Explore every episode of the podcast Rabbi Krasnianski Prayer Class Podcast

0:00 Class 006 Modeh Ani Part 02 - 0:27 We thank G-d for returning to me my soul (not just for giving me life) Why we thank G-d for my Jewish soul specifically? That the very first thing we think about is G-d. - 2:18 What does it mean for a Jew to have life (LeChaim)? - 4:12 The Modeh Ani hints at the resurrection. This enforces our faith and belief in the 13th principle of the Jewish faith, the ultimate resurrection.  - 5:22 What’s the connection between waking up in the morning and the resurrection which is a total renewal? Waking up in the morning allows to experience G-d’s constant renewal of the world, a brand new day. G-d gives us the gift of experiencing the constant renewal of everything, including the physical body. - 12:02 Is G-d obligated to return our soul to us? The Halacha of someone who owes you money and gives you something of value to watch for him. Rational and irrational Mitzvoth. - 21:14 The Modeh Ani contains the idea of something new. Everything is a reflection of something else, is there anything new? Where’s the “I” (the ego) comes from, it feels like no beginning? Where’s the "Ani" i.e. “I” is coming from? 

0:00 Class 005 Modeh Ani Part 01 - 1:14 The first thing a jew does when he/ she wakes up in the morning.- 1:46 In the times of the Talmud they upon wake up they immediately started with the blessing, but we can only say a prayer but not a blessing. - 3:52 Way can we say a prayer but not a blessing upon waking up? - 4:15 Why is Modeh Ani a pryer? we’re not asking for anything, we’re just praising G-d. - 4:38 The Talmud layout the order of prayer: Praise, Petition, and Thanks. - 5:57 Rabbe Saadia Gaoen writes that each of the 3 parts (Praise, Petition, and Thanks) also be considered as a prayer. He brings proof from Chanah’s prayer (in the book of Shemuel). - 7:10 How do you fulfill the Mitzvah of prayer on Shabbat? (we’re not allowed to petition for our personal needs) - 8:36 How will we pray when Mashiach will come? (we will need to petition for anything at that time), yet the Rabbis says the only sacrifice left will be the thanksgiving sacrifice. - 10:07 The Alter Rebbe’s introduction to the first prayer (upon waking up). - 10:29 Modeh Ani - 10:50 The correct way to read the Modeh Ani - 11:21 Handing our souls to G-d, handover a tired soul and we get back a fresh soul. - 12:03 Why there’s a dot between the Modeh Ani and ‘Your faithfulness is great’? Everything is contained in the dot of the Modeh Ani.  - 13:59 What is the meaning of Modeh Ani? (Thanking but also Admitting)  - 16:18 A jew immediately makes a connection between waking up and the reality of G-d. From me to you. From the microcosm to the Macrocosm. - 18:41 The foundation of Judaism is thanking, we are guests in G-d’s word, and we can’t thank him enough. I don’t own anything. - 21:26 Why is the first moment of a Jew is the conscious of thanking G-d? Why we say the Modeh Ani even without G-d’s name? - 23:52 Explaining the deeper meaning of what the ‘Modeh Ani’ is about. The Halachic differentiation between a Mitzvah and a sin. If a Jew does a sin without intention it is not considered a valuation, but a Mitzvah without intention is considered a fulfilled Mitzvah (examples: stepping on the grass on Shabbat, leading a moseyed animal through a shortcut, forcing the Kohen to divorce)

Taught by Rabbi Krasnianski 00:34 Why we pray at Shul (synagogue)? What’s special about the Synagogue? What makes a physical location holy? Why is it important to pray at the Synagogue? - 2:34 What’s the definition of Holiness? - 5:26 Why the Jews “Shake and Shakel” (move back-and-forth) when we pray? - 5:58 The soul of a person is compared to the flame of a candle. - 7:57 The Baal-Shem-Tov explains Jewish praying as the act of intimacy, it expresses physically.- 10:01 In Judaism the action is the most important thing, just like in marriage. - 10:45 Why we have to speak the words when praying, G-d can’t read our thoughts? Why is it important to move our lips while praying?- 11:53 Prayer is the substitute for the sacrifices. Where is the animal within you? How do you turn the animal within you to do good?- 17:50 Is it better to pray in Hebrew or in your language?- 18:02 The advantage of praying in a language you understand.- 20:04 The advantage of praying in Hebrew. - 22:89 Is prayer self-serving? How is it service of G-d if I ask for my needs? What about faith, isn’t G-d knows what he is doing? Don’t you have confidence in G-d? - 25:55 The position of the “Enlightened ones” vs. Judaism - 27:55 The absolute truth of G-d, why are we storming heaven and earth? What’s wrong with the current picture? Essence to essence. - 34:11 How do you prepare for praying? Tzedaka (giving to charity). Studying the secret of the Torah about the greatness of G-d. Going to the Mikvah to purify.- 38:28 The Rambam (Maimonides) discusses the laws of the convert in relation to the Mikvah. - 40:23 Why Chasidim goes to the Mikvah every day before praying? More Classes And Podcasts At MyPrayerClass.com

