While looking at the Shmoneh Esreh, it occurred to me that most of the 19 blessings undergo some sort of change during the year. I am not referring to a "slightly different version" of such a text (such as "Vlamalshinim" v "V'laminim").
Question: How many of Shmoneh Esreh's blessings never undergo any kind of change during the year?
Answers welcome in the comments...
Ho hum. No one chimed in. OK. The answer is "7".
ReplyDeleteThe first three blessings have a change during עשרת ימי תשובה
The fourth blessing has a change on מוצאי שבת
5, 6 and 7 have no changes (a blessing is added after #7 on fast days... but it is an added blessing - does not change #7) --- This accounts for 3
The eight blessing (Refaeinu) has additions for the ill.
The ninth blessing changes for a few months during the winter
The tenth blessing has no changes --- This accounts for the fourth
The eleventh blessing (Hashiva) has an עשרת ימי תשובה change
The next two (V'lamalshinim and Al Hatzadikkim) have different גרסאות out there - but they do not have changes. --- This accounts for #s 5 and 6 in our count.
Blessing # fourteen has an addition on Tisha B'Av
The fifteenth blessing is our final unchanging one: את צמח --- this is #7.
The sixteenth blessing is Shma Koleinu which has room for all kinds of interruptions, including ענינו on a fast day
R'zeh (#17) includes Yaaleh V'yavo
Modim (#18) has insertions for Hanukkah, Purim and עשרת ימי תשובה.
Sim Shalom also has an insertion for עשרת ימי תשובה.