Weekday Siddur Sefard Linear
סידור ספרד לימות החול
merged
https://www.sefaria.org/Weekday_Siddur_Sefard_Linear
This file contains merged sections from the following text versions:
-The Metsudah siddur: a new linear siddur with English translation by Avrohom Davis, 1981
-https://www.nli.org.il/he/books/NNL_ALEPH002211687
Weekday Siddur Sefard Linear
The Morning Prayers
Upon Arising in the Morning
Upon waking in the morning, even before washing your hands, say:
I give thanks to You
living and everlasting King
for You have restored my soul with mercy.
Great is Your faithfulness.
After washing your hands, say:
The beginning of wisdom is fear of Adonoy,
good understanding
to all who perform [His commandments],
His praise endures forever.
Blessed [is His] Name,
Whose glorious kingdom
is forever and ever.
Before putting on your tallis katan say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe
Who sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us
concerning the mitzva of tzitzis (fringes).
May it be Your will
Adonoy, my God, and God of my fathers,
to consider [my fulfillment of]
the mitzva of tzitzis before You
as though I had fulfilled it
in every detail,
accurately and with full intent,
and the 613 commandments
that depend on it.
Amein, Selah.
Putting On the Tallis
While examining the fringes of the tallis say:
My soul, bless Adonoy,
Adonoy, my God, You are greatly exalted.
With beauty and splendor
are You clothed
enwrapped in light, garment-like;
You spread out the heavens like a curtain.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who sanctified us with(His commandments
and commanded us
to enwrap ourselves with tzitzis.
Cover your head with the tallis and say:
How precious is Your kindness, God;
the children of men
take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
They will be filled
from the abundance of Your House,
and from the stream of Your delights
You will give them to drink.
For with You is the source of life,
in Your light shall we see light.
Extend Your kindness
to those who know You,
and Your righteousness
to the upright in heart.
Putting on the Tefillin
Place the "tefillin of the arm" on the muscle of your left arm, and before tightening it, say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us to put on tefillin.
Wrap the strap around your arm 7 times and then place the "tefillin of the head" on your head above the region between your eyes, and say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who sanctified us with His commandments,
and commanded us
concerning the mitzvoh of tefillin.
Then say immediately:
Blessed [is His] Name, Whose glorious kingdom
is forever and ever.
With the "tefillin of the head" in place, say:
And from Your wisdom, most high Almighty,
may You impart to me;
and from Your understanding,
give me understanding.
With Your lovingkindness,
do great things with me.
With Your merit,
cut off my enemies and opponents.
Pour bountiful oil
upon the seven branches of the menorah,
in order to cause goodness
to flow to Your creatures.
Open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
When wrapping the strap around the middle finger of your left hand, say:
And I will betrothe you to me forever;
and I will betrothe you to me
in righteousness,
in justice, in kindliness, and in mercy.
And I will betrothe you to me in faithfulness
and you shall know Adonoy.
The following chapters, found in Exodus 13:1-16, are recited while wearing the tefillin, since they make direct reference to the mitzvah of tefillin.
Adonoy spoke to Moses, saying: "Sanctify unto me all the firstborn whatsoever opens the womb among the Children of Israel, both of man and beast is Mine." And Moses said to the people: "Remember this day on which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, for with a strong hand Adonoy brought you out from here, and [therefore] you must not eat chametz. This day you are departing, in the month of springtime. And it will be when Adonoy will bring you to the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites, and the Emorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, you shall perform this service in this month. Seven days, you shall eat matzos, and on the seventh day there shall be a festival [dedicated] to Adonoy. Matzos shall be eaten during these seven days, and no chametz and no leaven shall be seen in your possession within all your boundaries. And you shall relate to your son on that day, saying: ‘Because of this Adonoy acted on my behalf when I came out of Egypt. And it shall be for a sign upon your arm and for a reminder between your eyes so that Adonoy's teaching will be [the words of] your mouth; for with a strong hand Adonoy brought you out of Egypt. And you shall keep this ordinance in its appointed time from year to year.
