Siddur Lev Shalem is designed for use by individuals as well as for congregations, in the home and in the synagogue. The siddur begins with home preparation for Shabbat - including meditations on candle lighting, a song that incorporates halakhic instruction, a passage about the neshamah y’teirah (additional spirit) of Shabbat, an introduction to Shabbat from the Zohar, and much more.
The next generation for the Movement, this siddur represents the essence of Conservative / Masorti Judaism – historical scholarship, traditional wisdom and spiritual searching. It can be used at home and in synagogue for all rituals, and contains table songs and Havdalah, as well as explanations and inspirational readings.
Key features include:
• prayers, poetry, and kavanot (meditative readings) from ancient to contemporary times, representing the extraordinary diversity of Jewish traditions: Italian, North African, Sephardic, Middle Eastern, and Ashkenazic, as well as contemporary North American and Israeli
• special texts for each of the festivals and for the Yizkor (memorial) service
• prayers and blessings composed specifically for this siddur—celebrating our relationships, joyous occasions and liminal moments in our lives; a prayer to be recited by mourners or those observing a yahrzeit when there is no minyan present and a mourner’s meditation in memory of a parent who was hurtful
• contemporary English translations, extensive transliterations, and clear instructions
