5/1/2025 - THURSDAY EVENING

Topics for today:   .

1)  Yishtabach - the final prayer of P'Sukei D'Zimrah - the Closing Blessing.

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/yishtabach-what-lies-in-prayers-wake/

2) Maftir -  Maftir is the last Torah reading. Before the haftarah is read, the reader of the haftarah is called up to the Torah for a final Aliyah. The last few lines of the weekly reading are reread, and on holidays and special occasions, the maftir is a reading from an additional scroll...section that connects to the theme of the day. 

5/2/2025 - FRIDAY EVENING - SHABBAT BEGINS

Topic for today:

1) Which prayers for we stand for?

I am sure I am gonne come back to this since there will be additions/minhag opinions :

- Amidah: literally the Standing Prayer...the Centerpiece ... however some of the repetition is done sitting (after Kedusha).

- Tefillin + Tallit Blessings...but that maybe because its easier to put them on while standing?  

- B'Chol Yom: reform no, but conservative yes.

- Baruch She-Amar + Yishtabach

- Bar'chu

- first two Shema blessings + Shema - reform yes, conservative no.

- when Torah is being carried from and to bimah...actual chanting of the Torah, Maftir and Haftarah - no

- Hallel 

- Aleinu

- Mourning Kaddish + other Kaddishes: depends :)

- Lecha Dodi

- Priestly Benediction

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/ask-the-expert-standing-in-shul/#:~:text=The%20centerpiece%20of%20any%20Jewish,stand%20during%20the%20standing%20prayer.&text=is%20being%20paraded%20to%20and,end%20of%20the%20Torah%20service.

5/3/2025 - SATURDAY EVENING - WORKING WEEK BEGINS.

Topic for today: 

1)  The Hodu - I will do one exception...I will learn something before I actually practice it...and the reason is because while I was looking for a way to add more thanksgiving to my P'Sukei D'Zimrah it took me a little bit to understand what HODU is in terms of the actual verses.

1 Chronicles 16: 8-36

8-22    Psalm 105: 1-15

23-33  Psalm 96

34-36  Psalm 106:1, 47-48

5/4/2025 - SUNDAY EVENING 

Topic for today: 

1)  Tachanun - "Confessing your sins every day, twice a day, for the rest of your life."

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/tahanun/#:~:text=Tachanun%20(Supplication)%20is%20a%20prayer,after%20the%20prescribed%20prayers%20(Ber.

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/tachanun-engaging-the-mind-body-connection/

5/5/2025 - MONDAY EVENING 

Topic for today: 

1)  Prayer Times: so this is just the beginning of this topic but this is not even a month in and it's getting busy...and I started to ask myself what is the actual flex in terms of the timing of the prayers.

What I knew before diving into this: 

Beginning of Berakhot [first tractate of the first order...it just sounds cool to say it) at the very beginning talks about Shema timing...and pretty much first Shema (evening) should be said before midnight (more of a fence as one can recite through the later night). The second Shema should be around when "man exchanges first words with his wife" or so if I remember right. So pretty much in the morning.

Tefillin - only when its light out...or "if one can recognize a face with the level of light" - a fence originally since nothing in the Torah about nightly prohibition BUT since it's prohibited to fall asleep with the Tefillin on,  it became a law.

Couple of resources to dive in deeper:

https://www.exploringjudaism.org/every-day/prayer/understanding-prayer/the-times-of-day-for-prayer

Zmanim App...I installed one today on my phone. More on this later....I need to understand all the vocabulary.

5/6/2025 - TUESDAY EVENING 

Topic for today: 

1)  Tefillin: today I was wondering how long one needs to wear a Tefillin to fulfill the mitvah. And it so appears that there is no set time. Some people wear it for an hour or longer and some wear it for a few minutes. I found a note [not a law but maybe a minhag in some communities] about wearing Tefillin for at least the time it takes to recite the Shema...I like it and I think I am gonne go with that for the time being. 

