Praying On Purpose
Short motivational messages and insights by Rabbi Larry Rothwachs. Brief Torah messages, delivered 3x a week, designed to inspire increased thought and enhanced awareness of the prayers that we recite, focusing on the “why,” the “how” and the “what” of daily prayer. This initiative is dedicated as zchus for a refuah sheleima for אילנה חנה בת גילה בריינלע
Episodes
104 episodes
Wartime Prayers
During times of war, each and every one of us must go to battle. Prayer is one of the many powerful weapons in our arsenal.
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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13:04
Seize the Moment
Learning to share our most powerful emotions with Hashem can greatly enhance our connection and moments of formal prayer.
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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12:59
Sound Barrier
The custom of blowing the shofar throughout the month of Elul is designed to prepare us for the month of Tishrei, although not necessarily in the way we assume.
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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14:23
Help Yourself
This is a time of year during which we seek divine assistance in many different areas. Perhaps more importantly though, we must remember to show up and claim the blessings that come our way.
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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13:32
The Only Thing to Fear
Our Elul and Tishrei prayers include a special daily reminder that, in life, the only thing to fear is fear itself.
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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12:45
Ascend the Throne
The month of Elul is a time period marked with distinction - and not merely because it precedes the month of Tishrei. Its special quality provides us with a unique focus for prayer.
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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13:06
Making the First Move
The month of Elul invites us to demonstrate initiative in our quest to reconnect with Hashem - and prayer provides us with the perfect opportunities to do so.
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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12:34
Then and Now
The period of the three weeks offers us a unique opportunity to bridge the past with the present.
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Season 2
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Episode 47
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11:37
Look Up
Looking up and reminding ourselves to whom we should always direct our hopes and prayers is the greatest segulah in the world.
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Season 2
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Episode 46
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11:58
Pause for Thought
The birchos hashachar, recited every morning, serve as 15 unique prompts, directing our minds and hearts to heightened awareness.
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Season 2
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Episode 45
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13:11
Food Services: Eating Before Davening Part 1
Every morning, we must tend to both our physical and spiritual needs. All things being equal, one should precede the other.
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Season 2
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Episode 44
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12:42
Mirror Image
Prayer and prophecy are two sides of the same coin. By taking a closer look at Moshe Rabbienu’s prophetic power, we can gain insight and direction as to how we can most effectively engage in prayer.
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Season 2
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Episode 43
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12:37
First Things First
Upon awakening in the morning, our primary focus should be to ready ourselves for davening. Today we begin a discussion of some of the activities we may and may not do before davening.
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Season 2
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Episode 42
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11:26
Learn by Heart
The day after Shavuos is the perfect time to remind ourselves that daily prayer is one of the most essential ingredients for success in Torah study.
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Season 2
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Episode 41
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11:03
Always On
Birchas HaTorah is only recited once a day, regardless of how many times one actually engages in Torah study.
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Season 2
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Episode 40
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12:45
Guiding Light
The practice of reciting the birchas kohanim immediately following birchos hatorah reveal much about the ultimate objectives of Torah study.
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Season 2
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Episode 39
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12:02
Learner's Permit
Before engaging in the study of Torah each day, we recite brachos beforehand, as we would before partaking of other pleasures.
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Season 2
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Episode 38
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14:10
Fault Lines
Taking revenge and bearing a personal grudge are prohibited by the Torah. The reason behind these prohibitions may serve to further incentivize us to engage in daily prayer.
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Season 2
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Episode 37
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15:54
Jews in the News
When Jews are the subject of negative media attention, what is our instinctual reaction? Is it possible that we are often missing the point?
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Season 2
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Episode 36
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13:38
Why Stand in Silence?
On the day of Yom HaZikaron, the citizens of Israel observe a moment of silence, remembering thousands of fallen soldiers and victims of terror. But is this practice, in fact, the proper Jewish response to tragedy? &...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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17:40
Solitary Refinement
Are moments of solitude to be considered a blessing or a curse? The answer may depend on how we choose to experience these opportunities.
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Season 2
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Episode 34
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13:16
Ready, Set, Go
The most important part of davening begins long before davening does.
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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14:09
Acquired Taste
By asking for divine assistance in our quest to discover the sweetness of Torah, we are reminded that the greatest pleasures in life are acquired through effort and toil.
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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14:38