Tefilla is an important mitzvah that requires us to get up early and prepare for Shacharit. While it’t might seem simple, there are some practical tips that can make our tefilla experience more pleasurable.
If you’re someone who struggles with keeping a tefilla routine or if you know someone who could use some tefilla tips, here are some practical ideas by Rabbi Samuel Waldman that can help.
Whether you read them now or bookmark them for later is up to you. Either way, hopefully, you find something useful below.
Know the Basics of Tefilla
Rabbi Samuel Waldman has had a diversified profession in religious schooling for the last 10 years. Samuel Waldman has invested a lot of time on composing a very long and comprehensive book. Why Orthodox Jews spend so much time in prayer every day is one of the subjects covered in the book. It also describes what we should accomplish by praying for so long. He also explains the importance of Tefilla.
According to Rabbi Samuel Waldman, most people who observe tefilla will do so during shacharit. However, tefilla is a bit more than just reciting the words of the prayer book. It’s an entire process that includes preparing and focusing the mind, opening the heart, and reciting the words with the right intention. The whole process is called tefilla. When we say tefilla, we are really being b’kedushah. We’re being elevated to a higher state of being. When we say tefilla, we are speaking to God directly. We are opening our hearts to God so that we can receive his malkut and blessings.
Keep Shacharit Timing and Days in Mind
Rabbi Samuel Waldman served as a rabbi and teacher at Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe Elementary School in Queens, NY. He also thought in summer schools over the years, touching the lives of hundreds of students. Rabbi Waldman was formerly associated with Camp Torah Vodaas and Camp Dora Golding as well, delivering his Sefer to imbue Jewish values to his students.
So, this Rabbi shares that Shacharit is a very important part of tefilla. It is considered the most important part of tefilla for the day. It is the time when Hashem unites the worlds, and He does so with our tefilla. Shacharit is also considered a time when the Shechina, the Divine presence, is actually present in the world.
“This means that if you’re struggling with tefilla, you may want to shift your tefilla routine to a later time in the day. Sometimes the right timing can make all the difference. Keep in mind the days of the week when tefilla is most important. Shabbat is when we have a special relationship with God,” says Rabbi Samuel Waldman.
Motzei Shabbat is a special time when we can actually bring the Shechina to our homes through tefilla. This means that you may want to adjust your tefilla routine as well. On Yom Kippur, tefilla is a bit different. This is the time when we ask God to forgive us for our sins and misdeeds. We do this through tefilla.
Have a Comfortable Place to Sit for Tefilla
Rabbi Waldman points out that your tefilla routine should include a comfortable place to sit for shacharit. You could sit on a chair, on a couch, or even on the floor if that is more comfortable. For shacharit, you want to sit up straight. You can also lean slightly forward so that you can look down and see the floor. Rabbi Waldman suggests avoiding sitting in a position that will lead you to sleep.
Have a Good Kippa for Shacharit
The kippa is the most important item in our tefilla routine. The kippa is a sign that we are in God’s presence. It is a sign that we are in the presence of Torah. The kippa is a sign that we are in the presence of prayer. It’s a sign that we are in the presence of our fellow Jews. The quality of your kippa can greatly affect your tefilla experience. If you have a bad kippa, you may be subconsciously saying, “I’m not in God’s presence. I’m not in the presence of Torah. I’m not in the presence of prayer. I’m not in the presence of my fellow Jews.”
Wear Nice Clothing for Tefilla
Wearing nice clothing for shacharit is a mitzvah. This helps us to keep our tefilla ritual clean. Rabbi Waldman indicates that wearing nice clothing is also a great way to elevate your tefilla experience.
Carry Smelling Essences During Tefilla
While you can use the tefilla ritual to help you focus and elevate your mind, you can also use it to focus on something specific.
“When you carry a specific smelling essence throughout tefilla, it can help you focus on the issue,” says Rabbi Waldman, who has been teaching young students how to perform their Tefilla ritual for more than two decades.
For example, if you are having trouble focusing on a relationship and want to focus on it during tefilla, you can use a rose smelling essence. When you are finished with your tefilla experience, you can either throw the smelling essence away or put it in a place where it won’t be easily found. This will help you keep these issues private, as they are meant to be brief.
Speak Out Your Repentance and Hope During Teflla
During tefilla, you can speak out your repentance and hope. You can speak to God and ask him to forgive you for any sins. You can also speak out your hopes and wishes for your life. You can ask God for help with your troubles. You can ask God to help you with your studies. You can ask God for help with your relationships. You can ask God for help with your health. During tefilla, you can also speak out your hopes for the future. You can speak out your hopes for marriage. You can speak out your hopes for children. You can speak out your hopes for your career. You can speak out your hopes for your life.
Try Shifting Focus During Tefilla
During tefilla, you can also try shifting your focus during the process. You can try shifting your focus to your breathing. You can also try shifting your focus to your heart. You can also try shifting your focus to your emotions. During tefilla, you can also try shifting your focus to different parts of the tefilla process. You can try shifting your focus to the shacharit. You can also try shifting your focus to the kavanah. You can also try shifting your focus to the tfilah.
Summing up
Tefilla is an important part of Jewish life. It’s a ritual that helps create a sense of community. It also helps us to focus our minds on what is important in life. However, when we first begin tefilla, it may not come easily. It may take time for our minds to shift away from the mundane and toward the divine. This is okay! It’s natural to struggle with tefilla at first. It’s a new experience that you will likely get better at over time. With the tefilla tips by Rabbi Samuel Waldman, we hope you can move toward a more meaningful tefilla experience! For more articles like this you can visit Rabbi Samuel Waldman’s website Wonders of Creation.