What are Judaism's prayer services?

Answer 1

That is not easy to answer. Some prayers (Pesukai deZimrah and Birchos Kerias Shema) are said sitting, and some (Baruch She'amar, Shemoneh Esrei and others) are said standing. Some are recited only by one person (Torah-reading, Chazras HaShatz), some are said by a portion of the people (Birkas Kohanim, Yizkor), and some are said by everyone. Some are said aloud (Shema, Amen, Vezos HaTorah), some are said quietly (Baruch Shem Kevod, Shemonah Esrei) and some are sung (Lecha Dodi, El Adon). Some require a quorum (Kaddish, Barechu). Some are said every day, some weekly, some on Sheni VeChamishi, and some on various occasions.

Browsing through an annotated siddur (such as the Birnbaum prayerbook) should help. Generally, other people in the shul (synagogue) will be gracious and helpful to a newcomer.

Answer 2

Judaism prohibits worship of men or materials (idol worship). There is one God who is not of this world, but Man is created in His image.

Judaism embraces two kinds of relationships within its practice:

1. The relationship between Man and God. 2. The relationship between Man and Man.

All commandments revolve around these two relationships.

Answer:

The previous answer contains true statements, but does not actually answer the question. Jews engage in public prayer and private prayer. Private prayer can be anything, and is usually exactly the same form for Jews as it is for non-Jews.

Public prayer involves ritual and Hebrew liturgy: Traditional Hebrew prayers that are either spoken or sung. In order to engage in public prayer, a group of at least ten is required.

Answer 3

There are multiple ways of answering this question: Jews usually pray three times a day. (Shacharis in the morning. Mincha in the afternoon. Maariv in the evening.) On Rosh chodesh (the beginning of every month), Saturdays, and festivals, Jews daven four times a day (there is an extra prayer called Mussaf). On Yom Kippur, there are five prayers. Ne'ila, the additional prayer, is said between mincha and maariv.

In Shemoneh esrei, which is said in each of the previously listed prayers, has three different types of prayers. The first type of prayer in Shemoneh esrei is recognizing the greatness of G-d. The second set is Bakushos, asking for our needs. The third set is thanking G-D.

Answer 4

Prayer services are part of halakha (Jewish law) and tradition (Talmud, Berakhot 26a); and the Torah records several prayers of our forefathers.
Prayer is an important form of communicating with God; maintaining a relationship with Him; and it is also good for the health of the soul, to which Torah, prayer and religious observance are a form of nourishment. Judaism sees it as centrally important to thank God, to recognize that He is the source of prosperity, and to be close to Him. It therefore follows that the synagogue, which is the place of public worship, would be important.
According to our tradition, we can pray privately when necessary, but communal prayer has a much stronger effect (Talmud, Berakhot 7b-8a). It also strengthens the spiritual level and the bonds within the community.
How do Jews pray?
Jewish prayer-books have a structured order. Prayers are ancient, and often are sung or chanted. Some prayers are said in unison (such as Shir Hakavod), and some are not. Some prayers are said more than once per day (such as the Shema), some once a day (such as Yotzer Ohr), and others are said only on Sabbath, festivals or certain occasions. Some prayers are said aloud (such as Kaddish), some are sung (such as Lekha Dodi) and some are to be whispered (the Amidah). Most of the services are in Hebrew, but a couple of prayers are in Aramaic (such as Brikh Shemei).
While praying, Jews either sit in chairs, or stand, depending on the prayer. There is also some bowing forward (in the Amidah and Aleinu), but Jews today do not kneel except once a year on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).
In between the prayers, Kaddish is said; and the Torah is read on many occasions (over two hundred times a year).
While formal prayer services are held in the synagogue three times each day throughout the year, many other blessings (such as those over meals) are said in the home.

Answer 5

The Jewish prayer-book has a structured order. Prayers are ancient, and often are sung or chanted. Some prayers are said in unison (such as Shir Hakavod), and some are not. Some prayers are said more than once per day (such as the Shema), some once a day (such as Yotzer Ohr), and others are said only on Sabbath, festivals or certain occasions. Some prayers are said aloud (such as Kaddish), some are sung (such as Lekha Dodi) and some are to be whispered (the Amidah). Most of the services are in Hebrew, but a couple of prayers are in Aramaic (such as Brikh Shemei).

While praying, Jews either sit, or stand, depending on the prayer. There is also some bowing forward (in the Amidah and Aleinu), but Jews today do not kneel except once a year on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).
In between the prayers, Kaddish is said; and the Torah is read on many occasions (over two hundred times a year).
While formal prayer services are held in the synagogue three times each day throughout the year, many other blessings (such as those over meals) are said in the home.

The importance of prayer:
Prayer services are part of halakha (Jewish law) and tradition (Talmud, Berakhot 26a); and the Torah records several prayers of our forefathers.
Prayer is an important form of communicating with God, and maintaining a relationship with Him; and it is also good for the health of the soul, to which Torah, prayer and religious observances are a form of nourishment. Judaism sees it as centrally important to thank God, to recognize that He is the source of prosperity, and to be close to Him.
According to our tradition, we can pray privately when necessary, but communal prayer has a much stronger effect (Talmud, Berakhot 7b-8a). It also strengthens the spiritual level and the bonds within the community.

See also:

What is the Jewish prayerbook?

When are synagogue services held?

Answer 6

Synagogue services are held three times a day, every day of the year.Morning services may begin anytime between dawn and around 8 a.m., depending on the needs of the congregation. Some synagogues have more than one morning service for people with different schedule-needs. Weekday morning prayer lasts about 45 to 60 minutes.

Afternoon services and the evening service are often consecutive, beginning around 15-30 minutes before sunset. But some groups hold an early afternoon service, with around 1:00 p.m. being common. The afternoon and evening prayer last about 15-20 minutes each.
Sabbath morning service will commonly begin at 7:30 a.m. or later. This prayer is for about 2-3 hours.

See also:

More about the Jewish prayer services

When are the Jewish festivals

Answer 7

Prayer is one of the main methods of connection to God. In it, we speak to Him, ask for forgiveness, thank Him, and state our individual and communal needs.