| The Qaddish | |
| Heightened and hallowed be his great namein the world he created according to his will.And may he establish his kingdom in your life and in your days and in the life of all the house of Israel, very soon and in the coming season. --And you say: Amen!Blessed, praised and glorified, raised, lifted up and revered, exalted and lauded be the name of him who is Holy, blessed be He! Although he is high above all blessings, hymns, praised and solace uttered in (this) world. --And you say: Amen!May our prayers and the supplications of all Israel be accepted by our Father, who is in heaven (abuhon di bishemmaya). --And you say: Amen!May there be abundant peace from Heaven and life for us and all Israel. --And you say: Amen!May he who makes peace in the heights make peace for us and all Israel! --And you say: Amen! | |
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Another ancient evening prayer:
Lead me not into the power of transgresssion,
and bring me not into the power of sin, and not into the power of iniquity,and not into the power of temptation, and not into the power of anything shameful.
Both these prayers are from Judaism around the first century or before. Notice the inescapable similarity to the Lord's prayer. Have Jewish Christians attributed to Jesus a prayer from other Rabbis? | |
the Qaddish prayer compared to the Lord's prayer
by peacefulpete 10 Replies latest watchtower bible
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peacefulpete
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kwintestal
Very interesting. Maybe Jesus was just showing aproval of the way the rabbis prayed.
Kwin
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gumby
Have Jewish Christians attributed to Jesus a prayer from other Rabbis?
Also, have Jewish Christians attributed to Jesus all the attributes other dieties had?
Thanks Pete.
It's intresting that the Lord prayer was an obvious copycat of earlier Jewish prayers, yet most christians would insist that Jesus invented this prayer exclusively.
Gumby
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ConcernedMom
I can't remember where I originally found this... Lord's Prayer A Translation of "Our Father" directly from the Aramaic into English (rather than from Aramaic to Greek to Latin to English) O cosmic Birther of all radiance and vibration! Soften the ground of our being and carve out a space within us where your Presence can abide. Fill us with your creativity so that we may be empowered to bear the fruit of your mission. Let each of our actions bear fruit in accordance with our desire. Endow us with the wisdom to produce and share what each being needs to grow and flourish. Untie the tangled threads of destiny that bind us, as we release others from the entanglement of past mistakes. Do not let us be seduced by that which would divert us from our true purpose, but illuminate the opportunities of the present moment. For you are the ground and the fruitful vision, the birth-power and fulfillment, as all is gathered and made whole once again.
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Leolaia
Bear in mind that there are two different versions of the Lord's Prayer, Q 11:2-4/Luke 11:2-4 and the longer version in Matthew 6:9-13. It is interesting that the stronger parallels to the Kaddish are found in the less original version of Matthew: "Our Father" (pater hémón = abuhon), "who is in heaven" (en tois ouranois = di bishemmaya), and "let your will be done" (genéthétó to theléma sou = "his will"). The Lord's Prayer in Didache 8:2 is also a variant of the Matthean version. The parallels with the Kaddish are thus much closer with the later Jewish-Christian version practiced in Law-observant Jewish circles who naturally would have adopted more from synagogue liturgy than the older, more primitive version. It is also commonly believed that Kaddish represented a later development than the Amidah (=Tefillah, Shemoneh Esreh) which is thought to have been widespread in the first century. The embellished liturgy of the Matthean community would then have been up-to-date with the latest changes in Jewish liturgy (through their continued involvement with Law-observant Judaism) while the Lukan version that first circulated among the Gentiles does not reflect subsequent Jewish influence.
One striking similarity with the Jewish liturgy of the Amidah or Shemoneh Esreh is the fact that the disciples are instructed to say the prayer three times daily (Didache 8:3); similarly, the Shemoneh Esreh was to be said three times each day -- in the morning, afternoon, and evening (m. Berakhot 4:1). According to b. Berakhot 29a, the Amidah may be abbreviated into a short form with a simple address ("O Lord"), and this is reflected in the brevity of the original Q version. Specific similarities in content include the 6th benediction which has a supplication for forgiveness (cf. Q 11:4), the 9th benediction which asks God to fill the world with food (cf. Q 11:3), and the 14th benediction asks God to restore the kingdom of David (cf. Q 11:2). Tertullian (Oratio, 10) also advised that one can append one's personal petitions to the Lord's Prayer and this counsel is reflected as well in b. Abod. Zar. 7b. The main differences between the Lord's Prayer and the Shemoneh Esreh are as follows: (1) It is even more brief than the abbreviated Amidah, and the embellished Lord's Prayer is very short compared to the full 18 benedictions. Matthew 6:8 specifically advises to "not heap up empty phrases" like the Pharisees, (2) The prayer was to be uttered in private and not in synagogues or on street corners, like the Pharisees (cf. Matthew 6:5-7), (3) Among the omissions of the Shemoneh Esreh, the Birkat ha-Minim of the 12th benediction is not reproduced. This curse was probably in place in the late first century, tho the specific cursing of the Nazoreans (= Christians) was probably not added yet. Since the Jewish Christians would have been included in the more general Minim, it is possible that this was another feature of the Pharisee prayer that served as anti-Pharisee polemic (cf. hupokritai in Didache 8:2) among the Jewish Christians.
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peacefulpete
Matt 7:7 also seems to be a Jewish Christian condemnation of the Pauline Church's tolerance of tougues.
7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
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Double Edge
It's intresting that the Lord prayer was an obvious copycat of earlier Jewish prayers, yet most christians would insist that Jesus invented this prayer exclusively.
I think that would apply to only those Christians who have limited knowledge of the scriptures. It is no secret that Jesus quoted scripture and readings throughout his ministry.
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peacefulpete
THE AMIDAH
1. THE GOD OF HISTORY:
Blessed are you, O Lord our God and God of our
fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, the
great, mighty and revered God, the Most High God who bestows
lovingkindnesses, the creator of all things, who remembers the good deeds
of the patriarchs and in love will bring a redeemer to their children's
children for his name's sake. O king, helper, savior and shield.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the shield of Abraham.
2. THE GOD OF NATURE:
You, O Lord, are mighty forever, you revive the
dead, you have the power to save. [From the end of Sukkot until the eve
of Passover, insert: You cause the wind to blow and the rain to fall.]
You sustain the living with lovingkindness, you revive the dead with great
mercy, you support the falling, heal the sick, set free the bound and keep
faith with those who sleep in the dust. Who is like you, O doer of mighty
acts? Who resembles you, a king who puts to death and restores to life,
and causes salvation to flourish? And you are certain to revive the dead.
Blessed are you, O Lord, who revives the dead.
3. SANCTIFICATION OF GOD:
[Reader] We will sanctify your name in this world just as it is sanctified in the highest heavens, as it is written by your prophet: "And they call out to one another and say:
[Cong.] 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.'" [Isa. 6:3]
[Reader] Those facing them praise God saying:
[Cong.] "Blessed be the Presence of the LORD in his place." [Ezek. 3:12]
[Reader] And in your Holy Words it is written, saying,
[Cong.] "The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah." [Ps. 146:10]
[Reader] Throughout all generations we will declare your greatness, and to all eternity we will proclaim your holiness. Your praise, O our God, shall never depart from our mouth, for you are a great and holy God and King. Blessed are you, O Lord, the holy God. You are holy, and your name is holy, and holy beings praise you daily. (Selah.) Blessed are you, O Lord, the holy God.
4. PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING:
You favor men with knowledge, and teach mortals understanding.
O favor us with the knowledge,
the understanding and the insight that come from you.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the gracious giver of knowledge.
5. FOR REPENTANCE:
Bring us back, O our father, to your Instruction;
draw us near, O our King, to your service;
and cause us to return to you in perfect repentance.
Blessed are you, O Lord, who delights in repentance.
6. FOR FORGIVENESS:
Forgive us, O our Father, for we have sinned;
pardon us, O our King, for we have transgressed; for you pardon and forgive.
Blessed are you, O Lord, who is merciful and always ready to forgive.
7. FOR DELIVERANCE FROM AFFLICTION:
Look upon our affliction and plead our cause,
and redeem us speedily for your name's sake,
for you are a mighty redeemer.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the redeemer of Israel.
8. FOR HEALING:
Heal us, O Lord, and we will be healed;
save us and we will be saved, for you are our praise.
O grant a perfect healing to all our ailments,
for you, almighty King, are a faithful and merciful healer.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the healer of the sick of his people Israel.
9. FOR DELIVERANCE FROM WANT:
Bless this year for us, O Lord our God,
together with all the varieties of its produce, for our welfare.
Bestow ([from the 15th of Nissan insert:] dew and rain for) a blessing upon the
face of the earth. O satisfy us with your goodness, and bless our year
like the best of years.
Blessed are you, O Lord, who blesses the years.
10. FOR GATHERING OF EXILES:
Sound the great shofar for our freedom,
raise the ensign to gather our exiles,
and gather us from the four corners of the earth.
Blessed are you, O Lord, who gathers the dispersed of his people Israel.
11. FOR THE RIGHTEOUS REIGN OF GOD:
Restore our judges as in former times,
and our counselors as at the beginning; and remove from us sorrow and
sighing. Reign over us, you alone, O Lord, with lovingkindness and
compassion, and clear us in judgment. Blessed are you, O Lord, the King
who loves righteousness and justice.
12. FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF APOSTATES AND
THE ENEMIES OF GOD:
Let there be no hope for slanderers,
and let all wickedness perish in an instant.
May all your enemies quickly be cut down,
and may you soon in our day uproot, crush, cast down
and humble the dominion of arrogance.
Blessed are you, O Lord, who smashes enemies and humbles the arrogant.
13. FOR THE RIGHTEOUS AND PROSELYTES:
May your compassion be stirred, O Lord our God,
towards the righteous, the pious, the elders of your people
the house of Israel, the remnant of their scholars, towards proselytes,
and towards us also. Grant a good reward to all who truly trust in your
name. Set our lot with them forever so that we may never be put to shame,
for we have put our trust in you.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the support and stay of the righteous.
14. FOR THE REBUILDING OF JERUSALEM:
Return in mercy to Jerusalem your city, and dwell in it as you have promised.
Rebuild it soon in our day as an eternal structure,
and quickly set up in it the throne of David.
Blessed are you, O Lord, who rebuilds Jerusalem.
15. FOR THE MESSIANIC KING:
Speedily cause the offspring of your servant David to flourish,
and let him be exalted by your saving power,
for we wait all day long for your salvation.
Blessed are you, O Lord, who causes salvation to flourish.
16. FOR THE ANSWERING OF PRAYER:
Hear our voice, O Lord our God; spare us and have pity on us.
Accept our prayer in mercy and with favor,
for you are a God who hears prayers and supplications.
O our King, do not turn us away from your presence empty-handed,
for you hear the prayers of your people Israel with compassion.
Blessed are you, O Lord, who hears prayer.
17. FOR RESTORATION OF TEMPLE SERVICE:
Be pleased, O Lord our God, with your people Israel and with their prayers.
Restore the service to the inner sanctuary of your Temple,
and receive in love and with favor both the fire-offerings of Israel and their prayers.
May the worship of your people Israel always be acceptable to you.
And let our eyes behold your return in mercy to Zion.
Blessed are you, O Lord, who restores his divine presence to Zion.
18. THANKSGIVING FOR GOD'S UNFAILING MERCIES:
We give thanks to you that you are the Lord our God
and the God of our fathers forever and ever.
Through every generation you have been the rock of our lives, the shield
of our salvation. We will give you thanks and declare your praise for our
lives that are committed into your hands, for our souls that are entrusted
to you, for your miracles that are daily with us, and for your wonders and
your benefits that are with us at all times, evening, morning and noon.
O beneficent one, your mercies never fail; O merciful one,
your lovingkindnesses never cease. We have always put our hope in you.
For all these acts may your name be blessed and exalted continually,
O our King, forever and ever. Let every living thing give thanks to you and
praise your name in truth, O God, our salvation and our help. (Selah.)
Blessed are you, O Lord, whose Name is the Beneficent One,
and to whom it is fitting to give thanks.
19. FOR PEACE:
Grant peace, welfare, blessing, grace, lovingkindness and mercy to us
and to all Israel your people. Bless us, O our Father, one and
all, with the light of your countenance; for by the light of your
countenance you have given us, O Lord our God, a Torah of life,
lovingkindness and salvation, blessing, mercy, life and peace.
May it please you to bless your people Israel at all times
and in every hour with your peace.
Blessed are you, O Lord, who blesses his people Israel with peace. -
avishai
Ofra Haza does a beautiful musical rendition of this prayer.
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peacefulpete
I noted a few things about the amidah prayer. First the general similarity with the Lord's prayer especially as it was abbreviated by certain Rabbis.
I found the "sanctify your name" phrase very interesting. As well known by this time the YHWH was not in Rabbinic use and in fact was deemed an embarrassment as the need for a name presumes polytheism. Therefore the Lord's Prayer parallel in no way implies Jesus or early Christians used YHWH when praying or referring to their god.
I also noted the "holy, holy, holy" mirrored in Revelation. Clearly Trinity advocates are stretching things to say the threefold declaration implies a triune god.