Amidah

The ''Amidah Amuhduh'' ( he, תפילת העמידה, ''Tefilat HaAmidah'', 'The Standing Prayer'), also called the ''Shemoneh Esreh'' ( '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 fourth ''Amidah'' (''Mussaf'') is recited after the morning Torah reading, and once per year a fifth ''Amidah'' (''Ne'ilah'') is recited, around sunset on Yom Kippur. Due to its importance, in rabbinic literature it is simply called ''hatefila'' (, 'the prayer'). According to legend, the prayer was composed by the Rabbis of the Anshei Knesset HaGedolah (c. 515-332 BCE). Accordingly, in Judaism, to recite the ''Amidah'' is a '' mitzvah de-rabbanan''.

Although the name ''Shemoneh Esreh'' ("eighteen") refers to the original number of component blessings in the prayer, the typical weekday ''Amidah'' actually consists of nineteen blessings.

Among other prayers, the ''Amidah'' can be found in the ''siddur'', the traditional Jewish prayer book. The prayer is recited standing with feet firmly together, and preferably while facing Jerusalem. In Orthodox public worship, the ''Amidah'' is usually first prayed quietly by the congregation and is then repeated aloud by the ''chazzan'' (reader); it is not repeated in the ''Maariv'' prayer. 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. The rules governing the composition and recital of the ''Amidah'' are discussed primarily in the Talmud, in Chapters 4–5 of Berakhot; in the Mishneh Torah, in chapters 4–5 of ''Hilkhot Tefilah''; and in the Shulchan Aruch, Laws 89–127. When the ''Amidah'' is modified for specific prayers or occasions, the first three blessings and the last three remain constant, framing the ''Amidah'' used in each service, while the middle thirteen blessings are replaced by blessings (usually just one) specific to the occasion.

Origin

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.

According to the Talmud, Gamaliel II undertook to codify uniformly the public service, directing Simeon HaPakoli to edit the blessings (probably in the order they had already acquired) and made it a duty, incumbent on every one, to recite the prayer three times daily. But this does not imply that the blessings were unknown before that date; in other passages the ''Amidah'' is traced to the "first wise men", or to the Great Assembly. In order to reconcile the various assertions of editorship, the Talmud concludes that the prayers had fallen into disuse, and that Gamaliel reinstituted them.

The historical kernel in these conflicting reports seems to be that the benedictions date from the earliest days of the Pharisaic Synagogue. They were at first spontaneous outgrowths of the efforts to establish the Pharisaic Synagogue in opposition to, or at least in correspondence with, the Sadducean Temple service. This is apparent from the aggadic endeavor to connect the stated times of prayer (morning and afternoon) with the Temple sacrifices at the same times (for the evening prayer, recourse was had to artificial comparison with the sacrificial portions consumed on the altar during the night).

The Talmud indicates that when Rabbi Gamaliel II undertook to uniformly codify the public service and to regulate private devotion, he directed Samuel ha-Katan to write another paragraph inveighing against informers and heretics, which was inserted as the twelfth prayer in modern sequence, making the number of blessings nineteen. Other Talmudic sources indicate, however, that this prayer was part of the original 18; and that 19 prayers came about when the 15th prayer for the restoration of Jerusalem and of the throne of David (coming of the Messiah) was split into two.

When the ''Amidah'' is recited

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 times for reciting the ''Amidah'' thus may come from the times of the public ''tamid'' ("eternal") sacrifices that took place in the Temples in Jerusalem. After the Second Temple's destruction in 70 CE, the Council of Jamnia determined that the ''Amidah'' would substitute for the sacrifices, directly applying Hosea's dictate, "So we will render for bullocks the offering of our lips." For this reason, the ''Amidah'' should be recited during the time period in which the ''tamid'' would have been offered. Accordingly, since the Ma'ariv service was originally optional, as it replaces the overnight burning of ashes on the Temple altar rather than a specific sacrifice, Maariv's ''Amidah'' is not repeated by the hazzan (reader), while all other Amidot are repeated.

On Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, and other Jewish holidays there is a ''Musaf'' ("Additional") ''Amidah'' to replace the additional communal sacrifices of these days. On Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), a fifth recitation, Ne'ilah, is added to replace a special sacrifice offered on that day.

