshat Vayeira

-Background of Abraham and Sarah

-Read possuk and Rashi 

 -Practical: modesty expanded

-”Inside Outside” by: Gila Manolson, 2 excerpts

Class #3, October 4

Part 1: Origins and History of Prayer

-Quote gemara

-3 forefathers highlighted time of prayer

Avraham: Morning service – parallel to his life

Yitzchak: Afternoon service – parallel to his life

Yaakov: Evening service – parallel to his life

-Pass around “Prayer in the Bible” sheet, discuss different eras of prayer

Part 2: Birkat Hamazon               

-Each pair take one blessing

-Translate, connect to title, summarize in one sentence

-Present to class

Class #2, September 27

Part 1: Purpose of Prayer

-”Our mouth should not proceed our heart”

-Compare to bow and arrow: bow is our emotion, focus, effort, depth; arrow is our prayer

-Two root words of the word `”Tefilah”: to attach, bond; introspection

-Expand about introspection (real “avoda” is refining ourselves!)

Part 2: “Tzedaka Tatzil MiMavet” story (see “Materials”)

-Take turns reading aloud

-Write hard words

-Expand on phrase ” Tzedaka Tatzil MiMavet”; what is charity?, how can we “save from death through giving?

Class #1, September 20

Part 1: What is prayer?  

-Open with poem (see “Materials”)

-3 pillars of the world, “avoda” replaced with prayer

-Survey handout; “Why pray”

-Compile list of question about prayer

Part 2: “Hodaa L’H-shem” article (see “Materials”)

-Underline unfamiliar words

-Share (your) most powerful phrase

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