Landmark Edition of Alter Rebbe’s Siddur Published in 3 Volumes

The landmark edition of the Alter Rebbe’s Siddur with annotations, sources, and insights, the 20-year project of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Raskin, rov of Anash in London and host of the popular weekly halacha shiur on Anash.org, is now available as a three-volume set with many new sections and commentary.

Chabad Chasidim are known for their unique prayer text, created by the Alter Rebbe, the founder of Chabad. This siddur stands out with its many differences—big and small—from the versions used by other Jewish communities. 

Often, we notice changes in phrasing, halachic rulings, or minhagim, and we’re left wondering where they came from and what they mean. Even the structure of the prayers, which evolved over generations starting with the Anshe Knesses Hagedolah, includes countless variations and practices, many of which leave us with how they came to be. 

Over 20 years ago, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Raskin addressed these questions with his original work on the subject, published by Kehot Publication Society. His detailed study of the Alter Rebbe’s siddur explained countless nuances in the text, halacha, and customs, providing clarity for a broad audience. The book was an instant success—it sold out quickly and became a staple for many Chabad communities. 

Now, Rabbi Raskin has taken his work to the next level. He’s expanded and reworked it into a three-volume set that covers nearly every detail of the siddur. This updated edition includes sources, annotations, explanations, and reasons for almost everything in the prayer text and the halachic sections (except for the Passover Haggadah, which stands on its own). 

The beautiful graphic design and layout was meticulously done by the Kehot Liturgy department headed by Rabbi Yirmi Berkowitz. 

“This set is a major step forward in Kehot’s publishing efforts,” says Rabbi Yosef B. Friedman, director of Kehot. “It makes the Alter Rebbe’s incredible contributions to the nusach hatefillah accessible to Torah scholars and anyone studying Jewish liturgy and Chabad traditions. 

“There’s no doubt that this groundbreaking work will become an instant classic.” 

The set is currently available at a steep discount during the grand Kehot Hei Teves Sale.