The Russian Annotated Siddur, published by the F.R.E.E. Publishing House, promises to make prayer services for Russian-language readers a more meaningful experience.

Featuring clear Hebrew and Russian typesetting along with easy to follow instructions The Russian Annotated Siddur has the same annotations and instructions as the highly acclaimed English Annotated Siddur, first published in 2002 by Kehot Publication Society.

With clear and easy to follow instructions, the siddur makes it possible for a newcomer , praying for the first time, to pick it up and start praying without the need for guidance

“The siddur is expected to enhance worshiper participation, increase enthusiasm, create a more meaningful synagogue experience and become a staple for Russian Jewish communities worldwide,” says Rabbi Yosef Y. Okunov, director of F.RE.E. Publishing House.

The siddur is translated into Russian from the Tehillat Hashem, Nusach Ha-ari Zal, according to the text of Rabbi Schneur Zalman, the founder of Chabad Chasidus, who researched sixty different versions of the Siddur and subjected every word to careful scrutiny, making it linguistically faultless according to all the complexities of Hebrew grammar and syntax. He also incorporated into the text every detail and intention of Lurianic Kabbalah, in addition to meticulously following the Talmudic and Halachic rulings concerning the prayers.

This Siddur includes Selichot, Hoshanot, Pirkei Avot, and the Torah reading for various festivals, as well as the daily, Sabbath and Festival prayers. Also a detailed presentation of the laws relating to the prayers has been added as an appendix called "Selected Laws and Customs." This is in addition to the "Rulings of the Alter Rebbe" section.

Some of the features include shaded boxes to indicate prayer changes for special occasions; transliterated essentials like Kaddish and Borchu appear as needed eliminating page flipping; instructions for when to rise and when to remain seated, and other customs appear both on the Russian and Hebrew pages along with headings to identify major prayer sections.

Printed on lightweight Bible paper, in 6x9 format, the Siddur weighs 2.4 pounds and will also be helpful for synagogues who call out the pages during the prayers as it has matching page numbers to the English Annotated Edition.

Rabbi Naftoly Hershkovich, Chabad & F.R.E.E. of Niles, Illinois said, “Our congregants love the new Siddur, especially the annotations, laws and customs, Ashkenazic and Sephardic transliterations. Davening for our Russian readers has become a more pleasurable experience.