TIP OF THE DAY 134: Religious time for an individual Hebrew in Biblical times

MJ. Smith

` I am adding these posts to the previous tip list L/V 10 Tip of the Day (when it doesn't time out)

QUESTION: What was the Hebrew individual’s religious “schedule” in Biblical times?

SOFTWARE: The Pro option of Perplexity can respond in single, complexity query but I was unable to force it to produce a table comparable to those for the religious cycle above..

ANSWER: Ask PerplexityBuild a table of a devout individual Hebrew's religious schedule in biblical times showing (column 1) the name in Hebrew and English, (column 2) frequency or date (column 3) when the practice was established, (column 4) when it ceased to be followed, and (column 5) Biblical basis for the practice. Consider daily, weekly, monthly, annual, and life events (birth, death, marriage, vows, sin offerings etc.) in the calendar. Assume that the reader is familiar with the Hebrew calendar and ritual calendar - focus on the individual and their participation.

Table of a Devout Hebrew Individual's Religious Schedule in Biblical Times

Hebrew & English Name	Frequency/Date	Establishment	Cessation	Biblical Basis
שַׁחֲרִית וְעַרְבִית(Shacharit v'Arvit)Morning and Evening Prayers	Daily (morning and evening)	Established with Tabernacle service during wilderness period	Continues today in modified form	Exodus 29:38-42, Deuteronomy 6:4-9
בְּרָכוֹת(Berachot)Mealtime Blessings	Multiple times daily (before/after meals)	Wilderness period	Continues today	Deuteronomy 8:10
שַׁבָּת(Shabbat)Sabbath Observance	Weekly (sunset Friday to sunset Saturday)	Creation (Genesis), formalized at Sinai	Continues today	Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8-11, Isaiah 58:13-14
תַּלְמוּד תּוֹרָה(Talmud Torah)Scripture Study	Weekly (especially on Sabbath)	With giving of Torah at Sinai	Continues today	Deuteronomy 6:6-7
רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ(Rosh Chodesh)New Moon Celebrations	Monthly (first day of Hebrew month)	With sacrificial system at Sinai	Temple sacrifices ceased in 70 CE; observance continues in modified form	Numbers 28:11-15, 1 Samuel 20:5, 2 Kings 4:23
טְבִילָה(Tevilah)Monthly Purification	Monthly for women after menstruation	With purity laws at Sinai	Continues in traditional Jewish practice	Leviticus 15:19-24
פֶּסַח וּמַצּוֹת(Pesach u'Matzot)Passover and Unleavened Bread	Annual (15-22 Nisan)	During Exodus from Egypt	Temple sacrifices ceased in 70 CE; holiday continues with modifications	Exodus 12, Leviticus 23:5-8
שָׁבוּעוֹת(Shavuot)Feast of Weeks/Pentecost	Annual (6 Sivan, 50 days after Passover)	At Sinai	Temple offerings ceased in 70 CE; holiday continues	Leviticus 23:15-21, Deuteronomy 16:9-12
רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה(Rosh Hashanah)Feast of Trumpets	Annual (1 Tishri)	At Sinai	Temple rituals ceased in 70 CE; holiday continues	Leviticus 23:23-25, Numbers 29:1-6
יוֹם כִּפּוּר(Yom Kippur)Day of Atonement	Annual (10 Tishri)	At Sinai	Temple rituals ceased in 70 CE; day continues to be observed through prayer and fasting	Leviticus 16, Leviticus 23:26-32
סֻכּוֹת(Sukkot)Feast of Tabernacles	Annual (15-21 Tishri)	At Sinai	Temple rituals ceased in 70 CE; holiday continues with modifications	Leviticus 23:33-43, Deuteronomy 16:13-15
שְׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת(Shemini Atzeret)Eighth Day of Assembly	Annual (22 Tishri)	At Sinai	Temple rituals ceased in 70 CE; holiday continues	Leviticus 23:36, Numbers 29:35
שָׁלוֹשׁ רְגָלִים(Shalosh Regalim)Pilgrimage Festivals	Three times annually (Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot)	At Sinai	Temple pilgrimage ceased in 70 CE	Exodus 23:14-17, Deuteronomy 16:16
בִּכּוּרִים(Bikkurim)First Fruits	Annual (during harvest season)	Upon entering Promised Land	Temple offerings ceased in 70 CE	Exodus 23:19, Leviticus 23:9-14, Deuteronomy 26:1-11
קָרְבַּן חַטָּאת(Korban Chatat)Sin Offerings	As needed for unintentional sins	With sacrificial system at Sinai	With destruction of Temple in 70 CE	Leviticus 4-5
קָרְבַּן אָשָׁם(Korban Asham)Guilt Offerings	As needed for certain transgressions	With sacrificial system at Sinai	With destruction of Temple in 70 CE	Leviticus 5:14-6:7
בְּרִית מִילָה(Brit Milah)Circumcision	8th day after birth (males)	With Abraham (Genesis 17)	Continues today	Genesis 17:9-14, Leviticus 12:3
פִּדְיוֹן הַבֵּן(Pidyon HaBen)Redemption of Firstborn	31st day after birth (firstborn males)	At Sinai	Continues today among Kohen families	Exodus 13:2, 13-15; Numbers 18:15-16
בַּר/בַּת מִצְוָה(Bar/Bat Mitzvah)Coming of Age	Once at age 13 (boys) or 12 (girls)	Concept in biblical times; formal ceremony developed post-biblically	Continues today	Implied in various texts; specific ceremony developed later
קִדּוּשִׁין(Kiddushin)Marriage Ceremonies	Once per marriage	Patriarchal period	Continues today with modifications	Genesis 2:24, Deuteronomy 24:1
נְזִירוּת(Nezirut)Nazirite Vow	Voluntary, for specified period	With sacrificial system at Sinai	Temple-related aspects ceased in 70 CE	Numbers 6:1-21
טְבִילָה(Tevilah)Ritual Immersion for Impurity	As needed after various forms of impurity	With purity laws at Sinai	Some aspects continue today	Leviticus 15, Numbers 19
אֲבֵלוּת(Avelut)Death and Mourning	Following death (7-day shiva, 30-day shloshim)	Patriarchal period	Continues today with modifications	Numbers 19:11-22, Deuteronomy 21:13, Numbers 20:29

