Blessings, formal prayers and appropriate dress for prayer Prayer in Judaism Blessings, formal prayers and appropriate dress for prayer

Prayer in Judaism Orthodox Jews pray 3 times a day (morning, afternoon, night (one for each Patriarch) formal prayers include: Shema (“Hear O Israel”) and Amidah (the “standing prayer”) Communal prayer is preferable to private prayer (a minyan)

Attire for Prayer in Judaism (note-taking exercise) Head covering. In most synagogues, it is a sign of respect for male attendees to wear a head covering, either a dress hat or a kippah (skull cap, plural kipot - Yiddish term yarmulke). It is common practice for both Jews and non-Jews who attend a synagogue to wear a head covering. Some Conservative synagogues may also encourage (but rarely require) women to cover their heads. Many Reform and Progressive temples do not require people to cover their heads, although individual worshipers, both men and women, may choose to. Many Orthodox and some conservative men and women wear a head covering throughout their day, even when not attending religious services.

Tallit (prayer shawl) is traditionally worn during all morning services, during Aliyah to the Torah, as well as the service of Yom Kippur. In Orthodox synagogues they are expected to be worn only by men who are halakhically Jewish and in Conservative synagogues they should be worn only by men and women who are halakhically Jewish. In most Orthodox Ashkenazi synagogues they are worn only by men who are or have been married. (tallit katan – a fringed garment worn all the time by Orthodox men, between an undershirt and shirt)

Blessing for wearing tallit

Tefillin - (phylacteries) are a set of small cubic leather boxes painted black, containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah. They are tied to the head and arm with leather straps dyed black, and worn only by Jews, during weekday morning prayers. In Orthodox synagogues they are expected to be worn only by men; in Conservative synagogues they are also worn by some women.

Tefillin How to Put On Tefillin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uezimCF8JDg

Blessing for laying tefillin

Tzenuit - modesty Tzeniut applies to men and women. When attending Orthodox synagogues, women will likely be expected to wear long sleeves (past the elbows), long skirts (past the knees), a high neckline (to the collar bone), and if married, to cover their hair with a wig, scarf, hat or a combination of the above. For men, short pants or sleeveless shirts are generally regarded as inappropriate. In some Conservative and Reform synagogues the dress code may be more lax, but still respectful. What to wear on my hair? - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6bUAtrnHfU

Specific Hasidic and Orthodox styles of clothing Hasidic rebbe with Sabbath coat, payot and schtreimel Hasidic men always cover their heads and generally wear long coats