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The central prayer of each service is the Shemoneh Esrei, also known as the Amidah.
This prayer encompasses all facets of life, both physical and spiritual and epitomizes the
concept of Jewish prayer. The Shemoneh Esrei was originally composed by the Men of
the Great Assembly in the fifth century B.C.E. and was finally recorded in its present
form about the year 100 C.E.. It has been recited by Jews two or three times a day since
then. Reciting the Amidah, fullfils the actual obligation to pray. In fact, it is
usually recited twice during the morning and afternoon service, once quietly by each
member of the
congregation, and then repeated by Prayer Leader (Chazzan). This repetition was
instituted for those who cannot yet pray on their own, for the Sages understood the spiritual
hunger of those still learning to pray. By listening intently and repeating Amen at the end
of each blessing, these worshippers are considered to have fulfilled their obligation to
recite the Amidah. Shemoneh Esrei means "eighteen" and the weekday version of the Shemoneh Esrei originally consisted of eighteen blessings (a 19th blessing was added in the third century C.E.). The other name for this prayer is "Amidah" which means to stand. When we recite the Amidah, we are standing in the presence of G-d. On Shabbat, all blessings that emphasize our personal needs and requests are omitted, and only seven blessings are recited. These seven blessings focus on our relationship to G-d and emphasize the sanctity of Shabbat. The number seven represents wholeness, completion and peace, a most appropriate theme for Shabbat. These seven blessings are broken down into three sections: |