AmidaAndTheLord’sPrayer
ByRabbiDr.JosephbenHaggai
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ThefollowingpaperisanexcerptfromaletterthatRabbiDr.JosephbenHaggaireceivedfromoneofhistalmidim.Inthispaper,theRabbiteachesusthatthesocalledLord’sprayerisamemoryaidtoremembertheorderoftheblessingsoftheAmida(ShemonehEsrei).ThisisthestandingprayerthatisthecentralpartofallJewishprayerservices.Withthisintroduction,letuslookattheRabbi’sletter:
Greetingsmyfriend,theRabbi! IncontinuedpursuitofmyshortcourseonJesusthatwe’vediscussedI’vecomeacrossanotherareathatIneedrabbinicadvice. InLutheranchurches(andCatholic,Orthodox,andAnglican)theso-called“Lord’sPrayer”isverysacred. Itissaidateveryservicedoneanditissaidprivatelyandpersonallythroughoutthedaybythemorepioussouls. Hence,itisaperfectteachingtool.I’veencounteredarabbiwhohastoldmethatthe“Lord’sPrayer”is“asJewishaprayeronecouldfind”andthatifyoucouldfindaJewwhodidnotknowthewordswereattributedtoJesus,thatitwouldcertainlypassasaJewishprayerwithanyJew.
Thisisabsolutelytrue.IdonotknowthenameoftheRabbi,northeRabbihehasasked,buthisanswersismostaccurate.
ItseemsthereissomekindoflinkbetweentheAmidahandthe“Lord’sPrayer.” IsitpossiblewhenJesusdisciplesaskedhimtoteachthemtopraythathisresponsewasanabbreviatedversionorshortenedversionoftheAmidah? Canyougivemesomeinsight(includingscholarly,worthyoffootnotinginamanuscript/lecture)astotheJewishnatureofthe“Lord’sPrayer.” IwishtoshowthattheprayerJesusgavewasn’tsomenewthingheinventedinGalileewhilefishingwiththeboys. Iwishtoshowthe“Lord’sPrayer”showshowJewishthatJesuswas.
Backsometimeago(tebeth2866),wheninthelectionarywereachedthesocalledMaster’sPrayer,orevenbetter,anabbreviatedversionoftheAmida,Iwrotethefollowing:
Midrashof Matityahu(Matthew)6:9-13
9.Afterthismannerthereforeyoumustpray:OurFatherWhositsintheheavens,MayYouandYourNamebehallowed(sanctified).
10.MayYourgovernmentcome.MayYourwillbedoneintheheavensandintheland.
11.GiveusofYourbreadfromdaytoday.
12.Andforgiveusoursins,asweforgivethosethatsinagainstus.
13.Anddonotbringusintothehandoftesting,butwatchoverandguardusfromallevil:ForYoursisthegovernment,andallthepower,andalltheglory,forever,andever.Amen!
Commentary
ThisweekintheMidrashofMatityahu,theMasterofNazarethgoesontoprovideforusasummaryofwhatisknownasthemainandcentralprayerofaJewishservice:TheAmida.HeisnotmakinganewprayertosubstitutefortheAmida,butratherheisindicatingthatourchiefprayerthreetimesadayshouldbetheAmida–theheartofaJewishprayerservice.
Roughly,thefullAmida,renderedintoEnglishreadsasfollows:
Patriarchs
1.BlessedartYou,L-rdourG-dandG-dofourPatriarchs,G-dofAbraham,G-dofIsaac,andG-dofJacob.Thegreat,mightyandawesomeG-d,G-dSupremeWhoextendslovingkindnessandisMasterofall,Whoremembersthegraciousdeedsofourforefathers,andWhowillbringaRedeemerwithlovetotheirchildren’schildrenforHisname’ssake.King,Helper,Savior,andProtector,blessedareYou,L-rd,shield(Protector)ofAbraham.
PowerofG-d
2.Yourmightiseternal,OL-rd,whorevivesthedead,powerfulinsaving,whomakesthewindtoblowandtheraintofall,whosustainsthelivingwithlovingkindness,whorevivesthedeadwithgreatmercy,whosupportsthefalling,healsthesick,freesthecaptive,andkeepsfaithwiththedead;whoislikeYou,Almighty,andwhoresemblesYou,OKingwhocanbringdeathandgivelife.
HolinessofG-d
3.Youareholy,andYournameisholy,andthosewhoareholyshallpraiseYoueveryday. BlessedartYou,L-rd,theholyG-d.
Discernment
4.Yougrantknowledgetoman,andteachunderstandingtohumans;fromYourownself,favoruswithknowledge,understanding,andwisdom.BlessedareYou,L-rd,giverofknowledge.
Repentance-Returning
5.Returnus,ourFather,toYourTorah,anddrawuscloser,ourKing,toYourworship,andbringusbackbeforeYouincompleterepentance. BlessedareYou,L-rd,whodesiresrepentance.
Forgiveness
6.Forgiveus,ourFather,forwehavesinned,pardonus,ourKing,forwehavetransgressed,forYouareapardonerandforgiver.BlessedareYou,L-rd,graciousOnewhoforgivesabundantly.
Redemption
7.Lookuponusinoursuffering,andfightourstruggles,redeemusspeedily,forYourname’ssake,forYouareamightyRedeemer. BlessedareYou,L-rd,RedeemerofIsrael.
Healing
8.Healus,OL-rd,andweshallbehealed,saveusandweshallbesaved,forYouareourglory. Sendcompletehealingforoureveryillness,forYou,DivineKing,arethefaithful,mercifulPhysician. BlessedareYou,L-rd,whohealsthesickofHispeopleIsrael.
Forbountyandprosperity
9.Blessthisyearforus,OL-rdourG-d,andallitsvariedproducethatitbeforgood;provide(dewandrainasa)blessingonthefaceoftheearth,satisfyuswithYourgoodness,andblessthisyearlikethegoodyears. BlessedareYou,L-rd,whoblessedtheyears.
Returnoftheexiles
10.Soundthegreatshofar(toproclaim)ourfreedom,liftupabannerfortheingatheringofourexiles,andbringustogetherfromthefourcornersoftheearth. BlessedartYou,L-rd,WhogatherstogetherthedispersedofHispeopleIsrael.
Justice
11.Restoreourjudgesasatfirst,andourcounselorsasinthebeginning,removingfromussorrowandsighing; ruleoverus,Youalone,OL-rd,withkindnessandmercy,andvindicateusinthejudgment. BlessedareYou,L-rd,King,wholovesrighteousnessandjudgment.
Againstslanderersandheretics
12.Forslandererslettherebenohope,andletallwickednessinstantlyperish.MayallYourenemiesbequicklycutoff;andasforthemalicious,swiftlyuproot,break,castdown,andsubduequicklyinourday. BlessedareYou,L-rd,whobreaksthepowerofHisenemiesandsubduesthemalicious.
Fortherighteous
13.Ontherighteousandthesaintly,ontheeldersofYourpeople,thehouseofIsrael,andontheirsurvivingscholars,onthetrueproselyteandonourselves,letYourcompassionflow,OL-rdourG-d. GrantagoodrewardtoallwhosincerelytrustinYourname;placeourlotwiththemforeverandletusnotbeshamed,forinYoudowetrust. BlessedareYou,L-rd,thesupportandsecurityoftherighteous.
ForYerushalayim(Jerusalem)
14.ToJerusalemYourcity,returnwithcompassion,anddwellwithinitasYoupromised;rebuilditsooninourday,aneverlastingstructure;andspeedilyestablishinitsmidstthethroneofDavid. BlessedartYou,L-rd,builderofJerusalem.
Davidic(Messiah’s)Reign
15.TheoffspringofYourservantDavid,quicklycausetoflourish,andliftuphispowerbyYourdeliverance;forYourdeliverancedoweconstantlyhope.BlessedareYou,L-rd,Whomakesthegloryofdeliverancetoflourish.
Acceptanceofprayer
16.Hearourvoice,OL-rdourG-d,showcompassionandmercytous,acceptourprayerswithmercyandfavor,forYouareaGodWhohearsprayersandsupplications.
