With the publication of Or Hadash: A Commentary on Sim Shalom for Weekdays, Rabbi Reuven Hammer brings to completion his monumental work on the Jewish prayerbook. Together with the first volume, published five years ago, he has produced a unique work: the first complete English language commentary on all the prayers for the services of Shabbat, Festivals and Weekdays. These volumes include material on the history of all the prayers, a phrase-by-phrase commentary, a linguistic, literary and theological explanation of their structure and meaning as well as interpretations meant to make them relevant for the modern worshipper. The words of Louis Jacobs concerning Hammer's earlier work on liturgy, Entering Jewish Prayer, apply to this commentary as well - "Reuven Hammer has achieved brilliantly and with great success what many had thought impossible - an inspirational guide to Jewish devotion wedded to impeccable scholarship."

Features scholarly commentary by Reuven Hammer; supplementary material from a variety of classical and contemporary sources; introductory material explaining the history, structure, and meaning of prayers and services; and commentary on Pirke Avot by Judah Goldin.

“Reuven Hammer's comprehensive commentary on the siddur is such a welcome addition to Conservative Jewish liturgy. It recognizes the difference between understanding the words of a prayer and understanding the prayer. Rather than simply translating, it explains the meaning and purpose of the prayer in its context – its history, theology, and relationship to the prayers around it. More than telling us what we are saying, it guides us to understand why we are praying these words.” – Harold Kushner.

Ideal for travel and personal use.

The full siddur contains the complete service and readings for erev Tishah B'Av, and for Tishah B'Av day.

Both editions contain the full text of Eikhah, selected kinot with commentary, poetry, songs, as well as interpretive essays by Ismar Schorsch, Robert Scheinberg, and Gershon Schwartz, z"l.

See below for abridged version.

This edition contains the service and readings for erev Tishah B'Av (Ma'ariv, Eikhah, Kinot) and Torah readings/haftarot for Tishah B'Av day.

Both editions contain the full text of Eikhah, selected kinot with commentary, poetry, songs, as well as interpretive essays by Ismar Schorsch, Robert Scheinberg, and Gershon Schwartz, z"l.