In this session, we will make a few concluding remarks regarding the three blessings of praise which were the subject of the previous two sessions.
Then we will move into the middle section of the Shemoneh Esreh, and focus on the blessings that constitute requests regarding individual spiritual needs and aspirations. We will see if we can find a literary or stylistic characteristic that unites these three blessings (#4, 5, and 6 — Da’at, Teshuva, and Selicha) into a distinct group, and discuss the meanings of the requests of Hashem that derive from this common thread.
(Please note that we have extended this course for three more sessions, to be held at the beginning of the winter zman, in the first three weeks of January, after the winter break.)