Nusach
Ashkenazi siddur (Nusach Ashkenaz)
The full Nusach Ashkenaz, on iPhone and Android. Pointed Hebrew text, automatic insertions, and accurate local zmanim that work offline.
What Nusach Ashkenaz actually is
Nusach Ashkenaz is the prayer rite that crystallized in central and western European Jewish communities (mainly Germany and northern France) starting around the 10th century. It later became the standard rite of Litvish (Lithuanian-derived) communities, most North American Modern Orthodox shuls, the Yeshivish world, and Anglo-Jewish communities in London, New York, and Los Angeles. In Israel it is common among non-Chassidic descendants of European Jews.
Classic identifiers: Baruch She\'amar before Hodu in Pesukei DeZimra, a relatively short Korbanot section in Shacharit, and a more conservative Kaddish text. Most differences from Nusach Sfard are nuance, not substance.
How Otot handles it
Pick Ashkenaz once in settings and forget about it. The siddur opens to the prayer you need now, shows the insertions that match today\'s date, and hides what does not apply. No flipping pages, no forgetting Al HaNissim on Chanukah.
- Yaaleh v\'Yavo on Rosh Chodesh, Chol HaMoed, and Yom Tov, placed automatically in Amidah and Birkat HaMazon.
- Tachanun added or skipped on its own, including "V\'hu Rachum" on Mondays and Thursdays in Nusach Ashkenaz.
- Sefirat HaOmer appears after Maariv on every relevant night, with a built-in counter.
- Al HaNissim for Chanukah and Purim, Al HaMitzvot at the seder, and so on.
- Local zmanim powered by kosher-zmanim, the same engine MyZmanim uses.
Comparing the three nusachim
Common differences across the three nusachim, neutral view. There is no "right" or "less right" here, just different community minhagim.
| Topic | Ashkenaz | Sfard (Chassidic) | Edot HaMizrach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pesukei DeZimra order | Baruch She\'amar, then Hodu | Hodu before Baruch She\'amar | Hodu before Baruch She\'amar |
| Korbanot in Shacharit | Short version | Long version, Pitum HaKetoret | Long version with extra bakashot |
| Patach Eliyahu | Not said | Said before Mincha | Said before Shacharit, with bakashot |
| Kaddish text | No "V\'yatzmach Purkaneh" | Includes "V\'yatzmach Purkaneh" | Includes it, slightly different wording |
| Tikkun Chatzot | Uncommon in shul | Classic Chassidic practice | Common Sephardic practice |
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch nusach mid-day?
Yes. The nusach setting is per-device, and you can move between Ashkenaz, Sefard, and Edot HaMizrach at any time from the home screen. The insertions (Yaaleh v'Yavo, Al HaNissim, Tachanun) update automatically based on the nusach you picked and the current date.
Does Otot have the right tunes for my shul?
No. Otot is text-only. We render Nusach Ashkenaz with full nikud and ta'amei mikra, but no audio. Most Litvish, Yeshivish, and Modern Orthodox communities share the same printed text and differ only in havara (pronunciation) and minhagei nigun (tune customs).
What about Chabad? Is that the same?
No. Chabad uses Nusach Ari (closer to Nusach Sfard but with specific edits from the Alter Rebbe's siddur). Otot does not currently have a separate Chabad option, so a Chabadnik would pick Sefard and lean on a printed siddur for the small overrides. A dedicated Chabad nusach is on the roadmap.
Is Yom Kippur Katan included?
Yes. The full Erev Rosh Chodesh Yom Kippur Katan service is in Nusach Ashkenaz, including the selichot and viduy. We do not show it by default every day, only on dates when it is said.
Does Tachanun show up automatically on the right days?
Yes. Otot knows when Tachanun is skipped: Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah, Purim, Yom Tov, the month of Nisan, Lag BaOmer, from Rosh Chodesh Sivan through after Shavuot, Tisha B'Av Mincha, and at a beit avel. In Nusach Ashkenaz, Monday and Thursday Tachanun includes "V'hu Rachum".