Module 2:  Foundations
Birchot haShachar (Morning Blessings)

5. Bringing Our Bodies into Prayer

Reflecting on current knowledge of the mind/body connection and the role of music in synagogue services, we learn the advantages of consciously involving our bodies in prayer, and new ways to do it.

Download:
Lesson Plan 5: Bringing Our Bodies into Prayer
and
​The Audio of 25 25 50 Meditative Walking

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6. Prayer as a Practice

Together with “When Prayer Works and Mochin d’Gadlut,” this session relates the MPR approach to learning prayer and deepening one’s prayer life.

Download Lesson Plan 6: Prayer as a Practice

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7. The Art of Blessing

We learn the basics of blessings, beginning with the baruch ata formula and the role of blessings in Jewish liturgy. Using our spiritual dynamics approach, we ask, “What is the purpose of praying a blessing?”

Download Lesson Plan 7: The Art of Blessing​

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8. Creating Sacred Space
​with Response Blessings

Unbeknownst to many, the vast majority of traditional blessings are said after an event and unconnected to ritual. We consider the value of “response” blessings, and following Martin Buber, explore the role of blessings in creating sacred space.​

Download:
Lesson Plan 8: Response Blessings
and
Resource Document: Nature Blessings
and
The Audio Recording: Blessings Practice

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Download Video  *   Download Transcript