Acheinu
Acheinu (Hebrew: אַחֵינוּ, Our brothers) is a Jewish prayer calling for the release of captives.
History
According to Rabbi Elie Kaunfer of the Hadar Institute, the Acheinu prayer first appeared in the Mahzor Vitry, a siddur authored in the 11th century.[1]
Composition and use
Acheinu is a request to God to have mercy on captives and facilitate their redemption and release. It is akin to similar calls to liberate captives on other Jewish occasions, such as the Passover seder.[1]
In the 1980s, songwriter Abie Rotenberg composed a niggun based on the Acheinu prayer text,[2] which he included on his 1990 album Lev V’Nefesh. Released at the height of the First Intifada, Rotenberg's version became one the most widely used versions of Acheinu as an anthem.[3]
During the Israel-Hamas war and the enduring hostage crisis, "Acheinu" became a common anthem for Jewish communities[4][2][5] alongside the more upbeat "Am Yisrael Chai", with "Acheinu" sung more frequently at funerals, shivas, and prayer times. Jewish a cappella group The Maccabeats sung "Acheinu" at the March for Israel, and political commentator Ben Shapiro sang the song during his syndicated radio show.[3]
Liturgy
The Acheinu prayer is recited during the Torah service, when the Torah is out of the ark. Ashkenazi Jews say Acheinu on Mondays and Thursdays, after the reading of the Torah.[1]
See also
- Mi Sheberach, Jewish prayer to request a blessing from God
External links
- Text at Zemirot Database
References
- ^ a b c Kaunfer, Elie. "Acheinu: A Prayer for Freeing Captives". My Jewish Learning. 70 Faces Media. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ a b Golding, David Nachman (2023-11-07). "We're All Acheinu". Mishpacha. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Acheinu – A Modern Classic". The Jewish Press. 2023-11-30. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ Hajdenberg, Jackie (2024-09-02). "New Yorkers hold vigil to mourn 6 slain hostages recovered from Gaza". New York Jewish Week. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
- ^ Dov, Yehuda (2024-01-04). "Soldiers Near Captives In Southern Gaza Sing Acheinu". VIN News. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
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Shacharit |
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- Psalm 27
- Avinu Malkeinu
- Selichot
- Ashamnu
- Al Cheyt
- 13 attributes
- Kol Nidre
- Yom Kippur Avodah
- Ne'ila
- Yizkor
- Hallel
- Al HaNissim
- 1 On Shabbat
- 2 On holidays
- 3 On Mondays and Thursdays
- 4 Only on Shabbat and holidays, according to Nusach Ashkenaz in the diaspora
- 5 On fast days
- 6 Daily in Israel and in some Sephardic communities even in the Diaspora