A Brief Overview of Three Key Jewish Prayers
Sunday, January 18th, 2009Perhaps the most well-known Jewish prayer is the “Shema”. This prayer is recited twice per day (morning and evening). The prayer is translated as “Hear Israel”, and refers to the entire verse “Hear O Israel, the Lord Thy God, the Lord is One.”
Christians are familiar with the “Shema”, because it is quoted in the Gospel of Mark. A scribe asked Jesus which commandment is greatest of all. Jesus replied “Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord.”
Jewish events are almost always marked by several “brachot” or “blessings”. Since kindling of fire is forbidden on the Sabbath, the week is ended with candle-lighting, and then again the Sabbath is concluded with candle-lighting. The lighting of the fire indicates a separate between the holy and the common (or the secular and the profane).
The candle-lighting on Friday evening occurs 18 minutes before sunset. The prayer “Ner Shel Shabbat” is usually said by the lady of the house. This is followed by Kiddush, which includes blessings over the wine and the bread.
The Sabbath is often greeted by the singing of an ancient prayer called “Lecha Dodi”. The title of the song literally means “Come My Beloved”. In this ancient Kabbalistic song, the sabbath is referred to as “a bride”.
The Havdalah service marks the end of Shabbat. It should be performed no earlier than nightfall on Saturday night. Nightfall is the time when three stars can be seen in the sky. It is normally about 45 minutes to an hour after sundown, depending on your latitude.
The word “Havdalah” itself come from the root word “L’HAVDIL” which means to separate or distinguish. The brief ceremony includes three “brachot” (blessings) over wine, spices, and fire. A special Havdalah candle is used that has several wicks; it is usually extinguished in the wine cup, or some wine that is poured into the saucer.
“Eliyahu HaNavi” is the song that typically concludes the brief Havadalah ceremony. The song title translates as “Elijah the Prophet”. Elijah’s name is involved in the hopes that he will come to usher in the final eternal Shabbat of the Messianic Age.