Reb Chaim Vital says in the name of the Arizal that there are twelve gates in the Heavens corresponding to the twelve tribes and each tribe has a designated entrance for their prayers. Each gate and their approach are different from the others.
Each of the tribes had their own specific Nusach Hatefillah [specific prayers]. The Holy Arizal established a Nusach that corresponds to all twelve of the tribes. The "Nusach Arizal" are the prayers for those who do not know their tribe.
The Chasam Sofer writes this concept in the name of the Maggid of Mezritz. He explains that in fact, there are thirteen gates in Heaven for our tefillos to pass through. Each gate is for one of the tribes and everyone’s tefillah can pass through the thirteenth gate.
There are 12 gates in Shamayim that must be quite neglected at this time.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if there is a Siddur Nusach Arizal that is not Chabad authored?
ReplyDeleteIt is the siddur that Lubavitchers use, but there is nothing ''Chabad'' about it, it's just a siddur with the prayers written in a slightly different order or way of saying, I think. It works for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThe only published complete siddur based on nusach Arizal is the one compiled by the Baal HaTanya, and it is indeed as Chabad as you can get. Look for Siddur Tehillat Hashem. It is a great nusach for every Jew, as stated in this article.
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