Collection
A collection of source sheets explaining prayers, often with YouTube videos of different musical versions.
Sheets
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Personally Connecting to Avinu MalkeinuBackground, questions, and music for Avinu Malkeinu
How to Change Your Fate: Views on “Ut’shuva, ut’fillah, utzedakah”Different people’s views on the “Uteshuvah, utefillah, utzedakah” line from Unetaneh Tokef, plus a few sources for the line.
What is Selichot?Background information about Selichot, along with videos of how to chant the basic prayers
David Schwartz•248 Views•August 28, 2025•Cantor Neil Schwartz,Prayers,Liturgy,High Holidays,Selichot
Personally Connecting to YigdalAn examination of Yigdal with background, discussion questions, and musical examples, plus basic Biblical and Rabbinic sources for Jewish philosophy
Mi She’ana: Finding Our AnswersAn examination of the stories, with discussion questions, in Mi She’ana, along with musical examples
Personally Connecting to AshamnuAn examination of the various aspects of how we do Ashamnu, plus musical examples
Comparing High Holiday and Shabbat ServicesComparing Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur services
Hashiveinu: From Tisha B’Av to Torah ServiceA basic overview of Tisha B'Av, with a focus on the Hashiveinu line at the end of Eicha. It also includes musical examples of Hashiveinu and Etz Chayim.
Siddur Tour: Understanding the Structure of ServicesThis is an explanation of why we pray, and the Shabbat Ma’ariv, Shacharit, and Mincha services broken down according to “Warm-up, Shema, Amidah, and Cool-down” framework.
Ashrei - A Guaranteed Spot in Heaven?Questions to inspire personal connection to Ashrei, plus different musical settings.
David Schwartz•6044 Views•October 15, 2021•World to Come,Yom Kippur,Generosity,Nusach,Neila,Afterlife,Psalm 145,Psalms,Liturgy,Neilah,Debbie Friedman,Yeshiva Boys Choir,Pesukei D’Zimra,Mincha,BimBam,Peri Smilow,Dead Sea Scrolls,Afternoon Prayers,Shacharit,Heaven,Morning Prayers,Prayer,Ashrei,Poverty,Torah Service
From Rebuke to Comfort: The Haftarot Surrounding Tisha B’AvAn examination of the Haftarot surrounding Tisha B’Av, including musical examples.
Exploring Kol NidreiA look at Kol Nidrei, including why the Ashkenazic and Sephardic versions are different.
Mi ChamochaAn examination of “Mi Chamocha” from a social justice, musical, and liturgical set of lenses.
Hashkiveinu: Questions, Context, MusicAn examination of Hashkiveinu, adapted from Josh Frankel’s sheet.
David Schwartz•4578 Views•October 13, 2020•Liturgy,Music,Ma’ariv,Prayer,Arvit,Tefila,Hashkiveinu,Social Justice
Exploring the Prayer for Our CountryAn examination of the Prayer for the Government and Prayer for our Country
Exploring the Prayer for The State of IsraelAn examination of the different written and musical versions of the Prayer for the State of Israel.
David Schwartz•423 Views•April 4, 2025•Y-Stud,The Maccabeats,Prayer,Six13,State of Israel,Maccabeats,Israel
Al HanisimA sheet about the Chanukah prayer “Al Hanisim”, along with 5 explanations for why we celebrate for 8 days and light lights. Musical samples are included.
Personally Connecting to Birkat HaMazonA sheet giving background and posing questions to help connect with the basic parts of Birkat HaMazon, plus musical versions!
Shivat Tziyon: The Return to Zion in Jewish LiturgyAn examination of references to returning to Israel or Jerusalem in the liturgy
Personally Connecting to Shir HaMa’alot (Psalm 126)Ways to connect with the words of Psalm 126, plus some musical versions
Editors
David Schwartz
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