Why do we say some tefilos three times?

imorethanamother

Wed, Feb 06 2019, 1:42 am

Hi everyone -

Why is it that we repeat some verses three times? I started saying Shema Al Hamita, and there's this series of things we say each verse three times, and it just feels like I'm saying an incantation. Same thing with the artscroll tefilas haderech. Why not just say a verse once? Is it going to have a bigger impact if we say it three times in a row? Should I wave candles or incense around while I'm at it?

Okay, I'm serious.

Rubber Ducky

Wed, Feb 06 2019, 8:30 am

3 times is a chazaka. There's a concept that doing something 3 times makes it a habit, makes it permanent. For sure saying a verse 3 times imprints it better in your head.[I]

imorethanamother

Wed, Feb 06 2019, 3:12 pm

Rubber Ducky wrote:

3 times is a chazaka. There's a concept that doing something 3 times makes it a habit, makes it permanent. For sure saying a verse 3 times imprints it better in your head.[I]

So then why not say baruch sheamar three times. Or shema three times in a row. Or baruch shem kavod. . three times fast.

During birkat kohanim, the kohanim say their prayer once. During kriyas shema al hamitah, it is said three times in a row. Why?