Breakthrough: The Enhanced Siddur
The new Tehillat Hashem Siddur with English Translation,
Directions, Notes and Illustrations has just arrived hot off the press *
This monumental work clearly delineates the correct procedure followed during
davening, including pertinent Chabad customs. * In this exclusive interview,
Beis Moshiach talked with the staff at Otsar Sifrei Lubavitch about the many
improvements introduced in this siddur.
Don’t we already have a translated Tehillat Hashem Siddur?
More than twenty years have passed since Rabbi Nissan Mangel
finished his translation of the Tehillat Hashem Siddur, a trailblazing
work that met with worldwide acclaim. It was an entirely new translation, one
that included such abstruse texts as the Shabbos z’miros (hymns), the
Pasach Eliyahu prayer recited on Friday afternoons, and other previously
untranslated sections. Thus, it came as no surprise that the siddur
remained a bestseller for many, many years.
However, as time progressed, people began noticing that
certain helpful enhancements were missing from the siddur. Though the
English translation remained helpful to anyone familiar with the language, many
directions and guides were sorely lacking. Shluchim in particular remained
greatly frustrated by the limited help the siddur offered.
Why Shluchim?
In recent years, Chabad Houses have mushroomed in virtually
every corner of the globe. Some have minyanim every day, but most have
minyanim only on Shabbos and the Yomim Tovim. Many of the people attending
these services just recently began davening from a Siddur; for some, this
is the very first time they are davening! Now imagine the following
scenario:
It is Shabbos morning at the local Chabad House. Thirty
people – mostly those who have only recently become closer to Yiddishkeit
– assemble for Shacharis. The shliach announces where the services
begin – but then each person remains on their own. They don’t know when to sit
or stand; they don’t know about holding the tzitzis during Baruch
Sh’Amar; they have no idea that they need to bow the head during
Barchu. Similarly, they don’t know which responses are permitted during
various stages of the prayer, or which are prohibited.
All this is further complicated during the Amida.
Congregants do not know precisely where or how to bow, how to take the three
steps, etc.
Then it is time for the Torah reading. The Ark is opened, but
the congregation does not know the proper procedure for this time. Those honored
with aliyos are similarly perplexed regarding the exact behavior they
should follow. The list goes on and on.
Obviously, some Chabad Houses have very friendly and helpful
people who assist the newcomers through the services, but, generally speaking,
many congregants are left to fend on their own. The shliach is normally
busy with other responsibilities – sometimes he is the chazzan or the
baal koreh – and has neither manpower nor time to stand near each and
every congregant and help them through the prayers.
The above scenario is very real. It happens on a weekly basis
in many Chabad Houses around the globe. We have heard stories of people coming
to a Chabad House and participate in the services, only to comment: "The
atmosphere was wonderful, but call me back when you get a siddur I can
use." Frustrated shluchim now face two options: either they use only the
Tehillat Hashem Siddur and continue experiencing their weekly dose of
aggravation, or they purchase siddurim from non-Chassidic printing houses
– not with the Chabad Nusach, but replete with guides and directions that are a
great boon for the novice. Understandably, many shluchim have opted for
the latter choice. They simply have no other choice.
Now, however, after years of research and hard work, an
alternative is available. The Tehillat Hashem Siddur now has guides,
notes and directions to help people through every part of the prayer service.
Obviously, many of our own can also benefit greatly from this siddur. We
all have our questions about various laws pertaining to the davening –
questions we may be embarrassed to ask others about – and this siddur
addresses them all.
What kind of guides and directions are in this siddur?
The directions and instructions accompany every phase of
davening, right from the very start of the siddur – the section of
Modeh Ani. The user has detailed notes explaining exactly how to recite the
Modeh Ani, how to perform the washing of neggel vasser
whilst still in bed, etc. These instructions continue throughout the entire
siddur. It’s like having a "friendly rabbi" at your side, always ready to
assist you.
Every page states clearly whether to stand, or if it is
permissible to sit. Before every section of davening, there is a list of
permitted responses, i.e., when it is permissible to answer amen, or the
responses for the aliyos, etc. Moreover, the directions are printed on a
shaded background, to ensure that the reader understands what parts of the text
are the actual translation of the prayers, and what texts are merely there to
guide and assist. The siddur is printed on special off-white paper, which
reduces eyestrain. All these enhancements have made the siddur extremely
"user friendly."
Then there are special sections in the back of the siddur.
A completely new compilation of "Notes and Halachos" covers over sixty pages,
bringing Chassidic insight into many sections of the davening. Perusing
this section really brings an appreciation into the light of Chassidus and how
it elucidates and brightens the prayers. Many halachos and Chabad customs
are explained – how to make an eruv tavshilin, our custom not to
sleep or decorate the sukka, and so on.
There is also a section containing Transliterations. Many
congregations sing part of the davening communally, and those unfamiliar
with the Hebrew language have always felt conspicuously out of place. Now,
however, they can just turn to the back of the siddur and sing along with
everyone else. The Kiddush for Shabbos and Yom Tov has also been transliterated.
Similarly, the blessings over the Shabbos candles and the blessing for kindling
the Chanuka candles were also transliterated.
What else have you added?
Another significant addition is the Prayer Guide for Special
Days. This is particularly invaluable for those who, for whatever reason, cannot
make it to shul for Shabbos, Yom Tov, or fast days. Stranded at home,
these people have no idea where to say what parts of the davening, or
what to include on these special occasions. Thanks to this guide, these people
now have clear directions, enabling them to complete the prayers as though they
were following along with the congregation in shul.
Also, there is a widespread custom to recite a verse from
Torah at the end of the Amida. This verse should begin and end with the
same Hebrew letters as the name of the person. Many siddurim print a list
of common Jewish names and their corresponding Torah verses. We have included
such a list at the back of the siddur, complete with English translation.
Another exciting addition is the superb illustrations by the
talented artist, Shmuel Graybar. These pictures illustrate in great detail the
Chabad way of donning the tallis, the t’fillin, and how to shake
the lulav.
This sounds like an incredible amount of work…
It was! A team of researchers, headed by Rabbi Chaim Miller
(of "Chabad Encyclopedia" fame), shliach in Leeds, England, studied and
explored all the various directions and Chabad customs associated with the
siddur. This was reviewed by a panel of Chabad Rabbanim, most notably Rabbi
Y. Schwei, a member of the Crown Heights Beis Din. A team of editors then
tackled the material, condensing and editing until everything could fit into the
siddur.
Despite the sheer volume of new material, we made every
effort to keep the original page layout. The Rebbe placed great emphasis on
keeping the original look of a seifer, even when adding text or
typesetting the material anew. In rare instances, when the many additional notes
made it impossible to retain the original page layout, the page was divided
evenly into two.
In summation, how do you see this as a step toward the
Geula?
This siddur is a great leap forward in the
dissemination of the teachings of Chassidus. Not only will many people read and
appreciate the Chassidic commentary at the back of the siddur, but now a
larger segment of Jews can daven with Nusach Chabad. As is
well-known, this is the nusach of the Alter Rebbe, which he composed
according to the mystical intentions of the Arizal, and after consulting with
sixty different versions of siddurim.
Additionally, the Maggid explains that this nusach
corresponds to the "thirteenth Heavenly gate," the portal through which all
t’fillos can pass. May our t’fillos for Moshiach be answered
speedily! |