Judaism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Solomon Norman

Author:Solomon, Norman [Solomon, Norman]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, azw3
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 1996-10-02T16:00:00+00:00

The liturgy

The Psalmist prayed seven times a day (Ps. 119: 164), and Daniel, in Babylon, three times (Dan. 6: 11). Though some scholars demur, it seems certain that Jewish prayer, communal as well as private, separate from Temple worship, was established well before the Romans destroyed the Temple in the year 70.

Still, it was not until about the year 100 that the attempt was made to regulate and define the orders of prayer. The great pioneer of liturgy was Gamaliel II, head of the School at Yavné, near Jerusalem, and effective leader of the Jews. This was at about the same time as Christians were formulating a basic liturgy; perhaps both Jewish and Christian leaders saw the fixed liturgy as a means of defining their faith and promoting ‘religious correctness’ ideas amongst their followers.

At any rate, Gamaliel’s liturgy has determined the form and much of the content of Jewish prayer, Reform as well as Orthodox, to the present day. There are three daily Orders of Service: Maariv (or Aravit) in the evening; Shacharit in the morning, Mincha in the afternoon. On Sabbaths and festivals Musaf (‘Additional Service’) is added following Shacharit, on the Day of Atonement also Ne [asper] ilah (the ‘closing of the gates’).

The Three Daily Services

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