[Avodah] Shmoneh Esrei - 18/19

[Jonathan Baker]

RMi:

> Yalqut Shim'oni (Shemu'el I "vatispallel chanah") says the 18 berakhos
> dates back to Chanah! It says she says 18 berakhos, ...
 
>     Al tarbu tedabru gabohah = she'Osekha levadkha beyir'ah na'avod
>     Yatza ataq mipikhem = haTov shimkha uLekha na'eh lehodoso
>     veyitein oz lemalkhuso = Shalom
 
> (Note the chasimah to Retzei according to the the Yalqut!)

Indeed.  It's the old Palestinian chatimah, linked to the Kohanim.  See
http://thanbook.blogspot.com/2007/03/retzei-et-les-prieres-du-comtat.html
towards the end for more on this bracha.  What is the Yalkut's source?
Oh, Yelamdenu/Tanchuma.  Is that a Palestinian midrash?
 
Elbogen posits a process of accretion: first one central bracha, like our
Havineinu, covered all the topics.  Then you get some separation into 
personal-needs brachot at the beginning, and finally the national redemption
brachot at the end.  The first three and last three having been always 
present.