Introduction to the Siddur (Prayer Book): Structure, Themes, and History - Einzelansicht

What is the siddur, the Jewish prayer book? In order to answer this question our first task will be to understand the structure of this complex and richly textured book. Investigation of the literary and historical background of the various units will assist in our main goal of exploring the main themes of the distinct prayers. Finally, the question of the theology of the siddur, whether implicit or explicit, will naturally be raised with each unit as well as in our retrospective synthesis. Most of our attention will be devoted to the early and basic Rabbinic building blocks: Birkot haShachar (Morning Blessings), K’riat Shema (Recital of the Shema), and Amidah (in ancient sources Tefillah (the Prayer).

The course will be taught in English. Primary texts will be available in Hebrew and English. We will read primary sources (the Siddur) as well as secondary, scholarly texts. The text of the Siddur in Hebrew and English will be made available digitally. Students are expected to participate in class discussions based on the reading assignments. There will be some brief writing exercises and presentations.

A five-page final essay is to be submitted at the end of the course.