Omer Learning 2019: Day 25 | Siddur Q & A: Why is Ashrei recited twice du…

Today is 25 days, which is 3 weeks and 4 days of the Omer

Instructions for counting the omer are found on our Omer Overview Page. You can find the specific blessing for today at chabad.org.

We’re dedicating new Siddurim on the first day of Shavuot. In honor of this wonderful occasion, we’re using the counting of the Omer to learn about the siddur.

Enjoy today’s siddur related question and answer, which was provided by Rachel J..

Why is Ashrei recited twice during the morning/Shacharit service?

Although it is easy to find information about why Ashrei should be recited three times a day (see the Talmud, Brachot 4B and the promise of a place in the world to come/Olam Habah), it is not so easy to find anything authoritative as to why it’s recited twice during Shacharit (and once during Mincha; why not once in the morning and twice during Mincha?).

One theory found on the OU website, says the sages wanted to marry Ashrei with the kedusha, which is why where there is a kedusha, there will be an Ashrei preceding it. There are two kedusha prayers in Shacharit, ergo two Ashreis. (And there is no kedusha in Maariv and no Ashrei then, either.)

In Artscroll Siddur, there is a footnote by Ashrei that suggests is it the ideal prayer to serve as a transition between the height of spiritual connection that is reached during Shacharit and the remainder of our normal, pedestrian day. For that reason, it is recited twice in the morning prayers.

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