Question:
I really like your siddur. I especially like that it is short enough to allow me to actually have intention while I pray, without making me feel pressed to quickly finish. But why doesn’t the siddur include Psalms 145 – 150 in the Pesukei d’Zimrah? The Rambam advises its inclusion in Hil. Tefilah 7:12, as is found in the Talmud (Shabbos 118b).
Answer:
Our siddur does make reference to pesuqeh d-zimra. The English siddur mentions it on page 15, and in the Hebrew siddur it is mentioned on page 17. Although we do not bring the text for Psalm 145-150, we specify exactly which Psalms are recited. If someone wants to recite them, they should be able to find them in a Tanakh. If they bought a siddur before acquiring a Tanakh, they have their priorities confused.
You are right in referencing Hil. Tefillah 7,12. Note, however, that the Rambam only says that the Sages praised those who recite pesuqeh d-zimra. This is not the phraseology of a mandatory halakha.
Also notice that although the Rambam mentions pesuqeh d-zimra in Hil. Tefillah 7,17 in the context of private prayer, yet when bringing the order of public prayer in Hil. Tefillah 9,1 – the public prayers begin with Qadish and then go straight into Qiryath Shema’. Pesuqeh d-Zimra is not mentioned. According to Mishneh Torah, pesuqeh d-zimra is not a part of prayer in a minyan.
The goal of our siddurim, and indeed of Dor Deah in general, is to make Torah accessible to the masses in a manner that emphasizes priorities. If someone wants to recite Psalm 145-150 every day before prayers, kol ha-kavod lo. If he makes it a common practice to recite them aloud, he should have it memorized within a matter of months. Adding the entire text of Psalm 145-150 detracts from the goal of our siddur. If these Psalms were to be recited together in a minyan, then it would be reasonable to include them. But as pointed out, they are not a part of public prayer al pi Mishneh Torah.
Thank you for bringing up this question! Keep’em coming.
R’ Yosef Eliyah
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