Why Pray Three Times a Day? Isn't One Prayer Enough?

One of the steps in the journey of spiritual growth is the decision to pray Shacharit. Waking up in the morning is difficult for many people, but below are a few facts you may not know about Shacharit that will inspire you to wake up early.

1. A Spiritual Breakfast. Abraham our forefather established the Shacharit prayer, as stated in the Talmud: "Abraham instituted the morning prayer, as it is said 'And Abraham got up early in the morning to the place where he had stood' (Genesis 19:27), and 'standing' refers to prayer, as 'Phinehas stood and prayed' (Psalms 106:30)" (Tractate Berakhot, page 26). The three prayers were established by our forefathers, who at the time had no fixed text. The prayer formulas we have today were set by the Men of the Great Assembly during the Second Temple period.

Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook z"l explains in his work 'Ein Ayah' why it was Abraham who established the Shacharit prayer and why it is so crucial to pray at the start of the day: "All foundational elements of reverence and moral values that a person acquires might be forgotten due to the storm of human desires and temporal temptations. Prayer embeds all holy matters and exalted ideas firmly in the heart, allowing them to have a stronghold that won’t falter from the turbulent winds of moral collapse and complete devotion. This operation is especially crucial in the morning, enabling a person to prepare themselves before turning to life’s affairs and inevitable bodily desires, thus granting themselves a strong moral stance so that they stand firm amid the torrents of time and withstand opposing forces' trials. For this purpose, the prayer is termed 'standing', concerning its intended effect, which Abraham, the forefather of believers perfected, when he withstood ten marvelous tests, battled all opposing crowds toward the path ascending to behold Hashem’s light which he sought to spread forth."

Throughout the day, we encounter various temptations and scenarios that test us with small trials of good versus evil. To speak gossip or remain silent, to perform an act of kindness or get lazy, to study Torah for another 10 minutes or call it a day, to buy a garment or make a spiritual compromise, and so forth. The morning prayer instills in us reverence and moral values and reminds us not to succumb to desires that don’t align with our faith. The morning prayer aims to transform us into spiritual warriors and prepare us against the day’s challenges.

Abraham, our forefather, faced hard trials and stood firm in his faith in Hashem against a world that shouted otherwise. It’s no coincidence he’s the one who established the morning prayer, designed to build in a person the fortitude to endure the day’s trials.

It is said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Perhaps this is not only about the physical food, but also our spiritual intake. The morning prayer gives us strength, and spiritually prepares us for the new day ahead.

2. Like a Temple Sacrifice. After the destruction of the Temple, when the sacrifices ceased, which were intended to draw and connect the sons of Israel to the Creator of the world, prayers took the place of the sacrifices. The Shacharit prayer replaces the morning daily sacrifice, which was offered during the Temple times.

Rashi explains on the verse "And let our lips substitute for bulls" (Hosea 14:3): "And let our lips substitute - that which we were meant to offer before you we'll atone with the appeasement of our words". Similarly, it is stated in the Midrash: "Rabbi Abbahu stated: Who compensates those bulls we would bring before you? Our lips, with the prayers we offer before you" (Pesikta D’Rav Kahana, Section 24).

Both prayer and sacrifices are referred to as 'service', deriving from the word 'servant'. Why does the act of prayer and offering sacrifices express our servitude to Hashem? Maharal explains in his book 'Netivot Olam', that similar to a servant whose being and assets belong to their master, likewise, through offering sacrifices and turning to Hashem in prayer, we express our devotion to Hashem and convey the notion that I and all my possessions belong to Hashem.

Additionally, prayer represents the acknowledgment of Hashem’s sovereignty over the petitioner and also the petitioner’s absolute dependency on Hashem, similar to a servant’s relation to their master. Recognizing that all life events depend on the Creator of the world and that He solely governs our lives is embodied through the service of prayer.

As expressed by the Maharal: “Why has He commanded this service of bringing a sacrifice to the Almighty? Although this is not for the benefit of the Almighty, man still dedicates himself to the Almighty. Even if he does not surrender his soul to Him but only his assets by offering a sacrifice, this too is called dedicating oneself to the Almighty when sacrificing his possessions to Him. This is service because a servant is owned by his master, and he and his assets all belong to him. Therefore, when one brings a sacrifice to Him, it indicates that he belongs to Him, like a servant owned by his master, this is seen as a service to the Almighty. Moreover, this indicates that the Almighty is singular and none besides Him, for when sacrifices are brought to Him, it shows that all belongs to Him, and therefore there is none besides Him and He is One" ('Netivot Olam' / 'Netiv Ha’Avodah' / 1).

3. A Time of Uniqueness. Prayer is a singular moment of connection to the Creator. Prayer is designed for man’s benefit, drawing him closer to Hashem and bestowing him with spiritual and physical abundance. The three daily prayers represent three points in a day of renewed spiritual recharge, each prayer with its distinctiveness. It is cited in the Talmud Yerushalmi (Tractate Berakhot, Chapter 4, Halacha 1): "From where did they derive the three prayers? Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachmani said: corresponding to the three shifts the day changes upon mankind. In the morning a person should say 'I thank You, Hashem, my God and God of my forefathers, for bringing me from darkness to light'. In the afternoon a person should say 'I thank You, Hashem, my God and God of my forefathers, just as You made me worthy to see the sun in the east, so too in the west'. In the evening one should say 'May it be Your will, Hashem, my God and God of my forefathers, just as I was in darkness and You brought me to light, so too bring me from darkness to light'."

The life paths of the patriarchs and their ways in the service of Hashem align in essence with the prayers they established. Abraham, our father, emerged from the darkness of idol worship and lit the flame of belief in the Creator of the world. According to mysticism, the morning is a time of kindness. Thus, the essence of the Shacharit prayer, established by Abraham, is gratitude for Hashem’s kindness and the transition from darkness and concealment to light.

Isaac, our patriarch, was born into a world that knew about faith. He was born into a holy household and sanctified through the binding. Midday is a time when the sun shines strongly, reflecting the strength of faith during Isaac’s era. Hence, the essence of the Mincha prayer, instituted by Isaac, is giving thanks for everything running smoothly and peacefully.

Jacob, our patriarch, endured a life filled with trials and hardships; his life was a tapestry of darkness and shadow. Evening is a time of judgment and darkness. Thus, the essence of the Maariv prayer, created by Jacob, is an expression of faith and hope that hardship is temporary and the Creator of the world will take us from darkness to light.

The Weekly Challenge

For beginners, try praying Shacharit at least once this week. You can gradually increase the frequency afterwards.

For more advanced individuals who pray at home, strive to attend a synagogue for Shacharit at least once. Initially, try going once a week and gradually increase the frequency.