All Jewish worship services follow a certain order. The outline of the service follows:
Opening Prayers
The opening prayers include introductory songs, blessings, and meditations.
Barchu (Call to Prayer)
This section deals with themes of creation, revelation, and redemption.
The Sh’ma and Its Blessing
The Sh’ma itself expresses the central creed of the Jewish faith: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.”
The Amidah “The Great Prayer”
The Amidah, or the “standing prayer,” is actually a series of prayers. During this section we acknowledge our place in the long line of Jewish tradition, and acknowledge God’s sovereignty in life and death. We also praise God as we seek to sanctify our own lives, and we pray for peace. The Amidah ends with several moments of silent prayer and meditation.
The Torah Service
This section of the service pays special homage to the Torah. The Ark is opened and the Torah is removed and marched around the sanctuary before it is read. Congregants may walk to the aisles to touch their tallit or prayer books to the outer covering of the scroll as a sign of respect. If it is too far away, another custom is to bow one’s head before it. One interpretation of this act is to recreate, in our own modern way, the acceptance of the eternal covenant between God and Israel established at Mount Sinai.
Sammy will read a D’Var Torah he has written. This is an interpretation and teaching based on the week’s Torah or Haftarah segment.
Sammy will then chant his Torah portion. Before and after each portion is chanted, honored guests will be called for an Aliyah. They will recite special blessings praising God for the gift of the Torah. Sammy will be the final person to recite the blessings over the Torah, having now been called to read from the Torah for the first time as a Jewish adult.
The Mi Shebayrach is a prayer given to the Bat Mitzvah for health and happiness and then to the whole congregation for physical and spiritual healing.
Following this, Sammy will read his Haftarah. The Haftarah (which means “selection”) is a portion from the Books of the Prophets.
Closing Prayers
The final prayers are Aleynu (prayer of adoration), Mourner’s Kaddish (prayer on behalf of loved ones who have died) and final songs.
Opening Prayers
The opening prayers include introductory songs, blessings, and meditations.
Barchu (Call to Prayer)
This section deals with themes of creation, revelation, and redemption.
The Sh’ma and Its Blessing
The Sh’ma itself expresses the central creed of the Jewish faith: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.”
The Amidah “The Great Prayer”
The Amidah, or the “standing prayer,” is actually a series of prayers. During this section we acknowledge our place in the long line of Jewish tradition, and acknowledge God’s sovereignty in life and death. We also praise God as we seek to sanctify our own lives, and we pray for peace. The Amidah ends with several moments of silent prayer and meditation.
The Torah Service
This section of the service pays special homage to the Torah. The Ark is opened and the Torah is removed and marched around the sanctuary before it is read. Congregants may walk to the aisles to touch their tallit or prayer books to the outer covering of the scroll as a sign of respect. If it is too far away, another custom is to bow one’s head before it. One interpretation of this act is to recreate, in our own modern way, the acceptance of the eternal covenant between God and Israel established at Mount Sinai.
Sammy will read a D’Var Torah he has written. This is an interpretation and teaching based on the week’s Torah or Haftarah segment.
Sammy will then chant his Torah portion. Before and after each portion is chanted, honored guests will be called for an Aliyah. They will recite special blessings praising God for the gift of the Torah. Sammy will be the final person to recite the blessings over the Torah, having now been called to read from the Torah for the first time as a Jewish adult.
The Mi Shebayrach is a prayer given to the Bat Mitzvah for health and happiness and then to the whole congregation for physical and spiritual healing.
Following this, Sammy will read his Haftarah. The Haftarah (which means “selection”) is a portion from the Books of the Prophets.
Closing Prayers
The final prayers are Aleynu (prayer of adoration), Mourner’s Kaddish (prayer on behalf of loved ones who have died) and final songs.