How Many Daily Prayers and Why Antoninus Tested Rabbi Judah

"And may God Almighty grant you mercy" (Genesis 43:14). Let our master teach us: how many prayers is a person obligated to pray in a day? Thus our masters taught: One does not pray more than the three prayers that the patriarchs of the world instituted. Abraham instituted the morning prayer (Shacharit), as it is said, "And Abraham rose early in the morning to the place where he had stood" (Genesis 19:27). Isaac instituted the afternoon prayer (Minchah), as it is said, "And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening" (Genesis 24:63). Jacob instituted the evening prayer (Arvit), as it is said, "And he came upon the place" (Genesis 28:11). And even concerning Daniel it is written, "And three times a day he knelt upon his knees" (Daniel 6:11), but he did not specify at which hour. David came and specified: "Evening and morning and noon" (Psalms 55:18). Therefore a person is not permitted to pray more than three prayers in a day. But Rabbi Yochanan said: Would that a person might go on praying the whole day long! Antoninus asked our holy master: What is the law concerning praying at every hour? He said to him: It is forbidden. He said to him: Why? He said to him: So that you do not behave with frivolity toward the Almighty. He did not accept this from him. What did he do? He came to him early in the morning. He said to him: "Kyrie" (Lord). After an hour he entered before him; he said to him: "Imperator" (Emperor). After an hour he said to him: Peace be upon you, O King. He said to him: Why do you disgrace the kingship? He said to him: Let your ears hear what comes out of your mouth! And if you, who are flesh and blood, when someone inquires after your welfare every hour, you say thus — then one who disgraces the King of Kings of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be He, how much more so — that he should not burden Him at all times.