In this final week of the Omer, as we prepare to celebrate Shavuot together beginning on Sunday, May 16, we are honored to offer voices from the Wise community to reflect on Torah, prayer, and their relationship with the Divine. We begin with two of our Wise School students, expressing their thoughts on prayer.
Today is the 43rd day of the Omer.
Jews pray for many reasons. One reason could be to ask for forgiveness and to say sorry for a bad deed that they might have done. Another reason that Jews pray could be to pray for miracles to happen just like the Israelites did when they were in Egypt. The Israelites also prayed when they were in danger and they never gave up hope. I also pray for many reasons but my main reason is to connect with God, to get closer to God, to praise God for my family, home, and most of all for my life.
— Shiley Firouz, Wise School 5th Grade
Jews pray because it’s a tradition in the Jewish religion. I feel that when we pray at a temple, we feel at one with God, and at one with the community. Being together and reciting the same prayers is like reaching out to God and saying thank you for everything that is around us. Jews also pray to show God that they believe in God and that they support God.
The reason I pray is because I am part of the Jewish religion. When I pray I am reaching out to God and saying thank you for my health. And I feel safe knowing that I have a God watching over me at all times. I feel safe praying with everyone else—to me the sound of everyone singing together and praying together at once is music to my ears.
— Gunner Johnson, Wise School 5th Grade