Why Do Orthodox Jews Rock Back and Forth When Praying

This month, we respond to Boris, who wants to know "why some Jews rock back and forth while they pray?"

Dear Boris,
Many people have asked why religious Jews sway back and forth while praying. This very old custom is called shuckling in Yiddish and means to rock, shake, or swing. As with many customs, it is easier to describe when and where it was practiced, than to answer definitively, why people shuckle while praying and studying the Torah.

The habit was noted already by the prophet Mohammed, who is said to have advised his adherents not to sway back and forth during religious services.

In 12th century Spain, Rabbi Yehuda Halevi reported that ten or more men sometimes read from just one book. To do this, they each walked up to the book, bent over the text and then took a step backward again, making room for the next reader.

In another source, psalm 35,10, the words "All my bones shall say: 'HaShem, who is like unto Thee" are interpreted as an appeal to involve one's whole body in prayer.

A post-it note with the question of the month (in German) and a drawing of a man moving back and forth — "Why do some Jews rock back and forth while they pray? Boris"; Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Thomas Valentin Harb

Another explanation explains rhythmic movement as a way to concentrate on praying and learning, and ward off distracting thoughts. According to the mystical text Zohar, a person's soul emanates from divine light. Every time a Jew engages with the Torah, the light of his or her soul ignites, which is why he or she moves like the flame of a candle. This striking image illustrates the desire of many religious Jews to connect directly with God by learning and praying.

Some rabbis of the past have permitted their congregants to shuckle only during select prayers. In the 19th century, German Jews were eager to adapt their behavior to that of majority society, which is why most rejected shuckling. Today, shuckling is generally understood as a physical accompaniment to the rhythm of prayers and as a way to concentrate on them more deeply.

Miriam Goldmann, Curator of the Exhibition "The Whole Truth"

A wall with pink post-it notes — Questions on the wall in the special exhibition "The Whole Truth"; Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Thomas Valentin Harb

Citation recommendation:

Miriam Goldmann (2013), "Why do some Jews rock back and forth while they pray?". Question of the Month in the Context of the Exhibition "The Whole Truth".
URL: www.jmberlin.de/en/node/6231

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Question of the Month: Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Jews (7)

Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Jews

Our exhibition The Whole Truth…Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Jews was based on 30 questions posed to the Jewish Museum Berlin or its staff over the past few years. In the exhibition, visitors had their own opportunity to ask questions or to leave comments on post-it notes. Some of these questions are answered here in our website.
How does a kippah stay on?

Answered by Michal Friedlander, Curator for Judaica and Applied Arts
Why do women have to cover their hair with a wig or scarf after getting married?

Answered by Miriam Goldmann, Curator of the Exhibition The Whole Truth
Do Jews have their own language?

Answered by Martina Lüdicke, Curator of the Exhibition The Whole Truth
Why do some Jews rock back and forth while they pray?

Answered by Miriam Goldmann, Curator of the Exhibition The Whole Truth
What role do gender themes play? What's the story with women rabbis?

Answered by Anina Falasca, Curator of the Exhibition The Whole Truth
Are there gay Jews?

Answered by Anina Falasca, Miriam Goldmann, Martina Lüdicke, Curators of the Exhibition The Whole Truth
"Was Goethe a Jew too?"

Answered by Berhard Jensen, Library