Founder’s Blog

Facing West in Prayer

By Boaz Michael  | Comments (7) | Posted on February 8, 2008

Shabbat shalom. We really need your prayers this next week as myself, Daniel L., Toby J., David V., Joel P., and Jeremiah S., leave for Israel to film 45, on location, teaching segments to be placed into the new and revised HaYesod discipleship program.

We are all obviously excited. Going to the Land is like a really a good dream, a dream that lasts the entire time you are there. We are also a bit overwhelmed with the significance of this trip. We leave on the 17th of February and return on March 7th. God willing, and if time permits, we will send many updates on the trip to you all through these blog posts. For now we ask you cover us in prayer as we finalize our preparations for the trip. Also pray that the Father meets with us while we try to capture some of the essence of the Holy Land on film for all of you.

Speaking of prayer read the following explanation on prayer orientation from Wikipedia:

The Talmud lays down the rule is that if one prays in the Diaspora, he shall direct himself toward the Land of Israel; in Israel, toward Jerusalem; in Jerusalem, toward the Temple; and in the Temple, toward the Holy of Holies.

The same rule is found in the Mishnah; however, it is prescribed for individual prayers only rather than for congregational prayers at a synagogue. Thus, if a man is east of the Temple, he should turn westward; if in the west, eastward; in the south, northward; and if in the north, southward.

The custom is based on the prayer of Solomon (I Kings 8:34, 44, 48; II Chron. 6:34). Another passage supporting this rule is found in the Book of Daniel, which relates that in the upper chamber of the house, where Daniel prayed three times a day, the windows of which were opened toward Jerusalem (Dan. 6:11).

Last time we were in the Land doing some work on HaYesod we had the unique opportunity to pray facing west—normally we pray facing east. What was uniquely powerful about our time of prayer is that from this position we were overlooking the ancient city of David. New archeological digs have begun to unearth what is believed to be one of His palaces. That morning was a unique morning of prayer facing West, overlooking the ancient city of David, the Old city, and the Modern city of Jerusalem, pleading to the Father to return and restore.

Here is a picture of us as we had just begun to prepare for our prayers. I am on the far left, Daniel L. in the middle, and Joel P. is on the right. Toby took the picture and then joined us in prayer.

And to Jerusalem, Your city, may You return in compassion, and may You rest within it as You have spoken. May You rebuild it soon in our days as an eternal structure, and may You speedily establish the thrown of David within it. Blessed are you HaShem, the builder of Jerusalem. (Taken from the Amidah prayer)

About the Author: Boaz Michael is the president and founder of First Fruits of Zion.

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