cellio | daf bit intermission: Pirkei Avot 2

(Today's daf is Nidah 3. I'm not ready to deal with that topic, at least in mixed company, but fortunately, we're still in the Omer and studying Pirke Avot!)

Rabbi Shimon said: be careful with the recitation of the sh'ma and the t'filah (the main prayer). When you pray do not make it a set task but an appeal for mercy and an entreaty before the All-Present. R. Eleazar said: be eager to study torah and know before Whom one toils. R. Tarfon said: the day is short and the work is much, and the workers are indolent, but the reward is great and the Master of the house is insistent. (Avot 2:18-20, excerpted)

With the fixed text of the t'filah in the prayerbook being somewhat long, it can be hard to remember that the text was not always so fixed and to follow Rabbi Shimon's advice.