Pray With Intent
Thoughts and Prayers from Jerusalem
Shalom from Jerusalem!
Before praying, evaluate yourself: If you can pray with kavana (sincere and concentrated intent) in your heart, then pray. If not, then don't pray.
Brachot 30
As we have learned, prayer without intent is like a body without a soul. But what exactly is the scope of that "intent"?
It would seem that this spiritual quality is relative. For some, even noticing that one is praying, a simple "checkmark," is enough. For others, if there is not an experience of true revelation, it clearly wasn't "the real thing." And of course, there is the wide spectrum of everyone in between.
In fact, this relativity could apply to each and every one of us, at different times in our lives, even different times of the day!
The sages left the definition of intent up to us. Whether minimalist or maximalist, take advantage of God's gift to us, and pray!
Today, focus on a specific moment of your prayer with special intent.
Today's Prayer: Shema Part 2: Commandments and Consequences
What is more holy than prayer and Jerusalem? Join the Holy City Prayer Society and cherish both!
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