Someone texted me “You are Number 10”

I went up to him and said “Hey, I thought I was Number 1!”

Really I knew what he meant. Everyday a Jew prays.

It is best for men to pray together in a quorum of 10 Men – called a minyan.

If together there are 10 men over the age of Bar Mitzvah, certain prayers can be said and the Sefer Torah can be read in Public, on days when the Sefer Torah is read.

For instance – Kaddish – the Mourners prayer can only be said in a quorum of 10 Men.

Daily prayer is way for people to connect with Hash-m. Women also must pray, but they only are obligated with one formal prayer a day. They Choose. If they want to pray the 3 Formal prayers daily – Arvit / the Evening Prayer, Shahrit / the Morning Prayer, and Mincha / the Afternoon Prayer- more power to them.

When one prays to Hash-m, he or she relieves himself from daily concerns and put’s them in the “hands” of the one that said “Let there be Light.”

You feel a connection to the creator and a part of a greater good.

What is Prayer

A Question arises about prayer – If G-d does only the good for a Person, why pray? G-d will give you the good you deserve anyway.

One answer is : Prayer in Hebrew is Tephillah. It comes from the root Pallel – which means to judge. When we pray, we judge ourselves and become more worthy of the good that Hash-m wants to provide. We become a vessel to accept G-d’s blessing.

Part of Community

Being part of the community, one feels needed. One contributes to the greater good of the community of Israel. One learns Torah. One meets new people. One gets involved in new Mitzvah projects.

In essence you are always needed.

Another Friend Texted me Today, at about the same time.

“We Need You.”

Join an Orthodox Synagogue near you. You and your family are needed.