Why Do Some Jews Sway in Prayer? – My Jewish Learning

Why Do Some Jews Sway in Prayer? Also known as shuckling, this movement is particularly common in Hasidic worship. By Joshua Rabin While standing and bowing are halachically (according to Jewish law) mandated at various parts of the service, other movements can demonstrate one’s passion for worship. In Hasidic and neo-Hasidic communities, ecstatic dancing and clapping can be part of a prayer service. A more common movement of this nature is swaying, often known by the Yiddish term shuckling. The practice has become natural for many Jews who engage in regular prayer. According to the Kuzari, the 12th-century philosophical work by Rabbi Yehudah Halevi, swaying was a practical custom when people frequently prayed out of a single book, and moved up and down to make room for the many others who wanted to use that book. The Zohar offers a more spiritual explanation for swaying: “When a Jew utters one word of Torah, the light [in his soul] is kindled…and he sways to and fro like the flame of a candle” (Zohar to Numbers, 218b-219a). A potentially simpler reason is provided by the…

Shuckling – Wikipedia

Shuckling Shuckling (also written as shokeling), from the Yiddish word meaning “to shake”,[1] (compare with the German “schaukeln”, to swing) is the ritual swaying[2] of worshippers during Jewish prayer, usually forward and back but also from side to side. History[edit] This practice can be traced back to at least the 8th century, and possibly as far back as Talmudic times. It was said of Rabbi Akiva that when he prayed by himself he would start in one corner and end up in another, because of all his kneeling and bowing;[3] this link was noted by Maharil (14th century). The practice was mentioned by Yehuda Halevi in the 12th century.[4] By the 13th century, Jews in Europe were “known for their shokeling during prayer.”[5] However, the practice was opposed by the kabbalist Isaac Luria,[citation needed] as well as by 19th-century Jewish religious reformers.[5] Jiří Langer gives a vivid description of shokeling among Belz Chassidim in early 20th-century Europe.[6] Interpretations[edit] Simon Brainin thinks that the practice was historically done “to afford the body exercise during study and prayer, which…

Why Do Orthodox Jews Rock When They Pray? – Jew in the City

Why Do Orthodox Jews Rock When They Pray? keter By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz May 4, 2021 In Prayer, Q&A Dear JITC- Why do Orthodox Jews rock when they pray? Thanks, Shawn Dear Shawn- Yes, Orthodox Jews rock. We rock so hard. The swaying to which you refer is called shuckeling, from the Yiddish word shuckelen meaning to shake. While a widespread – though not universal – practice (it’s not the practice of Sefardim, for example), its exact origins and reasons are not known for sure. Swaying in prayer is alluded to in the Talmud. Tractate Brachos (31a) tells us that Rabbi Akiva would start davening in one corner of the room and finish in the other corner, gradually nudged there over the course of time by the force of his shuckeling. It’s not clear whether Rabbi Akiva was the only one who shuckeled in those days or whether he just happened to do so particularly vigorously; all we know is that he did it. The Kuzari (Rav Yehuda HaLevi, 12th century) offers two explanations for this practice. First, he says that he has…

Why Do Jews Rock When They Pray? – Boutique Events

Why Do Jews Rock When They Pray? People who aren’t Jewish often wonder why devout Jews rock back and forth during prayer. The ancient practise is known as shuckling, which literally translates to “to rock, shake, or swing” in Yiddish. Just as with many other traditions, it’s easier to identify when and where it was practised than to provide a solid answer as to why people shuckle during prayer and study of the Torah. The prophet Mohammed is claimed to have seen this behaviour and warned his followers not to sway back and forth during worship. It was said by Rabbi Yehuda Halevi that in 12th-century Spain, ten or more men would read from a single book. Each reader approached the book, bent over it, and then stepped back to allow space for the next person. According to yet another authority (Psalm 35:10), “The verse “HaShem, who is like unto Thee” (quoted above) is sometimes seen as an exhortation to pray with one’s entire being. When praying, why do certain Jews rock back and forth? Boris “Photography by Thomas Valentin Harb, Jewish…

role=”button” tabindex=”0″>1:27Why Do Jews Sway (Shuckling) When They Pray? The Western Wall (Wailing Wall), Jerusalem, Israel.YouTube · Zahi Shaked, Israeli tour guide צחי שקד, מורה דרך · Nov 17, 2019
Why do Orthodox Jews rock their heads and upper bodies …

Why do Orthodox Jews rock their heads and upper bodies when praying? Winter Sale ends Dec 31.Looking for an upcoming event? Learn more here.Questions about the Bible? Learn more here. Arnold Answers The nodding of the head and rocking of the upper body while praying is called davening, from the Yiddish word daven, meaning “to pray.” Jewish people pray through prayer books, and at certain points in their prayers, they begin to daven. This is based on Psalm 35:10, which states, “With all my bones I will praise you.” By moving in this way, Orthodox Jews believe all their bones are moving while they are praising the Lord. Biblically, however, praise does not come in the movement of the body, but from what we believe in our hearts. What we do in the external world is motivated by what is in our hearts. back

The Meaning of Shokeling

The Meaning of Shokeling The picture of a Jew swaying to and fro in prayer or religious study is one that I have long been inclined to explain on “practical” grounds. During lengthy periods of standing, it saves wear and tear on the feet. It also enhances one’s concentration. As you focus upon the book before your eyes, it is the rest of your surroundings that appear to be swaying in a vague blur, and hence you are less likely to be distracted by the temptations of the environment. I am not aware of a fully appropriate English word to designate the action. Nor, for that matter, can I think of a Hebrew word that adequately captures the swaying motion of Jewish prayer. It is to Yiddish that we must turn to get the precise verb, to shokel. This fact would seem to indicate that the practice has a particular association with the Eastern European milieu, and conjures up images of the Hasidic shtiebelach of Poland and Russia. In truth however, the picture of…