The Amidah is a person's opportunity to approach God in private prayer, and should therefore be said quietly. The words must be audible to oneself, but one should be careful to pray softly enough not to disturb others. If one is alone, it is permissible to raise one's voice slightly if it helps concentration.
Prayer builds the relationship between God and human beings. When people pray, they spend time with God. To pray is to serve God with your heart, obeying God's commandment: ...to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 11:13.
What is the purpose of the Amidah repetition?
The repetition's original purpose was to give illiterate members of the congregation a chance to participate in the collective prayer by answering " Amen ." Conservative and Reform congregations sometimes abbreviate the public recitation of the Amidah according to their customs.
What is the purpose of the Amidah blessing?
The first blessing is called Avot, Hebrew for “ancestors,” and serves as an introduction to the God of our biblical heritage, connecting us to the Divine. Immediately before reciting the Amidah, the tradition developed of taking three steps backward and then forward again to symbolize entering into God presence.
What is the Amidah?
- Understanding the Shemoneh Esrei - Prayer What Is the Amidah? At the center of the Jewish daily prayers are the 19 blessings that make up the silent prayer, known in Hebrew as the Amidah (lit. “standing”) or Shemoneh Esrei (“eighteen,” since there were originally 18 blessings), 1 which we recite three times daily. What Is the Amidah?
What is the Amidah (Musaf)?
This Amidah ( Musaf) is recited following the morning prayers. On Yom Kippur we pray the Amidah a fifth time. This additional prayer ( Neilah) is recited after Mincha on Yom Kippur. The 19 blessings are divided into three sections: praising G‑d, followed by a number of requests, followed by a few paragraphs of thanks to G‑d.
What is the purpose of the Amidah prayer?
During the worship service, the amidah is first recited by each individual as a silent prayer, giving any sinner a chance to atone without embarrassment. The prayer is then repeated aloud by the reader. There is never a Jewish service without an amidah.
Who created the Amidah and why?
The most recent known change to the text of the standard daily Amidah by an authority accepted by Orthodox Judaism was done by Isaac Luria in the 16th century. He formulated a text of the Amidah which seems to be a fusion of the Ashkenazi and Sepharadi texts in accordance with his understanding of Kabbalah.
What does Amidah mean in the Bible?
standingThe Hebrew name Amidah means "standing" and refers to the posture of the prayer: One stands while praying this prayer because it helps one concentrate. Standing erect with feet together during the prayer shows respect. The worshipper faces the direction of the Holy of Holies in Jerusalem.
What is the purpose of the middle 13 blessings of the Amidah?
The Middle Section Of these 13 requests recited during the weekday Amidah, the first five are essentially personal, or individual requests to God to improve the situation of each person.
Can the Amidah be said at home?
The prayers that one should say at home on a Saturday morning if unable to attend synagogue are: Morning Blessings, Psalm 96, Blessings Before the Shema, the Shema, the Blessing After the Shema, the Shabbat Morning Amida, and the Mussaf Amida.
What is the Amidah prayer in English?
Bless us, our Father, one and all, with the light of Your face. For by the light of Your face you have given us, Lord our God, a Torah of life and love of kindness, charity, blessing, mercy, life and peace. May it please You to bless Your people Israel at all times and in every hour with Your peace.
What does Amidah mean in Arabic?
The Amidah is the central prayer of all four services: shacharit (morning), mincha (afternoon), maariv (evening), and mussaf (additional). The word Amidah literally means standing, because it is recited while standing.
How do you say Amidah in Hebrew?
1:234:21The Amidah: How to Say This Jewish Prayer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo for example the prayer begins with Baru. And it is traditional to been one's knees at baru. AndMoreSo for example the prayer begins with Baru. And it is traditional to been one's knees at baru. And then bow at Tata. And then rise at mention of God's. Name. That is done twice.
Who wrote the first siddur?
Though a liturgy of prayer was long in use before the destruction of the Second Temple (ad 70), it was Amram bar Sheshna (9th century ad) of Babylonia who first composed a complete siddur at the request of a Spanish congregation.