Weekday 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. 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 final three blessings, known as the ''hoda'ah'' ("gratitude"), thank God for the opportunity to serve the Lord. The ''shevach'' and ''hoda'ah'' are standard for every ''Amidah'', with some changes on certain occasions.

The nineteen blessings

The nineteen blessings are as follows:
# ''Avot'' ("Ancestors") - praises of God as the God of the Biblical patriarchs, "God of Abraham, God of Isaac and God of Jacob."
# ''Gevurot'' ("powers") - praises God for His power and might. This prayer includes a mention of God's healing of the sick and resurrection of the dead. It is called also ''Tehiyyat ha-Metim'' = "the resurrection of the dead."
#*Rain is considered as great a manifestation of power as the resurrection of the dead; hence in winter a line recognizing God's bestowal of rain is inserted in this benediction. Except for many Ashkenazim, most communities also insert a line recognizing dew in the summer.
# ''Kedushat ha-Shem'' ("the sanctification of the Name") - praises God's holiness.
#*During the chazzan's repetition, a longer version of the blessing called Kedusha is chanted responsively. The Kedusha is further expanded on Shabbat and Festivals.
# ''Binah'' ("understanding") - asks God to grant wisdom and understanding.
# ''Teshuvah'' ("return", "repentance") - asks God to help Jews to return to a life based on the Torah, and praises God as a God of repentance.
# ''Selichah'' - asks for forgiveness for all sins, and praises God as being a God of forgiveness.
# ''Geulah'' ("redemption") - asks God to rescue the people Israel.
#* On fast days, the chazzan adds in the blessing Aneinu during his repetition after concluding the ''Geulah'' blessing.
# ''Refuah'' ("") - a prayer to heal the sick.
#*An addition can ask for the healing of a specific person or more than one name. The phrasing uses the person's Jewish name and the name of their Jewish mother (or ''Sara immeinu'').
# ''Birkat HaShanim'' ("blessing for years f good) - asks God to bless the produce of the earth.
#* A prayer for rain is included in this blessing during the rainy season.
# ''Galuyot'' ("diasporas") - asks God to allow the ingathering of the Jewish exiles back to the land of Israel.
# ''Birkat HaDin'' ("Justice") - asks God to restore righteous judges as in the days of old.
# '' Birkat HaMinim'' ("the sectarians, heretics") - asks God to destroy those in heretical sects (Minuth), who slander Jews and who act as informers against Jews.
# ''Tzadikim'' ("righteous") - asks God to have mercy on all who trust in Him, and asks for support for the righteous.
# ''Boneh Yerushalayim'' ("Builder of Jerusalem") - asks God to rebuild Jerusalem and to restore the Kingdom of David.
# ''Birkat David'' ("Blessing of David") - asks God to bring the descendant of King David, who will be the messiah.
# ''Tefillah'' ("prayer") - asks God to accept our prayers, to have mercy and be compassionate.
#* On fast days, Ashkenazic Jews insert Aneinu into this blessing during Mincha. Sephardic Jews recite it during Shacharit as well, and Yemenite Jews recite it also at maariv preceding a fast day.
# ''Avodah'' ("service") - asks God to restore the Temple services and sacrificial services.
# ''Hoda'ah'' ("thanksgiving") - thanks God for our lives, for our souls, and for God's miracles that are with us every day.
#*When the Chazzan reaches this blessing during the repetition, the congregation recites a prayer called ''Modim deRabbanan'' ("the thanksgiving of the Rabbis").
#*After this point, Birkat Kohanim is recited either by the Kohanim or by the Chazzan during his repetition during Shacharit and Musaf Amidah. It is also recited during Mincha on fast days and during Mussaf when applicable and Neilah on Yom Kippur.
# ''Sim Shalom'' ("Grant Peace") - asks God for peace, goodness, blessings, kindness and compassion. Ashkenazim generally say a shorter version of this blessing at Minchah and Maariv, called Shalom Rav, and this formula was recited in all prayers in Provence.

