Rabbi Yoel Lieberman
Question
Shalom from Central FL. I recently purchased my first home siddur. Is it appropriate to write my name and some of my favorite quotes on the inside cover? Are notes allowed in a siddur? Can you offer any other rites or traditions about keeping siddurim? I look forward to reading your response.
Answer
ב"ה Shalom I share your joy for purchasing your first home siddur. It should the grand opening for many more holy books to follow. The Shulchan Aruch – (Yoreh De'ah 282) Code of Jewish law has a special chapter which deals with the proper handling of holy books such as a Siddur, but there are other laws scattered in different places in the Shulchan Aruch. Thank G-d, I happen to have a whole book, which is called in Hebrew "Shemirat Kevod Sefarim" which means Keeping the honor or respect of books which answers all your questions. 1. You may write your name in a your siddur. As far as quotes, you should only write holy and respectful things, not secular things. Shemirat Kevod Sefarim pg. 311. 2. It was the custom of many great Rabbis to write notes pertaining to the content of the holy books in their possession. Shemirat Kevod Sefarim pg. 312. You may use paper notes as book marks. Shemirat Kevod Sefarim pg. 300. 3. There are many other traditions, but I will just mention a few. Siddurim as other books with Torah content should not be left open when leaving the room. Neither should you turn the siddur on its face in order to keep your place, but you should rather use a book mark. Neither, should you use your siddur to give a friendly tap on the shoulder to your friend if the person cannot be reached by with your arm. All the best.
Read more
