To serve the Almighty with prayer daily

Repentance – תְּשׁוּבָה

• Defined as avodah shebalev (service of the heart) in Ta’anit 2a, tefillah anchors Jewish worship. Rambam says it is Torah-mandated daily; Ramban limits Biblical prayer to crisis. Either way, the Sages structured it thrice daily to parallel sacrifices (Berachot 26b).

Faith – אֱמוּנָה

• Prayer expresses faith in Hashem’s providence. Sefer HaChinuch (433) emphasizes that prayer cultivates reliance on Hashem, preventing arrogance. Ramban says neglecting prayer denies Hashem’s role in our fate.

Teshuvah – תְּשׁוּבָה

• Prayer and repentance are inseparably linked. Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 2:6) explicitly places prayer as a pillar of the teshuvah process, especially during the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah. The Talmud (Ta’anit 2a) calls prayer avodah shebalev, which is also the essence of teshuvah: the heart returning to Hashem. Sefer HaChinuch (364 on viduy, 433 on tefillah) explains that prayer allows a sinner to pour out regret, seek forgiveness, and commit to change. Midrash Tanchuma (Eikev 4) adds that Hashem draws especially near to those who turn with heartfelt words, making prayer the living bridge of teshuvah.

Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם

• Standing in prayer before Hashem requires awe. Berachot 6b likens it to standing before the King. Rambam says kavannah and humility are essential to this mitzvah.

Between a person and G-d – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם

• Tefillah is direct communication with Hashem. Unlike Shema’s declaration, prayer is personal encounter. Rambam (Hilchot Tefillah 1:2) calls it the most direct fulfillment of covenantal relationship.

Community – קְהִלָּה

• Public prayer is superior. Midrash Tanchuma (Eikev 4) says Hashem never rejects communal tefillah. Minyan transforms private words into communal avodah.

Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה

• Tefillah elevates daily life. Ramban and Rambam describe prayer as sanctifying speech and heart. Sefer HaChinuch calls it an antidote to despair, keeping Jews in holiness.

Gratitude – הוֹדָיָה

• Prayer includes thanksgiving. Rambam structures Amidah with praise, petition, and thanks. Talmud (Berachot 34a) teaches that thanksgiving is an indispensable element of prayer.

Love – אַהֲבָה

• “To serve Hashem with all your heart” also implies love (Deut. 11:13). Rambam and Sefer HaChinuch explain that prayer builds constant affection for Hashem.

Speech – דָּבָר

• Prayer is spoken avodah. Rambam notes that audible articulation was mandated to focus the heart. Talmud (Berachot 31a) praises Hannah for praying quietly but articulately — a model of ideal speech in tefillah.

Rosh Hashanah – רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה

• On Rosh Hashanah, Mussaf Amidah incorporates Malchuyot, Zichronot, and Shofarot. Rambam (Hilchot Tefillah 13:2) highlights the unique power of prayer in crowning Hashem. Prayer on this day embodies judgment and coronation.

Yom Kippur – יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים

• Yom Kippur tefillot include five Amidah prayers, unique to the day. Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 2:7) emphasizes their unparalleled ability to bring atonement when paired with viduy. Sefer HaChinuch (185) notes that Yom Kippur prayer is Israel’s communal teshuvah at its highest.