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Talmudic Prayer

Source Sheet

Berakhot 6a:

It has been taught: Abba Benjamin says: A man's prayer is heard [by God] only in

the Synagogue. For it is said: To hearken unto the song and to the prayer.8

Theprayer is to be recited where there is song.9 Rabin b. R. Adda says in the name of R.

Isaac: How do you know that the Holy One, blessed be He, is to be found in the

Synagogue? For it is said: God standeth in the congregation of God.10 And how do

you know that if ten people pray together the Divine presence is with them? For it is

said: 'God standeth in the congregation of God'

Berakhot 6b:

R. Johanan says: Whenever the Holy One, blessed be He, comes into a Synagogue

and does not find ten persons there,4 He becomes angry at once.5 For it is said:

Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? When I called, was there no answer?6

Berakhot 8a:

What is the meaning of the verse: But as for me, let my prayer be made unto Thee,

O Lord, in an acceptable time?1 When is the time acceptable? When the

congregation prays. R. Jose b. R. Hanina says: [You learn it] from here: Thus saith theLord, In an acceptable time have I answered thee.2 R. Aha son of R. Hanina says:

[You learn it] from here: Behold, God despiseth not the mighty.3 And it is further

written: He hath redeemed my soul in peace so that none came nigh me; for they

were many with me.4 It has been taught also to the same effect; R. Nathan says: How

do we know that the Holy One, blessed be He, does not despise the prayer of the

congregation? For it is said: 'Behold, God despiseth not the mighty'. And it is further

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written: 'He hath redeemed my soul in peace so that none came nigh me, etc.'. The

Holy One, blessed be He, says: If a man occupies himself with the study of the Torah

and with works of charity and prays with the congregation, I account it to him as if

he had redeemed Me and My children from among the nations of the world.

Berakhot 28b:

R. Johanan has laid down, that it is forbidden for a man to say his Tefillah before the

congregation says it? He said to him: Has it not been said in regard to this: This

refers to when he is with the congregation?

Berakhot 29b:

R. ELIEZER SAYS: HE WHO MAKES HIS PRAYER A FIXED TASK etc. What is meant

by a FIXED TASK? R. Jacob b. Idi said in the name of R. Oshaiah: Anyone whose

prayer is like a heavy burden on him. The Rabbis say: Whoever does not say it in the

manner of supplication.7 Rabbah and R. Joseph both say: Whoever is not able to

insert something fresh in it.8 R. Zera said: I can insert something fresh, but I am

afraid to do so for fear I should become confused.9

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Berakhot 32b:

R. Hama son of R. Hanina said: If a man sees that he prays and is not answered, he

should pray again, as it says, Wait for the Lord, be strong and let thy heart takecourage; yea, wait thou for the Lord.15

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