OUR COLLECTION
Weekday and Shabbat Siddur
Siddur Tefillat Shemuel
The Benmergui Edition
Our first siddur, for weekday and Shabbat prayers, was named Siddur Tefillat Shemuel in memory of Sr. Samuel Oziel, z"l. Our inspiration began with the concept of this edition and this was our first completed project.
This edition is in honour of Rachel & Meir (z"l) Benmergui and Celia & Isadore (z"l) Bullion by their children, Joe & Mindy, and grandchildren, Michael and Sarah. Their dedication reads, "May this siddur, which preserves our sacred Sephardic tradition, inspire the continuity of our community LeDor VaDor – for all generations."
The Benmergui edition siddur was completed in 2015 and is still the most comprehensive Moroccan Sephardic siddur on the market, inclusive of various traditions throughout Morocco as it caters to both the French and Spanish-speaking communities.
The features of this edition include:
Siddur Tefillat Shemuel
The Benmergui Edition
Our first siddur, for weekday and Shabbat prayers, was named Siddur Tefillat Shemuel in memory of Sr. Samuel Oziel, z"l. Our inspiration began with the concept of this edition and this was our first completed project.
This edition is in honour of Rachel & Meir (z"l) Benmergui and Celia & Isadore (z"l) Bullion by their children, Joe & Mindy, and grandchildren, Michael and Sarah. Their dedication reads, "May this siddur, which preserves our sacred Sephardic tradition, inspire the continuity of our community LeDor VaDor – for all generations."
The Benmergui edition siddur was completed in 2015 and is still the most comprehensive Moroccan Sephardic siddur on the market, inclusive of various traditions throughout Morocco as it caters to both the French and Spanish-speaking communities.
The features of this edition include:
- A unique Hebrew and English prayer text in mirror format (i.e., on a two-page spread, the Hebrew prayer is on the right side and its corresponding translation in English is on the left side)
- An English commentary for deeper insights into our prayers and customs runs on the bottom quarter of the page
- Scriptural sources in Hebrew and English lined on the margins of each page
- Our special Moroccan customs are explained, compared, and sourced to their geographical origins
- Sections of laws and customs are interspersed to precede the associate prayer before its first appearance
- Extensive English instructions and footnotes, including visual cue instructions interspliced within the text
- Language and pronunciation guides, and cantillation marks for all biblical verses
Weekday and Shabbat Siddur
Siddur Tefillat Shemuel
The Serruya Edition
There are many standard prayers found in most siddurim that were left out of the Benmergui Edition due to the fact that they were not directly connected to the weekday and Shabbat prayers. The Benmergui Edition was limited in scope as it includes a full prayer translation and is over 1,000 pages (we were not willing to compromise on font size).
This new edition includes all those additional, ancillary prayers (approx. 250 pages). To make room for all the new material, the English translation of the Hebrew prayers has been removed - each two-page spread has Hebrew prayers on both sides. The Serruya Edition maintains an English commentary, instructions, halakhot, and sources.
The new material featured in this edition includes:
Siddur Tefillat Shemuel
The Serruya Edition
There are many standard prayers found in most siddurim that were left out of the Benmergui Edition due to the fact that they were not directly connected to the weekday and Shabbat prayers. The Benmergui Edition was limited in scope as it includes a full prayer translation and is over 1,000 pages (we were not willing to compromise on font size).
This new edition includes all those additional, ancillary prayers (approx. 250 pages). To make room for all the new material, the English translation of the Hebrew prayers has been removed - each two-page spread has Hebrew prayers on both sides. The Serruya Edition maintains an English commentary, instructions, halakhot, and sources.
The new material featured in this edition includes:
- Amidah for Shalosh Regalim (Shacharit, Minchah, Arvit, & Musaf)
- Pirké Avot
- Sefer Tehillim
- Life-Cycle event prayers, such as Berit Milah, Pidyon HaBen, etc.
- Prayers and blessings at specific times or for unique occasions, such as Parashat HaMan, the Prayer of the Shela HaKadosh, Birkat HaElanot, Birkat HaChamah, Tikkun Chatzot, etc.
- Personal prayer requests for good health, pregnancy and birth, finding your spouse, etc.
- Special blessings for sights and sounds or for mitzvot, such as separating challah or dipping in the mikveh, etc.
Yom Kippur Machzor
Emet LeYa'akov
The Rbibo Edition (French Moroccan)
The Oziel Edition (Spanish Moroccan)
For the Jewish People, there is no day of the year holier than Yom Kippur. It stands out as the day that all Jews commit to a long day of fasting and repentance. Each kehilah joins together at their synagogue, harnessing the power of communal prayer to beseech the Merciful Judge to have compassion on His people. Such a solemn and consequential day imposes considerable demands on every one of us to dedicate our minds and open our hearts to the task at hand. How much more enhanced would our efforts be if we could understand the basic translation and the deeper explanations of our prayers? For the English-speaking Jew of Moroccan descent who is interested in attaining this level of cognizance, Emet LeYa'akov is essential.
This prayer book is built in the same structure and style as Siddur Tefillat Shemuel, our first prayer book project. It features English instructions, translation, commentary, prayer laws, and sources. Within the Moroccan Sephardic tradition, the liturgy on Yom Kippur varies more so than on other holy days. The variance in prayer arrangement and songs (piyyutim) between the common practice of communities from the Spanish-speaking northern part of Morocco verses the rest of the country demanded the production of two different versions of the machzor. As such, we produced two versions of Emet LeYa'akov – The Oziel Edition is tailored to those who follow the arrangement from northern Morocco and the Rbibo Edition for the French-speaking communities, who constituted the majority in Morocco.
Emet LeYa'akov
The Rbibo Edition (French Moroccan)
The Oziel Edition (Spanish Moroccan)
For the Jewish People, there is no day of the year holier than Yom Kippur. It stands out as the day that all Jews commit to a long day of fasting and repentance. Each kehilah joins together at their synagogue, harnessing the power of communal prayer to beseech the Merciful Judge to have compassion on His people. Such a solemn and consequential day imposes considerable demands on every one of us to dedicate our minds and open our hearts to the task at hand. How much more enhanced would our efforts be if we could understand the basic translation and the deeper explanations of our prayers? For the English-speaking Jew of Moroccan descent who is interested in attaining this level of cognizance, Emet LeYa'akov is essential.
This prayer book is built in the same structure and style as Siddur Tefillat Shemuel, our first prayer book project. It features English instructions, translation, commentary, prayer laws, and sources. Within the Moroccan Sephardic tradition, the liturgy on Yom Kippur varies more so than on other holy days. The variance in prayer arrangement and songs (piyyutim) between the common practice of communities from the Spanish-speaking northern part of Morocco verses the rest of the country demanded the production of two different versions of the machzor. As such, we produced two versions of Emet LeYa'akov – The Oziel Edition is tailored to those who follow the arrangement from northern Morocco and the Rbibo Edition for the French-speaking communities, who constituted the majority in Morocco.
Selichot Siddur
VaYashkem Moshe
The Moses & Marie Elmaleh z"l Memorial Edition
Our second publication, called VaYashkem Moshe, is a prayer book for the daily Selichot service that begins on the first of Elul in preparation for the Yamim Nora'im. Despite the solemn nature of these prayers, Moroccan Sephardic Jews are especially inspired by the melodies and collaborative performance of its service.
Leon Elmaleh was the driving force behind this project. In 2017, he approached On The Derekh with the desire to honour his mother, Marie Elmaleh, z"l, who was deeply inspired by the Selichot prayer service. Mrs. Elmaleh was a beloved, matriarchal figure in the Moroccan Sephardic community of Toronto. For 35 years she was the executive administrator at Petah Tikvah Congregation, the largest and oldest Sephardic synagogue in Ontario. Marie's warm demeanor made the synagogue a very welcoming place and she was dearly loved by all the synagogue's members. Halfway through the production of this book, Leon's father, Moses Elmaleh, z"l – a stalwart community leader in Toronto –passed away. Moses was a founding member of Minyan Sepharad Congregation in Thornhill, Ontario. For 40 years he served as the parnass, was responsible for the chevrah kadisha, and tirelessly performed acts of chessed with a dedication to halakhah and tradition. Upon Moses' passing, this project expanded into a dedication of the collective memory of Moses & Marie Elmaleh by the their children and grandchildren, and was released in Elul of 2018.
The structure and style of this book matches that of siddurim and machzorim that follow Siddur Tefillat Shemuel.
VaYashkem Moshe
The Moses & Marie Elmaleh z"l Memorial Edition
Our second publication, called VaYashkem Moshe, is a prayer book for the daily Selichot service that begins on the first of Elul in preparation for the Yamim Nora'im. Despite the solemn nature of these prayers, Moroccan Sephardic Jews are especially inspired by the melodies and collaborative performance of its service.
Leon Elmaleh was the driving force behind this project. In 2017, he approached On The Derekh with the desire to honour his mother, Marie Elmaleh, z"l, who was deeply inspired by the Selichot prayer service. Mrs. Elmaleh was a beloved, matriarchal figure in the Moroccan Sephardic community of Toronto. For 35 years she was the executive administrator at Petah Tikvah Congregation, the largest and oldest Sephardic synagogue in Ontario. Marie's warm demeanor made the synagogue a very welcoming place and she was dearly loved by all the synagogue's members. Halfway through the production of this book, Leon's father, Moses Elmaleh, z"l – a stalwart community leader in Toronto –passed away. Moses was a founding member of Minyan Sepharad Congregation in Thornhill, Ontario. For 40 years he served as the parnass, was responsible for the chevrah kadisha, and tirelessly performed acts of chessed with a dedication to halakhah and tradition. Upon Moses' passing, this project expanded into a dedication of the collective memory of Moses & Marie Elmaleh by the their children and grandchildren, and was released in Elul of 2018.
The structure and style of this book matches that of siddurim and machzorim that follow Siddur Tefillat Shemuel.
Tishah BeAv Siddur
Rachel Mevakah
The 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, z"l.
Rachel Mevakah
The 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, z"l.