Concluding meditation

The custom has gradually developed of reciting, at the conclusion of the latter, the supplication with which Mar son of Ravina used to conclude his prayer:

My God, keep my tongue and my lips from speaking deceit, and to them that curse me let my soul be silent, and like dust to all. Open my heart in Your Torah, and after nThy commandments let me y soulpursue. As for those that think evil of gainstme speedily thwart their counsel and destroy their plots. Do hisfor Thy name's sake, do this for Thy right hand's sake, do this for the sake of Thy holiness, do this for the sake of Thy Torah. That Thy beloved ones may rejoice, let Thy right hand bring on help alvationand answer me...

At this point, some say a Biblical verse related to their name(s). For example, someone named Leah might say , since both Leah and this verse begin with the letter ''Lamed'' and end with ''Hay''. This practice is first recorded in the 16th century, and was popularized by the Shelah.

Then (which was the final line of Mar son of Ravina's supplication) is recited.

Followup

Three steps back are followed by a followup prayer:
* Mainstream Ashkenazi Orthodox Judaism also adds the following prayer to the conclusion of every ''Amidah'':
:

May it be your will, O my God and God of my fathers, that the Temple be rebuilt speedily in our days, and give us our portion in your Torah, and there we will worship you with reverence as in ancient days and former years. And may the Mincha offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasing to God, as in ancient days and former years.

* Many Sephardic prayer books correspondingly add:
:

May it be your will, O my God and God of my fathers, that You Shall speedily rebuild the Temple in our days, and give us our portion in your Torah, so that we may fulfill your statutes and do Your Will and serve you with all our heart.

Many also customary add individual personal prayers as part of quiet recitation of the ''Amidah''. Rabbi Shimon discourages praying by rote: "But rather make your prayer a request for mercy and compassion before the Ominipresent." Some authorities encourage the worshipper to say something new in his prayer every time.

Mode of prayer

The many laws concerning the ''Amidah's'' mode of prayer are designed to focus one's concentration as one beseeches God.

Concentration

Prayer in Judaism is called ''avodah shebalev'' ("service of the heart"). Thus, prayer is only meaningful if one focuses one's emotion and intention, ''kavanah'', to the words of the prayers. The Shulchan Aruch thus advises that one pray using a translation one can understand, though learning the meaning of the Hebrew liturgy is ideal.

Halakhah requires that the first blessing of the ''Amidah'' be said with intention; if said by rote alone, it must be repeated with intention. Rema (16th century) wrote that this is no longer necessary, because "nowadays... even in the repetition it is likely he will not have intention". The second to last blessing of ''Hoda'ah'' also has high priority for ''kavanah''.

When the ''Amidah'' is said to oneself in the presence of others, many Jews who wear a ''tallit'' (prayer shawl) will drape their tallit over their heads, allowing their field of vision to be focused only on their siddur and their personal prayer.

Interruptions

Interrupting the ''Amidah'' is forbidden. The only exceptions are in cases of danger or for one who needs to relieve oneself, though this rule may depend on the movement of Judaism. There are also ''halakhot'' to prevent interrupting the ''Amidah'' of others; for example, it is forbidden to sit next to someone praying or to walk within four ''amot'' (cubits) of someone praying.

Quiet prayer

The guideline of quiet prayer comes from Hannah's behavior during prayer, when she prayed in the Temple to bear a child. She prayed "speaking upon her heart," so that no one else could hear, yet her lips were moving. Therefore, when saying the ''Amidah'' one's voice should be audible to oneself, but not loud enough for others to hear.

Standing

The name "Amidah," which literally is the Hebrew gerund of "standing," comes from the fact that the worshipper recites the prayer while standing with feet firmly together. This is done to imitate the angels, whom Ezekiel perceived as having "one straight leg." As worshippers address the Divine Presence, they must remove all material thoughts from their minds, just as angels are purely spiritual beings. 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.

The Talmud says that one who is riding an animal or sitting in a boat (or by modern extension, flying in an airplane) may recite the ''Amidah'' while seated, as the precarity of standing would disturb one's focus.

