Publisher: Kehot Publication Society
By: Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Alter Rebbe
Language: Hebrew
Format: 8½" x 11" hardcovers 1,360 pages (2 volumes)
One of the foundational texts of Chabad Chasidic literature, this Siddur, also known as Siddur with Dach--Siddur with Chasidic Commentary--was first published, posthumously, three years after the passing of Rabbi Schneur Zalman by his son and successor, Rabbi DovBer of Lubavitch.
The Siddur includes: the Lurianic text of the prayers as developed by R. Schneur Zalman; laws pertaining to prayer (and more) as codified by R. Schneur Zalman; Chasidic discourses by R. Schneur Zalman as recorded by Rabbi DovBer.
This is the 14th edition (7th by Kehot) of this important work. This edition, edited and produced by the Chabad Research Center, features a complete redesign and modern typeset; copious annotations and glosses on the margins; short synopses of the discourses; detailed indices and facsimiles of the original manuscripts, which were also used in careful proofreading of the text.
The Chasidic discourse are grouped under the following 27 headings, called Portals: Tzitzis, Tefillin, Prayer, Shema, Nefilas Appaim, Torah Study, Ritual Hand Washing, Grace After Meals, Weddings and Bris Mila, Mikveh, Shabbos, Rosh Chodesh, Festivals, Elul, Rosh Hashanah, Shofar, Yom Kippur, Sukkos, Lulav, Simchas Beis Hashoeiva, Chanukah, Purim, Festival of Matzos, Lag B'omer and Shavuos.
Exquisitely printed and bound.
A historical introduction: The Arizal did not actually edit his Siddur (Prayer Book). The commentaries of his disciples and their records of the number of words in each prayer and various other details, made it possible to reconstruct, more or less, the exact form of the Arizals order of Tefillah. This was the basis for Siddurim printed in his name, but until the era of Chasidus there was no authoritative version.
The Alter Rebbe set himself the task of examining this mass of tradition. According to the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek (in Bais Rebbe), the Alter Rebbe had before him sixty Siddurim, from which he selected the most exact version of each prayer. The Alter Rebbes special purpose was to bring the Siddur into conformity with the Rishonim, the pre-modern scholars whose words are sacred and authoritative, and to secure an exact text. According to his brother the MaHaRil (author of Sheris Yehudah), he was especially concerned that young people begin to pray with the correct version, without falling into erroneous habits.
More than one hundred editions have appeared, in all the reaches of the earth. Tradition holds that the first edition was in 5563 (1803). The current arrangement, with discourses, was submitted to the press by the Mitteler Rebbe in 5576 (1816).
Many editions of the prayer-book itself have appeared, including the Kehot Publications Siddur Tehillat Hashem.
New to this edition are a section of annotated source notes and emendations to the text based on close readings of the original manuscripts. |