On Blessings: From Judaism – The Talmud, Part 1 of 2

An important concept in the Treatise on Blessings is the Shema prayer which starts with Deuteronomy 6:4-5 “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. You shall love your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

Chapter 4 “The morning prayer may be said till noon. Rabbi Judah says ‘until the fourth hour.’ The afternoon prayer until the evening. Rabbi Judah says ‘until half the afternoon.’ The evening prayer has no limit, and the additional prayers may be said all day. Rabbi Judah says ‘until the seventh hour.’

Rabbi Nechooniah, son of Hakanah, used to pray when he entered the lecture-room, and when he went out he said a short prayer. The (Sages) said to him, ‘what occasion is there for this prayer?’ He said to them, ‘when I enter I pray that no cause of offence may arise through me; and when I go out I give thanks for my lot.’ […]

Rabbi Eleazar said, ‘if one make his prayer fixed, his prayer is not supplications.’ Rabbi Joshua said, ‘if a man travels in dangerous places, let him use this short prayer: “Save, O Lord, thy people, the remnant of Israel; at every stage of their journey let their wants be before thee. Blessed are thou, O Lord, who hears prayers.”’ […] If one be seated in a ship, or in a carriage, or on a raft, he must direct his mind towards the Holy of Holies. […]”

Chapter 5 “Men should not stand up to pray, except with reverential head. The pious of ancient days used to pause one hour before they began to pray, that they might direct their hearts to God. Though the king salutes, one must not respond; and though a serpent winds itself around his heel, one must not pause. […]”