A Simple Siddur In English

By Anthony Sheehy

“Siddur” – A Hebrew word that comes from the root that means ‘Order’… The daily cycle of prayer originates at the base of Mount Sinai with the establishment of the Tabernacle and worship as authorised by The LORD by the hand of Moses, His servant. It has continued throughout the generations of the Sons of Israel and continues to this day. This prayer book provides a simplified explanation for the Jewish daily cycle of prayer. More detailed explanations and sources for each of the prayers can be found in a traditional Siddur if you so desire them. This volume does not seek to replicate that format. Instead, it intends to give the English reader an opportunity to join in that cycle of prayer in a language that he can understand. The translation loses the rhythm and poetry of the Hebrew language but opens up the meaning and intent of the prayers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781326016128

Book preview

A Simple Siddur In English

A Simple Siddur in English

For weekday daily prayers

The cover picture depicts the Hurva Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.

Traditionally, because of the link between the prayers and the daily sacrifice, the standing prayer is said facing Jerusalem as the place chosen by the L

ord

for His presence to dwell.

It is said that once rebuilt the third time, the Messiah’s coming will not long follow…

Compiled and edited by Anthony Sheehy

© 2014 Anthony Sheehy. All Rights Reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

ISBN 978-1-326-01612-8

The How and Why of a Siddur

How to use a Siddur is important, but not as much as the question Why use a Siddur? Once you know why you might use a Siddur, the How will become much more understandable.

A Siddur is often referred to as a Jewish Prayer Book. However, the root of the word Siddur come from Seder – Order – A manner of organising something. Why is it important to know this? Because of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu. This incident is recounted in the book of Leviticus at the start of Chapter 10:

¹ Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the L

ord

, which He had not commanded them. ² So fire went out from the L

ord

 and devoured them, and they died before the L

ord

.

Let’s put this event in to its context. God creates for himself a people from the sons of Jacob (Israel) as he promised Jacob, Isaac and Abraham before them. They enter Egypt and are called out of slavery and bondage to idols, and in to the freedom of service of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

At Mount Sinai, the people enter in to a covenant with God and are given then customs, feasts and the tabernacle – a template of the Worship of the L

ord

. This template is exact, with details on how to carry out worship.

The tabernacle is built, Aaron and his sons are sanctified and set apart for service and, in Chapter 9 of Leviticus, the priestly ministry begins. Aaron blesses the sacrifices and also the people, the Glory of the L

ord

appeared to all the people, and a fire came out from before the L

ord

and consumed the burnt offering on the Altar.

It is at that point that emotion overcomes Nadab and Abihu and they offer this profane fire before God. Perhaps they had seen something similar happen in the temples of Egypt, perhaps their emotions got the better of them. However, whatever the case was, that time was not the time to bring incense before God in accordance to how it was prescribed.

This is how Moses explains the incident:

³ And Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the L

ord

 spoke, saying:

‘By those who come near Me

I must be regarded as holy;

And before all the people

I must be glorified.’"

So Aaron held his peace.

Moses understood that to glorify God, to be regarded as Holy before the people, they had to follow and do