Ashamnu

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Pronunciations

Ashamnu (ah-SHAHM-nu) listen

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Definitions

Example Sentences

  • "I ask everyone to take some time this High Holiday season to read through the Ashamnu prayer in whichever language you choose, however you choose to observe the chagim (holidays)." (source)

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Languages of Origin

  • Textual Hebrew

Etymology

  • אשמנו 'we have sinned'

      • Who Uses This

      • Religious: Jews who are engaged in religious observance and have some Jewish education

      Regions

      • North America

      Dictionaries

      • The JPS Dictionary of Jewish Words, by Joyce Eisenberg and Ellen Scolnic, (Philadelphia, 2001).

Notes

  • "It is customary to tap over the heart with the right hand during the prayer. The Ashamnu is in the form of an acrostic, with a sin listed for each letter of the alphabet. For example, 'we abuse, we betray, we are cruel.'" (JPS)

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