Perhaps the only comprehensive study of Jewish liturgy in English, this classic work first chronicles the development of Jewish worship and liturgy from ancient times to the nineteenth century. It then describes in detail the nature and ritual of both public services and private devotions.Part I offers detailed discussions of the forms of worship and prayer as they evolved in ancient Israel and developed during the First and Second Temples. It then surveys the growth of the liturgy from the fall of the Second Temple to the compilation of the first prayer code by Rav Amran Gaon. Part I concludes with an analysis of the poetry in the liturgy, the influence of cabala upon the liturgy and the development of prayer codes and literature.Part II contains thorough descriptions of daily public prayers, daily home prayers, Sabbath service, Sabbath meditations and songs, prayers for distinguished days and special occasions, services for Passover and high holy days, private devotions and the liturgy of Reform Judaism. In a series of appendixes that are a special feature of the book, the author describes Jewish elements in early Christian liturgy, Rabbanite elements in the Karaitic liturgy, Selihoth and Kinoth, and poetical insertions for special Sabbaths and the three festivals.A. Z. Idelsohn was Professor of Jewish Music and Liturgy at Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion. In this book he created an outstanding resource and reference of inestimable value to anyone interested in the 3,000-year history of Jewish liturgy.