Facing Jerusalem

The ''Amidah'' is preferably said facing Jerusalem, as the patriarch Jacob proclaimed, "And this laceis the gateway to Heaven," where prayers may ascend. The Talmud records the following Baraita on this topic:

There is a dispute regarding how one measures direction for this purpose. Some say one should face the direction which would be the shortest distance to Jerusalem, i.e. the arc of a great circle, as defined in elliptic geometry. Thus in New York one would face north-northeast. Others say one should face the direction along a rhumb line path to Jerusalem, which would not require an alteration of compass direction. This would be represented by a straight line on a Mercator projection, which would be east-southeast from New York. In practice, many individuals in the Western Hemisphere simply face due east, regardless of location.

Three steps

There are varying customs related to taking three steps backwards (and then forwards) before reciting the ''Amidah'', and likewise after the ''Amidah''. Before reciting the ''Amidah'', it is customary for Ashkenazim to take three steps back and then three steps forward. The steps backward at the beginning represent withdrawing one's attention from the material world, and then stepping forward to symbolically approach the King of Kings. The Mekhilta notes that the significance of the three steps is based on the three barriers that Moses had to pass through at Sinai before entering God's realm. The Mishnah Berurah wrote that only the steps forward are required, while the backward steps beforehand are a prevalent custom. It is not the custom of the Sephardim to step backward or forward prior to reciting the ''Amidah''.

Mention of taking three steps back, upon finishing the final meditation after the ''Amidah'', is found in both Ashkenaz and Sephardi/עדות המזרח(Edot HaMizrach) siddurim.

One takes three steps back upon finishing the final meditation after the ''Amidah'', and then says, while bowing left, right, and forward, "He who makes peace in the heavens, may He make peace for us and all Israel, and let us say, Amen." Many have the custom to remain standing in place until immediately before the chazzan reaches the Kedusha, and then take three steps forward. The Talmud understands this as a reminder of the practice in the Temple in Jerusalem, when those offering the daily sacrifices would walk backward from the altar after finishing. It also compares the practice to a student's respectfully backs away from his teacher.

Bowing

The worshipper bows at four points in the ''Amidah'': at the beginning and end of two blessings, ''Avot'' and ''Hoda'ah''. 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''.

During certain parts of the ''Amidah'' said on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur (also during Seder Ha'avoda on Yom Kippur), Ashkenazi Jews traditionally go down to the floor upon their knees and make their upper body bowed over like an arch, similar to the Muslim practice of sujud. There are some variations in Ashkenazi customs as to how long one remains in this position. Some members of the Dor Daim movement also bow in this manner in their daily ''Amidah'' prayer.

The repetition

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 many recite "''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..." Some say that if there are not six members of the minyan responding "Amen," the chazzan's blessing is considered in vain.

The repetition's original purpose was to give illiterate members of the congregation a chance to be included in the chazzan's ''Amidah'' by answering "Amen."

Shortened repetition

The public recitation of the ''Amidah'' is sometimes abbreviated, with the first three blessings (including ''Kedushah'') said out loud and the remainder quietly. The individual's quiet repetition of the ''Amidah'' is said afterwards, not before. This practice is commonly referred to as ''heikha kedusha'' ( yi, הויכע קדושה, lit. "high (loud) kedushah"), or in modern Hebrew as ''mincha ketzarah'' (Hebrew מנחה קצרה, lit. "short mincha"), or sometimes as ''bekol ram'' (Hebrew בקול רם, lit. "in a high voice"). It is occasionally performed in Orthodox prayers (in some communities it is customary for mincha to be recited in this way), and more common in Conservative and Reform congregations. A variety of customs exist for how exactly this practice is performed.

Special ''Amidot''

Shabbat

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 commandments, give us a share in Your Torah, satiate us with Your bounty, and gladden us in Your salvation. Cleanse our hearts to serve You in truth: let us inherit, O Lord our God, in love and favor, Your holy Sabbath, and may Israel, who loves Your name, rest thereon. Praised are You, O Lord, who sanctifies the Sabbath.

