Kavvana

by Seth Kadish

The issue of praying with kavvana (meaning or concentration) as opposed to the "rote" recitation of prayers has been central to the discussion of prayer throughout Jewish history. In this exhaustive study of the topic, Rabbi Seth Kadish gathers and analyzes the wealth of rabbinic teachings and academic studies on the topic of "rote versus meaning" in Jewish prayer. By gathering into one volume all of the material on this important subject, he has enabled Jews who search for solutions to the problem of rote prayer to have a comprehensive resource for answers. The concept of kavvana can be explained as directing one's heart, or having conscious intent, in performing a mitzvah (sacred deed). In relation to the mitzvah of prayer, kavvana can more specifically be understood as sincerity or concentration in one's communication with God. In Judaism, praying with renewed intensity at each of the three daily prayer services is complicated by the liturgy, which is standardized. How can Jews appr