Siddur

סידור מהמאה ה-9

Sibir1

Sidur ślubny z domu Szymona Klugera w Oświęcimiu, MŻ-305-O

Siddurim

Siddur Tefila

DSCN0301

Siddur (Hebrew: סידור) is the term used in Judaism for the traditional Jewish prayer book. The word "siddur" comes from a Hebrew root meaning "order," as it organizes the daily, Sabbath, and festival prayers. These prayers, which are compiled according to the Jewish liturgy, have evolved over centuries, reflecting the religious, spiritual, and practical needs of the Jewish people throughout their history.

History and Development

The development of the siddur can be traced back to the times of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where formalized communal prayers began to take shape. After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, the importance of prayer in Jewish life increased as it became a substitute for the sacrificial rites that had been performed in the Temple. The leaders of the Jewish community, known as the Tannaim and Amoraim, played significant roles in the formulation and standardization of the prayers.

By the Middle Ages, the basic structure of the siddur was largely established. Various Jewish communities, especially those in Babylonia, the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, and Germany, developed their own rites and versions of the siddur, leading to a diversity of customs and liturgical texts. The most influential versions include the Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi, and Nusach Sefard rites.

Structure and Contents

A typical siddur includes the following sections:

• Shacharit - the morning prayers
• Mincha - the afternoon prayers
• Ma'ariv or Arvit - the evening prayers
• Prayers for the Sabbath and Jewish festivals (Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot, etc.)
• Various blessings and supplications, such as those for meals, travel, and special occasions

The central part of the siddur is the Amidah or Shemoneh Esrei, a series of 19 blessings recited while standing. Another key element is the Shema Yisrael, a declaration of faith in one God, which is recited twice daily.

Variants and Customary Practices

The siddur reflects the diversity within Judaism through its various versions, each adapted to the customs and liturgical traditions of different Jewish communities. For example, the Ashkenazi siddur differs in language, layout, and certain prayers from the Sephardi siddur. In recent years, there has been an effort to create inclusive and egalitarian versions of the siddur, accommodating a wide range of Jewish beliefs and practices.

Significance

The siddur is more than a prayer book; it serves as a guide for the spiritual life of a Jew, offering a framework for personal growth, communal solidarity, and connection to the divine. It encompasses the full range of human emotions, from gratitude and joy to lamentation and longing for redemption.

See Also

• Jewish services
• List of Jewish prayers and blessings
• Haggadah
• Machzor