Koren Sacks Siddur, Hebrew/English, Sepharad Prayerbook (English and Hebrew Edition) Paperback – June 1, 2012

To be fair, the print is a little small. Though that should be expected, considering this is a travel size edition.The paper is cream colored, thin, but still opaque enough that the other side won't bleed through. It has two ribbon markers (a red one and a blue one). It features all necessary prayers and blessings, and many that I have never even heard of before. The Hebrew text utilizes the standard Koren font, which has its ups and downs. To someone fluent in Hebrew, it shouldn't be a problem. But to someone who is still learning Hebrew (like myself), the Vav and Resh look a bit similar.It includes a number of very helpful appendices, including some textual variants. I also REALLY like the way the vocal schewa is printed. A standard schewa is unvocalized and is printed normally, but a vocal schewa is printed in bold-type.The commentary is not overwhelming, but still very helpful. The translation is amazing. Perhaps one of the most controversial points in it revolves around prayers for Rosh Hashanah, and the reading of Psalm 81:3. In just about any English Bible, it reads, "full moon" but in the Sacks Siddur, this is translated as "hidden moon." This is from the word keseh, which means "covered/concealed." So the New Moon is literally the hidden or concealed moon. Very few translations render it correctly like this.Overall I love it! I only WISH Koren made an interlinear Sephardi Humash as well, like the Schottenstein from ArtScroll. This Siddur is definitely the better one between the two publishing houses.

First, why did I get this Siddur? Not a native, but I read and speak Hebrew and will understand Biblical Hebrew at a rate of 90%. So, I got it because it is a newer edition with a very flowing contemporary translation; this is what I needed when I wanted to refresh my prayer reading and fully understand what I am reading. Unlike the older Siddurim, the prayers are in a more "understandable" order so that the reader can continue one after the other and finish a group of prayers, weekday Shaharit for example, without flipping through pages. Further, there are lots of teachings, explanations, footnotes, references... You'll find Shulchan Aruch commentaries; they are concise and event specific (i:e Shabbat, Hanukkah or Purim). I also like the fact that it is an Orthodox Siddur. I am not a very practicing individual but, in my opinion, Judaism should still be practiced in the Israelite way and its prayers recited properly.Let me not forget to mention the quality of the Siddur; I love Koren quality. The color of the pages, the print are very attractive. I have the standard edition thus I can say that the size of the Siddur and the print are good for home use. I bring a smaller, Hebrew only, Siddur to the Synagogue as this size may be a little too heavy!I highly recommend this publication!

I am converting to Judaism and early on I used the ArtScroll Mesorah Siddur, which was indispensable due to the amount of commentary and instructions on Halachic prayer, however the English translation of the prayers was often stiff. In fact, ArtScroll has actually stated that the English translation was never given with the intention that it be used for prayer.So, after exhaustive research I came to the Koren Sacks, which is amazing. The translation of the text just flows and it really serves to enhance my Kavanah and elevate my experience. Additionally, the Siddur has a guide to the year in the back that describes the halacha for prayer throughout the year (which days what prayers are said, etc.) There are only a few things that I dislike. I have found quite a few misspellings and grammatical errors, but they are usually far and in between so they don't hurt much. I am also finding that while Chief Rabbi Sacks' commentary is brilliant, I am missing the more exhaustive commentary found in the ArtScroll.

Compact but the print is extremely small -- fine for someone young but not for someone past the age of 40. I would really like to find a good Nusach Sefard Mincha/Maariv bencher that has Mincha and Maariv separate, not top and bottom the way that Art Scroll now has it. I find the Art Scroll benchers very user unfriendly. I am gabbai for a Mincha minyan, so I am always looking for good benchers. The best is probably the Nusach Ari bencher, but few who come to our Minyan want that Nusach.Alan FisherP.S. I don't know how it happened, but my review above is not for the Koren Sacks Siddur shown in the photo. The complete Koren Sacks Siddur does not have the problem of the small print (which is a problem for the paperback Mincha/Maariv bencher). However, the Nusach Sefard Siddur from Koren Sacks has some unconventional choices. For example, it has Shalom Ra'av rather than Seem Shalom for Maariv during the week. I have never seen a Nusach Sefard shul make this choice, and my Rabbinic authority (whose dissertation was on the SIddur) says that it is wrong.

I am very happy with this siddur. The paper is a creamy yellow and the text a crisp black. Both the Hebrew and English text is very easy to read - amazingly I can read the smallest text. For comparison, I compared it's fonts to those on a $1 bill. The smallest font is slightly larger than the text on the bill that says, "Secretary of the Treasury". The main text font is slightly larger than where on the $1 bill it says, "This note is legal tender for all debts, public, and private".There are two ribbons (red & blue) for holding your place. So far, I would place the readability of the Koren published products (I also have the Koren Tanakh) above those by ArtScroll.

It's easier to navigate than my Artscroll siddur, which I also like for different reasons. There are things missing in this one that I enjoy in the Artscroll, which is an Ashkenaz edition. This is the one we use now in the synagogue I attend, and I wanted to have the same one as the rest of my congregation. I enjoy reading the comments written by Koren and Rabbi Sacks.

Very good. I recommend this Siddur without hesitation. Gives alternate readings in the back; font clear; formatting the best I've seen.

Great. Paper a bit too thin, so you can see the letters coming through from the back page

Perfect!

Excellent prayer book! Very good english translation with terrific explanatory notes and references.

Super It is most help for my spiritual life