The traditional Hebrew prayer for Jews in captivity. It is recited in many services while the Torah scroll is returned to the closet so that the imprisoned brothers and sisters can soon return and participate in the Torah reading. The public reading of the Torah and participation in it is a central aspect of Jewish life in freedom and should be possible for all Jews at all times.
Imprisonment prevents participation in the Torah reading, so the Acheinu is prayed emphatically and in an impressive manner.
