CCAR RESPONSA
New American Reform Responsa
14. Prayer Motions
QUESTION: Some congregants have asked about certain body motions made during various parts of the service. For example, raising one’s eyes during the recital of the qedushah or rising on one’s toes on that occasion. What is the origin of these customs? (Joseph Lieberman, Pittsburgh PA)ANSWER: Most customs of this nature seem to have an origin in the mystical literature. The minhag of raising the eyes to heaven may have expressed a desire to rise to the level of the heavenly host during worship. This verse, of course, reminds us of the prophet Isaiah (6.3). Among Sephardim it was customary to turn the eyes downward during the recital of this prayer. These and other movements may represent an effort to encourage greater inner concentration (Tur Orah Hayim 125 and commentaries; Hamanhig #52). They generally were created by mystics and their source may be found in various Kabbalistic books. In later generations the origin of the customs was forgotten and they remained as they do now among many traditional Jews. There is no reason for us, however, to follow these customs.August 1989
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