The Hebrew Language has always been the medium of prayer, even when the large majority of the Jewish people used other tongues for communication. There are still some prayers which are said in ARAMAIC (a Language similar to Hebrew), but only a small number remain in the Siddur owing to special historical developments.
It was always Lashon Hakodesh (the holy tongue) which led and gave the true feeling of the Service, expressing the unity of World Jewry.
This language is also the symbol of Israel’s connection with past and future generation. Many modern Siddurim have literal translations of the original Hebrew text in various foreign Languages, but this is done in order to explain the original and not to replace it.
The term Siddur comes from the word "Seder" Order. similarly, the name of the first night of Pesach is known as "LEIL HASEDER" - The Night of Order, due to the complicated and unusual ceremony which is held on this night. This makes it necessary to have a special book, the "HAGGADAH" which gives us the correct order of each prayer, MITSVA, or custom. "Siddur", therefore, means "In order", i.e. all the various prayers are placed in a particular order. It is interesting to note that the original name of the Siddur was "Machzor" One of the most important Siddurim, to which our Siddur is closely related, is that compiled by Rabbi Simcha of Vitry (circa 1100 C.E.) called "MACHZOR VITRY" a not SIDDUR VITRY. Meaning Cycle, showing the various prayers in their daily cycle, which is part of the yearly cycle. Passage of time saw the term "Machzor" being used more to describe the prayer books of the various Festivals, and the term "Siddur" became the name for the Daily Prayer Book.
The Nusach (Style of Prayer) is the Ashkenazi one. This Nusach is different from the Sephardi one with minor variations, mainly in the phrasing and expression of various portions. For example, the prayer of Sheh’moneh Esreh in both styles is based on the same number of Brachot (Benedictions) in the same order, but the exact wording of each Bracha may be slightly different. The main difference between the various NUSCHAOT (styles of prayer) is really in the Services for Festivals. Each Nusach has its own additions written by different poets and based on different events.
These two styles of Siddur. There are also other types such as the Italian, Yemenite etc. but they are not as Popular as the above two. Were original developed by the historical wanderings of the Jews.
Those who moved to Central and Northern Europe adopted the Ashkenazi Nusach, and those from Spain and Northern Africa accepted the Sephardi Nusach. There is another Nusach known as "Sephardi" which is popular among some Ashkenazi Jews, mainly the Chassidim, but this is very different from the real Sephardi Nusach as above.
A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE SERVICE
According to Jewish tradition, a full day This is the translation of the word (Yemamah) meaning the period of time of day and night, consists of 2 periods, that of the night and that of the day; or to be more precise, from sunset to sunrise and from sunrise to sunset. The day and the night periods are divided into 12 "SHAOT-ZEH’MANIOT" (periodical Hours), which are short during the winter days and summer nights, and Long during summer days and winter nights. Thus a full day starts and finishes at sunset.
In the Siddur there are Prayers and Services. A service is usually a set of prayers (Prayer = Tefillah = Davening) written in the Siddur.
But we shall see later on that there must be some special prayers included in order that this group of prayers may become a service.
THERE ARE BASICALLY THREE SERVICES ON A REGULAR DAY:
*The evening service is called ARVIT as well as MAARIV. Both names originate from the Hebrew word (Erev) meaning evening.
On the days which have special status in the Jewish Calendar and which are mentioned in the Torah, an extra service is added after Shacharit.
THIS SERVICE IS CALLED:
*The time to say Mussaf is straight after Shacharit, at whatever time Shacharit finishes, but it must be said before Mincha.
