Tefillah Outlined

Explanation of מוסף לשלש רגלים, were we express our inability to offer the קרבן מוסף and ask for the גאולה and ability to offer קרבנות and perform עלייה לרגל.

Explanation of י-ה א-לי, the introduction for מוסף בשלש רגלים where we ask for the גאולה (even the ימי הדין) and express our desire to internalize these truths as a merit for ability to actually offer the מוסף and its accompanying קרבנות.

Explanation of י״ג מידות הרחמים and the request for spiritual enlightenment  inspiration and fulfillment of Hashem's will in this world.

Explanation of אתה בחרתו, where we highlight בחירת ישראל and the love and commitment between Hashem and כלל ישראל which serve as the basis for קדושת הזמן of Yom Tov. We also ask for Yom Tov to impact our lives with a deeper appreciation of life and service of Hashem.

Reflections on ראש חודש, highlighting the elements of renewal (nature, self and our understanding of Hashem) as well as the ultimate renewal of the Jewish people and the world, with the גאולה. We also noted some of the similarities between שבת and ראש חודש.

Explanation of קידוש הלבנה, where we recognize Hashem as Creator of the heavens and associate the renewal of the moon with the renewal of the Jewish people's relationship with Hashem now and with the coming of ultimate גאולה.

Introduction to קידוש הלבנה, where we elaborate on when and how the ברכה should be said and who recites the ברכה, revealing the underlying elements of כבוד השכינה as well as שמחה which accompany our observation of the new moon, eliciting thoughts of our world visa vi Hashem, renewed relationship with Him and ultimate destiny as the Jewish nation.

Explanation of ברכי נפשי, where we describe Hashem's grandeur in creation, creation's benefit to humanity and life in general as well as Hashem's השגחה and guidance to our perfection with the ultimate redemption. 

Explanation of  מוסף ראש חודש, where we elaborate on the goal of ראש חודש as a means of כפרה and reinvigorating our relationship with Hashem as well as a prayer for the renewal of the בית המקדש and ברכות in our lives. 

Reflection on הלל, surveying the progression of הלל , its themes and the difference between this הלל and that of פסוקי דזמרא.

Explanation of יהללוך, the concluding ברכה of הלל, where we declare our constant praise of Hashem, incorporating the experiences and revelation of Hashem in our midst into our life.

Explanation of הודו לה׳ כי טוב in הלל, where we acknowledge the kindness Hashem has done for us to allow us to survive the exile (and ultimately redeem us) as well as the opportunities which even the challenges of exile offered us. We use these experiences to educate the rest of humanity in praising Hashem.

Explanation of הללו את ה׳ כל גוים, where we envision the time when the entire world will praise Hashem, appreciate His חסד and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises for taking the Jewish nation out of exile and meting out justice, as well as appreciate their role in educating the world of Hashem.

Explanation of תהלים קט״ז, אהבתי and מה אשיב, where we exclaim our love that Hashem cares for us as well as our desire to pray before Him in difficult times. We conclude with a recognition of our indebtedness before Hashem, acknowledgement of the process of our self-improvement due to the difficult circumstances, and the need to spread this appreciation to the the world.

Explanation of לא לנו, ה׳ זכרנו, which  is both a plead for and declaration of confidence in Hashem's השגחה and protection as well as a recognition of the ברכה that Hashem reciprocates onto us and our role in this relationship. 

Explanation of בצאת ישראל, where we highlight the unique, supernatural relationship and commitment the Jewish people have with Hashem, which began at יציאת מצרים and carries over into the future. 

Explanation of הללוי-ה הללו עבדי ה׳, the first פרק in הלל where emphasize the need to not only praise Hashem but recognize that despite His loftiness, He is involved in our lives both as individuals and as a nation, raising us to greater heights.

Introduction to הלל in general and specifically to ראש חודש, understanding that the הלל functions both as a recognition of the day itself and a manifestation of the joy in being with Hashem, something that is more clearly experienced in the community context.

Introduction to and explanation of יעלה ויבא, where we, as a community, in fact establish the day of ראש חודש through our תפילה, recognizing the goal of ראש חודש is to renew our relationship with Hashem בזכרון טוב.

Introduction to ראש חודש, understanding its איסור מלאכה ,איסור תענית and obligation to have a meal (as well as קידוש החודש in general) in the context of שמחה which stems from the בית המקדש and the monthly renewal of the intimate relationship we have with הקב״ה.

Reflections on תפילת שבת and its various themes.

Explanation of ויתן לך, an array of פסוקי ברכה to orient ourselves with the proper perspective on success during the weekday and focus on continuing the effects of שבת into the week. 

Explanation of אתה חוננתנו and origins of הבדלה בתפילה, highlighting the import of not recognizing the fact that שבת was a gift or that now it's the weekday, but precisely the transition and demarcation between the significance of the past and the future. It is with this knowledge we can impact and take the lessons of שבת into the week.

Explanation of the various customs and additions to מעריב on מוצאי שבת, where we delay and extend קודשת השבת for others, ourselves and for שבת itself, to bring שבת and its values into the next week.

Explanation of צדקתך צדק, where we express several truths about הקב״ה's interactions with us in giving us Torah, תשובה and even דין, ideas which are fully appreciated only at the end of שבת and with which we can start the next week with.