RestorationoftheTemple
17.Favorablyreceive,OL-rdourG-d,YourpeopleIsraelandtheirprayer,restoretheworshiptoYourTempleinZion,receivewithloveandfavortheofferingsofIsraelandtheirprayer,andmaytheworshipofYourpeopleIsraelalwaysbefavorablyreceivedbyYou,mayoureyesbeholdYourreturntoZioninmercy. BlessedartYou,L-rd,WhorestoresHisDivinePresencetoZion.
Thanksgiving
18.WegivethanksuntoYouWhoaretheL-rdourGo-dandG-dofourfathersforalleternity. Youarethestrengthofourlives,theshieldofourdeliverance. Ineverygeneration,weshallthankYouanddeclareYourpraiseforourlivesthatareentrustedinYourhand,andforoursoulsthatareinYourcare,andforYourmiraclesthataredailywithus,andforYourwondrousdeedsandgoodnessthatoccuratalltimes,evening,morning,andnoon. YouaretheBenevolentOne,forYourmerciesareneverended. TheCompassionateOne,forYourdeedsofkindnessdonotstop,alwayshaveweplacedourhopeinYou. Forallthis,OourKing,mayYournamebealwaysblessedandexaltedforeverandever. AllthelivingwillforeverthankYouandpraiseYournameintruth,OG-d,oureternalsalvationandhelp. blessedartYou,L-rd,Whosenameisgoodness;itispleasingtogivethankstoYou.
Forpeace
19.Establishpeace,well-being,blessing,grace,lovingkindness,andmercyuponusanduponallIsrael,YourpeopleforbythelightofYourpresencehaveYougivenus,OL-rdourGod,aTorahoflife,loveofkindness,justice,blessing,compassion,life,andpeace,anditisgoodinYoursighttoblessYourpeopleIsraelatalltimesandineveryhourwithYourpeace. BlessedareYou,L-rd,WhoblessedHispeopleIsraelwithpeace.
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ThefirstthreeblessingsofpraiseappealtoG-dastheprotectorofourforefathers,andextolHispowersandholiness.Theblessingsofpetitionaskforsixpersonalneeds:knowledge,repentance,forgiveness,redemption,health,andeconomicprosperity.TheyalsopleadforsixneedsoftheJewishpeople:ingatheringoftheexiled,restorationofjustice,destructionofIsrael’senemies,rewardfortherighteous,restorationofJerusalem,andthecomingoftheMessiah.ThefinalsupplicationasksGodtohearourprayers.TheclosingthreeblessingsspeakofthehopeofreturntoTempleworship,thanksgivingtoGod,andaprayerforpeace.Insummary:
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StatesofMaster’sPrayer(Matthew6:9-13) / ShemonehEsrei1.Worship(vs.9)
OurFatherWhositsintheheavens,MayYouandYourNamebehallowed(sanctified). / 1. G-dastheprotectoroftheForefathers
2. G-dasthepowerthatmakesforsalvation
3. G-dasthesourceofholiness
4. Forknowledge
4.Repentance(vs.12)
Andforgiveusoursins,asweforgivethosethatsinagainstus. / 5. Forthestrengthtorepent
6. Forforgiveness
3.Requests(vs.11)
GiveusofYourbreadfromdaytoday. / 7. Forrelieffromaffliction
8. Forhealing
9. Forbountyandmaterialprosperity
10.Fortheingatheringoftheexiles
2.Restoration(vs.10)
MayYourgovernmentcome.MayYourwillbedoneintheheavensandintheland. / 11. Fortheestablishmentofthereignoftruejustice
14.FortherebuildingofJerusalem
15.ForthecomingoftheMessiah
16.Fortheacceptanceofourprayers
17.FortherestorationoftheSanctuary
5.Protectionforrighteous (vs.13a)
Anddonotbringusintothehandoftesting,butwatchoverandguardusfromallevil: / 12.Againstslanderersandheretics.
