[Avodah] Shmoneh esrei - 18/19

[rabbirichwolpoe at gmail.com]

David:
> A week or two ago, a posting on the number of brakhot in shmoneh esrei
> suggested, IIRC, something like that the addition of birkat ha-minim in
> E"Y changed the 18 to 19.

> It appears, however that in E"Y there were originally 17 b'rakhot,
> gematria tov and the addition of birkat ha-minim made it 18, k'minyan
> chai

Interesing
AIUI EY always had 18 and contracted binyan with matzmi'ach after minim
was added.

Either way, we know the contraction existed in Qallir's time because of
his q'rovos (qrovatz) on Purim which as been preserved.

Geniza only confirms earler documentation.

This preservation of minhag EY is quite unique to ashkenaz and
demonstrates the liturgical link. Between EY Italy and early Ashkenaz.

According to ba'al hama'or (aka r zerchya halevi) the advent of the
talmiddim of the Rif quashed the old .Mnhag in EY in favor of Minhag
sepharad, which goes to show that migrations from spain brought minhag
avos in triumph over minhag hamaqom

Good Purim
RRW
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