Nusach
Edot HaMizrach (Sephardic) Siddur
The classic Beit Yosef nusach, on iPhone and Android. The siddur of most Sephardic-Mizrahi communities in Israel and abroad.
What is Edot HaMizrach
The nusach of Jews from Mediterranean, North African, and Middle Eastern lands: Iraqi, Syrian, Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian, Tunisian, Libyan, Persian, Caucasian, and other communities. It rests on the rulings of Maran R. Yosef Karo (the Beit Yosef, author of the Shulchan Aruch) and on Lurianic kabbalah.
In Israel, this is the nusach of most Sephardic congregations. Abroad, it is widespread in Syrian communities in Brooklyn, Iraqi communities in London, and Moroccan communities in France and Canada. While often spoken of as "one nusach", subtle local variations exist.
How Otot handles Edot HaMizrach
- Bakashot before Shacharit, including Patach Eliyahu and traditional piyutim.
- "Mizmor LeDavid" before Mincha (instead of the classic Ashrei opening).
- Shabbat morning piyutim: bakashot, azharot, and pre-Nishmat piyutim.
- Selichot during the teshuvah season and on fast days.
- "V'Yatzmach Purkanei" and Edot HaMizrach Kaddish phrasing.
- Tikkun Chatzot in the classic Sephardic version.
- All insertions (Yaaleh v'Yavo, Al HaNissim, Sefirat HaOmer) automatic.
Frequently asked questions
Does Edot HaMizrach include the Yemenite nusach?
In Otot, Edot HaMizrach is a unified nusach close to Beit Yosef (the classic Sephardic per Maran R. Yosef Karo). The Yemenite nusachim (Baladi or Shami) are a separate family. A future split into sub-nusachim is on the roadmap: general Edot HaMizrach, Yemenite Baladi, Yemenite Shami, Moroccan, and Sephardic-Jerusalem.
Are Selichot included?
Yes, full Selichot: from Rosh Chodesh Elul through Yom Kippur, for the Ten Days of Repentance, for the fast days (Tisha B'Av, Tzom Gedaliah, Asarah B'Tevet, Ta'anit Esther, 17th of Tammuz), and for naming a yoledet. All in Edot HaMizrach nusach.
Are there piyutim for Shabbat morning?
Yes. Otot includes the classic piyutim said on Shabbat morning in Sephardic-Mizrahi communities: "Azamer Bishvachin", "Hashem Melech", piyutei bakashot for the parsha of the week, and local Shabbat piyutim (Azharot of R. Shlomo ibn Gabirol, etc.). Text only, no recordings.
What's the difference between the Iraqi and Syrian nusachim?
There are nuance differences: piyut order, pronunciation of certain words, and the order of certain bakashot before Shacharit. Most differences lie in the piyut sections, not the core siddur (blessings, Amidah, Kaddish). Otot uses a standard Edot HaMizrach text widely accepted in Israeli shuls.