Who wrote the prayers in the siddur?
One of the most important liturgical compilations in Judaism is the siddur (from the Hebrew root sdr meaning order)....Prayer book (siddur)Full title:Prayer book (siddur), Italian riteFormat:Manuscript, Illumination, Illuminated manuscriptLanguage:HebrewCreator:Yo'el ben Shim'on Feibush (scribe)4 more rows
Why is it called a siddur?
Siddur, from a Hebrew root meaning "order," refers to the prayer book generally used through the course of the year. The "complete" siddur will contain prayers for weekdays and Shabbat, for lifecycle events like weddings and circumcisions, and for most major and minor Jewish holidays.
Why is the Priestly Blessing recited only during Rosh Hashanah?
In Ashkenazi synagogues outside of Israel, the Priestly Blessing is recited only during the musaf Amidah of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Pesach, Succot, and Shavout because of an idea that the Priestly Blessing should only take place in an atmosphere of cheerfulness, and a holiday has extra happiness.
Why is the Amidah not repeated at Maariv?
The reason the Amidah is not repeated at maariv is because the Talmud treats maariv as originally having been optional, meaning that it does not have the same level of obligation.
What is the central prayer of all four services?
The Amidah is the central prayer of all four services: shacharit (morning), mincha (afternoon), maariv (evening), and mussaf (additional). The word Amidah literally means standing, because it is recited while standing. It is also known as Shemoneh Esrei, meaning eighteen, because it originally consisted of eighteen blessings, ...
Why are the blessings on Shabbat the same?
In all versions of the Amidah, the first and last three blessings stay the same. The middle thirteen blessings, however, are said only on weekdays. On Shabbat and holidays they are replaced by a single blessing that relates to sanctification of the day. The main reason for this is that the Talmud says it is forbidden to ask for one's personal needs on Shabbat. Doing so reminds one of what is lacking, which takes away from the feeling of spiritual and physical contentment that should be present on Shabbat and holidays. Others say that on Shabbat, one lives as if the messianic age has arrived and therefore has no need to petition God; the petitions are thus eliminated and replaced with other prayers. Parts of this middle blessing, the paragraph that begins, " elohenu velohei avotenu retze bmnuchatenu " (Our God and God of our Father, be pleased with our rest), and the part that contains requests to "sanctify us through Thy commandments," remain the same on every Shabbat and festival. The beginning of this middle blessing changes, however, between the three services of the day. The Friday night service stresses God's sanctification as it relates to the creation of the world. The Shabbat morning service speaks of God's command to Israel to keep the Shabbat as set forth in the Ten Commandments. The Shabbat afternoon service stresses the unity of God and the singularity of the Jewish people. Also, on all holidays, but not on Shabbat, ya'aleh v'yavo is incorporated into the middle blessing.
What is the difference between the Amidah and the Amidah?
The only difference between the Amidah of the different services of the day is the final blessing, for peace. In the Ashkenazi tradition, a shorter version of this blessing, starting with the words " shalom rav " is said at mincha and maariv.
How many blessings are in the Amidah?
Either way, the Amidah contains three sections: a three-blessing introduction made up of praises of God; thirteen petitions to God for various needs; and a closing of three blessings of thanksgiving. The model for this structure is how one would approach a powerful ruler or how a servant would approach a master.
What is the minyan of Kedushah?
Kedushah is said only with a minyan (quorem of ten), and may not be interrupted for conversation. Like the Amidah itself, it should be said while standing with one's feet together. Even if one happens to be present, and not praying, while the Kedushah is recited, one must stop what he is doing and join in.
What are the first three blessings of the Amidah?
The first blessing is called Avot, Hebrew for “ancestors, ” and serves as an introduction to the God of our biblical heritage, connecting us to the Divine. Immediately before reciting the Amidah, the tradition developed of taking three steps backward and then forward again to symbolize entering into God presence. Mentioning the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob –and in liberal congregations, the matriarchs, Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, and Rachel –this blessing praises God for remembering their good actions, and by implication, asking God to hear our prayer favorably because of their merit. The blessing begins and ends with a formal bow at the knees and hips, symbolically demonstrating our subservience to God.
