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Pesukei dezimraPesukei dezimra (Jewish Babylonian Aramaic: פְּסוּקֵי דְּזִמְרָא, romanized: pǝsuqe ḏǝzimrāʾ "Verses of praise"; Rabbinic Hebrew: פַּסוּקֵי הַזְּמִירוֹת pasûqê hazzǝmîrôṯ "Verses of songs), or zemirot as they are called in the Spanish and Portuguese tradition, are a group of prayers that may be recited during Shacharit (the morning set of prayers in Judaism). 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.[1] The goal of pesukei dezimra is for the individual to recite praises of God before making the requests featured later in Shacharit and the day.[2] OriginThe first source for pesukei dezimra is in the Babylonian Talmud, where it is described as non-obligatory (performed by some people but not others):
Later commentaries explain what pesukei dezimra consists of: Rashi said it means psalms 148 and 150,[4] Saadia Gaon said it means psalms 145, 148, 149, 150, while Menachem Meiri and Maimonides[5] said it means all of psalms 145-150. Nowadays, it is customary for pesukei dezimra to include psalms 145-150 as well as several other psalms, recitations, and blessings before (Barukh she'amar) and after (Yishtabach) pesukei dezimra. Elsewhere, the Talmud states that a person should praise God first and only afterwards begin their prayer.[6] Opinions differ as to which praise is referred to: the first three blessings of the Amidah,[7] the Shema blessings,[8] or to pesukei dezimra.[9] For a long time, these prayers remained optional. Eventually, pesukei dezimra were incorporated into all standard Jewish prayer services. Maimonides taught that prayer should be recited in an upbeat mood, slowly, and wholeheartedly, and that rushing through them (as many who recite them daily do) defeats their purpose.[10]: 169 Rashi commented Talmud Berakhot 4b:16 that the prayer that Jews are required to say thrice daily in order to be assured a place in the World to Come is Psalm 145. [11] Rashi considered that singing of three psalms 145, 148, 150 in the morning is required of Jewish personal prayer (not communal). Maimonides considered the same, and that communal prayer begins just starting from the Kaddish and Shema. OrderAshkenazi
Sephardi/Mizrahi
Italian rite
OriginDuring the temple service during the days of the temple, a series of thanksgiving prayers were recited. These have since become incorporated into daily prayer.[12] Placement in serviceWhile Nusach Ashkenaz recites Hodu Barukh she'amar, Sephardi custom recites it beforehand. Some explain that the Ashkenazic practice is based the current world being called the World of Yezirah, a world that is not repaired, and therefore one that does not receive light from itself, whereas the Sephardic practice is to recite these prayers are recited before Barukh She'amar because the prayers receive tikkun from assiah, as they follow Kaddish.[13] Others explain that Nusach Ashkenaz recites the after Barukh She'amar because Barukh She'amar serves as an opening to the praises of God, whereas the Sephardic practice recites it after because Hodu is from Chronicles (rather than Psalms) and Barukh She'amar says that we recite the "Songs of David". Psalm 100 is recited after Barukh She'amar in all rites. Prayers includedThe songs of thanksgiving are: HoduHodu Lashem Kir'u Bishmo, or "Hodu" (from 1 Chronicles 16:8–36). This is the longer one of the thanksgiving prayers. According to tradition, it was first recited by David after he recovered the ark from the Philistines. Following this event, it became a standard prayer.[14] Psalm 100Psalm 100 is the shorter prayer. The psalm expresses thanks to God for all the miracles that happen to us each day in total oblivion, as we are routinely in danger without even knowing it.[15] Psalm 100 is omitted by Ashkenazi Jews on Shabbat, Yom Tov, the Eve of Yom Kippur, the Eve of Passover, and the intermediate days of Passover. On Shabbat and Yom Tov, it is omitted because offering Thanksgiving is voluntary, and therefore is not done on days with Shabbat-like restrictions. On the Eve of Passover, it is omitted because during the temple service, one may not be able to finish eating the offering, which was chametz, before the time in which it was forbidden to eat chametz. On Passover, it is omitted because of its chametz content. On the Eve of Yom Kippur, it is omitted because one may not be able to finish the contents before the fast sets in. Sephardim still recite it on the Eves of Yom Kippur and Passover, and segment of them still recites it on Shabbat and Yom Tov.[16] In the Italian rite, this Psalm is recited only on Shabbat and Yom Tov, and during the week it is omitted. Shabbat/Yom Tov additionsOn Shabbat and holidays of biblical origin (and in the Eastern Ashkenazic rite, also on Hoshana Rabbah), various psalms are added between Hodu and Yehi Khevod. The reason for additions is that no one has to rush off to work on these days, thereby allowing extra time for praise.[10]: 178 Ashkenazi Judaism includes the following psalms in the following order: 19, 33, 34, 90, 91, 135, 136, 92, and 93.[17]: 142 Sephardic Judaism includes the following psalms in the following order: 103, 19, 33, 90, 91, 98, 121, 122, 123, 124, 135, 136, 92, and 93.[17]: 142 On Shabbat and Jewish holidays, Nishmat is inserted between the Song of the sea and the closing blessing; according to many, it is in fact an expanded version of the concluding blessing. Following Nishmat, in the Ashkenazic rite Shokhen Ad is inserted. On Shabbat, the hazzan for Shacharit begins recitation of Shochein Ad (technically speaking, it is not necessary to have a hazzan for Pesukei Dezimra at all). On the Three Pilgrimage Festivals, there are a variety of customs: According to the Eastern Ashkenazic rite, the hazzan begins the service on the previous verse known as Hakel B'tzatzumot on each of the Pilgrimage Festivals, signifying miracles God performed associated with these three holidays. According to the Western Ashkenazic rite, the hazzan begins ha-gibur la-nezach on Passover, Hakel B'tzatzumot on Shavuot and ha-gadol bi-khvot shemecha on Sukkot.[18] On the High Holy Days, the hazzan begins on the word Hamelekh (המלך) within that verse, as during these days, an emphasis is placed on recognition of God as King.[19] It is also described in the Book of Life that loudly chanting the word Hamelekh has the effect of driving away accusers from the throne of judgement.[20] Additionally, the letter ה is dropped off the word היושב, alluding to the fact that now God is sitting on the throne.[21] Recitation by womenThere is an argument among Orthodox rabbis as to whether women are required to recite pesukei dezimra, or if they are even permitted to recite the blessings thereof, given that it is considered by some to be a timebound commandment. The opinions either require women to recite it completely, prohibit the recitation of Barukh She'amar and Yishtabach among women, or allow but not require its recitation. Ashkenazi Judaism considers pesukei dezimra to be an obligation on the basis that it is not timebound, and it can be recited at any time of day.[22]: 170 Opinions in Sephardic Judaism are divided.[22]: 171 Some opinions allow women to recite pesukei dezimra without its accompanying blessings.[22]: 184 NotesReferences
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