The great thinker and writer known as Ahad Ha'am famously said, “More than the Jewish People have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jews.”
The Day of Rest is one of our most important contributions to humanity, and is also one the defining characteristics of our people, our civilization and the spiritual path that we have inherited.
Without Shabbat, we simply wouldn't be who we are.
And yet, like all worthwhile practices, Shabbat can be difficult to fully enter into, appreciate and enjoy.
This course is an opportunity to find our own way in to the nourishing light of Shabbat, that offers us spiritual sustenance and renewal, and hope for a better future for our world.
You're warmly invited to join Rabbi Daniel Silverstein and our global community as we explore the special prayers of Shabbat as invitations into deep and transformative spiritual work.
Together, we experience each Shabbat prayer as a means of healing and building connection with ourselves, others and the Divine.
All texts are provided with clear line-by-line translations, and no prior knowledge or experience with the subject matter is necessary. This course is open to novices and advanced learners of all backgrounds and levels.
How does it work?
The course consists of 8 recorded sessions of 90 minutes each, which participants can watch at your own convenience.
In each session we will learn about, discuss and meditate on approximately three prayers from the Shabbat liturgy, building a deep personal connection with each one. There will also be time for sharing and reflection.
Our meditative practices and exercises include visualizations, body scans, spiritual writing and drawing.
All texts are provided with clear line-by-line translations, and no prior knowledge or experience with the subject matter is necessary.
Participants receive:
1) Video recordings of each session to enjoy at your own convenience.
2) Printable handouts of sources, including the prayers themselves and commentaries on them, provided in full translation with introductory comments and guiding questions.
3) Clear instructions for guided practices or exercises for almost every prayer in the Shabbat lituergy, based on the texts provided.
Testimonials
“Deepening Shabbat Prayer guided us on a journey through each part of the Shabbat experience. The Hasidic texts exposed us to new interpretations of the traditional prayers. he writing prompts and practices allowed us to personalize our understandings and carry them forward into our Shabbat observance. From the joy of welcoming Shabbat to the reluctance of letting her go, this class models for us ways to draw the holiness and awe of Shabbat into our week. A deeply spiritual and integrated learning experience.”
- Sue Gurland
“I just completed Rabbi Daniel Silverstein’s class Deepening Your Shabbat Prayer Practice. What a magnificent experience! It was filled with treasures from Hasidic masters and Kabbalah—many brand new to me. I appreciated the time given for sharing and practice throughout the classes and the enthusiasm of class members to express themselves thru words, poems, art and music. A special bonding happened among us with great appreciation for other’s reflections.”
- Cathy Ostroff
“It was not only a deepening of my understanding of Shabbat, but a privilege to share the journey with a group of beautiful individuals. You created space for the holiness to occur.”
- Mary Dale Allen
"Learning with Rav Daniel is a wonderful experience. In his classes he brings an extraordinary range of texts from our tradition and makes them meaningful for our lives today. His deep personal integrity, wisdom and spirituality constantly inspire me to walk the Jewish spiritual path and help me with my own awakening and development."
- Rabbi Danny Newman, Founding Partner, HaMakom