Conservative Judaism/Birkhat Hamazon

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Expert: - 3/22/2010


Question
When was Psalm 26 added to the Grace After Meals?  I'm continuing my research into the evolution of the haggadah and haven't been able to track down the answer to this question.

Thanks for your help.

Answer
Dear Katie,

Thanks for writing - good question and one of my favorite topics: when was the text added into an accepted practice.

According to Jacob Friedman, Psalm 126 is obviously Biblical in origin and then added into the Birkat HaMazone=Grace between 1500-1899. His research found such an inclusion as early as 1603 in a Venice text. Footnotes send us - I haven't followed through yet because of my service to the community as a mashgiach for Pesach - to Zohar Terumah 157b and Seder Hayom p. 15a.

Enjoy Passover and if you want materials for FREE download check out my website www.jewishfreeware.org, Downloads, Passover.

Best wishes

Rabbi Dov

Conservative Judaism

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Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

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Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.

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I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)

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