Hineni Express offers the same proven approach to teaching prayer as Hineni 1, 2, and 3combined here into one easy-to-use volume.Ideal for learning the core prayers of the Friday evening and Shabbat morning services, Hineni Express will help students become familiar and comfortable with the opening prayers, Amidah, Torah service and concluding prayers, as well as blessings and songs for home observance.
Hineni The New Hebrew Through Prayer 2 continues study of the prayer service with the Shabbat morning Amidah and selected prayers for Friday night. Students learn over 90 key prayer words and 30 roots, prefixes, and suffixes as they explore the meaning of the blessings of the Amidah (Avot, Avot Ve'imahot, G'vurot, K'dushah, Hoda'ah, Birkat Shalom), Oseh Shalom, and prayers and songs for Friday night (L'chah Dodi, V'shamru, Shalom Aleichem). Each prayer begins with a friendly and accessible motivational introduction. Then students examine the themes of each prayer and relate each theme to their own experiences and lives. Hineni 2 explores relevant Jewish values and shows how those values underlie the meaning of the prayers. It also uses challenging analytical questions to encourage students to think critically about the prayers and the activity of praying. For example, in regard to the Kedushah: "Rising up on our toes is a physical way of trying to come closer to God. Can you think of another, nonphysical way you might come closer to God?".
The third and final book in the Hineni - The New Hebrew Through Prayer series presents the Torah service and concluding prayers. Students will learn the key prayers in the Torah service, concluding prayers in the Shabbat morning service, and prayers for sleeping and waking. It covers 99 key prayer words and over 30 roots, prefixes and suffixes, and also helps students refine their basic grammar skills and hone their prayer-reading skills. Students are also challenged to think deeply about the meaning of the prayers and the prayers' connection to ancient sources and sacred text. For example: Read each biblical verse below and circle the phrase that appears in the Ein Kamocha prayer. Additionally, Hineni 3 deepens students' understanding of the Jewish values underlying the prayers. The "Ethical Echo" feature teaches a mitzvah concept, and the follow-up "Think About This!" asks students to make their own meaning from the value.
