Customer Reviews

Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals

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This is a new edition of "Sim Shalmom", one of the official prayerbooks for Conservative Judaism. This new edition is only for Shabbat and festivals (it has no weekday services.) Many of the translations of prayers are nearly identical to the original 1985 edition, but there have been a number of changes. This siddur uses gender-sensitive translations of the names of God, and presents a more literal translation of a number of key prayers. It presents the option to use the Imahot (matriarchs) in the Amidah (Shemonah Esrah).

This edition also restores some traditional Ashkenazic prayers that were not in the 1985 version, including Rabbi Ishamel's 13 principles of biblical interpretation, the B'rah Dodi poems for Pesach, Ana B'kho-ah in Kabbalat Shabbat, and the Ushpizin for Sukkot, included in a new, egalitarian version. The Y'hi Ratzon meditation following the Musaf Amidah is restored

This edition includes new translations of a number of prayers and poems that were not translated at all in the previous edition, including Akdamut and the Hoshanot (only summaries of these prayers had been given previously). Based on reader feedback, and the popularity of the (Orthodox) Artscroll Siddur, this edition incorporates many helpful new features: an easier to follow layout and table of contents; many pages have notes explaining the background and meanings of the prayers; guidelines and instructions on the content, choreography and continuity of the service. There is an increased use of transliteration. It contains a comprehensive section of Shabbat and Holiday home rituals.

This is an excellent Siddur, updated from the original Siddur Sim Shalom. However, if you are thinking of buying this, look at 'Or Hadash.' It is this siddur, with this pagination, and lots of extra commentary. 'Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals' is an excellent book, but 'Or Hadash' is better.

This is the Siddur used in my congretation. It is good, and my rabbi agrees, that we all should have a copy of the Siddur in our home libraries. If you are not affiliated, but wish to own a Siddur, I can recommend this one as it has the Hebrew, English translations and also many transliterations throughout.