kavanah

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Borrowed from Hebrew כַּוָּנָה (kavaná, “intention, direction”).

Pronunciation

  • (Ashkenazi) IPA(key): /kəˈvʌnə/
  • IPA(key): /kɑːvɑːˈnɑː/, /kɑːvəˈnɑː/

Noun

kavanah (uncountable)

  1. (Judaism) Heartfelt intent during prayer, as opposed to roteness.
    • 1996, Macy Nulman, The Encyclopedia of Jewish Prayer, page 229:
      The Gaon of Vilna (Ha-Gra) also opposed saying the formula Leshaym Yihud as well as Hineni mukhan umezuman ("Behold I am prepared and ready") since precepts do not require kavanah.
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