Session 1: Unpacking prayer
Welcome to Prayer Unpacked!
We are so glad to have you join us on this amazing journey towards self-discovery, connection to the Divine, and most importantly, having your dreams and prayers fulfilled.
In these coming sessions, we will take a deep dive into the what, how, and why of the prayer experience.
Our goal is to empower you to become familiar with the concept, context, and structure of prayer so that prayer becomes something personal and practical.
the first prayer
A number of years ago, a well-known rabbi in Israel received a phone call from an unknown number. On the other end was one of Hollywood’s top producers.
She introduced herself and explained that she had gotten the rabbi’s number through a mutual friend. Her goal? To produce what she believed could be a Hollywood blockbuster: a dramatic, visual retelling of the story of Creation based on the Book of Genesis.
She explained that, just as the stories of the Exodus, Joseph, and Samson had captivated audiences through film, the story of Creation had the potential to move and inspire on a global scale—if told authentically. That’s why she was reaching out to the rabbi.
“I’m looking for a genuine Torah source,” she said. “Someone who can guide me through the real text. I’ll give you full royalties, credit, and exposure. This could launch your name into the global film world.”
The rabbi listened quietly, then asked her a simple question:
“As a producer, how do you envision the moment Adam is created and placed into the world? What does that scene look like in your mind?”
“It would be pristine. Skies bluer than blue, grass greener than green. Gurgling streams. Birds chirping across a breathtaking landscape of hills and mountains. Music—harps, soft winds—it would be the most majestic moment in human history.”
There was a long pause.
Then the rabbi replied gently, “That’s not how it happened.”
She was taken aback. “It’s not? Then what did it look like?”
The rabbi explained, “When Adam was created, he was placed in a barren world. The ground was dry. The trees were bare. There was no grass, no color, no beauty. It was a world waiting to bloom—but it hadn’t yet.”
She was stunned.
“Why would God do that?”
“You said you wanted the authentic story,” the rabbi said.
The producer went quiet. And then, perhaps a little disillusioned, she said, “I guess I’ll try elsewhere.”
In this series
To the best of anyone’s knowledge, that movie was never made.
But the lesson remains.
This world is filled with blessing. So much is ready to unfold. But Hashem holds it back, waiting for us to ask. Waiting for us to pray.
Prayer is not magic. It’s not a last resort. It’s the most natural expression of our humanity—a tool for reaching the Divine, for connecting the physical with the spiritual.
In this series, Prayer Unpacked, we’ll explore the real story of tefillah/prayer. Not just the words, but the why. The mindset. The transformation. We’ll discover how prayer isn’t just about getting what we want—it’s about becoming who we are meant to be.
why do we pray?
Here is perhaps the most fundamental question about prayer.
We all know that the Almighty understands us better than we understand ourselves. So why does He ask us to pray, and even be specific about what we want, when He already knows what’s truly best for us?
Here is something really important to internalize:
Prayer isn’t for Him.
It’s for us.
When we pray, we’re not just listing our needs. We’re forced to reflect: What do I really want? What matters to me? What am I living for?
Prayer is an opportunity for deep self-awareness. It pushes us to look inward, clarify our values, and confront what we’re truly striving for — and maybe what we shouldn’t be striving for.
That’s why we’re supposed to be specific. It’s not about informing God. It’s about understanding ourselves. And when we gain clarity and align ourselves with our purpose, God helps us achieve it.
But there’s another layer: God wants a relationship with us. He wants to be part of our day, our struggles, our joy, our confusion. When something bothers you or excites you, He doesn’t just want to hear about it from your friends or therapist — He wants you to come to Him. That’s the heart of prayer: connection. Not just awe and reverence, but closeness and trust.
I am prayer
In Psalms (109:4), King David says two very powerful words: “Va’ani Tefillah”—”And I am prayer.” King David said those words in very challenging times. He did not say “and I pray,” which would be the natural way of a Jew in despair. Instead, King David said, “ I am prayer.”
In our world, we often define ourselves by what we do:
“I’m a lawyer.”
“I’m in finance.”
“I’m a designer.”
One would assume that in sharing his identity, King David would say, “And I am king of Israel!”
Yet, King David flips the script. In a time of crisis—when others turn on him, when injustice is all around—he doesn’t retreat into ego, or profession, or even leadership.
He says:
“Who am I at my core? I am prayer.”
This isn’t just poetic—it’s transformational.
He becomes tefillah.
Meaning: He is fully aligned with the Almighty.
His emotions, thoughts, and words are channeled into a single direction: connection.
He doesn’t just say a prayer—his entire being is in a posture of prayer.
Reflection question:
When I’m under pressure or feeling misunderstood, how do I usually respond—and what would it look like to respond with groundedness, intention, or inner clarity instead?
Can I create space in my life where I’m not just reacting, but connecting to something deeper?
The Torah describes prayer as “avodah shebalev,” the inner work of the heart. This means that, in essence, prayer is opening your heart and turning to the Almighty with your needs, hopes, and aspirations.
For much of early Jewish history, that’s how prayer looked: heartfelt, unscripted, and expressed in the sacred language of Biblical Hebrew. Throughout the Torah, we see people turning to the Almighty in prayer for real-life needs—children, success in battle, clarity of purpose. They prayed to grow, to overcome, and to serve the Almighty with integrity. Their prayers were personal, bold, and deeply connected.
But as exile spread and Hebrew faded from daily use, Jewish leaders feared that the power of prayer would be lost. In response, the sages of the Second Temple era created a formal structure for prayer that would preserve its essence for all generations.
Their goal wasn’t to limit prayer, but to make it accessible.
With set texts and clear language, everyone—even simple people—could express deep spiritual truths.
At the heart of this system is the Shemoneh Esrei—the Eighteen Blessings, also known as the Amidah. According to Maimonides, it gave every Jew the ability to pray with clarity, purpose, and connection—combining praise, request, and thanks in one powerful prayer.
- Corresponding to our three Patriarchs (each of whom offered a prayer)
- Corresponding to the three daily offerings brought in the Temple
- Just as our bodies need physical nourishment (i.e., breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for a healthy lifestyle, our souls require the spiritual sustenance of Shacharit, Mincha, and Maariv.
On holidays, a fourth prayer called Mussaf (usually recited immediately following Shacharit) is recited. As the sun sets on Yom Kippur day, we add a fifth prayer called Neilah.
We also pray in times of need and distress. The Torah teaches us that in times of national and personal distress, there is a unique obligation to pray for ourselves and for others.
Unpacking Prayer
As we close this first session of Prayer Unpacked, we’ve begun to reframe prayer—not as a ritual obligation, but as a deeply human and transformative experience.
We saw how the very first prayer in history brought the world to life, and how King David’s declaration, “Va’ani tefillah”—“I am prayer”—reminds us that tefillah is not just about asking for things, but about becoming aligned with our highest self.
We explored why prayer matters, what it includes, and when we turn to it—both through structured daily prayers and in moments of personal need.
Above all, we’ve started to uncover how prayer can become a space for clarity, connection, and real inner growth.
1 Ideally Shacharit is from sunrise until 4 halachic hours later. If one was unable to pray during that time one can pray until halachic midday. Use this link to learn more about halachic hours https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zmanim.
2 From half an hour after halachic midday until sunset.
3 As early as sunset through dawn.