Origins of Siddur Prayers
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Some minor alterations have been made relating to Names and Attributes having been corrected.
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Remember the following three truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, neither shall ye diminish
from it, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (the LORD your Elohim) which I
command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2.
“This is My Name FOREVER, and this is My Memorial to ALL Generations”. Shemot - Exodus 3:15. (JPS).
“I am יְהוָה, that is My Name; and My glory
will I not give to another”. Yeshayahu - Isaiah 42:8. (JPS).
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Introduction to the Siddur: Layers of
Tradition and Revelation.
With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens,
PhD.
“Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey the entire Torah My servant Moshe has given you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
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Our Siddur, as commonly used today, is a
tapestry woven from diverse number of threads of tradition. While often
embraced as a unified liturgical whole, its contents reflect a complex
evolution, one that spans centuries and it has been draw from a multiple
sources who claim to have a right to enforce their ideas upon all of us, thus we
now have the habit of repeating the same prayers for a number of times, and
because ou Siddur have changed and so much added the entire
service has become so rushed, that we no longer are able to pray in love or
praise with a heart! We can ask, how did this happen? As usual many rabbis of
the past are entirely to blame!
What you will be able to see below; our Siddur
has over time been added to, again and again! However, for those seeking a
return to actual Scriptural intimacy and covenantal clarity, it is essential to
recognize which prayers echo the voice of the prophets and which reflect later
theological developments. By doing so, we honour the depth of our Hebraic tradition
while remaining faithful to the foundational texts that first called our people
to bless and pray unto אֱלֹהִים - Elohim,
blessed be He.
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|
Prayer / Section: |
Torah / Tanach Based. |
Talmudic / Rabbinic. |
Occultic Zohar / Kabbalistic. |
|
Shema (Deut 6:4–9; 11:13–21; Num
15:37–41) |
✅
Directly from Torah |
– |
– |
|
Priestly Blessing (Num 6:24–26) |
✅ Torah |
– |
– |
|
Psalms (e.g., Ashrei
– Ps 145; Hallel – Ps 113–118) |
✅
Tanach |
– |
– |
|
Amidah (18 Benedictions) |
– |
✅
Structured in Talmud (Berakhot) |
Later mystical kavvanot
added |
|
Blessings before/after food, Torah
reading |
– |
✅
Codified in Mishnah/Talmud |
– |
|
Kaddish |
– |
✅
Post-Temple, Talmudic |
Mystical Kabbalah interpretations later |
|
Aleinu |
– |
✅ Early
rabbinic prayer (possibly 3rd–6th c.) |
– |
|
Kol Nidrei (Yom Kippur) |
– |
✅
Medieval rabbinic |
– |
|
Lecha Dodi (Kabbalat
Shabbat) |
– |
– |
✅ 16th
c. Safed Kabbalah mystics |
|
Ana B’Koach |
– |
– |
✅
Mystical Kabbalah acrostic prayer, linked to divine names |
|
L’shem Yichud formulas |
– |
– |
✅ Lurianic Kabbalah (16th c.) |
|
Kabbalat Shabbat (Psalm 95–99, 29) |
✅ Tehillim
- Psalms |
– |
✅
Mystical Kabbalah framing (Safed) |
|
Selichot (penitential prayers) |
Some verses from Tanach |
✅
Rabbinic liturgy |
Later mystical Kabalah
expansions |
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Summary of Layers:
Torah/Tanach
(20–25%): Shema, Priestly
Blessing, Psalms, direct scriptural passages.
Talmudic/Rabbinic
(50–60%): Amidah, Kaddish, Aleinu, blessings,
structure of daily/holiday prayers.
Kabbalistic/Zoharic (15–25%): Lecha Dodi,
Ana B’Koach, L’shem Yichud, mystical kavvanot, Safed innovations.
Hebraic Understanding:
From a strict Torah
lens, only the first layer is divinely commanded. The second is
rabbinic scaffolding, humanly structured but not inherently evil if kept in
proportion. The
third is mystical
overlay, often beautiful poetry but not Torah. The danger is when layers 2 and
3 are sadly treated as if they were equal to the written Word.
Core Origins of the Siddur:
1. Biblical Foundations (Tanach):
Shema
(Deuteronomy 6:4–9; 11:13–21; Numbers 15:37–41).
