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Prague · 28 Cheshvan 5787

Shabbat this week · 16:02–17:11

Daily practice

Daily Practice

Awaiting expert review

A traditional Jewish day is framed by prayers and short blessings: from the morning Modeh Ani through putting on tefillin and the three services to the Shema before sleep. The degree of observance varies by movement and personal choice.

01

Morning

Minhag⁂ To verify

On waking, Modeh Ani is said and the hands are washed alternately from a vessel (netilat yadayim). The morning blessings (birkhot ha-shachar) follow.1,2

Halakhah

In Orthodox practice men put on Tefillin during the weekday morning prayer and wrap themselves in a tallit; in liberal movements women who choose to do so do this as well.3,4,5

02

During the day

Halakhah

Blessings are said before and after eating; before bread the hands are washed and HaMotzi is said.6

Minhag

When entering a house or room with a mezuzah, many touch it and kiss their fingers; this is a custom.7

Minhag

The afternoon prayer, minchah, is usually short, and congregations often combine it with the evening prayer.

03

Evening

Halakhah

Before sleep, the Shema Yisrael is said (keriat shema al ha-mitah).1

Halakhah

The evening service, maariv, contains the Shema with its blessings and the Amidah.8

FAQ

Must women pray three times a day?

Halakhic authorities differ; many of them obligate women to one or two prayers a day. Liberal movements make no distinction between men and women.⁂ To verify

Why is a kippah worn?

Covering the head is a custom expressing reverence before God; see Kippah.

Sources

Secondary literature

  1. 13Hayim Halevy Donin, To Be a Jew

See also