Guide
Regulations Concerning the Tefillah
1st–6th Centuries
The following passages discuss when and how the Tefillah is to be recited. They refer frequently to the specific blessings and their order but do not provide their full wording.
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
The Mishnah on the Tefillah
m. Berakhot 4–5 (selections)
4:1. The morning Prayer may be recited until midday. R. Judah says: Until the fourth hour [of daylight].
The afternoon Prayer may be recited until evening. R. Judah says…
Primary Source
The Tosefta on the Tefillah
t. Berakhot 3:4–25 (selections)
3:4. He who recites the Prayer must concentrate [on his prayers].
Abba Saul says, “A [Scriptural] allusion to [the requisite act of concentration in] prayer is, You will…
Primary Source
The Palestinian Talmud on the Tefillah
y. Berakhot 2–5 (selections)
What is the meaning of an Abstract of Eighteen?
Rab said, “They say the end of each blessing.”…
Primary Source
The Babylonian Talmud on the Tefillah
b. Berakhot 12a–b, 28b–29b, 34a
Rabbah bar Ḥinana Sava said in the name of Rav: One who is praying, when he…
Primary Source
Requesting Personal Needs on the Sabbath
y. Shabbat 15:3, 15b
We learned that it is forbidden to request one’s needs [in prayer] on the Sabbath. R. Zeira asked R. Ḥiyya bar Ba, “What about saying ‘Our Shepherd, sustain us’?” He replied, “This is a standard…
Primary Source
Requesting Personal Needs in the Tefillah
m. Rosh Hashanah 4:5–6, 9
4:5. The order of blessings [in the Prayer on Rosh Hashanah]: One recites the Fathers [avot], the Powers [of God] [gevurot], [and] the Sanctity of God [kedushat hashem] and includes [verses of]…