Prayer-Book and Self Revelation to God in Judaism
Keywords:
Self Revelation, JudaismAbstract
"Prayer may not save us, but it makes us worthy of being saved. " For the Jews, the Bible is the record of God's revelation to Israel, while the Siddur—the prayer-book—is a record of Israel's self-revelation to God. The Siddur is not only a hand-book for Jewish prayer, it is also a faithful record of Jewish ideals, hopes, and anxieties during the many centuries of its growth. The Siddur may be regarded as both the Jewish book of common prayer, as well as the spiritual history of the Jewish people.
References
Abraham J. Heschel, The Insecurity of Freedom (Philadelphia: J. P. S 1966), p. 256.
Abraham Millgram, Jewish Worship (Philadelphia: J. P. S. 1971),
Lawrence Hoffman editor, Gates of Understanding (New York: C. C. A. R. 1977), P. 132. Also,
Lawrence Hoffman, The Canonization of the Synagogue Service (Notre Dame: U. of N. D, 1979).
Sylvan Schwartzman, Reform Judaism-Then and Now (New York : U. A. H. C. 1971).
Rosh Hashanah Prayer-book, edited by Herbert Morris, Congregation Beth Israel • Judea, San Francisco, 1971.
High Holy Day Prayer-book, edited by Aisenman, Silverman and Zetdin, Stephen S. Wise Temple, Los Angeles, 1973.
