Introducing Siddur Sim Shalom

Introducing Siddur Sim Shalom Jules Harlow Any authentic Jewish prayerbook has its roots in the biblical and rabbinic texts which constitute the core of every service. Passages from the Torah, from Psalms and from the Prophets, among other biblical sources, were arranged for prayer by the ancient Rabbis of the first to the sixth centuries who also contributed their own liturgical formulations. These two elements—biblical and rabbinic—continue to sustain and inspire us as the basic texts of Jewish prayer, together with additions and modifications which have been made throughout the centuries. The two oldest versions of the prayerbook that we know (arranged by Rav Amram Gaon of ninth-century Babylonia and by Rav Saadiah of tenth- century Egypt) prescribe specific texts which incorporate contributions of preceding generations and add commentary, new prayers, poetry and modi fications to the texts which they had received. From the perspective of the twentieth century, these two versions might appear to be quite similar, but they do differ from each other, and they do feature different emphases. Individuals and groups in the succeeding generations, through modern times, have introduced their own modifications, deletions, additions, commentary and poetry, producing a great variety of prayer books. A number of other versions or rites (called minhagim) were also developed, each of them within a country or a smaller geographical area where a distinctive Jewish community flourished. At times, one or another of these versions was adopted by communities in other locales as well. Some of the prayer books have differed substantially from those in the mainstream of Jewish liturgy, but most of them incorporate and perpetuate the classic Jewish liturgical texts of biblical and rabbinic origin as their essential core. Siddur Sim Shalom, to be published by the Rabbinical Assembly and the United Synagogue of America, is an heir to the wealth of classic Jewish prayerbook traditions. It looks to Rav Amram and Rav Saadiah for instruc tion, and it also benefits from other editions, rites, and commentaries of the succeeding centuries, only some of which are mentioned in the confines of this essay. RABBI JULES HARLOW is the Director of Publications for the Rabbinical Assembly, and Editor of Siddur Sim Shalom. Conservative Judaism, Vol. 37(4), Summer 1984 © 1985 The Rabbinical Assembly 5 It is natural that an editor writing about a new prayer book should emphasize the new features of the volume on which he has labored, to justify the great expenditure of effort and material resources represented by the new volume, and to point out what would be missing in the world of prayer without the new volume. Precisely because changes are emphasized, as they properly should be in introducing a new work, it is important to maintain a balanced view by realizing that the overwhelming majority of Hebrew texts in new editions of the prayerbook published by the Conserva tive movement preserve and perpetuate texts which have been in existence since the classic age of Jewish prayer composition. The modifications, additions and deletions which distinguish Siddur Sim Shalom and other prayerbooks produced by the United Synagogue and the Rabbinical Assembly affect a very small portion of the recognized Hebrew texts of Jewish prayer. We are linked to Jews of centuries past who have used the same liturgical formulations in addressing our Creator, in confronting challenges of faith and the spirit and in expressing gratitude and praise. The Jew in prayer does not stand alone before God. The first person plural form of almost all Jewish prayer reflects the fact that we stand in prayer together with Jews of all places in our time and of all centuries in our distinctive history. We hope that this will bind us with future generations as well. Historical Overview Siddur Sim Shalom is also part of that liturgical development within Jewish tradition, known as Conservative, which began formally in 1927 with the publication of the Festival Prayer Book by the United Synagogue of America. That volume was produced to meet the needs "of Conservative congregations and of American congregations in general.” The committee which produced it included Professor Alexander Marx and Mr. Maurice Farbridge, both of blessed memory, as Chairman and Editor, respectively. One of their aims was to "endow the traditional Jewish service with all the beauty and dignity befitting it and inherent therein.” This involved their presenting a satisfactory English translation as well as a correct Hebrew text, and devoting careful attention to layout and design. The format of some English texts allowed for responsive reading with ease. A prayer for the Government appropriate to a democratic society, composed by Professor Louis Ginzberg, of blessed memory, was added. Since the time of the prophet Jeremiah it has been customary for Jews to pray for the welfare of the government. Some brief prayers in English were also added. The Festival Prayer Book in one of its versions, as adapted by Rabbi Jacob Kohn, of blessed memory, introduced a significant textual modification in the Musaf service for Shabbat and Festivals. The petition for the restoration of the ritual of animal sacrifice in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem was changed to a recollection of that sacrificial service which was central to the worship of our ancestors in ancient times. 