13.Forthesupportandprotectionoftherighteous
6.Thanksgiving(Praise)vs.13b)
ForYoursisthegovernment,andallthepower,andalltheglory,forever,andever.Amen! / 18.Gratitudeasman’sresponsetoG-d’sworkintheworld
19.Forpeace
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[TheabovetableisabriefoutlineoftheAmidaandisinparttakenfromthebook:“BacktotheSources:ReadingtheClassicJewishTexts”byBarryW.Holtz,pg.41,SimonSchuster;Reprintedition,1986.Please,alsonotethattherearevariationsintheAmidaforthemorning,afternoonandeveningservices,aswellasonShabbatsandFestivals.]
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1
StatesofMaster'sPrayer(Matthew6:9-13) / ShemonehEshreh(Amidah)1.Worship(vs.9)
OurFatherWhositsintheheavens,MayYouandYourNamebehallowed(sanctified). / 1.HaShemastheprotectoroftheForefathers
2.HaShemasthepowerthatmakesforsalvation
3.HaShemasthesourceofholiness
4.Forknowledge
4.Repentance(vs.12)
Andforgiveusoursins,asweforgivethosethatsinagainstus. / 5.Forthestrengthtorepent
6.Forforgiveness
3.Requests(vs.11)
GiveusofYourbreadfromdaytoday. / 7.Forrelieffromaffliction
8.Forhealing
9.Forbountyandmaterialprosperity
10.Fortheingatheringoftheexiles
2.Restoration(vs.10)
MayYourgovernmentcome.MayYourwillbedoneintheheavensandintheland. / 11.Fortheestablishmentofthereignoftruejustice
14.FortherebuildingofJerusalem
15.ForthecomingoftheMashiach
16.Fortheacceptanceofourprayers
17.FortherestorationoftheSanctuary
5.Protectionforrighteous(vs.13a)
Anddonotbringusintothehandoftesting,butwatchoverandguardusfromallevil: / 12.Againstslanderersandheretics.
13.Forthesupportandprotectionoftherighteous
6.Thanksgiving(Praise)vs.13b)
ForYoursisthegovernment,andallthepower,andalltheglory,forever,andever.Amen! / 18.Gratitudeasman'sresponsetoHaShem'sworkintheworld
19.Forpeace
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Justice#11
11.Restoreourjudgesasatfirst,andourcounselorsasinthebeginning,removingfromussorrowandsighing;ruleoverus,Youalone,HaShem,withkindnessandmercy,andvindicateusinthejudgment.BlessedareYou,HaShem,King,wholovesrighteousness/generosityandjudgment.
Againstslanderersandheretics#12
12.Forslandererslettherebenohope,andletallwickedness/lawlessnessinstantlyperish.MayallYourenemiesbequicklycutoff;andasforthemalicious,swiftlyuproot,break,castdown,andsubduequicklyinourday.BlessedareYou,HaShem,whobreaksthepowerofHisenemiesandsubduesthemalicious.
Fortherighteous/generous#13
13.Ontherighteous/generousandthesaintly,ontheeldersofYourpeople,thehouseofIsrael,andontheirsurvivingscholars,onthetrueproselyteandonourselves,letYourcompassionflow,HaShemourG-d.GrantagoodrewardtoallwhosincerelytrustinYourName;placeourlotwiththemforeverandletusnotbeshamed,forinYoudowetrust.BlessedareYou,HaShem,thesupportandsecurityoftherighteous/generous.
ForYerushalayim(Jerusalem)#14
14.ToJerusalemYourcity,returnwithcompassion,anddwellwithinitasYoupromised;rebuilditsooninourday,aneverlastingstructure;andspeedilyestablishinitsmidstthethroneofDavid.BlessedareYou,HaShem,builderofJerusalem.
Davidic(Mashiach’s)Reign#15
15.TheoffspringofYourservantDavid,quicklycausetoflourish,andliftuphispowerbyYourdeliverance;forYourdeliverancedoweconstantlyhope.BlessedareYou,HaShem,Whomakesthegloryofdeliverancetoflourish.
