Kedushah (prayer)

Last updated

Kedushah (Holiness) is the name of several prayers recited during Jewish prayer services. They have in common the recitation of two Biblical verses - Isaiah 6:3 and Ezekiel 3:12. These verses come from prophetic visions in which angels sing praises to God.

Contents

There exist several variations of the Kedushah, which appear in different contexts and have different laws. The best-known Kedushah is recited in the Amidah. Another is recited in the Yotzer ohr blessing, and a third (known as Kedushah d'sidra) is recited on various occasions including the conclusion of weekday Shacharit . In some versions of the kedushah, additional Biblical verses are added in the same format as the verses from Isaiah and Ezekiel. [1] [2]

Kedushah in the Amidah

The Kedushah is traditionally the third section of all Amidah recitations. In the silent Amidah it is a short prayer, but in the repetition, which requires a minyan , it is considerably lengthier. The recitation of Kedushah on a daily basis is a Babylonian custom; in classical Israel, the repetition of the Amidah would usually not include Kedushah, with Kedushah added only on special occasions. [3] The liturgy varies among different communities and during different services, but they all hold in common three Bible verses (though translations vary):

"Holy, Holy, Holy, The Lord of Hosts, The entire world is filled with His Glory." (Isaiah 6:3)
"Blessed is the Glory of the Lord in Its Place" (Ezekiel 3:12)
"The Lord shall reign forever, Your God, O Zion, from generation to generation, Hallelujah" (Psalms 146:10)

All three of the verses cited above are recited as part of the congregational response to the cantor. For the first verse, Isaiah 6:3, it is traditional for everyone to rise to their toes with each recitation of the word קָדוֹשׁ‎kadosh ('holy'). [4]

In the Mussaf services of Shabbat and Festivals, and in some communities in the morning service as well, an enhanced version of the Kedushah is recited, with additional praises in between the biblical verses. In the Mussaf service of Shabbat and Festivals, a fourth verse is added as well: the opening line of the Shema . The opening line of the Shema is included as well in the Kedushah on Ne'ilah on Yom Kippur, and in the Ashkenazic rite (including the Chasidic rite) in all of the Kedushahs of Yom Kippur. Many sources describe the recitation of the Shema in Mussaf as a response to a historical anti-Jewish decree which prohibited reciting Shema at the proper point of the service, but contemporary scholars have proposed a variety of other explanations as well. [5]

During the Kedushah of the Amidah, prayer participants are expected to stand.

Kedushah is recited whenever the Amidah is repeated - that is to say, in Shacharit, Mincha , Mussaf, and Ne'ilah, but not Maariv .

Kedushah in Yotzer Ohr

A second Kedushah is recited as part of the Yotzer ohr blessing, before the Shema . The only two verses recited here are Isaiah 6:3 and Ezekiel 3:12.

Early sources dispute whether this kedushah may be recited by individuals praying without a minyan . The Shulchan Aruch records this dispute, and permits individuals to recite it even alone, but recommends that they recite it in the Torah reading chant, so that it is akin to Torah study rather than a kedushah recitation. The Rema, recording Ashkenazi practice, permits individuals to recite the kedushah without the Shulchan Aruch's recommendation. [6]

Kedushah d'sidra

There is also a text called the Kedushah D'Sidra (Hebrew : קְדֻשָּׁה דְּסִידְרָא) which is recited at the conclusion of weekday morning services, at the beginning of the afternoon services of Shabbat and Festivals, the conclusion of the evening service of Saturday night, and (in the Ashkenazic rite) at the beginning of the Ne'ilah service at the end of Yom Kippur.

This Kedushah contains three verses. The first two are the usual Isaiah 6:3 and Ezekiel 3:12. The third verse is Exodus 15:18 (which is similar but not identical to Psalms 146:10, recited in the Amidah Kedushah). After each Biblical verse is recited in Hebrew, its Aramaic translation ( Targum ) is recited. This Kedushah does not require a minyan. [7]

Sources and history

Kedushah is mentioned in several sources from the Talmudic period. The earliest source is the Tosefta, which says:

Rabbi Yehudah would answer with the blesser: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts; the entire world is full of His honor' and 'Blessed is the honor of the Lord from His place'. [8]

The Talmud states that the Great Assembly established "blessings, prayers, kedushot, and havdalot", [9] but Rashi argues that the word "kedushot" here refers to kiddush rather than to Kedushah. Hekhalot Rabbati describes the angels praising God using the verses Isaiah 6:3, Ezekiel 3:12, Psalms 146:10; and the Jewish people reciting the verses "in Shacharit and Mincha ". [10] Similarly, the Talmud describes the angels reciting Isaiah 6:3 and Ezekiel 3:12, and Jews reciting at least the first of those verses:

Three groups of ministering angels say song each day; one says 'Holy', one says 'Holy', one says 'Holy is the Lord of hosts'. ... The ministering angels do not say song above until Israel says it below ... But there is [also the verse] 'Blessed'! - It is [a different group of angels, the] ofanim, who say [that verse]... [11]

The accepted custom was to recite Kedushah in every Shacharit and Mincha Amidah repetition. However, Jews of the Land of Israel in this period only recited the Kedushah of the Amidah on special days - either Shabbat, [12] or on any day Mussaf is recited as well as Hanukkah. [13] Similarly, they recited the Kedushah of Yotzer Ohr only on such special occasions, [14] and some communities may not have recited it at all. [15]

In other religions

The first Biblical verse in the Kedushah, Isaiah 6:3, is also found in the Sanctus of some Christian liturgical ordinaries.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jewish prayer</span> Observance of recitation in religious Judaism

Jewish prayer is the prayer recitation that forms part of the observance of Rabbinic Judaism. These prayers, often with instructions and commentary, are found in the Siddur, the traditional Jewish prayer book.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yom Kippur</span> Holiest day in Judaism

Yom Kippur is the holiest day in Judaism and Samaritanism. It occurs annually on the 10th of Tishrei, corresponding to a date in September or early October.

<i>Amidah</i> Central Jewish prayer

The Amidah, also called the Shemoneh Esreh, is the central prayer of the Jewish liturgy. Observant Jews recite the Amidah at each of three daily prayer services in a typical weekday: morning (Shacharit), afternoon (Mincha), and evening (Ma'ariv). On Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, and Jewish festivals, a fourth Amidah (Mussaf) is recited after the morning Torah reading, and once per year a fifth Amidah (Ne'ilah) is recited, around sunset on Yom Kippur. Due to the importance of the Amidah, in rabbinic literature it is simply called "hatefila". According to legend, the prayer was composed by the rabbis of the Anshei Knesset HaGedolah. Accordingly, in Judaism, to recite the Amidah is a mitzvah de-rabbanan, i.e., a commandment of rabbinic origin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Havdalah</span> Jewish religious ceremony after Shabbat ends

Havdalah is a Jewish religious ceremony that marks the symbolic end of Shabbat and ushers in the new week. The ritual involves lighting a special candle with several wicks, blessing a cup of wine, and smelling sweet spices. Shabbat ends on Saturday night after the appearance of three stars in the sky. Havdalah may be performed as late as sunset of the Tuesday following Shabbat.

Tenth of Tevet, the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tevet, is a fast day in Judaism. It is one of the minor fasts observed from before dawn to nightfall. The fasting is in mourning of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylonia—an event that began on that date and ultimately culminated in the destruction of Solomon's Temple, downfall of the Kingdom of Judah, and the Babylonian exile of the Jewish people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiddush</span> Blessing of sanctification said by Jews at the beginning of Shabbat and holidays

Kiddush, literally, "sanctification", is a blessing recited over wine or grape juice to sanctify the Shabbat and Jewish holidays. Additionally, the word refers to a small repast held on Shabbat or festival mornings after the prayer services and before the meal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosh Chodesh</span> First day of each Hebrew month

In Judaism, Rosh Chodesh or Rosh Hodesh is a minor holiday observed at the beginning of every month in the Hebrew calendar, marked by the birth of a new moon. Rosh Chodesh is observed for either one or two days, depending on whether the previous month contained 29 or 30 days.

<i>Shacharit</i> Jewish morning prayer

Shacharit, or Shacharis in Ashkenazi Hebrew, is the morning tefillah (prayer) of Judaism, one of the three daily prayers.

<i>Mincha</i> An afternoon prayer service in Judaism.

Mincha is the afternoon prayer service in Judaism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ten Days of Repentance</span> Jewish High Holy Days beginning with Rosh HaShanah and ending with Yom Kippur

In Judaism, the Ten Days of Repentance are the first ten days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, beginning with the Jewish New Year Rosh Hashanah and ending with the conclusion of Yom Kippur. These days usually fall in September and/or early October.

