Berakhot 26

Today’s reading further explores the theme of intention and makes a distinction between intentionally missing a prayer and accidentally doing so. The concept of intention has been central to much of the text to date. 

The daily email provides good background on the difference between the Shema and Amidah and redemption and prayer. 

How are people approaching their daily readings? Are you reading the text as a historical or literary document, or a spiritual, academic or intellectual one? Or are you reading the text to understand our religion more profoundly? I am reading to better understand the religion I was raised in, but it is more of an intellectual than spiritual exercise (with the exception of passages like the one that described the broken tablets.) It is hard to find meaning without really extrapolating from the protracted discussions on bodily fluids and the timing of when to pray.