Amidah - Introduction

A little more about the Amidah before we launch into various sections of this prayer.

The Amidah is written in three sections
- Praise = 3 Benedictions
- Petition = 12 (or 13) Benedictions
- Thanksgiving = 3 Benedictions

As I write about the Amidah, we will begin with the first section which includes Benedictions 1-3. This section is about praise of God. It is always good to begin our time of prayer with praise. Praise and Adoration help us to consider the one to whom we address our petitions. We are speaking to the God of the Universe. We are praying to a God who is able to not only answer our prayers, but He "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20) We are speaking to the Creator, the Eternal God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We speak to the Holy One. As we offer praise, we ready our minds and hearts so we might approach the throne of Grace and pray in the right manner.

The first three Benedictions are:
- Avot = Ancestors
- Gevurot = Powers
- Kedushat Ha-shem = The Name

Some have connected these three with the Lord's Prayer. Consider the following:
- Avot = Ancestors - Our Father
- Gevurot = Power - Who art in heaven
- Ha-shem = Name - Hallowed be Thy Name

I think these designations will help us understand each of the three praises in the Amidah.

Although today there are words written which people read and follow (some pray this prayer three times per day), in the days of Jesus it was not done this way. The teachers of the Mishna wanted each person to pray with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their strength.

"Rabban Gamaliel says: A man should pray the Eighteen [Benedictions] every day. R. Joshua says: The substance of the Eighteen. R. Akiba says: If his prayer is fluent in his mouth he should pray the Eighteen, but if not, the substance of the Eighteen. R. Eliezer says: He that makes his prayer a fixed task, his prayer is no supplication. R. Joshua says: He that journeys in a place of danger should pray a short prayer, saying, ‘Save, 0 Lord, the remnant of Israel; at their every cross-road let their needs come before thee. Blessed art You, 0 Lord, that hear prayer!’" (Mishna, Benedictions 4.3-4)

More will be written as I look at the three Benedictions (and those which come after) in future posts.