Theological concept in Judaism about a worshiper's state of mind and heart
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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.
^ abPinchas Giller (2008). Shalom Shar'abi and the Kabbalists of Beit El. Oxford University Press. pp. 20–21. ISBN 978-0-19-971645-6.
^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.
^Moshe Halbertal (2013). Maimonides: Life and Thought. Princeton University Press. pp. 266–267. ISBN 978-1-4008-4847-8.
^Eisenberg, Joice; Ellen Scolnic; Jewish Publication Society (2001). The JPS dictionary of Jewish words. Jewish Publication Society. p. 79. ISBN 0-8276-0723-7.
^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.
^ abckavanah, Judaism, Encyclopædia Britannica
^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.
^Cite error: The named reference buber332 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Kaplan, Aryeh (1985). "3. Kavanot". Meditation and Kabbalah. Red Wheel. p. 214. ISBN 0-87728-616-7. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
^Shulchan Aruch 60:6 and 589:8
^Barenblat, Rachel (2005-07-13). "Kavanot for Shavuot". Ritualwell.org. Archived from the original on 2008-07-20. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
Kavanah, kavvanah or kavana (also pronounced /kaˈvonə/ by some Ashkenazi Jews) (כַּוָּנָה; in Biblical Hebrew kawwānā), plural kavanot or kavanos (Ashkenazim)...
salat (prayer), and in order to commence the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). Kavanah, a similar concept in Judaism Maqsood, Ruqaiyyah Waris (1994). Islam. London:...
daily prayers. Jewish prayer is usually described as having two aspects: kavanah (intention) and keva (the ritualistic, structured elements). The most important...
Dominique Girouard, Annie Hennessey, Andy Jones, Cathy Jones, Dennis Kavanah, Susan Kent, Greg Malone, Mary Walsh, Andrew Younghusband and Rick Mercer...
of teshuvah, giving tzedakah, and performing deeds of loving-kindness. Kavanah is the directing of the heart to achieve higher contemplative thoughts...
Messianic redemption requires both ethical Tikkun olam and contemplative Kavanah. Sanford Drob sees every attempt to limit Kabbalah to one fixed dogmatic...
range of meditative practices, often associated with the cultivation of kavanah or intention. The first layer of rabbinic law, the Mishnah, describes ancient...
a symbol to Asclepios. A similar Hebrew treatment was referred to as Kavanah and involved focusing on letters of the Hebrew alphabet spelling the name...
Christ or a saint in Christianity over nine successive days or weeks Kavanah – intention, devotion during prayer in Judaism Mettā Ravidassia religion...
correlate ritual observance with spirituality and love, the importance of Kavanah (intention) when performing mitzvot. He engages in a discussion of religious...
prayer is only meaningful if one focuses one's emotion and intention, kavanah, to the words of the prayers. The Shulchan Aruch thus advises that one...
nourishment may eat the minimum amount necessary to perform the service with kavanah. There are some Jewish laws that may not be violated, even when a life...
the "awakening" of the most distant souls in order to direct them with Kavanah towards the fulfillment of the Mitzvot: ...because the Torah is the light...
been able to create worship services that exhibit "ruach [spirit] and kavanah [spiritual focus]." The DC Minyan is part of a growing number of similar...
nondenominational Jewish organization in Seattle, Washington Kavana (Judaism) or Kavanah, the intention to perform a mitzva Kafana or kavana, a type of coffeeshop...
individual"), attributed to ninth-century Gaon Amram bar Sheshna, and the use of kavanah prayer, asking heavenly beings to join with the individual "to make a minyan...
performances and these are done by "action" as the material elements with holy Kavanah to bring supernal life to all the world... (i.e. to give good and "Rachamim/Clement...
which he parred traditional Talmudic learning with the highly spiritual Kavanah of Hasidism. He encouraged individuality of thought, which brought his...
teaching "God desires the heart" as the obligation of intention of the heart (kavanah) in the fulfilment of the mitzvot. Where the Baal Shem Tov departs from...
world, he would also quote Matthew Arnold or the Church fathers. But his kavanah [intent] was to bring people closer to Yiddishkeit [Judaism] and to develop...
correlate ritual observance with spirituality and love, the importance of Kavanah (intention) when performing mitzvot. He engages in a discussion of religious...
photographs juxtaposed with the text to depict its meaning and enhance kavanah, a central requirement of authentic prayer.[citation needed] A rendering...
the following known variations of the family name: Kavanagh, Kavanaugh, Kavanah, Kavenah, Kabana, Kavaner, Kavenaugh, Kavanacht, Kaveny, Kevane, Cavanaugh...
cloth on his right hand and wear the right side and then the left and have Kavanah that everything included in the idea of right and from the right comes...