6 Conservative Judaism The special features of the Festival Prayer Book were maintained and further developed in the Sabbath and Festival Prayerbook published jointly in 1946 by the United Synagogue of America and the Rabbinical Assembly. It was produced by a Committee which included Rabbi Morris Silverman and Rabbi Max Arzt, both of blessed memory, as Editor and as Secretary, respectively, and Rabbi Robert Gordis as Chairman. Three principles stressed by the Committee—continuity with tradition, relevance to the modern age and intellectual integrity—are discussed in the introduction to that prayer book. They are treated in greater detail, along with other aspects of producing a new prayer book, in an essay by Rabbi Robert Gordis, "A Jewish Prayerbook for the Modern Age,” published in Conservative Judaism, October 1945. The Sabbath and Festival Prayerbook retains the change in the Musaf service introduced in 1927 and adds further changes. Following a modifica tion found in the prayerbook of Rav Saadiah Gaon, the Committee made explicit the traditional Jewish concern for universal peace by adding the Hebrew word ba-olam ("in the world”) to the daily prayer for peace (sim shalom) at the end of the Amidah. A prayer for the welfare of the commu nity, recited following the Torah Service on Shabbat, was modified to include a phrase commending those who are devoted to helping rebuild the Land of Israel. Three of the early morning blessings (berakhot) were also modified, to praise God for having created each individual in God’s image, a free person, and a Jew, rather than to continue the conventional versions which express gratitude for not having been created a woman, a slave, or a non-Jew. New prayers and meditations in English were introduced, and many supplementary readings in English were added, for responsive reading and for contemplation, with a focus upon fundamental elements of Jewish life, thought and belief. In 1961, the Rabbinical Assembly published a Weekday Prayer Book. Under the Chairmanship of Rabbi Gershon Hadas, of blessed memory, with Rabbi Jules Harlow serving as secretary, a contemporary approach to the language of the English translation was developed. The Introduction to that volume expresses the felt need for "fresh translations of our liturgy, for revisions in its text and for more attractive designs in its printing.” The approach to recalling the ritual of animal sacrifice was further modified in this volume’s Musaf services for Rosh Hodesh and for Hoi Hamo’ed. Two versions of the appropriate passages are included as alternatives in the middle berakhah of the Amidah. One passage follows the precedent set in the Festival Prayer Book, as mentioned above. The other passage deletes specific mention of the sacrifices and adds a petition for the privilege of worship in Jerusalem, where the Temple stood, as well as a petition on behalf of all Jews, wherever they dwell. Another innovation of the Weekday Prayer Book concerns the State of Israel in the Land of Israel. How does one react to that happy reality in a prayer book? One option is available through the addition of appropriate responsive readings in a supplementary section of the volume. Such readings Jules Harlow 7 in general are not to be approached in a spirit of condescension. Since most Jews in the United States and Canada do not yet read Hebrew with com prehension, various English readings must be composed, as well as English translations which will provide those congregants with the possibility of becoming involved in prayer. It was felt, in addition, that an attempt must be made to include a liturgical reaction to the State of Israel in a manner which is integral to the fabric of the service. A liturgical model does exist in the prayers known as al hanissim which are added to the service (and to Blessings after Meals) on Purim and on Hanukkah, days commemorating miraculous deliverance in centuries past. A third al hanissim prayer was composed for this purpose, adapting the language and the style of the standard Hebrew text to produce a text which is appropriate for inclusion on Israel’s Independence Day (Yom Ha-atzmaut). It is vital to compose liturgical reactions to modern realities. Such compositions should be based upon liturgical precedents whenever possible. There are a number of other ways in which the reality of a State of Israel in the Land of Israel is reflected liturgically.

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