Mussaf is an additional service that is recited on Shabbat, Yom Tov, Chol Hamoed, and Rosh Chodesh. The service, which is traditionally combined with the Shacharit in synagogues, is considered to be additional to the regular services of Shacharit, Mincha, and Maariv. In contemporary Hebrew, the word may also signify a newspaper supplement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berakhot (tractate)</span> Tractate of the Talmud about blessings and prayers, particularly the Shema and the Amidah

Berakhot is the first tractate of Seder Zeraim of the Mishnah and of the Talmud. The tractate discusses the rules of prayers, particularly the Shema and the Amidah, and blessings for various circumstances.

Tachanun or Taḥanun, also called nefilat apayim, is part of Judaism's morning (Shacharit) and afternoon (Mincha) services, after the recitation of the Amidah, the central part of the daily Jewish prayer services. It is also recited at the end of the Selichot service. It is omitted on Shabbat, Jewish holidays and several other occasions. Most traditions recite a longer prayer on Mondays and Thursdays.

<i>Zmanim</i> Hebrew terminology regarding ritual times

Zmanim are specific times of the day mentioned in Jewish law.

Tikkun Chatzot, also spelled Tikkun Chatzos, is a Jewish ritual prayer recited each night after midnight as an expression of mourning and lamentation over the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. It is not universally observed, although it is popular among Sephardi and Hasidic Jews.

Pesukei dezimra, or zemirot as they are called in the Spanish and Portuguese tradition, are a group of prayers that may be recited during Shacharit. They consist of various blessings, psalms, and sequences of other Biblical verses. Historically, reciting pesukei dezimra in morning prayer was a practice of only the especially pious. Over the course of Jewish history, their recitation has become widespread custom among all of the various rites of Jewish prayer.

Uva letzion are the first Hebrew words, and colloquially the name, of one of the closing prayers of the morning service. The recitation of this prayer is postponed to Mincha on Shabbat and major Jewish holidays, and in Ashkenazic communities to Ne'ila on Yom Kippur.

Tzidkatcha is a prayer consisting of group of three verses that is recited during the afternoon prayer on Shabbat. It is said in memory of three righteous individuals who died on Shabbat: Joseph, Moses and King David. It is recited at this prayer in particular because these individuals died in the afternoon.

<i>Maariv</i> Jewish prayer of the evening

Maariv or Maʿariv, also known as Arvit, or Arbit, is a Jewish prayer service held in the evening or night. It consists primarily of the evening Shema and Amidah.

Yotzer ohr, also known as Birkat yotzer or Birkat Yotzer Or, is the first of the two blessings recited before the Shema during Shacharit, the morning religious services of Judaism.

References

  1. ↑ On the origins of the Kedushah, see David Flusser, “Sanctus und Gloria,” in Abraham Unser Vater: Juden und Christen im Gespräch Über die Bibel Festschrift für Otto Michael (ed. Otto Betz, Martin Hengel, and Peter Schmidt; Leiden: Brill, 1963), 129-152; repr. in David Flusser, Entdeckungen im Neuen Testament (2 vols.; Neukirchener, 1987-1999), 1:226-244. For an English translation of this article, click here.
  2. ↑ קווי יסוד להתהוותה של הקדושה וגיבושה.
  3. ↑ Masekhet Soferim, Chapter 20.
  4. ↑ Scott-Martin Kosofsky, The Book of Customs, Harper San Francisco, 2004; page 33.
  5. ↑ The Origin of the Recital of Shema in the Musaf Kedusha
  6. ↑ Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 59:3
  7. ↑ Hammer, Rabbi Reuven (2003). Or Chadash: A Commentary on Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals. New York City: Rabbinical Assembly/United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. p. 227. ISBN   0-916219-20-8.
  8. ↑ Tosefta Brachot 1:11
  9. ↑ Brachot 33a
  10. ↑ Hekhalot Rabbati 10:5
  11. ↑ Chullin 91b
  12. ↑ Tosafot Sanhedrin 37b (s.v. mikanaf) in the name of the geonim
  13. ↑ Soferim 20:5; Kobetz Hitzei Giborim - Pleitat Sofrim 10 (Nisan 2017), p. 263, text: לפי שבארץ ישראל בזמן הקדום לא היו אומרים קדושה בימות החול, אלא בשבת ויום טוב ור"ח וחנוכה בלבד, see also footnote 4
  14. ↑ Ezra Fleischer, HaYotzrot beHithavyutan veHitpatchutan (Jerusalem, 1984), p. 7
  15. ↑ Ezra Fleischer, לתפוצתן של קדושת העמידה והיוצר במנהגות התפילה של ארץ ישראל, Tarbitz 38:266
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.