Frequently Asked Questions

Am Hazak is a comprehensive Jewish prayer and calendar app for iOS. It provides accurate prayer times (zmanim), Shabbat times, holiday information, and a complete collection of Jewish prayers in Hebrew with English translations and transliterations.

Currently, Am Hazak is available exclusively on iOS devices through the Apple App Store. We are actively working on an Android version and hope to release it in the future. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified when it becomes available.

Yes! Am Hazak is completely free to download and use. All core features including prayers, zmanim calculations, calendar events, and notifications are available at no cost. We believe Jewish prayer resources should be accessible to everyone.

Am Hazak supports both Hebrew and English. The app interface is available in both languages, and prayers include the original Hebrew text along with English translations and transliterations to help users who are learning Hebrew.

Open the Am Hazak app, go to Settings, and tap on Notifications. You can enable reminders for specific prayer times like Shacharit, Mincha, and Maariv, as well as Shabbat candle lighting times. Customize how many minutes before each time you want to be notified.

Zmanim (Hebrew for 'times') are the halachically significant times of day that determine when certain prayers and mitzvot should be performed. They are calculated based on sunrise, sunset, and the length of the day, which varies by location and season.

Netz HaChama (literally 'emergence of the sun') refers to the moment when the sun first appears over the horizon. This is the ideal time to begin the morning Amidah prayer. It differs slightly from astronomical sunrise due to elevation and atmospheric refraction considerations.

The ideal time for Shacharit begins at Netz HaChama (sunrise) and extends until the end of the fourth halachic hour. However, the Shema should ideally be recited before the end of the third halachic hour. In urgent situations, Shacharit can be recited until halachic noon.

Mincha Gedolah ('Greater Mincha') is the earliest time to pray the afternoon prayer, starting half an hour after halachic noon. Mincha Ketanah ('Lesser Mincha') begins at 9.5 halachic hours into the day and is considered the more ideal time according to most authorities.

Am Hazak uses your device's GPS location to calculate precise zmanim based on your exact coordinates. The app uses established halachic calculations including the Geonim method and accounts for elevation, time zones, and daylight saving time automatically.

Shabbat candles should be lit 18 minutes before sunset on Friday evening. Some communities, particularly in Jerusalem, light 40 minutes before sunset. Am Hazak provides the exact candle lighting time for your location based on your community's custom.

Shabbat ends after nightfall on Saturday, when three stars are visible. Most communities follow either 42 or 72 minutes after sunset, depending on their custom. Am Hazak displays the end time according to various opinions so you can follow your tradition.

Havdalah is the ceremony that marks the end of Shabbat, separating the holy day from the regular week. It includes blessings over wine, spices, and a braided candle. Havdalah is recited after Shabbat ends, typically after three stars appear in the sky.

Traditional Jewish law prohibits using electronic devices during Shabbat. However, many people check their zmanim and prepare their schedules before Shabbat begins. Am Hazak lets you view upcoming times and set reminders in advance.

Shabbat includes special prayers not recited on weekdays: Kabbalat Shabbat (welcoming the Sabbath), special Shabbat Amidah with seven blessings instead of nineteen, Kiddush over wine, and the Musaf (additional) service. The Torah is also read during the morning service.

The major Jewish holidays with special prayers include the High Holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), the three pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot), and other holidays like Chanukah and Purim. Each holiday has unique prayers, blessings, and liturgical additions.

High Holiday prayers (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) focus on repentance, judgment, and spiritual renewal, featuring the Machzor prayer book. Festival prayers celebrate historical events and agricultural seasons, including Hallel (psalms of praise) and special Torah readings.

Yes, holiday prayers include additions to the regular daily services. These include special Amidah insertions, Hallel on festivals, unique blessings for holiday observances (like candle lighting or lulav), and the Musaf (additional) service with holiday-specific content.

Hallel is a collection of Psalms (113-118) recited on joyous occasions. Full Hallel is said on Sukkot, Chanukah, Shavuot, and the first days of Passover. Half Hallel (omitting certain psalms) is recited on Rosh Chodesh and the later days of Passover.

Am Hazak includes a comprehensive Jewish calendar that tracks all holidays, fast days, and special observances. The app displays upcoming holidays, their dates according to both the Hebrew and Gregorian calendars, and relevant prayer changes.

Yom Tov refers to major festival days when work is prohibited similar to Shabbat (first and last days of Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, first day of Sukkot, and Shemini Atzeret). Chol HaMoed are the intermediate days of Pesach and Sukkot when most work is permitted.

Major fast days include Yom Kippur (25 hours), Tisha B'Av (25 hours), and four minor fasts: Tzom Gedaliah, 10th of Tevet, Ta'anit Esther, and 17th of Tammuz (dawn to nightfall). Am Hazak shows fast times and relevant prayers for each.

Rosh Hashanah services include unique prayers like Unetaneh Tokef, Avinu Malkeinu, and the shofar service. The Musaf is significantly longer, featuring Malchuyot (Kingship), Zichronot (Remembrance), and Shofarot (Shofar verses) sections.

During the Ten Days of Repentance (Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur), we add phrases like 'Zochreinu L'Chaim' and 'Mi Chamocha' to the Amidah, and conclude blessings with 'HaMelech HaKadosh' instead of 'HaKel HaKadosh'. Selichot prayers are also recited.

The three daily prayers are Shacharit (morning), Mincha (afternoon), and Maariv/Arvit (evening). They correspond to the Temple sacrifices and were instituted by the patriarchs: Abraham established Shacharit, Isaac established Mincha, and Jacob established Maariv.

While Hebrew is the traditional and preferred language for prayer, Jewish law permits praying in any language you understand. However, certain prayers like the Shema are traditionally recited in Hebrew. Am Hazak provides both Hebrew and English to help you learn.

The Amidah (also called Shemoneh Esrei or the Standing Prayer) is the central prayer of each service. It consists of 19 blessings on weekdays (7 on Shabbat) and is recited while standing, facing Jerusalem. It's considered the most important prayer of each service.

A minyan is a quorum of ten Jewish adults required for certain prayers and Torah readings. While individuals can pray alone, communal prayer with a minyan is considered more spiritually significant. Certain prayers like Kaddish and Kedushah require a minyan.

Jews pray facing Jerusalem. If you're in the Western Hemisphere, you generally face east. If you're east of Jerusalem, you face west. Am Hazak can help you determine the correct direction based on your location.

Before eating bread, recite 'Hamotzi lechem min ha'aretz' - Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth. This blessing covers all foods eaten during a meal that includes bread as the main component.

Mezonot is the blessing for foods made from the five grains (wheat, barley, oat, spelt, rye) that aren't bread - like cake, cookies, and pasta. Hamotzi is specifically for bread. The distinction depends on how the food was prepared and its role in the meal.

For fruits that grow on trees, say 'Borei pri ha'etz' (Creator of the fruit of the tree). For vegetables and produce that grow from the ground, say 'Borei pri ha'adamah' (Creator of the fruit of the earth). For other foods, say 'Shehakol'.

Birkat Hamazon is the blessing recited after eating a meal with bread. It consists of four blessings thanking God for food, the Land of Israel, Jerusalem, and His goodness. Am Hazak includes the full text with translation and transliteration.

When seeing a rainbow, we recite: 'Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who remembers the covenant, is faithful to His covenant, and keeps His promise.' This commemorates God's promise to Noah after the flood.