New Edition of ‘My Prayer’ Published
Kehot Publication Society, the Lubavitch publishing house, has just released a new edition of its classic work on prayer: As for me…MY PRAYER: A commentary on the daily, Shabbat & Festival Prayers. Authored by the late Rabbi Dr. Nissan Mindel, noted scholar and prolific author, and first published in 1972, it quickly became a standard text on the Siddur.
In arranging the structure of our daily prayers, the Sages selected Biblical and Talmudic passages that would evoke and articulate one’s deepest religious feelings, to convey the sublime outpouring of the heart and inspire the cleaving of the soul to G-d. At the same time, they include texts that express the basic truths and tenets of Judaism, from elementary moral and ethical values to the highest concept of Monotheism as proclaimed in the Shema.
Volume one provides a profoundly illuminating commentary on the morning, afternoon and evening prayers, on Grace After Meals and the Prayer Before Retiring to Bed. A comprehensive introduction explores the deeper, often mystical, content of the daily prayers.
Volume two is devoted to the Shabbat prayers. A short yet incisive Introduction explores the unique nature of Shabbat
Shabbat and Festivals are days of spiritual rest and regeneration, when everyone has the opportunity to take an unhurried contemplative approach to prayer. The Shabbat and Yom Tov prayers will assume a new and rich dimension in the light of this comprehensive study.
The two-volume reissue of this classic work has been completely redesigned beautifully ensconced in a gift-worthy slipcase. Volume two includes additional previously unpublished material, including short essays on Sefirat Ha’Omer, the Festivals and High-Holiday prayers, Tashlich and Kapparot, Blessing of the New Moon, Eiruv Tavshilin, the Priestly Blessing, Shoshanat Yaakov, Akdamot and Pidyon Haben.
“The deeper content of the familiar Siddur (prayer book) is sadly unfamiliar to the average layman,” says Kehot editor Rabbi Avraham D. Vaisfiche. “For the individual eager to gain a deeper understanding of our sacred prayers, MY PRAYER, opens new vistas in how the Siddur is a source book of Jewish ethics and basic concepts of Judaism.”
About the Author
Dr. Nissan Mindel, was trained in European Yeshivot, where he received his ordination. He studied law and political science at the University of Manchester (England), which he graduated with B.A. and M.A., and he received his Ph.D. in Semitic Languages from Columbia University. He was associated with the Chabad-Lubavitch movement as na executive of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, serving also on the Editorial Board of the Kehot Publications Society and the Chabad Research Center, until his passing in 1999. A prolific author and translator, his many works have been published in several languages, and are listed in the catalogue of the Kehot publication Society.
