Date: September 2010
Course Name:
The Philosophy of the prayer book
Type of course:
Lecture
Year of Studies: 2010-2011
Semester: Fall
Hours/credits: 2
The courses objectives
This course is designed to introduce students to the world of prayer. The first semester
will be geared to the philosophical elements of tefillah while the second semester will
focus on the actual prayers. Course goals are to familiarize students with this basic
human need and at the same time empower them to develop their own understanding
and relationship with G-d.
The Process of the Course:
This hour and a half course will be a combination of self-study of
sources, discussions and lecture.
Detailed Lesson plan:
Number
Topic of the Required Reading
of Lesson
Lesson
1
Modeah ani, Donin: To pray as a Jew 3-8
nitilat yadim Mystery of prayer: Newsweek march
31 1997
Adon Olam Fackenheim,E. Paths of Jewish belief.
Chapter 8
Jacobson,B.S. Meditations on the
siddur. Chapter 2
Asher
Rambam hil Teshuva 5-6
yatzarRamchal derech hashem 1:3
elokie
neshama
Birchat
Saadia goan emunot vedaot 3
hatorah
Kuzari 3
Brachot
Rambam hil yesodei hatorah 8-9
Ramchal-the path of the just
2
3
4
5
1
Birchot
hasachar
Eldar, prayer’s function
http://vbmtorah.org/archive/kuzari/30
kuzari.htm
Hirsh commentary on ber 20:7
Comment
Why do we pray?
Obligation of
prayer
G-d’s attributes,
so can we
influence G-d?
Pleasures of the
world
Free will vs.
Original sin
Old Testament
vs. new
Written and Oral
law
Can we influence
the worshipper
6
Women and
Prayer
7
Pesukie
dizimra:
ashrei/hallel
uka
8
9
10
11
12
2
Meiselman,M. Jewish women in
Jewish law:Chapter 20
Nissel, m. Regishei Lev :Chapter 11
Wolowsky, J Who has not made me
a women: a quiet bracha in tradition
29:4
Feldman, E. An Articulate Bracha in
Tradition 29:4
Soloveitchik, J.B. “Prayer as
dialogue” in Reflections of the Rav
by A Besdin
Weinberg, N. “How to get
your prayers answered”
Sheasani kirtzono
Az yashir
and
yistabach
Greenberg, B. “Daily prayer and
blessings” in how to run a traditional
Jewish household
Birchat
kriyat
shema
Ahava
Rabbah
Hirsh letter 4
Spontaneous vs.
standardized
prayer
Fixed text and
fixed time
Yotzer hakol-vs
hara
Creation
Choseness of
Israel
Revelation
Unity and Love
of G-d
Kriyat
smema:Kab
balat ol
malchut
shamayim
Brachot
after shema
Maharal-netzach yisrael 11
Rambam/iggeret taiman
Bachya: chovoy halevovot 2-3,10
Rambam: yesodei hatoah 2:1-2
Teshuva 10:3
Kuzari 2:32
Rambam melachim 11-12
Ramban vayikra 26:16
Rav Kook-chazon hageula
Power of
prayer/relationshi
p
Redemption
Course requirements
Attendance and class participation
In class assignments
Project
Final
Grade Components (Number grade or pass/fail)
Class attendance and work 25%
Project
25%
Final
50%
Students must bring to class either an artscroll or sacks
siddur
3