A well-known story is told about Reb Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev. After Shemoneh Esrei one day, he turned to a congregant and said warmly, “Welcome back to town.” When others looked at him in surprise, he explained that during davening this individual’s mind had traveled far, making stops at the fair in Leipzig, at his warehouse, and at a customer’s home. Now that he had returned, Reb Levi Yitzchok was welcoming him back.
The point was simple and direct: when you daven, you have to be where your words are.
For years, Prayer Points, authored by Rabbi Nachman Wilhelm, founder and dean of Online Smicha, helped people do exactly that. First published as three slim booklets, filled with carefully chosen stories, insights, and chassidishe vertalach on the daily tefillos, they circulated quietly, passed from hand to hand, tucked into tallis bags, shared at Shabbos tables, farbrengens, and between friends, or used privately as a source of inspiration.
The feedback received by Rabbi Wilhelm from around the globe was consistent. After reading, davening felt different. More focused. Words people had said their entire lives suddenly carried meaning.
Now those three volumes have been gathered into something built to last.
Prayer Points on Tefillah is now available in a beautifully produced hardcover edition, expanded with additional material. The insights that changed how people approach davening are now presented in a sefer meant to sit beside your siddur, to take its place on a home or shul bookshelf, and to be returned to again and again.
Another volume, Prayer Points on Tehillim, applies the same approach to the timeless words of Tehillim. Tehillim is both Torah and tefillah, meant to be learned, and meant to be poured out from the heart. Following the familiar Prayer Points format, this sefer brings each kapitel to life with clarity and depth, helping the reader connect more fully to the words Jews have turned to for centuries.
Alongside these comes something entirely new: Halacha Points. Based on 120 shiurim delivered by Rabbi Wilhelm, each corresponding to another year of a person’s lifespan, this sefer shines a light on areas of halacha that are often overlooked or rarely discussed. Written in a clear, engaging style, Halacha Points will educate and inspire, adding substance and feeling to how a Jew lives his Yiddishkeit.
These sefarim don’t replace your siddur, Tehillim, or Shulchan Aruch.
They make you want to open them.
Just in time for Hey Teves, all three volunes have arrived for the printer.
Available now at all major sefarim stores.
