Overview

In his series on The Hidden Poetry of the Jewish Prayerbook, Brandeis Professor Reuven Kimelman brings together both a historical and a literary perspective on the main texts of most contemporary Jewish prayerbooks (siddurim). This journey takes you from Mah Tovu and other introductory prayers through the Shema and Amida liturgies, to the Shabbat service.

Each session brings to life both the complex meanings of these beautiful texts, and the literary techniques through which these meanings emerge.

Throughout the journey, Professor Kimelman highlights the historical background, the poetical beauty, and the spiritual significance of the liturgy are highlighted by posing three questions: what is said, how is it said, and why is it said. Through the prism of these three questions, he analyzes the content of the liturgy, thus showing how historical issues, literary considerations and ideological factors converge to illuminate the full meaning of the Siddur text.