Amidah’s themes echo biblical blessings and
covenant language.
Psalms: Many psalms
(e.g., 145 “Ashrei”) are central daily prayers.
These are the oldest
strata, directly from Torah and Ketuvim.
2. Talmudic / Rabbinic Layer:
After the destruction
of the Second Temple (70 CE), the Mishnah and Talmud codified daily prayer
cycles.
The Amidah (18 Benedictions) was formalized by the Men of the
Great Assembly (according to tradition), but its structure is preserved in the
Talmud (Berakhot).
Blessings (berakhot) before and after food, Torah reading, and daily
life were standardized in this period.
This is the backbone
of the siddur: halakhic, rabbinic, and Talmudic.
3. Medieval & Kabbalistic Additions:
From the 13th century
onward, Kabbalah (especially the Zohar) influenced prayerbooks,
particularly in Sephardic and Hasidic traditions.
Examples:
Kabbalat Shabbat (Lecha Dodi, 16th century, Safed
mystics).
Ana B’Koach (a mystical poem with acrostic linked to divine
names).
L’shem Yichud formulas
before mitzvot (uniting divine aspects).
The Ari (Rabbi Isaac Luria, 16th c.) and his disciples infused
mystical kavvanot (intentions) into the siddur, especially
in Sephardic and Hasidic rites.
These are not in the
Talmud but come from Zoharic/Kabbalistic schools.
4. Printing & Standardization:
By the 15th–18th
centuries, with the printing press, siddurim became
fixed.
Different communities
(Ashkenaz, Sepharad, Edot Mizrach,
Yemen) preserved different balances of Talmudic vs. Kabbalistic
material.
So how much is from each?
Tanach (direct scripture): ~20–25% (Shema,
Psalms, priestly blessing, etc.).
Talmudic/Rabbinic (halakhic
blessings, Amidah, structure): ~50–60%.
Kabbalistic/Zoharic (mystical poems, kavvanot,
Lurianic customs): ~15–25%, depending on the
community’s nusach (Ashkenaz
less, Sephard/Hasidic more).
Hebraic Understanding:
From a strict Torah/Tanach lens, only the first layer is directly commanded. The rest are human frameworks, some Halachic, some mystical and occult. The danger is when additions are elevated as if they were Torah itself. Yet the Siddur also preserves Israel’s longing for truth and a prayers service that will please Elohim, which I am sure He does not at this time!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via a
number of our prophets...
“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (MEC).
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In Conclusion, a
Question to Deepen the Conversation:
Which part of the Tanakh study, or possibly a particular line or
statement within it has touched you the most? And how do you feel
about spending more time studying our beloved Tanakh? I pray that you are doing
well as a faithful Hebrew, and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim willing you are upholding as many of our
blessed Mitzvoth’s?
I am well aware that the modern world sadly contains far too many
deviations as well as problems that seem to get in the way of
our Hebrew lifestyle. Yet worse than that, these days there are far too many
enticements, which can so easily throw many off track,
and I know that has happened far too much. Thus, if there are struggles
that are taking place in your life, be it at this or at any time, I am well
aware that sadly it can often have a terrible and a cruel effect upon your
life?
Dear reader, please remember this, pray for peace and solitude in
your life, and then work on keeping as calm as possible and learn to improve
your life, for אֱלֹהִים, בָּרוּךְ
אֱלֹהִים - Bless Elohim, He is
always there and ready to help and guide you!
This site was originally set up for those who needed to return to our
blessed and wonderful faith, thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at
least two or of possible three times a day and always seek אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via a
number of our prophets...
“Return unto Me,
and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. MEC).
PLEASE NOTE: If you need assistance in some way, just ask, I can email you special items to help you with whatever you may need, etc! Just email me (using the link further below) and I will send it to your email, without any follow up whatsoever, or any requests from me! My email is just down this page.
And Remember ...
Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat
Shalom!
אֲנִי יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה (the LORD your God); walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and
hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may
know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה -
YaHVaH Elohim”. Yechezkel
- Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).
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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;
“The More Torah, the More Life”,
For our Elohim is the One who
gave us our ... Life!
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom (Peace) of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה(the LORD of
hosts) be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the ‘מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your
daily תְּפִלָּה - Te’fee’lah’s (Prayers) and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and
drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be
with you!
Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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