Acceptanceofprayer#16
16.Hearourvoice,HaShemourG-d,showcompassionandmercytous,acceptourprayerswithmercyandfavor,forYouareaG-dWhohearsprayersandsupplications.
RestorationoftheTemple#17
17.Favorablyreceive,HaShemourG-d,YourpeopleIsraelandtheirprayer,restoretheworshiptoYourtempleinZion,receivewithloveandfavortheofferingsofIsraelandtheirprayer,andmaytheworshipofYourpeopleIsraelalwaysbefavorablyreceivedbyYou,mayoureyesbeholdYourreturntoZioninmercy.BlessedareYou,LORD,WhorestoresHiDivinePresencetoZion.
Thatis,thereferencetotheprayersofthesaintsseemstobetheirprayersforthecomingoftheKingdomintheAmidahclauses11-17,andwhichisanage-longprayeroftheJewishSynagoguethatisnowabouttobeanswered:
ThattheMaster’sprayerisasummaryoftheAmidahcanbeseenfromtheprecedingversesinMatityahu(Matthew)6:5-6,whereweread:
“5.Attheappointedtimeyoupray,donotraiseyourvoice,anddonotbelikethemournfulpaintedoneswholovetopraytheAmidahwithloftywordsinthesynagogueandinthecornerofthecourtyardssothatmenmighthearthemandpraisethem.Amen,Itellyou,theyhavealreadyreceivedtheirreward.6.ButwhenyoupraytheAmidahenwrapyourselfinyourTalit(prayercloset),andwhennoonecanseeyourface,praytoyourFatherinsecret,andyourFatherwhoseesinsecret,willrewardyouopenly.”
Thefirstthreeblessingsofpraise appeal to G-dastheprotectorofourforefathers,andextolHispowersandholiness.Theblessingsofpetitionaskforsixpersonalneeds:knowledge,repentance,forgiveness,redemption,healthandeconomicprosperity.TheyalsopleadforsixneedsoftheJewishpeople:ingatheringoftheexiled,restorationofjustice,destructionofIsrael'senemies,rewardfortherighteous,restorationofJerusalem,andthecomingoftheMessiah.ThefinalsupplicationasksGodtohearourprayers.TheclosingthreeblessingsspeakofthehopeofreturntoTempleworship,thanksgivingtoGod,andaprayerforpeace. In summary:
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StatesofMaster'sPrayer(Matthew6:9-13) / ShemonehEshreh1. Worship (vs. 9)
OurFatherWhositsintheheavens,MayYouandYourNamebehallowed(sanctified). / 1. G-d as the protector of the Forefathers
2. G-d as the power that makes for salvation
3. G-d as the source of holiness
4. For knowledge
4. Repentance (vs. 12)
Andforgiveusoursins,asweforgivethosethatsinagainstus. / 5. For the strength to repent
6. For forgiveness
3. Requests (vs. 11)
GiveusofYourbreadfromdaytoday. / 7. For relief from affliction
8. For healing
9. For bounty and material prosperity
10. For the ingathering of the exiles
2. Restoration (vs. 10)
MayYour government come.MayYourwillbedoneintheheavensandintheland. / 11. For the establishment of the reign of true justice
14. For the rebuilding of Jerusalem
15. For the coming of the Messiah
16. For the acceptance of our prayers
17. For the restoration of the Sanctuary
5. Protection for righteous (vs. 13a)
Anddonotbringusintothehandoftesting,butwatch over andguardusfromallevil: / 12. Against slanderers and heretics.
13. For the support and protection of the righteous
6. Thanksgiving (Praise) vs. 13b)
ForYours is the government,andallthepower,andalltheglory,forever,andever.Amen! / 18. Gratitude as man's response to G-d's work in the world
19. For peace
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[TheabovetableisabriefoutlineoftheAmidaandisinparttakenfromthebook:“BacktotheSources:ReadingtheClassicJewishTexts”byBarryW.Holtz,pg.41,SimonSchuster;Reprintedition,1986.Please,alsonotethattherearevariationsintheAmidaforthemorning,afternoonandeveningservices,aswellasonShabbatsandFestivals.]
