Structure and Meaning of the Saturday Morning Service
With Cantor Mark Levine
Fridays at Noon

The Siddur is a theological “tel”, a building of our peoples ‘concerns and beliefs upon those of previous generations.  It is an encounter with more than 3,000 years of Jewish living and thought, Jewish celebration, and Jewish tragedy.  Join Cantor Levine in unpacking the depth and brilliance of the Shabbat morning service structurally, historically, and theologically. 

Session #1 – March 27
Issues of Prayer               
Structure of the Service
Class Handout.

Session #2 – April 3
Waking Up and Getting Started
Preliminary Service #1
Blessings
Opening Psalms
Baruch She’amar
Class Handout. (If possible, please print out this handout before class).

Session #3 – April 17
Preliminary Service #2
Ashrei
Song of the Sea
Yishtabach
Kaddish
Class Handout. (If possible, please print out this handout before class).

Session #4 –  April 24
Entering Shacharit:
Yishtabach – Finishing our Warm up
Kaddish – the most misunderstood prayer
Barchu – How can we bless G-d?
Yotzeir – God creates evil?
Class Handout (If possible, please print out this handout before class).

Session #5 – (May 1)
First Blessing Preceding the Shema: Creation
A journey in the issue of evil in the world and God’s justice (theodicy)
Renewal and Rejection of Dualism
Angelic Kedushah
Class Handout (If possible, please print out this handout before class).

Session #6 -- (May 8)
Blessings Prior to the Shema
Creation & Primary Relationship
The Angels Pray Too
G-d’s Love = Torah & Mitzvot
Choosing to Be Chosen
Class Handout (If possible, please print out this handout before class).

Session #7 -- (May 15)
Shema – A Personal Relationship with G-d
The Wedding Scene
Love = Commitment
Baruch Sheim – The Whispered Non-Text
“Thou Shalt Love”
Teaching and Living Torah at All Times
Symbols of Relationship and Dedication
Class Handout (If possible, please print out this handout before class).

Session #8 --(May 22)

1. Vayomer (3^rd Paragraph of the Shema)
   A. Religion of the masses
   B. Tzitzit (613)

2. Blessing of Redemption
   A. Past Redemtion
   B. Future Redemption
   C. Personal vs Communal Redemption

3. Amidah Overview
   A. Amidah Etiquette
   B. Structure
   C. Hashem S'fatai
   D. Avot - Blessing #1

Class Handout (If possible, please print out this handout before class).

Session #9 --