QUESTION: When is the shema prayed?

ANSWER: from Perplexity modified:

The Shema is traditionally recited twice daily. It is a biblical commandment to recite the Shema in the morning and evening, as stated in Deuteronomy 6:7: "when you lie down and when you rise up".

The twice-daily recitation is incorporated into the morning (Shacharit) and evening (Ma'ariv) prayer services. Additionally, many Jews have the custom of reciting the Shema before going to bed at night, which is known as the Bedtime Shema (K'riat Shema Note there are three daily prayer services in Judaism - Shacharit (morning), Mincha (afternoon), and Ma'ariv (evening). While the Shema is part of the morning and evening services, it is not typically included in the afternoon Mincha service.

It's important to note that while the Shema is recited during prayer services, the obligation to recite the Shema is separate from the obligation to pray. The Shema represents a declaration of faith and is considered by many to be the most important prayer in Judaism.

QUESTION: What is the relationship of the Christian tradition mandating the Our Father with the Jewish tradition mandating the Shema?

ANSWER: from Perplexity:

Yes, there is evidence that the Christian tradition of praying the "Our Father" (Lord's Prayer) replaced the Jewish practice of reciting the Shema in terms of frequency and centrality in daily devotion. Early Christian writings, such as the Didache (a first-century Christian text), instructed believers to pray the Lord's Prayer three times a day, mirroring the Jewish custom of reciting the Shema twice daily and possibly its association with other fixed prayer times.

Key Points of Comparison:

Frequency:

The Shema was recited twice daily, morning and evening, as commanded in Deuteronomy 6:7: "when you lie down and when you rise up". Additionally, it was often included in other prayer contexts.

Early Christians adopted a pattern of praying the Lord's Prayer three times a day, as noted in early documents like the Didache. This practice may have been influenced by Jewish prayer customs, which included fixed prayer times (e.g., morning, afternoon, and evening).

Replacement in Ritual Practice:

The Lord's Prayer became central to Christian worship and personal devotion, supplanting the Shema as a declaration of faith and daily prayer. It symbolized a shift from Jewish liturgical traditions to a Christ-centered identity for early Christians.

The Didache explicitly prescribed the thrice-daily recitation of the Lord's Prayer, reflecting its importance as a unifying prayer for the early Church.

Theological Transition:

The Shema emphasizes God's oneness ("Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One") and love for God with all one's heart, soul, and might (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).

The Lord's Prayer, while acknowledging God's majesty ("Our Father who art in heaven"), introduces a more intimate relationship with God as "Father" and includes petitions for daily needs, forgiveness, and deliverance from evil. This reflects Jesus' teachings on God's fatherly nature and His kingdom.

Continuity with Jewish Tradition:

Both prayers share roots in Jewish monotheism and emphasize devotion to God. The Lord's Prayer can be seen as a fulfillment or reinterpretation of themes found in the Shema and other Jewish prayers.

Thus, while the Lord's Prayer did not directly replicate all aspects of the Shema, it served a similar role in early Christian practice by providing a structured framework for daily devotion and affirming core theological beliefs. Its mandated thrice-daily recitation by early Christians reflects continuity with Jewish prayer customs while marking a distinct shift toward Christian identity.

Donovan R. Palmer

@MJ. Smith I just wanted to take a while, but I will say it again. I absolutely love your Tip of the Day posts! The content you create is fantastic, and it's been a delight watching how you utilise Perplexity too. I've signed up for your fan club.