the Open Siddur Project ✍︎ פְּרוֹיֶּקט הַסִּדּוּר הַפָּתוּחַ
a community-grown, libre and open-source archive of Jewish prayer and liturgical resources
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![]() ![]() ![]() This “Synagogue Consecration Prayer ” by the Hon. Lily H. Montagu (1873-1963) was included by Rabbi Morrison David Bial in his anthology, An Offering of Prayer (1962), p. 50. Although the context is not provided by Rabbi Bial, we would like to imagine that the consecration was for the establishment of the West Central Liberal Jewish Synagogue in 1928 (destroyed by Nazi German bombardment of London in 1941). . . . ![]() ![]() This manual has been devised for the express purpose of giving the Rabbi, or anyone officiating at a Jewish ceremonial or ritual, a concise and practical aid that will facilitate the task of officiating , and will obviate the necessity of resorting to the voluminous literature pertaining thereto. . . . הַל״ב מִצְוֺת הַתְלוּיוֹת בַּלֵּב | Thirty-two Mitsvot One Can Do With Consciousness Alone, by Reb Ahrele Roth (trans. Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Hillel Goelman)![]() ![]() ![]() A good preparation and a bridge for the next phase of prayer, as you enter into the world of B’riyah,[foot]i.e., the Shaḥarit service beginning with the blessings prededing the Shema[/foot] is Reb Ahrele Roth’s list of Mitsvot One Can Do With Consciousness Alone. Reb Ahrele Roth, a”h, wrote a list of 32 mitsvot whose fulfillment is completed in the brain, the heart and the mouth. (The Hebrew alphabetical equivalent of 32 is ל”ב, the letters of which spell the Hebrew word LEV for Heart.) –Reb Zalman . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() “That Religion Be Not a Cloak for Hypocrisy,” by Rabbi Mordecai Menaḥem Kaplan can be found on p. 435-5 of his The Sabbath Prayer Book (New York: The Jewish Reconstructionist Foundation, 1945). . . . תְּפִילַּת הַנּוֹטֵעַ | Prayer for a Tree Planting in Israel, by Rav Ben-Tsiyon Meir Ḥai Uziel (before 1942)![]() ![]() ![]() This is the תפילת הנוטע (Prayer for Planting [trees]) by Rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Ḥai Uziel. . . . ![]() ![]() An essay on the praxis of prayer as contained in “Club Letter №3” (March 1939) written by the Hon. Lily H. Montagu (1873-1963) and found in the Private Collection of Hannah Feldman, London. The essay was published in, Lily Montagu: Sermons, Addresses, Letters, and Prayers (ed. Ellen M. Umansky, 1985), pp. 51-54. . . . Das Gebet Als Äußerung Und Einfühlung | Prayer as Expression and Empathy, by Abraham Joshua Heschel (1939)![]() ![]() Abraham Joshua Heschel’s essay “Das Gebet Als Äußerung Und Einfühlung” published in Monatsschrift Für Geschichte Und Wissenschaft Des Judenthums, vol. 83 (1939). . . . 📖 תפלות ליום כיפור (מנהג הספרדים) | Tefilot l’Yom Kippur, arranged and translated by Rabbi David de Sola Pool (1939)![]() ![]() ![]() A bilingual Hebrew-English maḥzor for Yom Kippur in the Sepharadic tradition compiled by David de Sola Pool in 1939. . . . תפילה לעזרת היהודים תושבי גרמניה | Prayer for German Jewry under Nazi oppression before and after Kristallnacht (Office of the Chief Rabbi of the British Empire 1938)![]() ![]() ![]() An untitled prayer on behalf of German Jewry under Nazi oppression disseminated in Bombay, likely after Kristallnacht (9-10 November 1938). . . . גאָט בענטש אַמעריקע | God Bless America, for Armistice Day by Irving Berlin (1918/1938) with Yiddish translation![]() ![]() The words of the prayer for Armistice Day 1938, “God Bless America” by Irving Berlin, in English and Yiddish. . . . ![]() ![]() This prayer for the country is found in the Siddur Sephat Emeth, which was published by the venerable Rödelheim publishing house in Frankfurt in 1938. This was probably the last siddur ever published in pre-Holocaust Germany. This prayer is full of pathos and yearning, and in a time of rising government-sponsored antisemitism worldwide it’s worth keeping in mind. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() The experimental siddur, Prayers & Readings Selected and Arranged by Rabbi Solomon Goldman can be found appended to Harry Coopersmith’s songbook, Songs of My People (1938). The work, I believe, is an excellent reflection of the creative spirit of the nascent Reconstructionist movement. Goldman’s prayerbook is both traditional and expansive, seeking to bring into its pages both familiar liturgy along with additional works from all over Jewish literary history. The work represents what Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan would call a “Binder Siddur” — the siddur as a container of inspired works for collective reading and reflection in the synagogue. Perhaps even for personal use. With its good number of authors and translators expressing different voices appealing to Goldman, Prayers & Readings is also a kind of proto-Open Siddur. However, unlike the Open Siddur, Goldman only provides acknowledgement of the various authors and translators in his preface, and we are left uncertain as to which works should actually be attributed to each contributor. If you can tell which of the listed authors and translators contributed what, please leave a comment or contact us. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() A songster compiled by Harry Coopersmith. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() This is the Kol Nidrei as offered by the Hannover Synagogue on Yom Kippur in 1937 according to the text provided in a poster, “Agende für Kol-nidre und Seelenfeier in der Synaogen-Gemeinde Hannover” (10 September 1937). Thank you to David Selis for providing digital images of the poster. . . . 📖 תפלות לראש השנה (מנהג הספרדים) | Tefilot l’Rosh haShanah, arranged and translated by Rabbi David de Sola Pool (1937)![]() ![]() A bilingual Hebrew-English maḥzor for Rosh haShanah in the Sepharadic tradition compiled by David de Sola Pool in 1937. . . . 📖 תפלות ישראל לימי חול (אשכנז) | Tefilot Yisrael Limei Ḥol — Prayers of Israel vol.1: For Weekdays and Special Occasions, a bilingual Hebrew-English prayerbook edited by Rabbi Jacob Bosniak (1937)![]() ![]() A bilingual Hebrew-English prayerbook for weekdays and special occasions, compiled and edited by Rabbi Jacob Bosniak. This volume complements a second for Shabbat and the Shalosh Regalim (festivals). . . . 📖 תפלות ישראל לשבת ושלוש רגלים (אשכנז) | Tefilot Yisrael l’Shabbat v’Shalosh Regalim — Prayers of Israel vol. 2: For the Sabbath and the Festivals, arranged and edited by Rabbi Jacob Bosniak (third revised edition, 1937)![]() A bilingual Hebrew-English prayerbook for Shabbat and the Shalosh Regalim (festivals), compiled and edited by Rabbi Jacob Bosniak. This volume (number 2) complements a second for weekdays and special occasions (vol. 1). . . . תְּפִלָּה בְּעַד שְׁלוֹם הַמַּמְלָכָה | Modlitwa za Rzeczpospolitą | Prayer for the Second Polish Republic, by Mojżesz Schorr (1936)![]() ![]() “Modlitwa za Rzeczpospolitą” by Rabbi Moses Schorr was published in his סדר תפלה Modlitewnik na wszystkie dni w roku oraz modlitwę za Rzeczpospolitą (1936), recto of p. 232. . . . 📖 סדר ברכות (אשכנז) | Seder Brakhot: Grace and Blessings for Various Occasions, compiled and translated by Rabbi Simon Glazer (ca. 1935)![]() ![]() A bilingual Hebrew-English birkon (book of blessings), according to the liturgical custom of Ashkenaz, as compiled by Rabbi Simon Glazer and published by the Maimon Publishing Company in sometime between 1934 and 1938. . . . 📖 סדר תפלת ישורון (מנהג הספרדים) | Seder Tefilat Yeshurun, a bilingual Hebrew-English prayerbook translated by Menaḥem-Gershon Glenn (1935)![]() ![]() This is סדר תפלת ישורון Book of prayers Tephilath Jeshurun: containing all the prayers for the year according to the custom of the holy congregations of the Sephardim in the Orient and elsewhere translated by Menaḥem ben Mosheh Yeḥezqel and published by the Hebrew Publishing Company in 1935. . . . 📖 מענה לשון וזכרון עולם | Maaneh Lashon v’Zikhron Olam: Prayers Upon the Cemetery and In Memory Aeterna, edited by Rabbi Simon Glazer (1935)![]() ![]() Based upon the Seder Teḥinot al Bet Almin, by Rabbi Yaaqov Sinna (ca. 1615), a collection of teḥinot for when visiting the graves of loved ones, as well as additional prayers for sick relatives and for women approaching childbirth. . . . ספר רפואת הנפש, פרק ב׳ — תפלה | Sefer Refuat haNefesh, chapter 2: Prayer (Rabbi Morris Lichtenstein 1934)![]() ![]() A brief explanation of the role of prayer in the Jewish Science movement of Rabbi Morris Lichtenstein and his wife Tehilla Lichtenstein, co-founders of the Society of Jewish Science, in Yiddish with an English translation. . . . ![]() ![]() This is סדור תפלת ישורון Siddur Tefilat Yeshurun, a comprehensive everyday, shabbat, and festival prayerbook compiled by Rabbi Simon Glazer from pages derived from סדור שׂפה ברורה Siddur Sefah Berurah (1928) with translations set against the Hebrew liturgy compiled by Dr. Max Emanuel (Mendel ben Yitsḥaq) Stern (1811-1873). . . . 📖 מחזור לסוכות (אשכנז) | Maḥzor for Sukkot (and Shemini Atseret), compiled and translated by Rabbi Simon Glazer (1933)![]() ![]() A bilingual Hebrew-English festival prayerbook (maḥzor) for Sukkot and Shemini Atseret, according to the liturgical custom of Ashkenaz, as compiled by Rabbi Simon Glazer and published by Star Publishing Company in 1933. . . . ![]() ![]() A bilingual Hebrew-English festival prayerbook (maḥzor) for Passover, according to the liturgical custom of Ashkenaz, as compiled by Rabbi Simon Glazer and published by Star Publishing Company in 1933. . . . ![]() ![]() A bilingual Hebrew-English festival prayerbook (maḥzor) for Shavuot, according to the liturgical custom of Ashkenaz, as compiled by Rabbi Simon Glazer and published by Star Publishing Company in 1933. