Kavanah

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Kavanah, kavvanah or kavana (also pronounced /kaˈvonə/ by some Ashkenazi Jews) (כַּוָּנָה; in Biblical Hebrew kawwānā), plural kavanot or kavanos (Ashkenazim), literally means "intention" or "sincere feeling, direction of the heart".[1][2] It is the mindset often described as necessary for Jewish rituals (mitzvot) and prayers.[3][4] Kavanah is a theological concept in Judaism about a worshiper's state of mind and heart, his or her sincerity, devotion and emotional absorption during prayers.[1][5]

In Hasidic Judaism, a Jewish tradition that emphasizes piety, kavanah is the emotional devotion, self-effaced absorption during prayers rather than a liturgical recitation driven religiosity.[6][7] In esoteric Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah), kavanah refers to the practice where the devotee concentrates on the secret meanings of prayer letters and words,[6] sometimes referring to the permutations of the divine name.[8] Some kavanot are particular to the tradition of Kabbalah during meditation.[9]

Kavanah has been much debated subject among Judaism scholars, with traditional sources accepting that Jewish rituals without at least minimal kavanah is insufficient.[6][10] Different Jewish authorities see various levels of kavanah required for various rituals, and especially for prayer. Some prayerbooks (siddurim) list kavanot for particular prayers. Some particular kavanot are associated with particular holidays, for example Sukkot, Pesach, Shavuot,[11] and others.

  1. ^ a b Pinchas Giller (2008). Shalom Shar'abi and the Kabbalists of Beit El. Oxford University Press. pp. 20–21. ISBN 978-0-19-971645-6.
  2. ^ Babli, Berakhot 31a (Gemara) in Norman Solomon, ed. (2009). "First Tractate Berakhot (Blessings)". The Talmud: A Selection. Penguin. p. 23. ISBN 978-0-14-144178-8.
  3. ^ Moshe Halbertal (2013). Maimonides: Life and Thought. Princeton University Press. pp. 266–267. ISBN 978-1-4008-4847-8.
  4. ^ Eisenberg, Joice; Ellen Scolnic; Jewish Publication Society (2001). The JPS dictionary of Jewish words. Jewish Publication Society. p. 79. ISBN 0-8276-0723-7.
  5. ^ Jack Cohen (2000). Major Philosophers of Jewish Prayer in the Twentieth Century. Fordham University Press. pp. 83–84, 3. ISBN 978-0-8232-1957-5.
  6. ^ a b c kavanah, Judaism, Encyclopædia Britannica
  7. ^ Jack Cohen (2000). Major Philosophers of Jewish Prayer in the Twentieth Century. Fordham University Press. pp. 3–6, 15–16. ISBN 978-0-8232-1957-5.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference buber332 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Kaplan, Aryeh (1985). "3. Kavanot". Meditation and Kabbalah. Red Wheel. p. 214. ISBN 0-87728-616-7. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
  10. ^ Shulchan Aruch 60:6 and 589:8
  11. ^ Barenblat, Rachel (2005-07-13). "Kavanot for Shavuot". Ritualwell.org. Archived from the original on 2008-07-20. Retrieved 2009-08-17.