The Netivot Israel Class on Tefilah

In this class we take a deep dive into the history of the Passover Haggadah by exploring the development of the Seder and the research that unraveled the complex development of the text. This class was delivered on March 27th, 2023 at the Netivot Israel Congregation, in Brooklyn, New York.

To view the slides: https://1drv.ms/f/s!AhrNJHCipcpjg6xB_e5hnC7f9Yyl8g?e=znWTzr

In this shiur we study the history of Nishmat Kol Chai and how it became a part of the Haggadah Shel Pesach.

In this class we begin a lengthy study of the Amidah, most commonly referred to as Shemoneh Esrei. Being that this is the core prayer of Jewish liturgy, we introduce both the history and the scholarship that investigates the history of this essential Tefillah.

In this class we study the earliest examples of poetry for Purim and their effect on later Piyyut and parody.

In this shiur we study the development of the second half of Emet V'Yatziv, popularly referred to as Ezrat Avoteinu.

In this shiur we explore the Tefilah of Emet V'Yatziv. We look at how this prayer illustrates the earliest form of communal worship and synagogue prayer.

In this shiur we discuss the 3 words customarily recited before Keriat Shema, by studying the history and the Halachic background. Note: I failed to explain one slide, which was a Gemara that explains that Amen stands for El Melech Ne'eman.

In this shiur we explore the form, content, and message of the second Beracha of Keriat Shema. We look at it's history and development, while noticing its characteristics of a Birchat HaTorah.

In this class we study the content of the Yotzer Beracha, and unravel its origins in the early era of Piyyut.

In this class we discuss the middle section of the Yotzer Beracha, known as the Kedusha of Yotzer. We speak about its ancient origins and compare it with the rest of the data we have about Kedusha in general.

In this class we introduce the Beracha of Yotzer Ohr with a broader discussion about the Berachot of Keriat Shema, studying their purpose and evolution throughout the ages.

In this class we explore the Kaddish and Barechu section of the morning prayer. We search for early evidence of this doxology and we analyze various theories regarding its evolution.

In this class we discuss the closing blessing of the Pesukei d'Zimra: Yishtabach. We try to unravel it's origins by comparing it to other similar blessings.

In this class we study the development of the Pesukei d'Zimra in the Modern Era, and we also discern which additions or innovations are truly Modern.

In this class we try to unravel the origins of medieval additions to the core 6 Psalms of the Pesukei d'Zimra.

In this class we search for the early history of Baruch She'Amar to try and discover when, why, and how it was composed; and then we study a bit of its evolution.

In this class we explore the early history of Pesukei d’Zimra, from ancient times until the middle ages. Correction: R' Yose was a Tanna of the 2nd century, not the 3rd.

In this class we study the long history of the word Amen, and how this response developed into an integral part of Jewish liturgy.

In this class we survey the history of the custom of saying the Mourner's Kaddish and its development throughout the ages. We use this to introduce the Halachic discussion of whether women can say Kaddish. Spoiler alert: Yes, yes they can.

In this class we study the complex history of the Mourner's Kaddish (Kaddish Yatom) and we explore how the Kaddish became associated with burial, death, the deceased and mourners.

In this class we study the ancient history of Kaddish, and we explore the earliest sources for this doxology as well as its development up until the Middle Ages.

In this class we continue studying the Korbanot section of the Siddur, with a focus on the later additions to the section and their nebulous medieval origins.

In this class we introduce the section of the liturgy that contains recitations of passages related to Korbanot. We study why and how this practice of recitation began, the motivations behind it and the evolution of it as a ritual.

In this shiur we discuss the Beracha within the Le'Olam prayer "HaMekadesh Et Shimo Berabim". We look out how it evolved into a Beracha used to die "Al Kiddush Hashem" i.e. for the sake of martyrdom.

In this class we discuss the custom of saying the Torah portion of the Akeidat Yitzchak (the binding of Isaac) before Shacharit. We also discuss the prayer said before and after the portion, which is sourced from the Rosh Hashana prayers.

In this class we explore the origins of the Selichot prayers, and we trace the enormously complex layers of development that brought the modern collections into existence.

In this class we examine the many (optional) morning additions that appeared in the Siddurim of the Modern era, such as Adon Olam and Yigdal. We trace some to medieval times and others to more recent developments.

In this class we explore the long history of Birchas HaTorah, from the Biblical times until today.

In this class we look at the final blessing of the morning blessings, Hamaavir Sheina. We examine its early history from the first source in Talmud Bavli, and we see parallel prayers that may have competed for its place. We also examine the relevant Yehi Ratzon formulas.

In this class we study the most controversial and complex of the Berachot of the "Birchot HaShachar". These 3 negative-tense blessings have a long history worthy of much exploration and thought.

For more advanced students, I would recommend beginning your research with Joseph Tabory's article "The Blessings of Self-Identity" in Kenishta v. 1 (English, Bar Ilan University Press). It's available on the Kotar website.

In this class we take a unique look at the Kinah as a genre, rather than as a survey of the texts. I offer some periodization for the development of the Kinah as it relates to Tisha B'Av.

In this shiur we learn about the morning blessings recited over the activities one performs upon awaking, as prescribed in the Talmud Berachot 60b. We study the history and background, touch upon the homiletics, and discuss some Halachic matters.

In this shiur we study the Beracha of Asher Yatzar from the time of the Gemara (Late Antiquity) until modern times. We look at its textual development, theology, and Halachic development throughout Jewish history.

In this shiur we introduce the topic of the Birchot HaShachar, the Morning Blessings. We learn about the first source for this practice, and discuss how Netilat Yadayim shaped the way we find the blessings fixed and ordered in our Siddur.

In this class we study the history of the Beracha as a liturgical formula and liturgical unit. We examine how the Beracha became the de facto liturgical formula for the Rabbanim and the various stages of its development.

In this class we study the development of the Seder HaTefilah (Liturgy) into a fixed form, and how that liturgy was eventually canonized. We then discuss its evolution into the codex that we call the Siddur, and finally its entry into the world of print.

This class is the first in a series exploring Tefilah (Jewish Liturgy). I provide an advanced introduction for students and scholars interested in beginning their studies in this field.