On Sabbath eve, after the congregation has read the ''Amidah'' quietly, the reader repeats aloud the ''Me'En Sheva, or summary of the seven blessings. The congregation then continues:

Shield of the fathers by His word, reviving the dead by His command, the holy God to whom none is like; who causeth His people to rest on His holy Sabbath-day, for in them He took delight to cause them to rest. Before Him we shall worship in reverence and fear. We shall render thanks to His name on every day constantly in the manner of the benedictions. God of the 'acknowledgments,' Lord of 'Peace,' who sanctifieth the Sabbath and blesseth the seventh ayand causeth the people who are filled with Sabbath delight to rest as a memorial of the work in the beginning of Creation.

Festivals

On festivals, like on Shabbat, the intermediate 13 blessings are replaced by a single blessing concerning "Sanctification of the Day" prayer. However, the text of this blessing differs from on Shabbat. The first section is constant on all holidays:

You have chosen us from all the nations, You have loved us and was pleased with us; You lifted us above all tongues, and sanctified us with Your commandments, and brought us, O our King, to Your service, and pronounced over us Your great and holy name.

A paragraph naming the festival and its special character follow.

If the Sabbath coincides with a festival, the festival blessing is recited, but with special additions relating to Shabbat.

''Mussaf Amidah''

On the Shabbat, festivals (i.e., on Yom Tov and on Chol HaMoed), and on Rosh Chodesh, a fourth ''Amidah'' prayer is recited, entitled Mussaf ("additional"). Like the Shacharit and Mincha ''Amidah'', it is recited both quietly and repeated by the Reader.

The ''Mussaf Amidah'' begins with the same first three and concludes with the same last three blessings as the regular ''Amidah''. In place of the 13 intermediate blessings of the daily service, a single blessing is added, relating to the holiday. (The Mussaf Amidah on Rosh Hashanah is unique in that apart from the first and last 3 blessings, it contains 3 central blessings making a total of 9.)

Historically (and currently in Orthodox services), the middle blessing focuses on the special Mussaf korban (sacrifice) that was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem, and contains a plea for the building of a Third Temple and the restoration of sacrificial worship. The biblical passage referring to the Mussaf sacrifice of the day is recited.

The Rabbinical Assembly of Conservative Judaism has devised two forms for the ''Mussaf Amidah'' with varying degrees of difference from the Orthodox form. One version refers to the prescribed sacrifices, but in the past tense ("there our ancestors offered" rather than "there we shall offer"). A newer version omits references to sacrifices entirely.

Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism generally omit the ''Mussaf Amidah'' on Shabbat, though it is retained on some festivals.

''Ne'ilah Amidah''

On Yom Kippur, a fifth ''Amidah'' (in addition to the Ma'ariv (Evening), ''Shacharit'' (Morning), ''Mussaf'' (Additional), and ''Mincha'' (Afternoon) Amidah is recited and repeated at the closing of Yom Kippur. The congregation traditionally stands during the entire repetition of this prayer, which contains a variety of confessional and supplicatory additions. In the Ashkenazi custom, it is also the only time that the Avinu Malkeinu prayer is said on Shabbat, should Yom Kippur fall on Shabbat, though by this point Shabbat is celestially over.

Truncated ''Amidah'' (''Havineinu'')

The Mishnah (Brachot 4:3) and Talmud (Brachot 29a) mention the option of saying a truncated version of the ''Amidah'' (see Havineinu), if one is in a rush or under pressure. It consists of only seven blessings - the usual first three and last three, and a middle blessing named after its first word, ''Havineinu''.

Seasonal change

Prayers for rain in winter and dew in summer

"Mentioning the power of rovidingrain" ()

The phrase "" ("He odcauses the wind to blow and the rain to fall") is inserted in the second blessing of the ''Amidah'' (''Gevurot''), throughout the rainy season in Israel (fall and winter). The most prominent of God's powers mentioned in this blessing is the resurrection of the dead. Rain is mentioned here because God's provision of rain is considered to be as great a manifestation of His power as the resurrection. Rain is not mentioned in spring and summer, when rain does not fall in Israel. Nevertheless, given the importance of moisture during the dry summer of Israel, many versions of the liturgy insert the phrase "," "He causes the dew to fall," during every ''Amidah'' of the dry half of the year.