5/7/2025 - WEDNESDAY EVENING 

Topic for today: 

1) Havinenu - shorter version of the Amidah for occasions when don't allow for proper time nor concentration. I wanted to understand because this past week has been extremely hectic with family visiting and both time and concentration were in short supply. 

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/havinenu-a-shortened-version-of-the-amidah/

5/8/2025 - THURSDAY EVENING 

Topic for today: 

1) The Short Prayer - it is recited [instead of even the Havinenu] in extreme circumstances / in danger e.g. soldier on the frontline:

"The needs of Thy people are many and they are unable to express their wants.

May it be Thy Will, O Lord our God and God of our fathers, to give each and every one his daily sustenance and to every one whatever he lacks."

5/9/2025 - FRIDAY EVENING - SHABBAT BEGINS. 

Topic for today: 

Good time to start understand Zmanim a little more thus here we go:

1) Alot Hashachar:

"The time when some of the light of the sun begins to be noticeable on the eastern horizon.

Communal fasts (other than Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av) begin at this time. According to Torah law, dawn marks the beginning of the day, and all mitzvahs associated with daytime hours—such as hearing the shofar, shaking the lulav, the recitation of the Shema, or the daytime hearing of the Megillah—can now be done. For various reasons, however, the Sages instituted that the observance of these mitzvahs should be delayed until hanetz hachamah, or, in some cases, until misheyakir."

2) Misheyakir:

"The time when there is enough light so that one can recognize a casual acquaintance from the distance of four cubits. Ideally, this is the earliest time to to say Shema, put on Tallit or Tefillin, and make a blessing on tzitzit."

3) Hanetz Hachamah:

"The moment when the top edge of the sun’s disk comes into view at sea level.

This is ideally the earliest time to say the morning Amidah. When there is a need to pray the Amidah earlier, a rabbinic authority should be consulted. It is also the earliest time for other daytime mitzvahs, such as Shofar and Lulav."

5/10/2025 - SATURDAY EVENING - Working Week Begins.

Topics for today: 

1) Aleinu - so I added Aleinu last week after I learned that it does not require a minyan.

2) We continue with Zmanim:

A) Latest Shema:

Three shaot zmaniot into the day. Latest time of the day to fulfill the biblical requirement to recite the morning Shema. Bedi’eved (if one missed this time), one should still recite Shema with its blessings until chatzot.

B) Latest Amidah:

Four shaot zmaniot into the day—ideally the latest time for Shacharit, the morning prayer. However, if this time was missed, Shacharit may be recited until chatzot. (This is also the last time to eat chametz on Erev Pesach).

C) Chatzot - Midday:

The halfway point between sunrise and sunset, this is the latest time to say Shacharit. Half-day fasts end at this time.

3) Some Zmanim show GRA and MA times. It's all about how the day is calculated.

MA - day starts with the dawn.

GRA - day starts with the sunrise.

5/11/2025 - SUNDAY EVENING.

Topic for today: 

1) More Zmanim:

Minchah Gedolah:

Half an hour after chatzot, this is the earliest time one may recite Minchah, the afternoon prayer.

Minchah Ketanah:

Two and a half proportional hours before the end of the day, this zman has certain ramifications with regard to beginning a meal (especially on Erev Shabbos and Yom Tov). According to some, this begins the ideal time for praying Minchah. In addition, some consider this zman to be relevant to some of the laws of Family Purity.

Plag Haminchah:

One and a quarter proportional hours before the end of the day, plag haminchah is the earliest time one may light Shabbat candles (and Chanukah candles on Erev Shabbat of Chanukah). When in need, one may pray Ma’ariv as early as plag haminchah (though the Shema must be repeated after tzeit). In addition, if one wishes to begin Shabbat early, one may begin it as early as plag haminchah.

5/12/2025 - MONDAY EVENING.

Topic for today: 

1) More Zmanim:

Shkiah  - Sunset:

The moment when the top edge of the sun’s disk disappears from view at sea level. All mitzvahs associated with daytime should be completed by this time. It is also the appropriate time to finish Minchah. If one didn’t pray Minchah before shekiah, one may still do so afterwards.

