The daily synagogue service begins with the public recitation of a group of blessings describing regular morning practices. They also include  three blessings distinguishing Jewish men from Gentiles, slaves and women. This lecture will analyze the evolution of these blessings from their private recitation in the home to their prime role as the beginning of the daily service. The opinions of the Rambam, Rashi and the Provencal rabbis will be considered

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The Shema is recited in the morning and evening services and is surrounded by various blessings. This lecture will explore the relationship between the Shema and its accompanying blessings. What is the central theme of the Shema and how do the blessing highlight this theme? The sources will include rabbinic material that traces the recitation of the Shema from the Temple period through the rabbinic period.

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The Talmud explains that the structure of the shemoneh esreh is divided into three parts, praise, petition and thanksgiving. This lecture will explore this division and study the structure of the shemoneh esreh as a unit and as the main part of the daily service. Was the shemoneh esreh a reaction to the destruction of the Temple? Does its theme revolve around a broader topic? Is it merely a random combination of ideas and themes? In this lecture, we will try to make sense of the shemoneh esreh.

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The gemara relates a dispute between Rabban Gamliel and Rabbi Yehoshua regarding whether the obligation to daven maariv each night is compulsory of voluntary. This lecture will study the ramifications of this dispute through an analysis of the texts of the maariv service and a historical survey whether Jews actually davened maariv. In what ways did this uncertainty about maariv reflect itself in the liturgy and traditions of the evening service?

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The Kabbalat Shabbat service incorporates several different elements. While in its essence it represents the acceptance of Shabbat with the recitation of the special Shabbat Psalm, the Kabbalists of Safed in the sixteenth century introduced the recitation of Lecha Dodi and the six introductory chapters of Tehillim. This lecture will examine the history of the Kabbalists in Safed and it will study the structure and themes of Lecha Dodi. Finally, it will trace the debate concerning the acceptance of Lecha Dodi in different communities.

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