Tishah BeAv Siddur: Rachel Mevakah
Abecassis Edition
On the Derekh’s latest publication is a prayer book for the Jewish national day of mourning, Tishah BeAv. In today's age, a large number of Sephardic Jews find it challenging to relate to Tishah BeAv in concept and practice. As we solemnly sing kinot throughout the day, many of us lack a deep understanding of their poetic structures and meaningful lessons. Considering the significance of this gap, and the fact that it has not been filled by any other siddur in the greater Sephardic community, many rabbis encouraged me to prioritize this project. We hope that Siddur Rachel Mevakah will fill the void and bring some light to this dark day.
This Tishah BeAv prayer book is for all Sepharadim. The prayers follows the Moroccan Sephardic tradition with the inclusion of Edot HaMizrach customs (where they differ). All Hebrew prayer services of Tishah BeAv are included — Arvit, Shacharit, Minchah, and Motzaé Tishah BeAv. The structure and style of the book follows Siddur Tefillat Shemuel — Benmergui Edition and features English instructions, translation of all the prayers and kinot (all 138 of them!), commentary, halakhot (Laws & Customs sections), and sources on the margins.
The Tishah BeAv siddur is called “Rachel Mevakah” in memory of Raquel Abecassis Kassin.
Abecassis Edition
On the Derekh’s latest publication is a prayer book for the Jewish national day of mourning, Tishah BeAv. In today's age, a large number of Sephardic Jews find it challenging to relate to Tishah BeAv in concept and practice. As we solemnly sing kinot throughout the day, many of us lack a deep understanding of their poetic structures and meaningful lessons. Considering the significance of this gap, and the fact that it has not been filled by any other siddur in the greater Sephardic community, many rabbis encouraged me to prioritize this project. We hope that Siddur Rachel Mevakah will fill the void and bring some light to this dark day.
This Tishah BeAv prayer book is for all Sepharadim. The prayers follows the Moroccan Sephardic tradition with the inclusion of Edot HaMizrach customs (where they differ). All Hebrew prayer services of Tishah BeAv are included — Arvit, Shacharit, Minchah, and Motzaé Tishah BeAv. The structure and style of the book follows Siddur Tefillat Shemuel — Benmergui Edition and features English instructions, translation of all the prayers and kinot (all 138 of them!), commentary, halakhot (Laws & Customs sections), and sources on the margins.
The Tishah BeAv siddur is called “Rachel Mevakah” in memory of Raquel Abecassis Kassin.
On The Derekh's Mission
On The Derekh is a Jewish organization dedicated to the preservation, enrichment, and continuity of Moroccan Sephardic heritage.
Our Unique Heritage
The heritage of Moroccan Jewry is unique within the Sephardic world; a culture rich in Torah and tradition spanning over a thousand years. Each geographic region within Morocco, from Tangiers to Marrakesh, developed its own approach to our hallowed customs, prayer rituals, and melodies.
A Legacy in Peril
As the Moroccan Jewish communities dispersed throughout the first world over the last sixty years, we've experienced great prosperity in the western world. However, the impact of 21st-century popular culture has presented significant challenges to the Jewish way of life that our ancestors preserved from one generation to the next. As the years pass, naturally, we become further removed from the special and cherished legacy that was handed down to us. It is incumbant upon us, descendants of Moroccan Jewry who are already a generation or two removed from those insular communities to take on the challenge of preserving and enriching our beloved traditions.
A Preservation Project
Our primary objective is to develop Hebrew/English siddurim and machzorim inclusive of the various traditions practiced throughout Morocco. These prayer books will include English instructions, prayers laws, commentary, and translation (in select editions). An additional emphasis was placed on developing the most beautiful and user-friendly prayer books on the market. We hope these prayer books will be an most important resource for the Moroccan Sephardic community to be educated, inspired, and committed to preserving and enriching our cherished heritage.
The heritage of Moroccan Jewry is unique within the Sephardic world; a culture rich in Torah and tradition spanning over a thousand years. Each geographic region within Morocco, from Tangiers to Marrakesh, developed its own approach to our hallowed customs, prayer rituals, and melodies.
A Legacy in Peril
As the Moroccan Jewish communities dispersed throughout the first world over the last sixty years, we've experienced great prosperity in the western world. However, the impact of 21st-century popular culture has presented significant challenges to the Jewish way of life that our ancestors preserved from one generation to the next. As the years pass, naturally, we become further removed from the special and cherished legacy that was handed down to us. It is incumbant upon us, descendants of Moroccan Jewry who are already a generation or two removed from those insular communities to take on the challenge of preserving and enriching our beloved traditions.
A Preservation Project
Our primary objective is to develop Hebrew/English siddurim and machzorim inclusive of the various traditions practiced throughout Morocco. These prayer books will include English instructions, prayers laws, commentary, and translation (in select editions). An additional emphasis was placed on developing the most beautiful and user-friendly prayer books on the market. We hope these prayer books will be an most important resource for the Moroccan Sephardic community to be educated, inspired, and committed to preserving and enriching our cherished heritage.
Haskamot
We are proud to announce that our books have received an endorsement by the former Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Shlomo Amar shlit'a.
We are proud to announce that our books have received an endorsement by the former Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Shlomo Amar shlit'a.