Tzeit Hakochavim - Nightfall:

The point when 3 medium stars are observable in the night time sky with the naked eye. This time is the beginning of night for all mitzvahs, including the Torahobligation of reading the evening Shema, counting the Omer, the end of fast days (except for Yom Kippur) and matters relating to the laws of Family Purity. It is the preferred time to begin praying Maariv.

Night De'Rabbenu Tam - another way (minority opinion) of sunset calculation.

Chatzot layla - midnight (important for Shema)

Shaa zmanim - proportional hour

Note about Shabbos:

we light candles 18 minutes prior to sunset and Shabbos ends 42 minutes after sunset.

5/13/2025 - TUEDAY EVENING.

Topics for today: 

1) Tzaraat:

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/tzaraat-a-biblical-affliction/

2) Lag-Baomer:

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/lag-baomer/

5/14/2025 WEDNESDAY EVENING

Topic for today: 

1) Aleinu Note:

...so Aleinu is one of the final devotions at the end of the prayer line...it carries a lot strength and that focus on "there is no other." The more I read the English version the more I am starting to think that the regular tune we use for it does not show the full strength of Aleinu. So while I was looking for different versions of Aleinu, I came across the following:

https://soundcloud.com/mishkan-chicago/ein-od

5/15/2025 THURSDAY EVENING

Topic for today: 

1) ...and we introduce Rambam:

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/maimonides-rambam/

5/16/2025 FRIDAY EVENING - SHABBAT STARTS.

Topics for today: 

1) Kabbalat Shabbat:

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/kabbalat-shabbat/

2) Lecha Dodi:

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/lekhah-dodi/

5/17/2025 SATURDAY EVENING - Working Week Begins.

Topic for today: 

1) Time to start digging into Amidah - DAY 1 [reading "To Pray as a Jew"].

- known as: The Prayer, Shemonei Esrei or Amidah of 18 Blessings, Amidah, Silent Prayer

- composed by the Great Assembly 5th Century BCE. Exact order of Blessings was set shortly after the destruction of the 2nd Temple.

- actually has 19 Blessings

- Shabbat and Festival version is known as Tefilat Sheva - the Prayer of 7 Blessings.

- when davening Amidah: keep two feet together (stand at attention as the angels do), face Eretz Yisrael or Jerusalem (when in Israel) or the Temple Mount (when in Jerusalem); should be said quietly to oneself (words must be audible to oneself though).

- before starting, take 3 steps forward and when hearing "Oseh shalom bimromav"take 3 step back + bow three times.

- Prayer cannot be interrupted.

5/18/2025 SUNDAY EVENING.

Topic for today: 

Amidah Day 2:

The Prayer consists of three  sections:

1) Introductory (3) Blessings wherein we praise G-D.

2) Middle section of( 13) Blessings wherein we petition G-D.

3) Closing (3) Blessing wherein we thank G-D and take leave.

1) Introductory Three Blessings:

The First Blessing - Avot (Fathers)...we introduce ourselves and point to our lineage.

The Second Blessing - Gevurot (Powers) ... we extoll G-D's greatness in giving life, restoring life and in supporting life. 

The Third Blessing - Kedushat HaShem (Holiness of God) ... we continue to extoll G-D but focus on His attribute of Holiness.

5/19/2025 MONDAY EVENING.

Topic for today: 

Amidah Day 3:

4-6th Blessings:

4th Binah - Knowledge

5th Teshuva - Repentance

6th Selihah Forgiveness  

5/20/2025 TUESDAY EVENING.

Amidah Day 4:

7th-9th Blessings:

7th Geulah - Redemption

8th Refua - Healing

9th Birkat Hashanim - Economic Prosperity

5/21/2025 WEDNESDAY EVENING.

Amidah Day 5:

10th-12th Blessings:

10th Kibbutz Galuyot - Ingathering of the Dispersed

11th Birkat Hamishpat - Restoration of Justice

12th Birkat Haminim - Destruction of Israel's Enemies

5/22/2025 THURSDAY EVENING.