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() The poem “When I Am Old” by Miriam del Banco (1858-1931) was included in her posthumously published anthology, Poetry and Prose (1932), p. 111-112. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() The poem “Shebuoth” by Miriam del Banco (1858-1931) was included in her posthumously published anthology, Poetry and Prose (1932), p. 37-38. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() The poem “Through Darkness to Light” by Miriam del Banco (1858-1931) was included in her posthumously published anthology, Poetry and Prose (1932), p. 29. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() The prayer-poem “For What I Bless Thee” by Miriam del Banco (1858-1931) was included in her posthumously published anthology, Poetry and Prose (1932), p. 15. . . . ![]() ![]() The poem “Confirmation” by Miriam del Banco (1858-1931) was included in her posthumously published anthology, Poetry and Prose (1932), p. 80-81. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() The poem “New Year” by Miriam del Banco (1858-1931) was included in her posthumously published anthology, Poetry and Prose (1932), p. 113-114. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() The poem “Musings” by Miriam del Banco (1858-1931) was included in her posthumously published anthology, Poetry and Prose (1932), p. 115-116. . . . ![]() ![]() The prayer-poem ““Mene, Mene, Tekel Upharsin”” by Miriam del Banco (1858-1931) was included in her posthumously published anthology, Poetry and Prose (1932), p. 94-95. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() The prayer-poem “Night” by Miriam del Banco (1858-1931) was included in her posthumously published anthology, Poetry and Prose (1932), p. 90-91. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() The poem “Wormicide” (1931) by Rabbi Alter Abelson. . . . ![]() ![]() The poem “Sambatyon” (1931) by Rabbi Alter Abelson. . . . ![]() ![]() The poem “The Phylacteries” (1931) by Rabbi Alter Abelson. . . . ![]() ![]() The poem “Friday Eve” by Rabbi Alter Abelson (1931). . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() The text of the prayer, haNoten Teshuah, as adapted for King George V. . . . ![]() ![]() “A Prayer for Our Teachers” by Rabbi Albert G. Baum was written sometime before 1962. Unfortunately, no more information was provided by Rabbi David Bial in his anthology, An Offering of Prayer (1962), p. 64, from where this prayer was transcribed. Possibly, the prayer was written while Baum served as principal of the Park Avenue Synagogue Hebrew School in the late 1920s or as rabbi for Congregation Gemiluth Chassodim in Alexandria, Louisiana during the 1930s. If you know more, please leave a comment or contact us. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() A morning prayer for young girls composed in Magyar and published in 1930, with English translation. . . . ![]() ![]() A prayer for lifegiving sustenance. . . . Man Is Here for the Sake of Others, by Albert Einstein (1930) as excerpted by Rabbi Morrison David Bial![]() ![]() ![]() “Man Is Here for the Sake of Others,” a short excerpt from a longer essay by Albert Einstein, was included by Rabbi Morrison David Bial in his collection of supplemental prayers and texts for personal prayer and synagogue services: An Offering of Prayer (Temple Sinai of Summit, New Jersey, 1962). The full text of Einstein’s essay appeared under the title “What I Believe” in Forum and Century 84 (October 1930), no. 4, p. 193-194. David E. Rowe and Robert Schulman (in Einstein on Politics 2007, p. 226) note, “The text was reproduced several times under the title ‘The World as I See It,’ most notably in Mein Weltbild and Ideas and Opinions, and in 1932 the German League of Human Rights released a phonograph recording of Einstein reading a slightly variant version entitled ‘Confession of Belief.'” . . . 💬 What I Believe | Wie ich die Welt sehe (How I see the World), an essay by Albert Einstein (in English and German, 1930/1934)![]() ![]() ![]() This is Albert Einstein’s essay in English, “What I Believe” as published in Forum and Century 84 (October 1930), no. 4, 193–194, set next to his essay in German, “Wie ich die Welt sehe” (How I see the World) as published in Mein Weltbild (1934). The German version includes some thoughts elided in the English which I hope are elucidated in my translation into English of the German version. David E. Rowe and Robert Schulman (in Einstein on Politics 2007, p. 226) note, “The text was reproduced several times under the title ‘The World as I See It,’ most notably in Mein Weltbild and Ideas and Opinions, and in 1932 the German League of Human Rights released a phonograph recording of Einstein reading a slightly variant version entitled “Confession of Belief.” [It]…differs significantly from that in [published in Ideas and opinions: based on Mein Weltbild by] Einstein (in) 1954.” . