why do Jewish people nod their heads while reading the Torah/praying?

Answer 1

I not only nod my head when praying in front of the Torah, but I also rock back and forth as a way of finding a deeper meditative state. Also, when I am calling on The Almighty, I bow low as a sign of respect.

But officially, one explaination is this:
"The following is one of the explanations:

The verse (Proverbs 20:27) states: "God's candle is man's soul." Just as a candle rises and falls as it illuminates the darkness, so too man's soul sways while in prayer. It rises up to cleave to God, and returns to the human body, as it hears the Divine message that God wants us to make a dwelling place for Him in this earthly world (Midrash Tanchuma Nasso 16).

This "running and returning" of the soul causes a parallel movement in the body -- rocking back and forth or from side to side."

that comes directly from the source listed below

Answer 2

it isn't exactly nodding the head...there are 2 differnet possibilities here:
1. bowing - during certain parts of prayer a ritual bow of the upper body (sometimes reduced to a head-bow) is required

2. "shuckling" and swaying -- religious feeling inspires the swaying and motion in a physical expression of a "movement" towards god. It actually feels right if you are in the right frame of mind -- it is the same notion which gave the "shakers" and "quakers" their names.

Answer 3

exciting.... i wager i have considered each and each area and not in any respect fairly considered it like this... The simile amidst huge generalizations is fairly exciting... properly, one might want to admit that many don't fall contained in the category of ant or grasshopper. Many artwork all summer time and harvest little, do not study the standard rules of storing up. Many play all summer time and stay on the wealth of they households or ensue at summers end to be on the right position on the right time to harvest the picnic left overs. and many extra artwork, play and merely make it by by the summer time and iciness... i imagine I consider the author in that i don't think of what's mine might want to be taken and given to others. yet I do also experience that those who've a lot might want to to three quantity internally seek for to grant to others. with reference to the remark on welfare, reported above, I easily experience that its damaged. it will be constrained time period with required milestones (ie very last contact of pastime education, commerce, or degree courses, contraception, etc?). yet I wont pretend to act like balloting for one area or the different, one candidate or yet another will substitute the field to an perfect difficulty...

Answer 4

props to rosends.
I might add, its sort of like the compulsion to dance to good music. It just feels right! It completes the experience.

Answer 5

its similar to a meditative device to increase concentration and outside interference

Answer 6

There hoping to grow some hair...

Answer 7

Tradition, ritual, I guess it's how they interpret meditation... it's not necessary.

Answer 8

For emphasis and agreement.

Answer 9

Because they can.