Contemplative Prayer

Concentration (kavvanah) in prayer has different meanings across Jewish traditions. In classical rabbinic sources, kavvanah means being conscious of standing in God's presence and attending to the meaning of the words of prayer. In Kabbalah, especially the Lurianic version, the concept shifts to mystical contemplation as the central practice. This chapter traces the history of these practices, showing how the doctrine of kavvanah developed from a focus on mindful prayer to a system of mystical contemplation.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This chapter discusses the doctrine of kavvanah (‘concentration’) in prayer. Concentration is important to Hasidic ideas on mystical, contemplative prayer. For the rabbis, kavvanah in prayer means that the worshipper is conscious that he stands in the presence of God and that his mind is aware of the meaning of the words he utters. The chapter traces the history of such practices. It reveals that, in the classical sources, kavvanah means chiefly concentration on the meaning of the words of the prayers and the realisation that one is in God’s presence. In the Kabbalah, however, and especially in the Lurianic version, the whole doctrine of kavvanah receives a totally different meaning. Here, mystical contemplation becomes the order of the day.