5

In Shemona Esrei we pray that Hashem should return to Yerushalayim. Obviously while the Jews were in Yerushalayim during the time of the Bais Hamikdash this Bracha had to be different as it would not be sensible to pray that Yerushalyim should be built during the time of the first temple when it is in all its glory. In addition perhaps Shemona Esrei was first instituted after the end of the first Bais HaMikdash. Perhaps even during the times of the second Bais HaMikdash this Bracha was worded differently. Is there any source that describes the wording of this Bracha during the times of the Bais Hamikdash?

Improve this question
11
  • Are you asking about the first or second temple? I don't think there was a shmone esrei during the first temple and it definitely wasn't in all its glory in the second temple.
    – Double AA ♦
    Oct 15, 2013 at 13:26
  • @GershonGold, is there anyone who places the content of Shemona Esrei in the first temple period?
    – Yishai
    Oct 15, 2013 at 13:43
  • hebrewbooks.org/pagefeed/hebrewbooks_org_15022_328.pdf
    – Gershon Gold
    Oct 15, 2013 at 17:33
  • 1
    Possibly relevant - hakirah.org/Vol14Zelcer.pdf
    – Zvi
    Oct 16, 2013 at 9:46
  • I've got a better one: the third Berachah of Birkath HaMazon is about rebuilding Yerushalayim, and we say the first three are DeOraitha -- What??
    – Seth J
    Oct 16, 2013 at 19:32

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
3

The Tur in the laws of Biract Hamazon (OC 188) writes that they would pray that Jerusalem and the Temple should remain standing. The same can probably be said about Shmona esrei.

Improve this answer
1
  • No time to look it up right now; does he say why they said that? Does he address the fact that we say the first three Berachoth are DeOraitha?
    – Seth J
    Oct 16, 2013 at 19:32
0

Regarding the bracha of רצה, apparently they used to say somethign similar to the Nussach we say on YomTov before Duchening; ותערב

This, according to an article in one of the recent קולמוס magazines (a monthly addition to the weekly משפחה magazine.)

Improve this answer
2
  • ותערב is the standard Eretz Yisrael nusach post Churban. I don't know why you would expect them to say it pre-churban as well.
    – Double AA ♦
    Oct 16, 2013 at 16:41
  • @double aa, a friend with a mild-moderate obsession with Nusah has told me that he's seen compelling evidence that, throughout Ashkenazi Nusah, certain patterns present themselves and provide hints at what was once Nusah Eretz Yisrael, including ותערב. I am not the expert, but are you strongly convinced that some form of it couldn't have existed pre-destruction?
    – Seth J
    Dec 15, 2013 at 19:20

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .