Why do Jews pray to God?

Answer 1

Jews pray to thank God for what He created and gave us and show our appreciation. We pray for the well being of others. Please see the related link for a wonderful article explaining why we daven (pray).

Answer 2

Depending on the meaning of your question, there are two answers.

1) The Temple, built by King Solomon (1 Kings ch.6) was where sacrifices were offered to God (Deuteronomy ch.12), and people prayed to Him (1 Kings ch.8). Prayer is a fundamental form of human expression; and praying in the holiest place serves to enhance one's kavanah (concentration and sincerity).

2) Jewish people pray in synagogues; and "temple," for some people, is a term used to refer to where they pray. Some blessings are said in the home, but the added practice of praying together as a community has many effects, including strengthening cohesion and attitudes. Given human nature, one would be liable to leave off praying altogether if one didn't have the impetus provided by doing so as a group.

Answer 3

1) Praying to God is a human instinct.

2) The Torah tells us to "serve God with all your heart" (Deuteronomy 11:13), and our tradition explains that this means to serve God and to pray to him (Talmud, Taanit 2a).

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.

Answer 5

There are a number of answers. One, we acknowledge , thank, and beseech our Creator at the three visible turning-points of the daily cycle: its beginning, its end, and as the sun moves from east to west. Two, the Forefathers, Abraham Isaac and Jacob, according to the tradition instituted the three daily prayers. Three, they are mandated in halakha (Jewish law). Four, they are alluded to in the Psalms (ch. 55) and in a passage in Daniel.

Answer 6

It is a higher level of praise of God than mere speaking (see Rashi commentary, Talmud Berakhot 6a). The singing imbues the prayer with an additional layer of emotion.

Some Jewish prayers are sung or chanted, other prayers are not. 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). See also:

More about Jewish prayer

Answer 7

Prayer is a very ancient tradition. Some prayers are ascribed to Adam (Psalm 139). Abraham prayed (Genesis ch.18), and Jews have done so since then, because of gratitude, because of the desire to seek atonement, and because it demonstrates that we realize that God is control and He knows if something is good for us. See: more about this

Answer 8

Some people worship the gods of their parents because they have never stopped to really consider whether there really are any gods. Many want meaning that they believe is missing in life, and Jews look to God for this meaning. Those who enquire may come to the realisation that there is no God, but religion also provides some people with comfort and a sense of purpose. People do not need to abandon their faiths just because logic and reason say so.

Answer 9

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.
Prayer services are part of halakha (Jewish law) and tradition (Talmud, Berakhot 26a); and the Torah records several prayers of our ancient forefathers.

How do Jews pray?

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.
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.

See also:

What is the Jewish prayerbook?

When are synagogue services held?

What is the purpose of the "eternal light"?

Which way does the Holy Ark face?

Answer 10

Same reason some others would. Jews believe in God, and that to Him we owe everything.