Omer Learning 2019: Day 48 | Siddur Q & A: What’s the best way to honor a…

Today is 48 days, which is 6 weeks and 6 days 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 Jen S..

What’s the best way to honor a fraying prayer book?

The Talmud prohibits us to destroy the whole or part of G-d’s many names, which appear with frequency in the Siddur; names are powerful and even more so G-d’s name. As such, it has been a custom to store tattered prayer books in a special room called a genizah or to bury old sacred books in the ground.

But, by burying or storing the old siddur, are we in danger of accidental paganism where we put too much power on papers with G-d’s name, when G-d is so much greater? Are we not better off honoring G-d by recycling and protecting G-d’s world? On the other hand, is recycling a fitting end for much valued prayer book that accompanied its users for many years? Repairing old prayer books that has passed through many hands is most ideal, but if it is no longer useful, what would you do?

Learn More

You can learn more at:

https://www.thejc.com/judaism/rabbi-i-have-a-problem/isn-t-better-to-recyle-an-old-siddur-than-bury-it-1.472973

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