kavanah

Kavanah, or kavana, is a Hebrew term meaning intention or direction of the heart. In Jewish practice, it refers to the mental focus and inward orientation that should accompany liturgical recitation, blessings, and the performance of mitzvot. The concept emphasizes that actions are meaningful only when they are performed with deliberate purpose and awareness of God.

In rabbinic literature, kavanah is described as a condition for the efficacy of prayer and commandments. Some authorities hold that words spoken without kavanah do not fulfill the commandment, while others permit that a mitzvah done without full concentration may still count in certain circumstances. Practical expressions of kavana range from understanding the words to more sustained concentration during prayers such as the Shema and the Amidah.

In Jewish mysticism and Hasidic practice, kavanah can involve elaborate meditative techniques and guided "kavanot" intended to direct divine energy or align with the sefirot. This dimension treats inner intention as integral to the spiritual impact of prayer, sometimes including precise ordering of recitation and visualization.

Modern practice varies by denomination. Orthodox communities commonly emphasize the obligation to pray with concentration, though approaches differ on how precisely kavana should be formed. Conservative and Reform communities place greater emphasis on understanding and personal meaning, and some contemporary movements incorporate meditative or contemplative practices to cultivate kavana.