Taught by Rabbi Krasnianski 00:51 10 questions in the context of Prayer: 1) What does the word Tefilah or “Davening” (i.e. Prayer) mean? 2) Why when we pray we physically facing Jerusalem? 3) Why we need “A Minyan” (10 men)? 4) Why we pray at Shul (synagogue)? 5) Why the Jews “Shake and Shakel” move back-and-forth when we pray? 6) Why we have to speak the words when praying, G-d can’t read our thoughts? 7) Isn’t prayer a contradiction to faith? 8) Isn’t prayer selfies, I’m asking for my needs? 9) What is the best way to pray, in Hebrew, or in your own language? 10) What the preparation for prayer? - 4:29 The Baal-Shem-Tov explains the meaning of the passage “And the Lord said to Noah “Enter to the Ark” (Genesis 7:1), meaning “Enter into the words of prayers”. - 6:38 What does the word Tefilah or “Davening” (i.e. Prayer) means? - 6:44 The root of the word “Davening” (to pray) one source it comes from “interaction with the divine” another says it comes from the words forefathers, “Da Havohem” - 8:04 The root of the word Tefilah (Prayer) comes from the root word “to connect”. The essence of prayer is to connect. Bringing the subconscious to conscious. - 12:20 Why when we pray we physically facing Jerusalem? All prayers go through Jerusalem. - 13:45 Why Jerusalem is referred to in the Torah as “(G-d says:) The place that I will choose”? - 15:02 Why we need “A Minyan” (10 men)? What’s the source for the ten men (“A Minyan”) requirement. - 17:41 G-d doesn’t reject the prayer of the congregation. Why it’s not the same when praying alone? - 19:02 Why the congregation is called “Tzibur”. What is the meaning of this word and how it helps us with our prayers? - 24:27 The concept of a “Minyan” is for ten men, the source of the “Minyan”. But why is it just for men? The soul of pryers. - 25:48 The paradox of the “Silent-prayer” the “Amida”, is it personal or a congregational prayer? The congregation doesn’t nullify the individual. - 28:13 What’s unique about the concept of a “Minyan”? More Classes And Podcasts At https://MyPrayerClass.com

Taught by Rabbi Krasnianski 0:27 What essential Mitzvot fulfilled during prayers? Where do we fulfill the Mitzvah to Love G-d? To Unify G-d? To believe in g-d? To Know G-d?. - 1:52 Are we Biblically obligated to pray every day? The classic argument between Rambam and Ramban. Are prayers like an organ or like the spine?. - 6:47 Jacob’s ladder, the image of prayers. Why we find that in Jacob’s dream the Angels first went up and then came down? (Angels are from heaven they should come down first). Who delivers our prayers? - 7:56 The four levels of prayers are symbolized by the four runged in Jacob’s ladder. The first level: Petitioning. How do we know what we need? - 11:26 The second level: To judge. Self-evaluation. How can prayers help? - 14:10 The third level: Hard work (Avodah). To shape and mold and to change. Overcome selfishness. Learn how to love. Something has to give for the fire to burn. - 20:14 The fourth level: Connection. Becoming intimate with G-d. - 22:19 The Kuzari compares prayers to the act of eating. 23:07 Praying is the Jews profession. - 31:59 When was the first Siddur (prayer-book) written? - 35:20 Prayer is a generator that brings everything else to life.More Classes And Podcasts At https://MyPrayerClass.com

Taught by Rabbi Krasnianski5:18 The Prayer Book captures the Jewish heart. - 5:55 Where do we learn the mitzvah of praying? The service of the heart. - 6:33 Why is praying so central? And why is this called The-Service of G-d? Does G-d Need our service? - 14:39 Maimonides (RAMBAM) says that prayer without intent is not even a prayer (not even a body without a soul). The two-levels of intent during prayer. - 18:29 What were prayers like in the first 1,000 years of Judaism after the exudes from Egypt? When were prayers formulated and why? - 21:57 Why we pray? Why three times a day? Why the prayers are lengthy? The Talmud gives two explanations for it. More Classes And Podcasts At MyPrayerClass.com