And it will be, when Adonoy will bring you to the land of the Canaanites as He swore unto you and to your fathers, and will have given it to you. Then you shall bring to Adonoy every one that opens the womb, and every firstling that is dropped by cattle that belong to you, the males shall belong to Adonoy, The firstling of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you do not redeem it, then you must kill it by breaking its neck. You must redeem every firstborn of man among your children. And it will be when your son asks you in future times, saying: ‘What is this?' You shall say to him: ‘With a strong hand Adonoy brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. And it was when Pharaoh unyieldingly refused to let us go, that Adonoy killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of man, to the firstborn of beast; therefore I sacrifice to Adonoy all that opens the womb that are males, and every firstborn of my sons, I redeem.' And it shall be a sign upon your arm, and for totafos between your eyes, for with a strong hand, Adonoy brought us out of Egypt.
Ma Tovu
Before beginning the Morning Prayers you should say the following:
I hereby accept upon myself
the positive commandment
to love my fellow Jew.
The following verses from Scriptures are recited upon entering the synagogue, as though asking permission of God to enter and pray in His Holy place.
How good are your tents, Jacob:
your dwelling places, Israel.
As for me, through Your abundant kindness
I will enter Your House;
I will prostrate myself
toward Your Holy Sanctuary in awe of You.
Adonoy, I love the Dwelling, Your House,
and the place where Your glory resides.
I will prostrate myself, and bow,
I will kneel before Adonoy, my Maker.
May my prayer to You Adonoy
be at a favorable time;
God, in the abundance of Your kindness
answer me
with the truth of Your deliverance.
Adon Olam
This hymn has been attributed to R' Shlomo ibn Gabirol who lived in Spain during the eleventh century. While praising God's omnipotence and providence, it clarifies the meaning of the name Adonoy so that before proceeding to pray, each worshiper understands the significance of the God he is addressing.
Master of the Universe Who reigned
before any creature was created.
At the time when all was made by His will,
then was His Name proclaimed King.
And after all things shall cease to be
the Awesome One will reign alone.
He was, He is,
and He shall be in glory.
He is One, and there is no second
to compare to Him, to associate [with Him].
Without beginning, without end,
power and dominion are His.
He is my God and my ever-living Redeemer,
the Rock of my destiny in times of distress.
He is my flag and my refuge;
He is the portion of my cup on the day I call.
Into His hand I entrust my spirit
[both] when I sleep and when I awaken.
And with my spirit my body [too],
Adonoy is with me, I shall not fear.
Yigdal
This hymn, written by Daniel ben Yehuda, who was a Dayan in Rome about 1300, is based on Maimonides' 13 principles of Judaism. According to Maimonides, failure to believe in a single one of these principles places one outside the pale of Judaism.
1) the existence of God
Exalted is the living God, and praised
He exists, and His existence transcends time.
2) God is One
He is One, and there is no unity like His,
He is invisible, His unity is infinitive.
3) God is uncorporeal
He is unlike the corporeal
or even the non-corporeal,
His holiness is beyond comparison.
4) God is Eternal
He preceded every being that was created,
He was First,
and there was no genesis to His beginning.
5) God alone must be worshipped
He is Master of the Universe to every creature,
(all) proclaim His greatness and His majesty.
6) Truth of Divine Prophecy
The fullness of His prophecy, He bestowed
on those He treasured,
and in whom He gloried.
7) Moses was the greatest of all prophets
There never arose in Israel
another like Moses,
a prophet who beheld God's image.
8) Divine revelation of the Torah
The Torah of truth
the Almighty gave to His people
through His prophet,
the trusted one of His house.
9) The Torah is immutable
The Almighty will not exchange
nor alter His Law.
Never will He offer any alternative.
10) God knows the acts and thoughts of man
He scrutinizes and knows our secrets.
He beholds the end of a thing at its beginning.
11) Divine reward and punishment
He rewards man with kindness
according to his deeds.
He sends evil to the wicked
according to his wickedness.
12) Belief in the coming of the Messiah
He will send our Messiah at the end of days,
to redeem all who await His final deliverance.
