The New Jew

The siddur, the services, and how Jews speak to God

Your First Siddur

Your First Siddur

A siddur is the New Jew’s most-used Jewish book. Buy one with English translation, transliteration, and clear instructions.

By The Editors
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The Shema

The Shema

The central declaration of Jewish faith — recited twice daily and at the moment of death.

By The Editors
The Amidah (Shemoneh Esrei)

The Amidah (Shemoneh Esrei)

The central prayer of every service — eighteen (now nineteen) benedictions said standing, silently, facing Jerusalem.

By The Editors

Birkat Hamazon: The Grace After Meals

The only prayer commanded explicitly in the Torah — a substantial blessing of God for food, land, Jerusalem, and the goodness of creation.

By The Editors
PrayersLine-by-line guides to the words, roots, meaning, and practice of Jewish prayer.SiddurimPrayerbooks opened page by page, with Hebrew, translation, and transliteration.AudioListen to narrated articles, prayers, and siddur pages in editorial playlists.GlossaryPlainspoken definitions for the language, people, texts, and ideas of Jewish life.