Episode 36: The Poetry of Prayer with Rabbi Reuven Kimelman
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The Poetry of Prayer
We are thrilled to bring you this interview with renowned liturgist Rabbi Reuven Kimelman. Rabbi Kimelman is an expert in the themes, structure, and poetics of the Jewish prayerbook, and shares enough wisdom to blow Eliana’s mind multiple times. Topics include t’fillah as an aural experience, the multi-mystical levels of Lecha Dodi, the power and point of the mourner’s kaddish, and so much more.
Announcing the Deep Dive: Shema! Join us for six gatherings over three weeks diving into the three units of this central piece of liturgy with our heads and our hearts. Taught by Rabbi Reuven Kimelman and Light Lab founder Eliana Light.
Join our new Facebook group to discuss all things T’fillah and T’fillah education here!
Register for the Deep Dive: Shema series here!
(0:55) Learn more about Rabbi Reuven Kimmelman here.
(6:13) Learn more about Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel here.
(7:39) Lehitpalel – להתפלל – to pray.
(8:09) Ahava Raba – אהבה רבה – Click to find the text of the prayer.
Ahavat Olam – אהבת עולם – Click to find the text of the prayer.
Shema – שמע – Click to find the text of the prayer.
(10:29) You can find שנה בשנה – Shana B’Shana – a publication by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel – here.
(11:11) You can find the sections of Shacharit being quoted here.
(12:20) Davka – דווקא – exactly
(14:56) Kol Nidrei – כל נדרי – Click to learn more.
(17:36) Adon Olam – אדון עולם – Click to find the text of the prayer.
(21:32) Elohai neshama – אלהי נשמה – Click to find the text of the prayer.
(22:56) Adonai melech – אדוני מלך – Click to find the text of the prayer.
(23:38) Kaddish – קדיש – Click to find the text of the prayer.
(24:26) Yishtabach – Barchu – Click to find the text of the prayers.
(26:28) Saddiah Gaon – Click to learn more about this commentator.
(29:04) Shaliach tzibbur – שליח ציבור – prayer leader.
(30:31) Shiva – Click to learn more.
(33:43) Lecha dodi – לכה דודי – Click to find the text of the prayer.
(35:40) Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz – Click to learn more about the commenter.
(36:45) Shabbat 119b – Click to find the full text he references.
(38:44) The Ramak – Click to learn more about the commentator.
(40:19) Kabbalah – קבלה – Click to learn more.
(40:36) Shechina – שכינה – Click to learn more.
(41:09) Bedeken ceremony – בדיקין – Click to learn more.
(42:07) Yichud – יחוד – Click to learn more.
(44:47) Mefarshim – מחרשים – commentators.
(49:02) Nigunim – ניגונים – Click to learn more.
(54:12) Shulchan Aruch – שולחן ארוך – Click to learn more.
(55:04) Hana’ah הנעה vs sheva שבע- sensual experience vs praise
(55:23) Genesis 3:8
(55:56) Click to learn more about Birkot Hashachar ברכות השחר
(57:14) Click to learn more about Asher yatzar אשר יצר
(57:35) Click to learn more about Elohai neshama אלהי נשמה