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"The prayer book is our Jewish diary of the centuries, a collection of prayers composed by generations of those who came before us, as they endeavored to express the meaning of their lives and their relationship to God. The prayer book is the essence of the Jewish soul."
This stunning work, an empowering entryway to the spiritual revival of our times, enables all of us to claim our connection to the heritage of the traditional Jewish prayer book. It helps rejuvenate Jewish worship in today's world, and makes its power accessible to all.
Vol. 9—Welcoming the Night: Minchah and Ma'ariv (Afternoon and Evening Prayer) features the authentic Hebrew text with a new translation designed to let people know exactly what the prayers say. Introductions tell the reader what to look for in the prayer service, as well as how to truly use the commentaries and to search for—and find—meaning in the prayer book.
Framed with beautifully designed Talmud-style pages, commentaries from many of today's most respected Jewish scholars from all movements of Judaism examine Minchah and Ma’ariv from the perspectives of ancient Rabbis and modern theologians, as well as feminist, halakhic, Talmudic, linguistic, biblical, Chasidic, mystical, and historical perspectives.
Contributors include:
Marc Brettler • Elliot N. Dorff • David Ellenson • Ellen Frankel • Alyssa Gray • Joel M. Hoffman • Lawrence A. Hoffman • Lawrence Kushner • Daniel Landes • Nehemia Polen
"Like being surrounded by a group of specially learned and accessible study partners."
—Houston Jewish Herald-Voice
"An excellent place to begin [study].... Helps readers understand the different ways our ancestors looked at the close of day and the dark hours of the night."
—Vestal (NY) Reporter
"An immensely rewarding volume.... Speak to the possibilities of a life dedicated to prayer and the study of its purpose."
—Louisville Community
"Informative, powerful and moving."
—Liberal Judaism
About My People's Prayer Book
Anxiety and Opportunity: The Mood of Nighttime Prayer
Lawrence A. Hoffman
Introduction to the Liturgy: The Shape of Minchah and Ma’ariv
Lawrence A. Hoffman
The Halakhic Status of Minchah and Ma’ariv
Daniel Landes
Introduction to the Commentaries: How to Look for Meaning in the Prayers
Lawrence A. Hoffman
The Liturgy
1. Ma’ariv (Weekday and Shabbat)
A. Opening Verses
I. Psalm 134
II. Miscellaneous Verses
III. V’hu Rachum ("He Is Merciful")
B. The Sh’ma and Its Blessings
I. Blessing on Creation: Ma’ariv Aravim (“Who Brings on Evening”)
II. Blessing on Revelation: Ahavat Olam (“Eternal Love”)
III. Blessing on Redemption: Emet Ve’emunah (“True and Trustworthy”)
IV. Blessing for a Safe Night: Hashkivenu (“Lie Us Down to Peace”)
V. A Fifth Evening Blessing: Barukh Adonai L’olam (“Blessed Is Adonai Forever”)
C. Announcement Of Sacred Time
D. The Amidah
I. A Havdalah in the Amidah for Saturday Night
II. The K’dushat Hayom (“Sanctification of the Day”) for Shabbat Ma’ariv
III. The Ma’ariv Blessing for Peace: Birkat Shalom
E. Magen Avot (“Protecting Our Ancestors”)
F. The Synagogue Kiddush
G. Counting the Omer
I. Kavvanah (Introductory Meditation)
II. Blessing on Counting
III. Counting
IV. Psalm 67
V. Ana B’kho’akh (“By the Might”)
VI. Kavvanah (Closing Meditation)
H. Closing Prayers
I. Psalm 27
II. Psalm 49
2. Minchah (Additions for Shabbat)
A. The Amidah
I. The K’dushat Hayom (“Sanctification of the Day”) for Shabbat Minchah
II. Tsidkat’kha Tsedek (“Your Righteousness Is Right”) for Shabbat Minchah
About the Contributors
List of Abbreviations
Glossary