The Siddur on a deeper level
In this 7-part information packed series, Rav Berkovits explains the entire weekday siddur. Turn your morning prayers into a more moving and richer learning experience.
Part 1
Hear the background of the prayers and their connection to the korbonos in the Beis Hamikdash and how Hashem manifests Himself as a king in your daily life.
Part 2
Continuing Pesukei D'Zimrah, Rav Berkovits explains how to live in olam hazeh with the goals of olam habah. By looking into Mizmor L'Sodah we can understand how to properly say thank you to Hashem.
Part 3
From tehillim that we say in Pesukei D'Zimrah, Rav Berkovits learns out how every breath we take is a Mitzvah Aseh (positive commandment). Bringing an understanding of the purpose of creation and our purpose within it.
Part 4
Discussing the brachos of krias Shema, Rav Berkovits details the importance of remembering yetzias Mitzrayim (the exodus from Egypt) and explains how true greatness is measured. He moves onto how the first 3 brachos of Shemonah Esrei can help us realize who we are davening to.
Part 5
Rav Berkovitz goes into the meaning behind the Shemonah Esrei, specifically the first four brachos. What should a person do to acquire wisdom? Is just asking for it enough?
Part 6
Rav Berkovits continues expounding the amida. The opening blessings of our primary tefillah contains so many fundamental concepts including our relationship to the forefathers, our need for God's salvation, the role of the revival of the dead and the nature of the ideal teshuva.
Part 7
In the final lecture, Rav Berkovits explores the meaning of the latter half of Shmoneh Esrei. Why does it seem so structured and not heart-based? We finish with Tachanun and Aleinu and how to conclude prayer in a meaningful fashion.