OFAN (OFANNIM):

By: Gotthard Deutsch

Name by which is known that part of the morning prayer in which the praise of the Lord by the heavenly host is described. This passage begins with the words "The ofannim [wheels] and the holy living creatures with great uproar raise themselves up; facing the Seraphim they say, 'Praised be the glory of the Lord from his place.'" The idea of the passage is based on Ezekiel's vision (ch. i.). The piyyuṭ inserted in this passage expatiates on the theme of the heavenly host praising the Lord.

D.