Amidah Day 6:

13th-15th Blessings:

13th Birkat HaTzadikim - Prayer for the Righteous

14th Birkat Yerushalayim - Restoration of Jerusalem

15th Birkat David - Coming of the Messiah 

5/23/2025 FRIDAY EVENING - SHABBAT BEGINS.

Amidah Day 7:

16th-19th Blessings:

16th Tefilah - Hear Our Prayer.

17th Avodah - Worship.

18th Birkat Hoda'ah - Thanksgiving.

19th Birkat Shalom - Peace.

5/24/2025 SATURDAY EVENING - WORKING WEEK BEGINS.

Amidah Day 8:

The very end of Amidah is a personal supplication.

There are modern versions and theoretically one could create  one's own but the one that made it to the Siddur across the Jewish world is a meditation of Mar, Son of Rabina - 4th century Rabbi.

Interestingly enough, in the Sephardic liturgy there is an additional silent prayer in the middle of the personal supplication.

"May it be Your will, O Lord, our God, and God of our fathers, that no person be jealous of me nor I of others; that I not become angry and that I not anger Thee; save me from the evil inclination, and place humility in my heart...."

5/25/2025 SUNDAY EVENING.

Amidah Day 9:

...so more on the final supplication in the Amidah...first part ending with "frustrate their intentions" is the actual supplication by Mar, Son of Rabina. The second part (or the part after addition of the additional Sephardic prayer) is an additional prayer that was added later. So...what I am saying is that the final piece of Amidah as written in the Siddur, actually has at least 2 different origins/sources. 3 with the Sephardic addition.

5/26/2025 MONDAY EVENING.

Topics for today:

1) Yom Yerushalaim - I do have to admit that I messed up the dates (with Monday being a holiday and all)...and ended up saying Tachanun twice and no Hallel, but I did celebrate the Yom Yerushalaim - late in the day on Monday but still before Tzeit haKohavim.

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/yom-yerushalayim-jerusalem-day/

2) Rosh Hodesh - well...I missed it last time, but not this time :). Sivan starting late on Tuesday. 1 day celebration since prior month 29 days. I gotta admit I really started to like Hallel...looking forward to it.

3) Note on the Omer...found out that the Zmanim apps sometimes say DAY OMER# and sometimes NIGHT OMER#...the NIGHT # is the one to recite after dark.

5/27/2025 TUEDAY EVENING.

Topic for today:

1) Blessing for a New Moon: ...since we have Sivan starting:

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/blessing-the-new-moon/

5/28/2025 WEDNESDAY EVENING.

Topic for today:

Tachanun - so...I gotta say it's becoming one of my favorite prayers...and I looked on my Zmanim App and looks like I am not going to be reciting Tachanun for a while. So what is the story with this Prayer and Shavuot.

Well...the rules are that we don't recite Tachanun from the 1st Day of Sivan thru the day after the Shavuot (8th)...and according to some Poskim, through the 12 day of Sivan...per "To Pray as a JEW." Shavuos is of course a holiday...before we prepare for receiving the Torah (Yemei Hagbala)..and after we celebrate thru sacrifices (or we used to) which makes it a joyous occasion after the holiday itself has passes (Isru Chag). On the 1st, we don't say Tachanun because it's Rosh Hodesh.

5/29/2025 THURSDAY EVENING.

Topic for today:

1) Omittance of Psalm 20: generally speaking when Tachanun is not recited...or at least I am gonna go by this until I find more rules.

5/30/2025 FRIDAY EVENING - SHABBAT BEGINS!

Topic for today:

1) Uva L'Tziyon...or Kedushah D'Sidra:

https://outorah.org/p/65790/

5/31/2025 SATURDAY EVENING - WORKING WEEK BEGINS.

Topic for today:

Since Shavuot is coming up:

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/shavuot-101/

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/prayers-for-shavuot/

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/shavuot-history/