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KEDUSHA
Speaking of Kedusha, as we were in last week's issue, there is an interesting "special reason" for the number of words in the introductory call to say Kedusha. Based on the Midrash, this idea works well with Nusach Ashkenaz and slightly less so with Nusach S'fard as well as the Nusach of Eidot Mizrach. Both: NEKADESH ET SHIMCHA BA'OLAM... and the Shabbat & Yom Tov Musaf intro NAARITZCHA V'NAKDISHCHA... has 21 words of introduction and preparation before saying G-d's name. This, says the Midrash, is taught to us by Moshe Rabeinu in the beginning of Haazinu.
HAAZINU HASHAMAYIM V'A'DABEIRA....
There are 21 words before Moshe uses G-d's name.
The intro in Nusach S'fard has 22 words before G-d's name. Perhaps the word SOD "crept in" to the text at a later time and the word-count was inadvertently altered.
And forget about Musaf with KETER and YACHAD - the numbers don't fit at all.


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