Why We Pray What We Pray details the various factors that have influenced six important Jewish prayers and shaped how and when Jews recite them. This book shows that each prayer--Shema, Nishmat, Birkat HaHodesh, Anim Zemirot, Aleinu and Kaddish--has a complex history of which contemporary worshippers are mostly unaware. As readers learn about the factors and forces that shaped these prayers and Jewish liturgy in general, they will gain a more profound appreciation of what Jewish worship is all about. Why We Pray What We Pray also sets forth important moments in Jewish history with depth and detail.