The Talmud states that one should first recount the praises of God and then pray.
The second section of the morning service is the P'sukei d'Zimrah the traditional beginning of the worship ritual and is made of praises and songs.
- Baruch She'amar
- 1 Chronicles 16:8-36
- Romemu
- Psalm 100
- (Shabbat will include additional Psalms)
- Y'hi Ch'vod
- Ashrei
- Psalms 146-150
- Psalms 89:53, 135:21, 72:18-19
- 1 Chronicles 29:10-13
- Nehemiah 9:6-14
- Exodus 14:30-15:18
- Psalm 22:29
- Obadiah 1:21
- Zechariah 14:9
- Nishmat Kol Chai
- Yishtabach Shimcha
- Chatzi Kaddish
I try to use some imagery in the form of a diagram or map of how the services are laid out from a spiritual perspective. This map shows that we first wake up and acknowledge the presence of God in our lives (originally performed at home). The worship service is like a journey up the mountain to God's presence. The praise section is like our climbing up the steps to His sanctuary. The Sh'ma section is our approaching His presence in His sanctuary. The Amidah section is our communion with God. The Torah section is our lingering in His sanctuary and exploring His words and recalling our history. The concluding section is our return to everyday life.
In class we also taught some popular Israeli folk dances as an ancient and tangible way of expressing praise to God. We may also create a video of one or two of these dances and post them to YouTube in the future.
Today we also heard from a distinguished scholar of Jewish and New Testament studies, Dr. Michael Cook. This week he has been the community's "scholar in residence" and delivered a number of highly thoughtful discussions on how Christianity relates to the Jewish community. Today's discussion with the school was about Christian missionary activity directed at Jews.
- Baruch She'amar
A 9th century prayer highlighting God as Creator and Redeemer. The first half brings to mind the linkage between God speaking and creation whereas the second half recalls God's compassion (a word in Hebrew related to "womb") and life giving power. - 1 Chronicles 16:8-36
A celebration of the Ark of the Covenant being brought into Jerusalem. - Romemu
A collection of verses from various Psalms. - Psalm 100
A joyous song calling upon the whole earth to give God thanks and associated with the Temple thanksgiving offering. - (Shabbat will include additional Psalms)
These help distinguish Shabbat services from weekday services. - Y'hi Ch'vod
A series of biblical verses that are inter-chained (each adjacent verse shares words or concepts). - Ashrei
Psalm 145 which in Hebrew forms an acrostic of the Hebrew alphabet (but lacking the nun for some reason). - Psalms 146-150
Called the daily Hallel. - Psalms 89:53, 135:21, 72:18-19
Concluding verses of the respective Psalms. - 1 Chronicles 29:10-13
The inauguration of the Temple. - Nehemiah 9:6-14
A quick history through the exodus. - Exodus 14:30-15:18
The Song of the Sea which was used in Temple offerings. - Psalm 22:29
God's sovereignty over all the earth. - Obadiah 1:21
God's sovereignty over all the earth. - Zechariah 14:9
God's sovereignty over all the earth. - Nishmat Kol Chai
(On Shabbat and festivals) The breath (or soul) of every living being shall praise God. - Yishtabach Shimcha
Weekday blessing containing two sets of 15 praises which also correspond to the 15 steps in the Temple leading to the key courtyard on the mount. - Chatzi Kaddish
A transition into the next section
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