The "mention" of rain (or dew) starts and ends on major festivals (Shemini Atzeret and Passover respectively) On these holidays, special extended prayers for rain or dew (known as ''Tefillat Geshem'' and ''Tefillat Tal'' respectively). In the Ashkenazic tradition, both prayers are recited by the Reader during the repetition of the ''Mussaf Amidah''. Sephardic tradition, which prohibits such additions, places them before the ''Mussaf Amidah''. The change is made on these holidays because they are days of great joy, and because they are days of heavy attendance at public prayers. Therefore, the seasonal change in the language of the prayers is immediately and widely disseminated.

Requesting (praying for) rain ()

In the ninth blessing of the weekday ''Amidah'', the words "may You grant dew and rain" are inserted during the winter season in the Land of Israel. Outside Israel, this season is defined as beginning on the 60th day after the autumnal equinox (“ Tekufat Tishrei“) - usually 4 December - and ending on Passover. In Israel, the season begins on the 7th of Cheshvan. The Sephardi and Yemenite Jewish rituals, as opposed to just adding the words "dew and rain" during the winter, have two distinct versions of the ninth blessing. During the dry season, the blessing has this form:

Bless us, our Father, in all the work of our hands, and bless our year with gracious, blessed, and kindly dews: be its outcome life, plenty, and peace as in the good years, for Thou, O Eternal, are good and does good and blesses the years. Blessed be Thou, O Eternal, who blesses the years.

In the rainy season, the text is changed to read:

Bless upon us, O Eternal our God, this year and all kinds of its produce for goodness, and bestow dew and rain for blessing on all the face of the earth; and make abundant the face of the world and fulfil the whole of Thy goodness. Fill our hands with Thy blessings and the richness of the gifts of Thy hands. Preserve and save this year from all evil and from all kinds of destroyers and from all sorts of punishments: and establish for it good hope and as its outcome peace. Spare it and have mercy upon it and all of its harvest and its fruits, and bless it with rains of favor, blessing, and generosity; and let its issue be life, plenty, and peace as in the blessed good years; for Thou, O Eternal, are good and does good and blesses the years. Blessed be Thou, O Eternal, who blesses the years.

Conclusion of Shabbat and festivals

At the ''Maariv Amidah'' following the conclusion of a Shabbat or Yom Tov, a paragraph beginning ''Atah Chonantanu'' ("You have granted us...") is inserted into the weekday ''Amidah's'' fourth blessing of ''Binah''. The paragraph thanks God for the ability to separate between the holy and mundane, paraphrasing the concepts found in the Havdalah ceremony. In fact, the Talmud teaches that if this paragraph is forgotten, the ''Amidah'' need not be repeated, because Havdalah will be said later over wine. Once ''Atah Chonantanu'' is said, work prohibited on the holy day becomes permitted because the separation from the holy day has been established.

The Ten Days of Repentance

During the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, additional lines are inserted in the first, second, second to last, and last blessings of all ''Amidot''. These lines invoke God's mercy and pray for inscription in the Book of Life. In many communities, when the chazzan reaches these lines during his repetition, he pauses and the congregation recites the lines before him. During the final recitation of the ''Amidah'' on Yom Kippur the prayer is slightly modified to read "seal us" in the book of life, rather than "write us".

Moreover, the signatures of two blessings are changed to reflect the days' heightened recognition of God's sovereignty. In the third blessing, the signature "Blessed are You, O Lord, the Holy God" is replaced with "Blessed are You, O Lord, the Holy King." On weekdays, the signature of the eleventh blessing is changed from "Blessed are You, O Lord, King who loves justice and judgement" to "Blessed are You, O Lord, the King of judgement." In many Ashkenazic communities, it is also customary to conclude the last Blessing "Blessed are You, O Lord, who makes peace" instead of "Blessed are You, O Lord, who blesses His people with peace".