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() A collection of teḥinot, in English, edited by Rabbi Simon Glazer. . . . 📖 (רפורמי) Prayer Book of the St. George’s Settlement Synagogue, by Basil Lucas Quixano Henriques (1929)![]() ![]() ![]() Prayer Book of the St. George’s Settlement Synagogue, compiled by Basil Lucas Quixano Henriques in 1929, contains services for Shabbat, Rosh haShanah (with readings), and a selection of teḥinot (“special prayers for private worship) and hymns (“anthems”). . . . 📖 מחזור אור לישראל ליום הכפורים (אשכנז) | Maḥzor Or l’Yisrael l’Yom haKippurim, translated by Rabbi Simon Glazer (1928)![]() ![]() A bilingual Hebrew-English maḥzor for Yom Kippur, translated by Rabbi Simon Glazer and published by Star Publishing Company in 1928. . . . 📖 מחזור אור לישראל לראש השנה (אשכנז) | Maḥzor Or l’Yisrael l’Rosh haShanah, translated by Rabbi Simon Glazer (1928)![]() ![]() A bilingual Hebrew-English maḥzor for Rosh haShanah, compiled by Rabbi Simon Glazer and published by Star Publishing Company in 1928. . . . 📖 סדר תפלות לאבלים | Seder Tefilot la-Avelim (Arrangement of Prayers for Mourners), compiled and translated by Rabbi Simon Glazer (1928)![]() ![]() A bilingual Hebrew-English prayerbook for funerals and memorial days (yahrzeit), as compiled by Rabbi Simon Glazer and published by Star Publishing Company in 1928. . . . ![]() ![]() A prayer for a sibling embarking on a journey to another land or lands. . . . ![]() The prayer for the government familiar to all Conservative movement congregations, as written by Rabbi Dr. Louis Ginzberg with an English translation by Rabbi Tim Bernard. . . . ![]() ![]() A prayer on behalf of the government of the United States of America by one of the leading architects of Modern Orthodoxy in America. . . . ![]() ![]() A prayer on behalf of the government of the United States of America by one of the leading architects of Modern Orthodoxy in America. . . . ![]() ![]() A prayer for intra-national peace during the interwar period (after World War I). . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() A prayer on behalf of one’s congregation and the worldwide community of Israelites. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() This untitled prayer by Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy accompanied his short essay, “Applying Judaism to Life” found in The Helpful Manual (Centre of Jewish Science, 1927), pp. 4-5. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() “Morning Prayer (For Very Young Children)” by Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy is found in The Helpful Manual (Centre of Jewish Science, 1927), p. 26. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() “For Very Young Children Before Sleeping” by Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy is found in The Helpful Manual (Centre of Jewish Science, 1927), p. 26. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() “Night Prayer (for Older Children) by Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy is found in The Helpful Manual (Centre of Jewish Science, 1927), p. 27. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() “Morning Prayer (for Older Children)” by Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy is found in The Helpful Manual (Centre of Jewish Science, 1927), p. 27. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() This untitled prayer by Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy accompanied his short reflection, “Thy Will Be Done!” found in The Helpful Manual (Centre of Jewish Science, 1927), pp. 23-24. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() This untitled prayer by Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy accompanied his self-reflection, “Peace within” found in The Helpful Manual (Centre of Jewish Science, 1927), pp. 17-18. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() This untitled prayer by Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy accompanied his short reflection, “Facing Eternity” found in The Helpful Manual (Centre of Jewish Science, 1927), p. 25. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() This untitled prayer by Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy accompanied his short essay, “Facing Temptation” found in The Helpful Manual (Centre of Jewish Science, 1927), pp. 21-22. