As we gather together as a Jewish community, it is only fitting that we have a little bit of a text study. In the Talmud (the most important compilation of rabbinic commentary, which was canonized in the 7th century), there is a tractate called Brachot, or blessings, which concentrates on laws and customs related to prayer. In Brachot, it says: “A person should always pray in a house with windows.” Now, there is little to no explanation about this text as it stands alone.
א"ר חייא בר אבא לעולם יתפלל אדם בבית שיש בו חלונות שנאמר (דניאל ו, יא) וכוין פתיחן ליה וגו'
Many halakhot are derived from evoking the prayers of biblical characters. Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said: One should always pray in a house with windows, as it is stated regarding Daniel: “And when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went to his house. In his attic there were open windows facing Jerusalem, and three times a day he knelt upon his knees and prayed and gave thanks before his God, just as he had done before” (Daniel 6:11).
What do you think this text means and what might be the reason for this commandment?
Why would it be important to pray in a house (or in a room) with windows?)
Why would it be important to pray in a house (or in a room) with windows?)
Possible responses:
- so we can see the outside world
- so the windows face Jerusalem
- so we can see the heavens (Brachot 34b)
- so we can see the blessing around us
- so we don't feel isolated
- so that other people can see us
- not praying or living in a vacuum
- so that we can know each other, both inside and outside our community
- know ourselves better
- let light into our space
ואמר רבי חייא בר אבא אמר רבי יוחנן אל יתפלל אדם אלא בבית שיש שם חלונות שנאמר (דניאל ו, יא) וכוין פתיחן ליה בעליתיה (לקבל) [נגד]
And on the topic of prayer, Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: One may only pray in a house with windows, as then he can see the heavens and focus his heart, as it is stated with regard to Daniel’s prayer: “In his attic there were open windows facing Jerusalem” (Daniel 6:11).
Sometimes when we look through windows we just see what is on the other side, but sometimes the light can hit a certain way, and we see a reflection of ourselves, of what's on the inside. So a window can show us both the outside and the inside. The purpose of this session today it to help us see each other and our community as well as to be seen ourselves. We are given the opportunity to look through that window in every direction -- to reflect on who we are as individuals and as a community, seeing who we want to be.