Baal Shem Tov: Prayer & Preparation
The Ba’al Shem Tov taught his students to pray from the simplest of intentions to the deepest secrets of the Kabbalah. He knew what each person needed to perfect his prayer and knew how to guide them. Whether the simplest person or the greatest sage, he was given the insight to give each Jew what he needed to continue growing along this most important activity of a Jew. Join Rabbi Avraham Shira as he explores this on the level of prayer & preparation.
Baal Shem Tov: Prayer & Preparation: Lesson
Shalom and welcome to a new zman at Webyeshiva. We begin tonight our exploration of the approach of the Baal Shem Tov and his approach to Prayer. The Master of the Good Name, as he is called, was the founder of the Chassidic movement, a new era in Jewish practice and understanding of the Torah and the Service of God. Tonight we will begin with a section from Sefer Baal Shem Tov on the necessary preparations for Prayer. Preparation itself is something easily overlooked, but is essential for a person to pray with all the potential within us. The class will follow the sefer but we will include excerpts from my new book entitled “The Path of Personal Prophecy,” which uses a classic metaphor of preparation and execution of prayer I call, An Interview with the King. The difference between one who prepares properly for prayer, and one who does not cannot be overstated. The results are in the highest places of Heaven, as the Talmud teaches is prayer. Look forward to seeing all of you tonight. Avraham Shira
Rabbi Avraham Shira received smicha from Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli, Rosh Yeshivat HaMekubalim, Nahar Shalom, in Jerusalem. He has been a student and teacher in the Yeshiva since 1993. Since 1996 he has taught for twelve years at the Berot Bat Ayin Seminary, specializing in Likutei Moharan, and conducting workshops in meditation, and spiritual creative writing. He has also received a Masters Degree in Clinical Sociology & Family Therapy from the University of North Texas, Neve Yerushalayim Campus. Rabbi Shira has published a novel and translates a newsletter for Nahar Shalom. He lives with his wife, Elisheva and their five children in Bat Ayin, Gush Etzion.