The Jewish Prayer Podcast
Has prayer always seemed like a mystery? Has it seemed that prayer is probably something important, you just can't seem to tap into it? Join Rabbi Yossi Lindenbaum weekly as he describes a step-by-step guide to find the depth, beauty and relevance of the ancient words of Jewish prayer. Whether you have been davening since cheder or have never seen the inside of a synagogue this podcast will change the way you look at prayer and at life. Questions or comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
Advanced Morning Prayers: Mizmor Shir and Boruch She’amar
This is a word-by-word explanation of these prayers. The first 7 minutes is a general introduction.
Morning Prayers #15: How to Pray when you have no needs: Mizmor shir and Boruch She’amar
In this episode we discuss the difference between Ashkenazi, Sefardi, Nusach Ashkenaz and Nusach Sefard. We will read the perfect paragraph to motivate you prayers when you have no needs to motivate you. We will learn about the opening blessing of Pesukei Dizimra and why it says Boruch so many times.
Questions or comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
Morning Prayers #14: Bringing the heart to the head with song: Introduction to Pesukei D’zimra
In this episode we will introduce Pesukei Dzimra. We will explain why this part is difficult and long and why you should be saying these paragraphs the way you count something precious.
Here is a link for a beautiful song about King David, his complicated life and his connection to Hashem that we discussed in this week’s episode.
https://youtu.be/_GgRHCXjCqs?si=z1qgctfom6NkPcZUhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3hSIdWpZZ4
Questions or comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
Morning Prayers #13: The part not to say: Korbanos
In this episode we will discuss a large segment of prayers. This segment is very connected to the morning prayers but is actually usually not said. We will understand what it is about and read part of it. Questions or comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
Morning Prayers #12: Appreciating your Judaism: Birchas Hashachar 12-15
In this episode we will study the final set of the fifteen morning blessings. We will learn to appreciate different angles of who we are as a people and what it means to be Jewish. Questions or comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
Morning Prayers #11: Appreciating everything you have: Birchas Hashachar 5-11
In this episode we will study the next set of the fifteen morning blessings. We will learn to appreciate everything we have and take nothing for granted. Along the way we will delve into the Jewish view on clothing and uncover why there is a special daily blessing about shoes. Questions or comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
Morning Prayers #10: Appreciating who you are: Birchas Hashachar 1-4
In this episode we will study the first four of the fifteen morning blessings. We will understand what we accomplish through these blessings and get into some interesting discussions about male and females, their abilities and responsibilities. Questions or comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
Morning Prayers #9: A taste of Torah: Birchas Kohanim and Eilu Devarim
In this episode we read a sampling of Torah that is included in the prayers in order to start the day with Torah study. We will explain the words in a simple matter and explain why these pieces were chosen. Questions or comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
Morning Prayers #8: All the wisdom you need for life: The blessings on the Torah
In this episode we read the next blessing. We will discuss what the Torah is, the two parts of the Torah and why it is so important. To find more Torah learning opportunities and for any question or comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
Morning Prayers #7: The blessing on the soul: Elokai Neshama
In this episode we read the next blessing. This blessing flows perfectly after we give thanks for our body to thank Hashem for our soul. We will discuss what the soul is in a simple, clear way. Questions and comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
Here is a link for the song I mentioned, Neshomele:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3hSIdWpZZ4
Morning Prayers #6: The blessing for good health: Asher Yatzar
In this episode we read the blessing of asher yatzar. (I apologize for the technical glitch in the beginning, but the full episode is still intact).This blessing is to thank Hashem for our body and its proper functioning. This is can be said many times a day but we always start our day with this statement of gratitude. Â Questions and comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
Morning Prayers #5: What it means to bring blessing into your life
In this episode we read the blessings. We will explain what a blessing is and its basic structure. Along the way we will discuss how Jews pronounce Hashem’s name.  The prayer we review is the blessing on the washing of our hands. Questions and comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
Morning Prayers #4: A controversial song: Yigdal
In this episode we read the song of Yigdal. We will explain the controversy behind the song. Along the way we discuss the basic beliefs of Judaism. This song reminds us as we start our day what we believe in as Jews. Questions and comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
Morning Prayers #3: Who are you talking to? Adon Olam
In this episode we read the song of Adon Olam. We will discuss what the Jewish understanding of Hashem is. This is definitely the most theological of any class in this series. Questions and comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
Here are some samples of adon olam put to different songs:
Soul-stirring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRQNxEc8HRo
Fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWq7X5wlygE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT22FHeA9Fw
Morning Prayers #2: Turning your synagogue into a home and your home into a synagogue
In this episode we read the paragraph of Ma Tovu. We will learn the importance of a synagogue in Jewish thought and the best place to pray. Questions and comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
This is the prayer book we are using for this podcast https://www.artscroll.com/Books/9780899066547.html
Morning Prayers #1: How to have a great day
In this episode we dive right into prayers. We will cover the first prayers we say upon awakening. Through these prayers we will be prepared to have a productive and meaningful day. We will aslo learn the best way to start your day. Questions and comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
This is the link for the prayer book we are using for this podcast https://www.artscroll.com/Books/9780899066547.html
Introduction #4: Overview of Prayer
This episode is the final part of four introductory classes. In it we will explain why prayer needs to be spoken and not just thought. We will also describe the “prayer hamburger”. These introductions are necessary for understanding the podcast. Questions and comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
Introduction #3: Can an atheist pray?
This episode is the third part of four introductory classes. In it we will explain what the most difficult part of prayer is and how to overcome this difficulty. We will also synthesize class #1 and #2 in a way that will explain the whole point of this podcast. And yes, we will discuss if an atheist can pray (spoiler alert: he can!). These introductions are necessary for understanding the podcast. Questions and comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
Introduction #2: Finding meaning in formal prayer
This episode is the second part of four introductory classes. Even if you find prayer meaningful, it is hard to be inspired by services in a synagogue. They often appear robotic and overly ritualized. In this episode we find meaning in the methodical. These introductions are necessary for understanding the podcast. Questions and comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
Introduction #1: What is Prayer and How does it work?
In this inaugural episode we will have the first part of four introductory classes. In it we will discuss the purpose of prayer and how it works. These introductions are necessary for understanding the podcast. Questions and comments: rabbilindenbaum@gmail.com
