Kavvana: Directing the Heart in Jewish Prayer

The issue of praying with kavvana (meaning or concentration) as opposed to the 'rote' recitation of prayers has been central to the discussion of prayer throughout Jewish history. In this exhaustive study of the topic, Rabbi Seth Kadish gathers and analyzes the wealth of rabbinic teachings and academic studies on the topic of 'rote versus meaning' in Jewish prayer. By gathering into one volume all of the material on this important subject, he has enabled Jews who search for solutions to the problem of rote prayer to have a comprehensive resource for answers.

Seth Kadish grew up in Connecticut. He attended Yeshiva University, where he earned his rabbinic ordination, a masters degree in biblical studies, and a second masters degree in Jewish education. He was and remains involved in Zionist youth organizations and in Torah education programs for adults. He taught Jewish studies at a Jewish day school in America until he and his wife, Sheri, made aliya (moved to Israel) from Highland Park, New Jersey, in the summer of 1995. He is currently continuing his teaching career at a public religious high school in Israel while giving adult education classes on the side.