Prayer – Introduction & Miscellaneous Topics

Rabbi Aaron presents a new, yet ancient way of seeing Jewish prayer as an exercise of will. The word ‘prayer,’ as translated from Hebrew to English, is incorrect, and does not reveal to the Jew how to approach the incredible opportunity we have to ‘fill our heart to think the thoughts and to dream the ultimate dreams.’

After a discussion of the philosophy of prayer, Rabbi Aaron teaches us the meaning and power of a blessing. A blessing is a power that has been entrusted to us in order to turn up the light of Hashem in the world, and to remind us that there is only One source of all. The words ‘Baruch Ata…’ will take on new dimensions for you after hearing this class.

This class teaches the idea of exercising one’s will (similar to ‘Prayer Intro 1’), but within a more Kabbalistic context. Rabbi Aaron focuses on the idea of Hashem awareness, and towards the end, gives his famous Kabbalistic prayer commentary on The Wizard Of Oz.

Rabbi Aaron builds a contextual and thematic foundation to understand The Blessing After Eating Bread, which is a consciousness-raising experience that helps a person attain the realization that all comes from Hashem, especially nourishment.

After a short review of the previous class, Birkat HaMazon 1, Rabbi Aaron explains the Zimun (Invitation to Bless), then jumps into the structure, authorship, and general meaning of the four blessings of the Birkat MaMazon.

Kabbalat Shabbat’s theme and origin are presented as well as explorations in the 1st and 2nd Tehillim (psalms) of this service of receiving Shabbat. The first Tehilla is a plea to all Jews to do tshuvah and realize G-d’s oneness, while the second speaks of Israel’s unique mission in the world.

This second class continues with the 3rd through 6th Tehillim (psalms), and how they thematically build up to the singing of the deep and beloved song Lecha Dodi.