Fast days

On public fast days, special prayers for mercy are added to the ''Amidah''. There are three customs as to at which prayers individuals recite the text of ''Aneinu'' without its signature in the blessing of ''Shomea Tefillah'':

* According to the Yemenite custom (based on the custom of the Gaonim), it is recited at Shacharit and Mincha of the fast, as well as at Maariv on the night proceeding the fast.
* According to the Sephardic custom, it is recited at Shacharit and Mincha. And on Tisha Bav, when the fast begins at night, it is also recited in Maariv (effectively making this the same as the previous custom when it comes to Tisha Bav).
* According to the Ashkenazic custom, it is recited by individuals only at Mincha.Rama OC 565:3

In all customs, the chazzan adds ''Aneinu'' as additional blessing in his repetition right after the blessing of ''Geulah'', known by its first word ''Aneinu'' ("Answer us") in both Shacharit and Mincha. The blessing concludes with the signature "Blessed are You, O Lord, Who responds'' (some say: ''to His nation Israel'') ''in time of trouble." In addition, according to the original custom, Selichot are recited in the middle of the blessing for forgiveness during the Chazzan's repetition.

At mincha, Ashkenazic communities that say the "Shalom Rav" version of the ''Shalom'' blessing at Minchah and Maariv say the "Sim Shalom" at this Minchah. The chazzan also says the priestly blessing before ''Shalom'' as he would at Shacharit, unlike the usual weekday Minchah when the priestly blessing is not said at Mincha; in many communities where the Kohanim recite Birkat Kohanim daily, this is recited now as well, particularly if Mincha is recited later in the day.

On Tisha B'Av at Minchah, Ashkenazim add a prayer that begins ''Nachem'' ("Console...") to the conclusion of the blessing ''Binyan Yerushalayim'', elaborating on the mournful state of the Temple in Jerusalem. The concluding signature of the blessing is also extended to say ''"Blessed are You, O Lord, Who consoles Zion and builds Jerusalem."'' In other traditions, it is said in all the Amidot of Tisha B'av, or not included at all.

Ya'aleh VeYavo

On Chol HaMoed and Rosh Chodesh, the prayer ''Ya'aleh Veyavo'' ("May ur remembrancerise and be seen...") is inserted in the blessing of ''Avodah''. ''Ya'aleh Veyavo'' is also said in the ''Kedushat HaYom'' blessing of the Festival ''Amidah'', and at Birkat HaMazon. One phrase of the prayer varies according to the day's holiday, mentioning it by name. Often, the first line is uttered aloud so that others will be reminded of the change.

Al HaNissim

On Hanukkah and Purim, the weekday Amidot are recited, but a special paragraph is inserted into the blessing of ''Hoda'ah''. Each holiday's paragraph recounts the historical background of that holiday, thanking God for his salvation. Both paragraphs are prefaced by the same opening line, " e thank Youfor the miraculous deeds (''Al HaNissim'') and for the redemption and for the mighty deeds and the saving acts wrought by You, as well as for the wars which You waged for our ancestors in ancient days at this season."

Modern changes

The text of the Amidah was changed by the Hassidic movement in the 18th century. They attempted to fit the Ashkenazic liturgy with the rulings of the 16th century Kabbalist Isaac Luria. The Ari formulated a text which was adapted from the Sepharadi text in accordance with his understanding of Kabbalah, and the Chasidim adapted Nusach Ashkenaz to fit with his rulings, making what became know and Nusach Sefard.

Following the Zionist declaration of the State of Israel, some Orthodox authorities proposed changes to the special ''Nachem'' "Console..." prayer commemorating the destruction of Jerusalem added to the ''Amidah'' on Tisha B'Av in light of these events.

Conservative and Reform Judaism have altered the text to varying degrees to bring it into alignment with their view of modern needs and sensibilities. Conservative Judaism retains the traditional number and time periods during which the ''Amidah'' must be said, while omitting explicit supplications for restoration of the sacrifices. Reconstructionist and Reform Judaism, consistent with their views that the rhythm of the ancient sacrifices should no longer drive modern Jewish prayer, often omit some of the ''Amidah'' prayers, such as the Mussaf, omit temporal requirements and references to the Temple and its sacrifices.

Reform Judaism has changed the first benediction, traditionally invoking the phrase "God of our Fathers, God of Abraham, God of Isaac and God of Jacob," one of the Biblical names of God. New editions of the Reform siddur explicitly say ''avoteinu v'imoteinu'' "our fathers and our mothers", and Reform and some Conservative congregations amend the second invocation to "God of Abraham, God of Isaac and God of Jacob; God of Sarah, God of Rebekah, God of Leah, and God of Rachel." The new reform prayer book, ''Mishkan T'filah'', reverses Leah's and Rachel's names. Some feminist Jews have added the names of Bilhah and Zilpah, since they were mothers to four tribes of Israel.