As can be seen the Master’s Model prayer was not intended to be repeated verbatim as Christianity does but is given in the Midrashic style of literature as an obvious reference to the Amida.
Itisthisprayerthen,oftheTsadiqimrepresentedbythetwenty-fourElders,thatisabouttohaveitscompletefulfilment.
Ascanbeseen,theMaster’sModelprayerwasnotintendedtoberepeatedverbatimasChristianitydoesbutisgivenintheMidrashicstyleofliteratureasanobviousreferencetotheAmida,whichistoberecited,standing,threetimesaday.
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As can be seen, the Master’s Model prayer was not intended to be repeated verbatim as Christianity does but is given in the Midrashic style of literature as an obvious reference to the Amida, which is to be recited standing three times a day.
I have never made a trace to see if someone before me has discovered this, or has variants on what I see is the architecture of the Master’s Prayer. I have also not seen any Jewish Book or Journal article dealing with the Master’s Prayer in this manner. The scheme described above is completely the product of my own understanding and he can quote me for it, as I have never come across any piece of Jewish literature relating the so called Master’s Prayer to the Amidah. As to Christian or Messianic literature on the subject, as I said I have never made a trace on this, as it sufficed for me to express my own understanding. If someone anticipated me on this, great! And if not, well here is a piece of my mind. Perhaps he who is more acquainted with Christian books and journals can do a trace and let me know of the results on this. I would be very interested in reading whatever literature there is in Christianity or Messianics with regards to the relationship between the Amida and the so called Master’s Prayer.
There is an interesting Jewish principle of Hermeneutics called “Sevarah” (see Rabbi Nathan T. Lopes Cardozo, in: The Written and Oral Torah: A Comprehensive Introduction, pp. 123-131, 132, 136-137), which means “Logical Deduction.” In this principle one does not necessarily need to quote sources, although it is always nice if one knows to attribute the idea to the person one has heard it from. As far as I am concerned the words of our Master in the so called Master’s Prayer is a case of abbreviation of the Amida as per Sevarah. And this kind of argument I believe it is very hard to find fault with.
A further possibility is that the so called Master’s Prayer is an abbreviated Amidda which can be said in certain circumstances. Thus, Rabbi Joseph H. Hertz[1] of blessed memory writes:
Since early times a briefer version of the Amidah has been known. One of Ben Syra’s hymns reads like such an abbreviation, and leading Rabbis of the Mishna and Talmud favoured the use of shortened forms of the Eighteen Benedictions. These abbreviations, sometimes in verse, appeared down to the Middle Ages. One of them gained general recognition in the Liturgy, namely the Havinenu prayer ascribed to Mar Samuel, the renowned Babylonian teacher of the third century. In it, the first three of the BBenedictions of the Amidah are repeated in full, and so are the last three; but the thirteen “Petitions” are condensed into one paragraph. Each phrase skilfully represent one of the Petitions. The following is a recent paraphrase in verse:
Cause us O LORD to understand Your ways,
And fill our hearts with reverent fear, all our days.
Forgive us, we entreat You, each sin,
That redemption we may hope to win.
In Your merciful goodness pain and suffering allay,
And satisfy us with Your abundance we pray.
With Your all-powerful and tremendous hand
Our scattered ones gather together to our own land.
Transgressors, O Mighty Being, judge You,
Sinners to Your just wrath will submissively bow,
When Your sacred city with joy we rebuild
And Your Sanctuary with Your glorious presence be filled.
Then with a loud and exultant voice
Will the righteous, O God of Israel,, rejoice.
Let it be Your divine will speedily restore
The House of David, Your servant, as yore,
And may the light of the son of Jesse blaze
As in reverence Your hallowed Name we praise,
For You who hearkens to the voice of Prayer,
Are blessed Your people, O LORD! Declare.