How many blessings are in the middle section of the Amidah?
The Middle Section. On weekdays, the middle section of the Amidah consists of 13 blessings that are individual and communal requests to God. Originally consisting of only 12 petitions, the total number of blessings recited was 18, hence, an early synonym for the Amidah was the Shemonah Esrei, or the Eighteen.
What is the final blessing of this opening section of praise called?
The final blessing of this opening section of praise is called the Kedushah, or holiness. There are two versions of this prayer, one when recited silently by individuals, the other, much longer, is a series of prayers and responses by the leader and congregation when the Amidah is repeated on behalf of the community.
What are the blessings of the Jewish people?
The following eight blessings are focused more explicitly on the communal and national needs of the Jewish people. There is a request for rain or dew in the proper season to ensure agricultural bounty, a plea to end the dispersion of the Jewish people, and prayers to restore true judges and establish justice in the world; to humble the arrogant and those who seek to malign and injure the Jewish community; to sustain the righteous of the house of Israel; rebuild Jerusalem; reestablish a Davidic leadership; and a final petition to hear and answer the prayers of the Jewish people.
What does the Amidah say about Shabbat?
On Shabbat morning, the entire middle section of the Amidah describes Moses receiving the Ten Commandments followed by the verses from the book of Exodus (31:16-17) that describe the observance of Shabbat as a sign of the covenant between God and the Jewish people.
What is the meaning of the amidah?
The Amidah is the core of every Jewish worship service, and is therefore also referred to as HaTefillah, or “ The prayer.” Amidah, which literally means, “standing,” refers to a series of blessings recited while standing.
What are the three sections of the Amidah?
Thus, every Amidah is divided into three central sections: praise, petitions and thanks .
What is the Amidah in Orthodox worship?
In Orthodox and Conservative (Masorti) public worship, the Amidah is first prayed quietly by the congregation; it is then repeated aloud by the chazzan (reader), except for the evening Amidah or when a minyan is not present. The congregation responds " Amen " to each blessing, and " Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo " ("blessed is He and blessed is His Name") when the chazzan invokes God's name in the signature "Blessed are You, O Lord..." If there are not six members of the minyan responding "Amen," the chazzan's blessing is considered in vain.
How many benedictions are there in the middle 13?
On Shabbat, the middle 13 benedictions of the Amidah are replaced by one, known as Kedushat haYom ("sanctity of the day"), so that each Shabbat Amidah is composed of seven benedictions. The Kedushat haYom has an introductory portion, which on Sabbath is varied for each of the four services, and short concluding portion, which is constant:
What is the fifth public recitation on Yom Kippur?
On Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), a fifth public recitation, Ne'ilah, is added to replace a special sacrifice offered on that day.
How to bow in the Amidah?
It is the custom of the Ashkenazim that one bends the knees when saying "Blessed," then bows at "are You," and straightens while saying "O Lord." (At the beginning of Hoda'ah, one instead bows while saying the opening words "We are grateful to You" without bending the knees.) The reason for this procedure is that the Hebrew word for "blessed" ( baruch) is related to "knee" ( berech ); while the verse in Psalms states, "The Lord straightens the bent." At each of these bows, one must bend over until the vertebrae protrude from one's back; one physically unable to do so suffices by nodding the head. It is not the custom of the Sephardim to bend the knees during the Amidah.
What is the fourth Amidah?
A fourth Amidah (called Mussaf) is recited on Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, and Jewish festivals, after the morning Torah reading. A fifth (called Ne'ilah) is recited only once per year, at sunset on Yom Kippur .
Why is the Amidah called the Amidah?
In a similar vein, the Tiferet Yisrael explains in his commentary, Boaz, that the Amidah is so-called because it helps a person focus his or her thoughts. By nature, a person's brain is active and wandering. The Amidah brings everything into focus.
How many blessings are in the Amidah?
The weekday Amidah contains nineteen blessings. Each blessing ends with the signature "Blessed are you, O Lord...". and the opening blessing begins with this signature as well. The first three blessings as a section are known as the shevach ("praise"), and serve to inspire the worshipper and invoke God's mercy.
