Chavarah- Jewish Community Learning

A blog of Jewish study and traditions. Notes from classes: Torah Study with Rabbi Marder, Toledot and Shabbaton as well as other details found of interest.

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Saturday, February 16, 2008

Asrei - An Acrostic Prayer

Iyun T'fillah , February 09 - Rabbi Marder

We discussed the verses of psalms that we sing prior to the call to worship and how previous to the development of this part of the service many would go to the synagogue and sit in silence for up to an hour to prepare themselves for prayer. Then they would recited the 150 Psalms. This evolved into a representation using the last 6 psalms along with some songs that link parts of different psalms together. The purpose is to create Kavanah - or the readiness to pray.

Ashrei - Psalm 145 (with the addition of a bit extra) is usually chanted responsively and is an example of an acrostic prayer. Each line starts with a different sequential letter of the Aleph Bet, well, almost.

This is a way to say we are using all of our resources to get ready to pray. It is also a good way to remember the prayer and the soothing repetitive melody allows us to focus on the meaning with less distraction.

There is one letter missing - the nun - there are many explanations but this is one suggested: the letter nun might suggest 'downfall' and the next verse refers to 'God upholds those that fall down' with the next letter followed by the Samech which is round in shape. Some say the Mem and the Samech should be together because the Mem stands for lasting and Samech is round like the ring given in marriage. And it stands for strength and support to uphold each other.
(isn't midrash fun?)

Here is a link to another blog post that explores this question more.


There is another interesting custom when ones gets to the Pey. Some hold out their hand suggesting the open hand to sustain the needs of all life and an expression of gratitude. Some orthodox will touch the teffilin on the hand in a similar gesture.

There is one extra verse added that makes the transition to Psalm 150 to start Hallel - praise Halleluyah!

There is an interesting YouTube I found when researching this a bit... not exactly on this topic but good to set the right mood ...
Mordechai Ben David (MBD) - Shiru Lamelech

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