Analyzes the context and content of the 13 Middot and reflects on the placement of Yom Kippur in the cycle of the Jewish calendar.

Drisha: Examining the High Holiday Prayers

13 Middot

Explores the tefilla of Neilah and its role as the culmination of the Yom Kippur service.

Neilah

Explores the structure and themes of the avodah service, and its vivid description of the sacrificial ritual in the Bet Hamikdash

Avodah of Yom Kippur

Explores the Torah and Haftarah readings of Yom Kippur

Torah Reading of Yom Kippur

Explores the structure of the Yom Kippur mussaf.

Structure of Yom Kippur Mussaf

Explores the power of the individual to engage in self-transformation.

Understanding Kol Nidrei

Discusses the narratives of Genesis chapters 21 and 22, and explores the idea of God intervening in human affairs.

Kriat haTorah of Rosh HaShanah

Two different aspects of shofar are explored; the joy that accompanies proclaiming God as king and the hesitations and doubts that are an inherent part of being judged.

The Duality of the Shofar

Discusses the blessing of Shofarot and the symbolism and transformation of the shofar as it moves from the past to the present and future.

Revelation and Transformation

Discusses the second part of the blessing of Zichronot with covenant as its dominant theme. In this section, the account of the binding of Isaac is presented as the moment of discovery of sacred space and the climax of God's creative activity.

Providence and Covenant: Remembering the Binding of Isaac

Discusses the first part of the blessing of Zichronot and explores the motif of God as judge who engages in both collective and individual judgment of all created beings.

Judgment and Accountability

Explores the blessing of Malchuyot and its connection to the nature of Rosh Hashanah as a day designated for God.

Rosh Hashanah and the Coronation of God

The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy in the story of the Golden Calf and in the story of the spies, as contexts to understand the nature of selichot.

El Erech Apayim--the Long Suffering God and El Melech Yoshev Al Kisei Rachamim--God Who Sits on a Throne of Mercy

The structure of selichot and the Ashkenazi practice of starting selichot on a Saturday night--BeMotza'ei Menucha

Lishmoa El HaRina VeEl HaTefilla--Supplication and Prayer

Enjoy brief podcasts in which Rabbi David Silber teaches about core themes of the tefillot of the Yamim Noraim. Visit our website for more information: www.drisha.org

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Drisha: Examining the High Holiday Prayers

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