The spiritual life—Prayer, meditation, Torah
Norman Solomon
Judaism June 25, 2026 DOI: 10.1093/9780198930501.003.0006 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Argues that Jewish spirituality centers on holiness found in everyday compassion, prayer, learning, and ethics, with Torah study as the core spiritual path that fosters joy, intimacy, continuity, and identity. |
Abstract
Abstract This chapter explores Jewish spirituality through stories and teachings that show holiness emerging in ordinary compassion, prayer, learning, and ethical conduct. It defines prayer as heartfelt service that is shaped by kavvana, examines debates over its efficacy, and traces the formation of liturgy, including the Shema and the Amida. The chapter discusses attitudes in prayer, the status of women, and the poetic and musical traditions that enrich communal devotion. It surveys pietistic movements, mystical practices, and disciplines that cultivate love of God across centuries. Finally, the chapter presents Torah study as Judaism’s core spiritual path, nurturing joy, intimacy, continuity, and identity.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. | 2004 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mechanisms of mindfulness | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective | 2011 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression | 2006 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness | 2012 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |