What is the essence of תפילה?

The תפילות in our סידור, in general, and especially the תפילות on ראש השנה, appear to have two opposing themes.

On the one hand, תפילה is a time of standing before Hashem, of acknowledging His greatness, of praising His majesty. On ראש השנה, this is especially true: the theme of the day is crowning Hashem king. The liturgy in our מחזור is dotted with proclamations of Hashem’s sovereignty over the universe, and pleas that His dominion be revealed and apparent to all.

On the other hand, תפילה is about asking for our personal needs. Thirteen out of the nineteen ברכות in שמונה עשרה are requests – for health, wealth, wisdom, forgiveness, and more. In the ראש השנה מחזור, there are many passages focused on hopes and requests that the coming year be blessed and sweet.

So which is it? Is תפילה about transcending ourselves, of standing in humility and awe before God, of putting aside our own will in deference to His? Or is it about turning inward, taking stock of our lacks and wants, and petitioning Hashem to fill them?

Join Mrs. Shterna Ginsburg, a well-known author and teacher of Chassidus, as we explore these questions through the paradigm of Chana's prayer, the story we read in the haftorah of Rosh Hashana.

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Up to this point, this podcast series discussed what the mitzvah of kisui rosh is, who it applies to, and how and where it applies. In this final episode of the series, we start exploring why?

What is the mystical meaning behind hair covering? Menucha takes us through a few Chassidic sources that discuss the symbolism of hair in Kabbalah in general and how that sheds light on the obligation for married women in particular to cover their hair. This eye-opening conversation offers a novel perspective that can change the way you approach this mitzvah and your relationship with Torah observance as a whole.

If you liked this series and want to take your learning to the next level by diving into the original sources for yourself, register for our upcoming course starting at the end of October: ⁠⁠⁠⁠batshevalearningcenter.com/courses⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Covering our hair with more hair seems like a strange concept. What is the halachic basis for wig wearing as a valid form of hair covering? What are some reasons wigs would or wouldn’t be allowed? Why might wigs be preferable over other forms of hair covering?

This episode explores the original source in the mishna that introduces the concept of wigs and its various applications. We also discuss sheitels as a symbol for a general approach to our Judaism that brings together a strong commitment to halacha and an integration of mitzvos into our identity as women in the modern age.

If you liked this series and want to take your learning to the next level by diving into the original sources for yourself, register for our upcoming course starting at the end of October: ⁠⁠⁠batshevalearningcenter.com/courses⁠⁠⁠

To purchase the course books to learn on your own or in a group, visit our online store here:

⁠⁠⁠batshevalearningcenter.com/textbooks⁠⁠⁠

Follow us ⁠on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠or join our ⁠⁠⁠WhatsApp ⁠⁠⁠group for more text-based Torah learning opportunities for women.