Kavanah Primer: Avos (1st Berachah of the Amidah) Artwork

The Tefilah Podcast

My name is Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss, and this is the hub for all of my shiurim (classes) on Tefilah (Prayer) and related topics, such as Tehilim (Psalms) and Berachos (Blessings)! The shiurim I upload here are given in a variety of formats with different lengths and intended for different audiences. The common theme which unites all of these shiurim is our focus on strengthening our relationship with Hashem through Avodah she'ba'Lev (Service of the Heart). If you have any questions feel free to email me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thanks for listening!

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The Tefilah Podcast

Kavanah Primer: Avos (1st Berachah of the Amidah)

October 26, 2025 • Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss • Season 17 • Episode 5

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Length: 2 hours 6 minutes
Synopsis: The halachah states: “One who davens must have kavanah during all the berachos, but if one is unable to have kavanah in all of them, one should at least have kavanah in Avos” (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 101:1). Last year, in my Machshavah Lab tefilah shiurim for women, I gave an eleven-part series aimed at elucidating each word of the berachah of Avos based on the classical meforshim (1/3/25–5/16/25). This morning (10/26/25), as a YBT Sunday shiur, I condensed all eleven parts into a single session.

If you’re looking for a shiur that will help you cultivate kavanah in every word, this is the one for you! And if you’re interested in an in-depth analysis of all the sources referenced here (and more), check out the original eleven-part series.
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מקורות:
משנה ברורה - שולחן ערוך או"ח קא:א
טור - או"ח ה:א; קיג:ט
רמב"ם - מורה הנבוכים א:נג, סא; ג:יח; נג
אבודרהם - ברכות השחר
רבינו בחיי בן אשר - כד הקמח: ברכה
ספר העיקרים ב:כו
ספר החינוך - עקב: מצוה ת"ל
רשב"א - שו"ת ה:נב
רבינו בחיי בן אשר - שולחן של ארבע
מחזור ויטרי סימן פח
רש"י - דברים ו:ד
עץ יוסף - אבות
ספורנו - דברים י:יז
רמב"ן - בראשית יד:יח
אבודרהם - אבות
אבן עזרא - ישעיהו סג:ז
ספורנו - בראשית יד:יט
אברבנאל - בראשית יד:יז-כ
רלב"ג - במדבר י:ט-י
Goldmintz – The Rav on Tefillah: An Anthology of Teachings by Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik on Jewish Prayer, pp.207-208
רמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר שופטים, הלכות מלכים ומלחמות יב:ד-ה
רמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר המדע, הלכות תשובה ט:ב
ר"י בר יקר - אבות
קרבן תודה - פסחים דף קיז עמוד ב
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The Torah content for the remainder of October is sponsored by Yael Weiss in honor of her parents, and in celebration of her father’s birthday (September 25 / 17 Tishrei).

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