The Difference Between Ashkenazic and Sephardic Prayer

A word about praying.

There is a significant difference, generally speaking, between Ashkenazic and Sephardic praying.

Ashkenazic praying is faster than Sephardic praying.

The Ashkenzim say the first and last lines of each particular prayer out loud.

The Sephardim pronounce every word of each prayer out loud.

Don't get me wrong.  I have been to slow Ashkenazic prayer services and fast Sephardic ones.  But as a rule, among the common people, Sephardim are slower.

Why is this?

Simple answer:  Sephardim are more comfortable with G-d than Ashkenazim.  When you are comfortable with someone, why would you want to rush through your meeting and leave?


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