Does Kavanah Matter?
We’ve all stood before our Creator at one time or another rushing through prayer so fast there’s no way we could have even come close to a state of kavanah, close concentration on what we are saying. Join Rabbi Dr. Stuart Fischman as he explores different ideas on what kavanah is and if it’s a necessary component towards deepening our connection with God.
Does Kavanah Matter?: Does Kavanah Matter?
“Kavanah ” (which I will translate as intention) is at one and the same time is very important and nothing that we need to be concerned with. Kavanah means different things in different contexts. It meant a great deal to some and was best left alone according to others. These different attitudes are reflected in the Siddurim from which we pray today.
In this series of four classes we will discuss the place of kavanah in our observance of mitzvot.
Does Kavanah Matter?: Does Kavanah Matter?
Hello Everyone,
In today’s class we will discuss the necessity of kavanah/intention in prayer.
Does Kavanah Matter?: Does Kavanah Matter?
In today’s session on Kavanah we will discuss Kavanah and the study of Torah. The study of Torah of course requires concentration on the text being studied. The question is how can a person concentrate on a text while at the same time maintaining an awareness of being in the presence of Hashem.
We will see two different approaches to this puzzle.
Does Kavanah Matter?: Does Kavanah Matter?
Hello Everyone,
For the past three weeks we have been discussing the role of kavanah/intention/awareness in the performance and fulfillment of mitzvot.
Kavanah, its presence or absence, is part of the individual’s subjective experience/ What is it? Was it there? Is my kavanah identical to your kavanah?
These questions are c=very important and today we will see how it has been addressed by some of our greatest thinkers.
Rabbi Dr. Stuart Fischman graduated from Yeshiva University in 1980 and the dental school of Columbia University in 1985. In 1989 he began studying and teaching at Yeshivat Hamivtar and now studies and teaches at Yeshivat Machanaim in Efrat. He has rabbinic ordination from Rav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg.