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From: Ranon Katzoff [katzoff@mail.biu.ac.il]
List Editor: "Mendelsohn, Adam D" <MendelsohnA@COFC.EDU>
Editor's Subject: Modim de-Rabbanan
Author's Subject: Modim de-Rabbanan
Date Written: Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:29:34 -0500
Date Posted: Mon, 22 Nov 2009 15:29:34 -0500

Sent: Sun 11/22/2009 1:08 PM
Subject: Re: [H-JUDAIC] Query: Modim de-Rabbanan

Why does modim derabanan adorn synagogue walls? Perhaps its placement on walls
started not as an adornment but as a functional aid. People's sidurim are not
usually open to that page when the sheliach tzibur gets to modim, and reciting
it by heart is difficult while the sheliach tzibur is chanting a different
text. Once there is a practice of posting the text, there are material and
honorific inducements to make the posting an adornment as well. The sentiment
is fine too.

My question is why it was felt necessary, in both Bavli and Yerushalmi, that
the congregation recite a different text from that of the sheliach tzibur just
there?

Ranon Katzoff
Bar Ilan University

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