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() This untitled prayer by Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy accompanied his short reflection, “I Must Not Worry” found in The Helpful Manual (Centre of Jewish Science, 1927), pp. 19-20. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() This untitled prayer by Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy accompanied his short reflection, “Bringing Health to the Home” found in The Helpful Manual (Centre of Jewish Science, 1927), pp. 12-13. . . . “All adrift on the stream of life” a prayer for help and self-control by Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy (1927)![]() ![]() ![]() This untitled prayer by Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy accompanied his short reflection, “I Feel Nervous and Upset” found in The Helpful Manual (Centre of Jewish Science, 1927), pp. 15-16. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() This untitled prayer by Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy accompanied his short reflection, “I Seek Health and Healing” found in The Helpful Manual (Centre of Jewish Science, 1927), pp. 9-10. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() This untitled prayer by Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy accompanied his short reflection, “I Want to Pray” found in The Helpful Manual (Centre of Jewish Science, 1927), p. 7. . . . ![]() ![]() “Bible Thoughts for every and any day” by Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy are a selection of biblical verses he added to The Helpful Manual (Centre of Jewish Science, 1927), pp. 28-31, ostensibly for use in healthful spiritual contemplation. . . . Our Affirmation — a litany of affirmative statements for adherents of the Centre of Jewish Science by Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy (1927)![]() ![]() ![]() “Our Affirmation” by Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy was published in conclusion to his brochure, The Helpful Manual (Centre of Jewish Science, 1927), p. 32. . . . 📖 לקוטי תפלות | Liḳutei Tefilot: Pulpit and Public Prayers, compiled and edited by Rabbi Jacob Bosniak (1927)![]() ![]() A collection of dedicatory and circumstantial prayers by Rabbi Jacob Bosniak and other rabbis. . . . 📖 מחזור אור לישראל ליום הכפורים (אשכנז) | Maḥzor Or l’Yisrael l’Yom haKippurim (Yiddish trans. by “ben-Uriyah,” 1927)![]() ![]() A bilingual Hebrew-Yiddish maḥzor for Yom Kippur, translated by ben-Uriyah and published by Star Publishing Company in 1927. . . . 📖 מחזור לשלוש רגלים (אשכנז) | Maḥzor l’Shalosh Regalim: Festival Prayer Book, arranged and translated by the United Synagogue of America (1927)![]() The United Synagogue of America (now knows as the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism) compiled this Hebrew-English maḥzor for the three regalim (pilgrimage festivals: Pesaḥ, Shavuot, and Sukkot with Shmini Atseret.) Rabbi Dr. Louis Ginzburg was among the editors and writers who helped to compile the maḥzor. . . . ![]() ![]() The Helpful Manual is a prayerbook containing supplications and affirmations expressing the teachings of the then nascent Jewish Science movement, prepared by one of the movement’s founders, Rabbi Clifton Harby Levy in 1927, on behalf of the Centre of Jewish Science. The Jewish Science movement was at the time intended to counter the popularity of the Christian Science movement among Jews in the United States. . . . A Prayer at the Dedication Ceremony for the Ocean Parkway Jewish Center, by Rabbi Jacob Bosniak (1926)![]() ![]() ![]() “Dedication of a Synagogue” was written and delivered by Rabbi Jacob Bosniak on 23 October 1926, at the dedication of the Ocean Parkway Jewish Center. The prayer was first published in Rabbi Bosniak’s לקוטי תפלות Liḳutei Tefilot: Pulpit and Public Prayers (1927), pp. 106-107. . . . ![]() ![]() A hymn for the end of war by Rabbi Max D. Klein. . . . ![]() ![]() ![]() Mediæval Hebrew Minstrelsy: Songs for the Bride Queen’s Feast (1926), an anthology of Sabbath table songs with rhymed English translations by the compiler, Herbert Loewe as well as others identified in his “Introduction.” The sixteen zemirot included have commentaries based on those provided by Dr. Leo Hirschfeld in his בזמרות נריע לו Die häuslichen Sabbathgesänge für Freitag⸗Abend, Sabbath⸗Tag und Sabbath⸗Ausgang (1898). Musical notation for the zemirot melodies were prepared, and a chapter on the music was written, by Rose L. Henriques. There are also delightful illustrations throughout by Beatrice Hirschfeld. Chief Rabbi Joseph H. Hertz provided the foreword. . . . |