(J. F. Stern)
1
Still shorter forms of Prayer were prescribed for times and places of imminent danger to life. In such cases, neither the opening nor the closing Benedictions of the Amidah were recited. One of the best known of these prayers is that of Rabbi Eliezer: “Let Your will be done in Heaven above; grant tranquillity of spirit to those that revence You below; and do that which is good in Your sight. Blessed are You O LORD, Who hears prayer.” Another of these “short prayers” is: “O God, the needs of Your people are many, their knowledge slender. Give everyone of Your creatures his daily bread, and grant him his urgent needs. Blessed are You, O LORD, Who hears prayer.”
Let me finish by quoting from the Talmud regarding a shortened form of the Amida:
Berachoth 29a ‘AN ABBREVIATED EIGHTEEN’? Rab said: An abbreviated form of each blessing; Samuel said: Give us discernment, O LORD, to know Your ways, and circumcise our heart to fear You, and forgive us so that we may be redeemed, and keep us far from our sufferings, and fatten us in the pastures of Your land, and gather our dispersions from the four corners of the earth, and let them who err from Your prescriptions be punished,[2] and lift up Your hand against the wicked, and let the righteous/generous rejoice in the building of Your city and the establishment of the Temple and in the exalting of the horn of David Your servant and the preparation of a light for the son of Jesse Your Messiah; before we call may You answer; blessed are You, O LORD, who hearkens to prayer.
Ihavenevermadeatracetoseeifsomeonebeforemehasdiscoveredthis,orhasvariantsonwhatIseeisthearchitectureoftheMaster’sPrayer.IhavealsonotseenanyJewishBookorJournalarticledealingwiththeMaster’sPrayerinthismanner.Theschemedescribedaboveiscompletelytheproductofmyownunderstandingandhecanquotemeforit,asIhavenevercomeacrossanypieceofJewishliteraturerelatingthesocalledMaster’sPrayertotheAmidah.AstoChristianorMessianicliteratureonthesubject,asIsaidIhavenevermadeatraceonthis,asitsufficedformetoexpressmyownunderstanding.Ifsomeoneanticipatedmeonthis,great!Andifnot,wellhereisapieceofmymind.PerhapshewhoismoreacquaintedwithChristianbooksandjournalscandoatraceandletmeknowoftheresultsonthis.IwouldbeveryinterestedinreadingwhateverliteraturethereisinChristianityorMessianicswithregardstotherelationshipbetweentheAmidaandthesocalledMaster’sPrayer.
ThereisaninterestingJewishprincipleofHermeneuticscalled“Sevarah”(seeRabbiNathanT.LopesCardozo,in:TheWrittenandOralTorah:AComprehensiveIntroduction,pp.123-131,132,136-137),whichmeans“LogicalDeduction.”Inthisprincipleonedoesnotnecessarilyneedtoquotesources,althoughitisalwaysniceifoneknowstoattributetheideatothepersononehashearditfrom.AsfarasIamconcernedthewordsofourMasterinthesocalledMaster’sPrayerisacaseofabbreviationoftheAmidaasperSevarah.AndthiskindofargumentIbelieveitisveryhardtofindfaultwith.
a) Asageneralintroduction:
AGuideToJewishPrayer
ByRabbiAdonSteinsaltz
NewYork:SchockenBooks
And:
BlessedAreYou:AComprehensiveGuidetoJewishPrayer
By:RabbiJeffreyCohen
NorthVale,NewJersey:JasonAronson,Inc.
ISBN0876684657
b) AgoodcommentaryontheAmidah:
TheArtofJewishPrayer
By:YitzchokKirznerLisaAiken
NorthVale,NewJersey:JasonAronsonInc.
ISBN0876686528
c) OntheStructureandmechanicofJewishPrayer:
TheStructureoftheSiddur
By:StephenR.Schach
Northvale,NewJersey:JasonAronsonInc.
ISBN1568219741
d) BestJewishPrayerBookforbeginners:
TheAuthorizedDailyPrayerBook
By:R.Dr.JosephH.Hertz
NewYork:BlochPublishingCo.
ISBN0819700940
***
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[1] Hertz, J.H. (1975). The Authorized Dayly Prayer Book, New York: Bloch Publishing Company, pp. 159-160.
[2] Rashi, following Halakoth Gedoloth emends, Let those who err in judgment, judge according to Your word.