Guide
Rabbinic Private Penitential Prayers
3rd–6th Centuries
Rabbinic literature offers several examples of penitential prayers offered by individuals on a regular basis.
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
Personal Petitions in the Palestinian Talmud
y. Berakhot 4:2, 7d
The house of R. Yannai says, “When one wakes up from his sleep, he must say, ‘Blessed are you, Lord, who resurrects the dead. My master, I have sinned before you. May it be your will, Lord my God…
Primary Source
The Prayers of Rava and R. Sheshet
b. Berakhot 17a
After his prayer, Rava said the following: My God, before I was created I was worthless, and now that I have been created it is as if I had not been created, [I am no more significant]. I am dust in…