Omer Learning 2019: Day 36 | Siddur Q & A: Why do many modern siddurim om…

Today is 36 days, which is 5 weeks and 1 day of the Omer

Instructions for counting the omer are found on our Omer Overview Page. You can find the specific blessing for today at chabad.org.

We’re dedicating new Siddurim on the first day of Shavuot. In honor of this wonderful occasion, we’re using the counting of the Omer to learn about the siddur.

Enjoy today’s siddur related question and answer, which was provided by Fred R..

Why do many modern siddurim omit a sentence from Aleinu?

In Aleinu, before the line for which we bow (“But we bow in worship and thank…” / “Va’anachnu kor`im, umishtachavim umodim…”), the full prayer actually has another line: “For they worship vanity and emptiness, and pray to a god who cannot save” / “Shehem mishtachavim l’hevel va’riq umitpal’lim el el lo yoshia”.

The verse is now omitted from many, if not most, Ashkenazic siddurim. Currently, it is still found in all Sephardic siddurim, and has been reinstated in some of the Ashkenazic siddurim which are oriented towards an Orthodox audience.

The verse disappeared over a period of time, starting in the Middle Ages, when Christian communities in Europe engaged in such antisemitic practices as putting the Talmud on trial. Yet the verse predates Christianity by many years, perhaps even having been written during the Hashmonean period. Additionally, it specifically refers to literal idolatry, as opposed to alternate (i.e. non-Jewish) forms of monotheism.

Nevertheless, Christian authorities regarded it as a libel against their religion, and used it as a pretext to attack – often physically – Jewish communities. Therefore, in order to protect their communities, Jewish sages in those locations authorized the removal of the “offending” verse.

But from my perspective, it brings up an interesting question. That is, who gets to choose whose statements of exceptionalism and/or triumphalism are valid? To state it more bluntly, if a verse such as the one in question is found to be offensive to the majority community, why isn’t the majority community’s statements of exceptionalism and triumphalism (not to mention their oppressive behavior) considered equally offensive to the minority communities in their midst?

About Us            Contact Us

2920 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22204

transparent_logo_retina