Liberal branches of Judaism make some additional changes to the opening benedictions. the phrase ''umeivi go'eil'' ("and brings a redeemer") is changed in Reform Judaism to ''umeivi ge'ulah'' ("who brings redemption"), replacing the personal messiah with a Messianic Age. The phrase ''m'chayei hameitim'' ("who causes the dead to come to life") is replaced in the Reform and Reconstructionist siddurim with ''m'chayei hakol'' ("who gives life to all") and ''m'chayei kol chai'' ("who gives life to all life"), respectively. This represents a turn away from the traditional article of faith that God will resurrect the dead.

Prayer 17, ''Avodah''. asks God to restore the Temple services, build a Third Temple, and restore sacrificial worship. The concluding meditation ends with an additional prayer for the restoration of Temple worship. Both prayers have been modified within the siddur of Conservative Judaism, so that although they still ask for the restoration of the Temple, they remove the explicit plea for the resumption of sacrifices. (Some Conservative congregations remove the concluding quiet prayer for the Temple entirely.) The Reform siddur also modifies this prayer, eliminating all reference to the Temple service and replacing the request for the restoration of the Temple with "God who is near to all who call upon you, turn to your servants and be gracious to us; pour your spirit upon us."

Many Reform congregations will often conclude with either Sim Shalom or Shalom Rav. Once either of those prayers are chanted or sung, many congregations proceed to a variation on the ''Mi Shebeirach'' (typically the version popularized by Debbie Friedman), the traditional prayer for healing, followed by silent prayer, and then a resumption of the service.

Conservative Judaism is divided on the role of the ''Mussaf Amidah''. More traditional Conservative congregations recite a prayer similar to the Mussaf prayer in Orthodox services, except they refer to Temple sacrifices only in the past tense and do not include a prayer for the restoration of the sacrifices. More liberal Conservative congregations omit references to the Temple sacrifices entirely. Reconstructionist and Reform congregations generally do not do the ''Mussaf Amidah'' at all, but if they do, they omit all references to Temple worship.

Within the early Christian Church

New Testament scholar Paul Barnett has identified as a modified version of the first blessing (''Avot'').Barnett, P.W., ''The Second Letter to the Corinthians'' (New International Commentary on the New Testament), 1997, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan, p.67 This has also been identified by Martin Hengel in his book ''The Pre-Christian Paul'', arguing that Saul/Paul was a teacher in the Hellenistic synagogues of Jerusalem prior to his conversion to Christianity.

See also

* Jewish services
* Siddur
* Zion and Jerusalem in Jewish prayer and ritual

References

Sources

*
* .
* .
* .
* Joseph Heinemann "Prayer in the Talmud", Gruyter, New York, 1977
* .
* .
* Reuven Kimelman "The Messiah of the Amidah: A Study in Comparative Messianism." ''Journal of Biblical Literature'' 116 (1997) 313–320.
* Zev Leff ''Shemoneh Esrei: The Depth and Beauty of Our Daily Prayer'', Targum Press, Jerusalem, 2008.
* Paula Reimers, "Feminism, Judaism and God the Mother" ''Conservative Judaism'' Volume XLVI, Number I, Fall, 1993
* Joel Rembaum "Regarding the Inclusion of the names of the Matriarchs in the First Blessing of the Amidah" ''Proceedings of the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards 1986–1990'' pp. 485–490

External links

The Amidah
at Jewish Virtual Library

The Amidah
at My Jewish Learning.com

The Jewish Morning Service
according to the text of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (in Hebrew, from the Open Siddur Project)

An English translation of the Amidah
at Chabad.org.
{{Jewish prayers

Jewish prayer and ritual texts
Hebrew words and phrases in Jewish prayers and blessings
Maariv
Mincha
Mussaf
Ne'ila
Shacharit
Siddur of Orthodox Judaism