What is the Amidah in Jewish worship?
The Amidah is the core of every Jewish worship service and refers to a series of blessings recited while standing. Learn more this prayer with Rabbi David Wolkenfeld of Anshe Sholom B’nai Israel Congregation in Chicago.
How many requests are there in the Amidah?
The Amidah includes three distinct sections. The first section includes prayers that praise. The middle section includes 13 requests. These requests focus on practical needs like health, and the ability to make wise choices but also more lofty yearnings for redemption and justice. These requests can change depending on the time of year or holiday. The last section includes prayers of gratitude. You can also include your own personal prayers anytime during the middle or end.
Where was the introduction to Tefillah video created?
This video was created at the Chicago Rabbinic Writers Lab, a program where 10 rabbis wrote Introduction to Tefillah videos in chevruta as a group. This series breaks down and explains major Jewish prayers so you can feel more knowledgeable and comfortable while attending a Jewish service.
Can you add videos to your watch history?
Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations. To avoid this, cancel and sign in to YouTube on your computer.
What are the two main prayers that Jews are likely to use?
The Shema and the Amidah are the two main prayers that Jews are likely to use.
What does touching the Mezuzah mean?
By touching the mezuzah every time they enter their home, Jews show their faith and love to God.
What is the central prayer of Judaism?
The Amidah is another important prayer in Judaism and is the central prayer used in worship services. It is often referred to as the ‘standing prayer’ as it is always recited while standing and facing Jerusalem.
How many times do Jews say the Shema?
Many Jews say the Shema three times a day: in the morning, in the evening and before they go to sleep.
Why do Jews celebrate festivals?
Rituals mark the important stages in a Jews life, and Jews celebrate many festivals throughout the year to remember important events in Jewish history. Worship of God is central to the Jewish faith. Many Jews place great importance on prayer and on worship in the synagogue. Part of. Religious Studies.
When is the Amidah used?
The Amidah is used in weekday services as well as in Shabbat services.
Overview
Origin
When the Amidah is recited
Weekday Amidah
The Amidah (Hebrew: תפילת העמידה, Tefilat HaAmidah, 'The Standing Prayer'), also called the Shemoneh Esreh (שמנה עשרה 'eighteen'), is the central prayer of the Jewish liturgy. Observant Jews recite the Amidah at each of three daily prayer services in a typical weekday: morning (Shacharit), afternoon (Mincha), and evening (Ma'ariv). On Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, and Jewish festivals, a fourt…
Special Amidot
The language of the Amidah most likely comes from the Mishnaic period, both before and after the destruction of the Temple (70 CE). In the time of the Mishnah, it was considered unnecessary to fully prescribe its text and content. This may have been simply because the language was well known to the Mishnah's authors. The Mishnah may also have not recorded specific text because of an aversion to making prayer a matter of rigor and fixed formula.
Seasonal change
On regular weekdays, the Amidah is prayed three times, once each during the morning, afternoon, and evening services that are known respectively as Shacharit, Mincha, and Ma'ariv. One opinion in the Talmud claims, with support from Biblical verses, that the concept for each of the three services was founded respectively by each of the three biblical patriarchs. The prescribed ti…
Within the early Christian Church
The weekday Amidah contains nineteen blessings. Each blessing ends with the signature "Blessed are you, O Lord..." and the opening blessing begins with this signature as well. The first three blessings as a section are known as the shevach ("praise"), and serve to inspire the worshipper and invoke God's mercy. The middle thirteen blessings compose the bakashah ("request"), with six personal requests, six communal requests, and a final request that God accept the prayers. The …
See also
On Shabbat, the middle 13 benedictions of the Amidah are replaced by one, known as Kedushat haYom ("sanctity of the day"), so that each Shabbat Amidah is composed of seven benedictions. The Kedushat haYom has an introductory portion, which on Sabbath is varied for each of the four services, and short concluding portion, which is constant:
Our God and God of our Ancestors! Be pleased with our rest; sanctify us with Your commandme…