Standing Before God

How can we transform our prayer practice? In this new spiritual exploration, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz will guide us through the depths of the blessings of the Shemoneh Esrei (the Amidah), the traditional Jewish "standing" prayer. By deepening our Amidah practice, we can unlock our deeper moral and spiritual potential.

In Standing Before God, Rabbi Shmuly invites readers into a transformative exploration of Jewish prayer, blending ancient liturgy with contemporary spiritual and ethical insight. With his signature moral clarity and compassionate voice, Rabbi Yanklowitz reframes tefillah not as rote obligation, but as a radical act of presence, justice, and connection—both to the Divine and to one another. Whether you're a seasoned davener who has prayed three times a day for decades or someone curious about spiritual practice and new to this timeless Jewish traditional prayer, this book offers a deeply accessible and inspiring guide to reclaiming prayer as a force for inner growth and outward change.

Drawing on classical Jewish texts, Hasidic thought, modern philosophy, and his own rich experience as an activist and educator, Rabbi Yanklowitz reveals how prayer can be an engine for empathy, resilience, and social responsibility. Each chapter delves into a core theme—gratitude, longing, protest, healing—and unpacks how the traditional liturgy can speak powerfully to the moral challenges of our time.

What sets Standing Before God apart is its urgent relevance and heartfelt sincerity. Rabbi Yanklowitz does not shy away from the spiritual struggles many face today—injustice in the world, disconnection from God, doubt in the power of words—and yet he lovingly insists that prayer still matters. This is more than a book about Jewish prayer; it is a call to spiritual courage, ethical living, and radical hope.