Prayer

Before the High Holidays, the Jewish people must look inward - opinion

With Yom Kippur fast approaching, now is the time for Jews to look inward and ask how one can do better to support one's own nation and peoplehood.

‘MESIRUT NEFESH’: Willingness to give up comfort, time, money, and personal interests for a greater value.
An illustrative photograph of a man wearing tefillin

US Supreme Court agrees to hear case of Ohio Jew forbidden from holding home minyan

Rescue personnel assist in rescue efforts after earthquakes hit the country, in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 27, 2026.

More than 1,400 killed, tens of thousands still missing from twin earthquakes in Venezuela

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) leads a prayer at the Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 17, 2026.

Thousands gather on National Mall for Trump-backed 'Rededicate 250' national prayer event


King Salman calls for nationwide prayer for rain in Saudi Arabia

The Royal Court urged Saudis all to perform the Istisqa prayer, and to increase in repentance and voluntary worship.

 Mountains in the desert in Saudi Arabia, January 2022.

Global Chabad emissaries conference opens in NY amid rising antisemitism and tragedy in the UAE

Thousands of emissaries gather to address unity, resilience, and the challenges of the past year.

Global Chabad emissaries conference opens in New York amid rising antisemitism and tragedy in the UAE

'Az Nashir': 55 women share personal prayers in wake of Oct. 7

Many of the authors are well known on the Israeli scene as writers, poets, authors, educators, and creatives in a variety of areas.

 THREE EDITORS take in the fruits of their heartfelt labor (L to R): Anne Gordon, Rachel Sharansky Danziger, Shira Lankin Sheps.

This Yom Kippur, I prayed with all my might - opinion

Encountering a transformative Yom Kippur, and finding meaning in prayer amid war and grief.

 ON A STREET in Jerusalem, Hersh Goldberg-Polin is depicted in a mural created by friends. When we learned of Yahya Sinwar’s demise mere days after Yom Kippur, I couldn’t help but think that our prayers had something to do with it; maybe it was even thanks to Hersh, says the writer.

Can reciting psalms from the Bible heal injuries or illness?

It is my belief that heartfelt prayers recited with greater understanding can be a source of solace and inspiration.

 A SON reads psalms for his father in Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

After bomb threat interrupted Kol Nidre, this congregation kept praying on Manhattan street

Immediately after the call came in, the synagogue security guard alerted the congregants, prompting 400 people to exit the building.

 The Town and Village Synagogue in New York's East Village.

1700 people join Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto for Yom Kippur prayers in Jerusalem


I started AtoneNet, a space for public ritual confession; Here’s why I’m shutting it down - opinion

The purpose of the vidui is to have the entire community atone for its sins; you’re repenting not just for your own shortcomings, but for the shortcomings of the person sitting next to you.

 Anonymous "confessions" posted to AtoneNet before it was shut down after 11 years.

Rosh Yehudi association cancels gender-separate prayers due to fears of disruption

The decision for this year's service followed conflicts last year at a service where tensions were high between those who wanted divided prayers and those who did not want to see division in public.

 AN EGALITARIAN prayer service takes place during public prayer at Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv, on Yom Kippur, Sunday.

My Word: In times like these, every song becomes a prayer - opinion

ISRAELI MUSIC is changing, in tune with the times. Elton John sings “Sad songs say so much...” but in Hebrew, sad songs have their own elevated status.

 SOLDIERS DANCE at a concert by singer Idan Raichel at an army base in the South, last month. In these days of trauma and war there may be room for optimism, says the writer.