[Mesorah] Looking for Common Denominators

[R. Rich Wolpoe]

I have no access to the Cairo Geniza nor to mss.

Instead here is a simple method to do reality checks when anyone proposes a hyothesis

1. My first expert is Seligmann Baer's Avodas Yisroel

2. Then take any standard siddur eg artscroll Birnbaum

3. Get a good Eidot Mizrach Siddur with didkduk notes eg Seder Avodat Hashem

4. Get the new Hoffmeister siddur

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Now compare them

Geshem/Goshem

1. Goshem
2 Geshem [goshem 2ndary in AS primary in B]
3. Geshen
4 Goshem

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Tal/Tol

1. ??
2 Tol
3 Tol
4 Tal

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Otah/Atah Eg after mocheil v'solei'ach

1. Otoh
2 Otoh
3 Otoh
4 Atah

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Eved/Oved [shelo asani]

1 Oved
2 Oved
3 Oved
4 Oved

Could EG Hanau have been a party to this?

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Gefen/Gofen

1 Gofen
2 Gofen
3 Gefen
4 Gofen

Is #3 due to missing Hanau's hand or is it al pi Kabbalah?

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Pause before m'chalkeil?

1. Goshem - yes
2. Geshem but Tol
3 Geshem but Tol
4 Geshem and Tal

1 is a pause
4 is no pause

2,3 lichora seem to say yes to pause but no to Goshem as a pausal form.



Shalom and Regards, RRW