Considered a foundational text of Kabbalah, Patach Eliyahu is known for enumerating and summarizing the sefirot, corresponding them to parts of the body, and describing the infiniteness and uniqueness of God.
[4] Chassidim who pray according to the nusach of Arizal as compiled by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi recite it every Friday before the Minchah prayer as a preparation for Shabbat.
In general, it is read before a prayer to ensure that it is accepted on high[3] in the merit of the study of the Zohar.
[7] It is also taught in the name of the Arizal that recital before every prayer helps to open the heart[3] by meditating on the greatness of the Creator.
[10] It is also used outside of regularly scheduled prayer, as-needed, for repentance, to benefit the souls of the dead, on building or dedicating a new home,[11] and to release sparks of holiness in the world from being bound by the kelipot.