Unpacking Tefilah

What is prayer, really? Explore three Jewish answers to this ancient question—from cosmic connection to inner transformation. Through Sephardic, Ashkenazi, and Chassidic lenses, reveal how prayer becomes a source for mystical ascent, personal growth, and a battle between the body and soul.

Essential Questions:

1. What does Jewish prayer reveal about how Jews understand God, the self, and the universe?
2. What does it mean to do the “work of the heart” in prayer, and how might that work look different depending on one’s tradition or spiritual goals?
3. How do Sephardic, Ashkenazi, and Chassidic traditions differ in their approach to prayer?

Big Ideas:

1. Prayer is more than words—it is spiritual work that shapes who we are.
2. Different Jewish communities embody unique spiritual philosophies through their styles of prayer.
3. Despite their differences, all forms of Jewish prayer aim to connect the individual to something greater—God, community, or purpose.