What are the main Jewish prayers?

The main Jewish prayers are organized around three daily prayer services — Shacharit (morning), Mincha (afternoon), and Maariv (evening) — which form the backbone of Jewish liturgical life. These services center on the Amidah (also called the Shemoneh Esreh), the central silent prayer of 19 blessings, along with the Shema and its surrounding blessings. Additional prayers and services are added on Shabbat, holidays, and special occasions.

Key Takeaways

Jewish prayer (tefillah) is structured around three daily services instituted by the Sages, corresponding to the three Patriarchs.
The Amidah (Shemoneh Esreh) — 19 blessings — is the central prayer of every service.
The Shema is a biblical declaration of God's unity, recited twice daily, and is itself a core mitzvah.
Prayer is understood not merely as personal petition but as an act of honoring God's sovereignty [Nefesh HaChayim, Gate II 11:2].
Certain prayers are restricted on days of mourning, such as Tisha B'Av [Mishneh Torah, Fasts 5:11].

The Three Daily Services

Jewish law (halacha) establishes three daily prayer services:

Shacharit — morning prayer, corresponding to Abraham [Berakhot 26b]
Mincha — afternoon prayer, corresponding to Isaac [Berakhot 26b]
Maariv (or Arvit) — evening prayer, corresponding to Jacob [Berakhot 26b]

The Talmud debates whether these services were instituted by the Patriarchs or as substitutes for the daily Temple korbanot (sacrifices) [Berakhot 26b]. Both reasons are considered significant.

The Core Prayers

The Shema (שְׁמַע)

The Shema is drawn from three Torah passages, beginning with Deuteronomy 6:4: "Shema Yisrael Hashem Eloheinu Hashem Echad" — "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One."

It is recited in Shacharit and Maariv, fulfilling the commandment of [Deuteronomy 11:13] to serve God "with all your heart and all your soul."
It is surrounded by berakhot (blessings) relating to God's love, creation, and redemption.

The Amidah (עֲמִידָה) — The Standing Prayer

The Amidah, also called Shemoneh Esreh ("Eighteen," though now nineteen blessings), is recited while standing, facing Jerusalem.

It is structured in three sections:

Praise — Three opening blessings honoring God's greatness, might, and holiness
Petition — Thirteen middle blessings (on weekdays) requesting wisdom, repentance, forgiveness, redemption, health, prosperity, and more
Thanksgiving — Three closing blessings of gratitude

On Shabbat and holidays, the middle petitionary blessings are replaced with a single blessing relating to the holiness of the day.

The Nefesh HaChayim (R. Chaim of Volozhin) explains that even prayers that appear to be about personal needs are fundamentally oriented toward honoring God's sovereignty: "the daily prayer service, even though it superficially appears to mostly be organized relative to the matters of our personal needs... it is clear to all who understand... that the [deeper purpose is to honor His sovereignty]" [Nefesh HaChayim, Gate II 11:2].

Additional Important Prayers

Pesukei DeZimra (Verses of Praise)

Introductory psalms and praises recited before the Shema in Shacharit, including Ashrei (Psalm 145) and the Song of the Sea (Exodus 15).

Hallel (Praise)

Psalms 113–118 recited on Rosh Chodesh, Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot, and Chanukah.

Musaf (Additional Service)

An additional Amidah recited on Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, and Yom Tov, corresponding to the additional Temple sacrifice of those days.

Tachanun (Supplication)

Penitential prayers recited after the Amidah on weekdays, omitted on joyous occasions.

Kaddish

A doxology praising God's greatness, recited by mourners and at transitions between sections of the service. It is recited in Aramaic and requires a minyan (quorum of ten).

Aleinu

A closing prayer affirming Israel's unique calling and expressing hope for universal recognition of God's sovereignty. Recited at the end of every service.

Special Prayer Insertions

Certain additions are made seasonally or situationally:

Tal u'Geshem — Prayers for dew and rain inserted into the Amidah during the rainy season, a topic extensively discussed in [Taanit, Introduction to Perek I] regarding the proper times for these insertions.
Yaaleh VeYavo — Inserted on Rosh Chodesh and Yom Tov.
Al HaNissim — Added on Chanukah and Purim.

Prayers on Tisha B'Av

It is worth noting that on Tisha B'Av, certain normal study and prayer practices are restricted. The Rambam rules: "On Tish'ah B'Av, it is forbidden to read from the Torah, the Prophets, or the Sacred Writings [or to study] the Mishnah, Torah law, the Talmud, or the Aggadic works. One may study only Job, Eichah, and the prophecies of retribution in Jeremiah" [Mishneh Torah, Fasts 5:11]. This reflects how deeply the day's mourning permeates even Torah and liturgical life.

The Purpose of Prayer

The Psalmist captures the spirit of Jewish prayer: "וַאֲנִי תְפִלָּתִי־לְךָ יְהֹוָה עֵת רָצוֹן" — "As for me, may my prayer come to You, O Lord, at a favorable time" [Psalms 69:14]. Prayer is not merely asking for needs but cultivating an ongoing relationship with God, at structured times and from a place of inner sincerity.

For personal guidance on prayer practices, consult your local rabbi or posek.