13) Divine resurrection of the dead
The Almighty will revive the dead
because of His abundant kindness:
Blessed forever is His praised Name.
Blessings Upon Arising
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us
concerning the washing of hands.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who formed man with wisdom
and created within him openings
and hollows.
It is obvious and known
in the presence of Your glorious throne
that if one of them were ruptured,
or if one of them were blocked,
it would be impossible to exist
and stand in Your Presence
even for a short while.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who heals all flesh
and performs wonders.
My God!
the soul which You bestowed in me is pure;
You created it, You formed it,
You breathed it into me
and You preserve it within me.
You will eventually take it from me,
and restore it in me in the time to come.
So long as the soul is within me
I give thanks to You, Adonoy my God,
and God of my fathers,
Lord of all creatures,
Master of all souls.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who restores souls
to dead bodies.
Blessings of the Torah
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us
to be engrossed in the words of Torah.
Adonoy our God, please make pleasant
the words of Your Torah in our mouths
and in the mouths of Your people Israel.
And may we and our descendants
and the descendants of Your people
the House of Israel,
all be perceivers of Your Name
and students of Your Torah for its own sake.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
Who teaches Torah to His people, Israel.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe
Who chose us from among all the peoples
and gave us His Torah.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Giver of the Torah!
And Adonoy spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying,
thus shall you bless the Children of Israel,
say to them:
May Adonoy bless you and guard you.
May Adonoy shine
His countenance upon you
and be gracious unto you.
May Adonoy turn
His countenance toward you
and grant you peace.
And they shall set My Name
upon the Children of Israel,
and I shall bless them.
These are precepts
for which no fixed measure is prescribed:
[leaving] the corner [of a field unharvested],
[the offering of] the first fruits,
the appearance-offering,
[performing] deeds of kindness,
and the study of Torah.
These are precepts,
the fruits of which man enjoys
in this world,
[while] the principal [reward]
is preserved for him in the World-to-Come.
They are:
honoring father and mother,
[performing] deeds of kindness,
early attendance in the House of Study
morning and evening,
providing hospitality to guests,
visiting the sick,
participating in making a wedding,
accompanying the dead [to the grave],
concentrating on the meaning of prayers,
making peace between fellow men
and between husband and wife—
and the study of Torah is equal to them all.
Morning Blessings
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who gives the rooster understanding
to distinguish between day and night.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who did not make me a gentile.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who did not make me a slave.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who did not make me a woman.
A woman says:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who made me according to His will.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who gives sight to the blind.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who clothes the naked.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who releases the imprisoned.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who straightens the bent.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who spreads the earth above the waters.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who prepares the steps of man.
On Tishah B'Av and on Yom Kippur this berachah is omitted.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who provided me with all my needs.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who girds Israel with might.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who crowns Israel with glory.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who gives strength to the weary.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who removes sleep from my eyes
and slumber from my eyelids.
And may it be Your will
Adonoy, our God
And God of our fathers,
to make us study Torah regularly,
and hold fast to Your commandments.
Do not bring us
into the grasp of sin,
nor into the grasp of
transgression or iniquity.
Do not cause us to be tested,
or brought to disgrace.
Let us not be ruled over
by the Evil Inclination.
Keep us far from an evil person,
and from an evil companion.
Make us hold fast to the Good Inclination,
and to good deeds,
and compel our Evil Inclination
to be subservient to You.
Grant us this day and every day
favor, kindness, and compassion
in Your eyes
and in the eyes of all who see us,
and bestow bountiful kindness upon us,
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who bestows bountiful kindness
upon His people Israel.
May it be Your will,
Adonoy, my God
and God of my fathers,
to save me today and every day
from arrogant men and from arrogance;
from an evil man, from an evil companion,
from an evil neighbor;
from an evil mishap
from an evil eye,
from a malicious tongue, from slander,
from false testimony, from hatred
from scandal, from unnatural death,
from harsh disease, and from misfortune,
and from the destructive Satan;
from a difficult judgment
and a difficult opponent,
whether he is a fellow Jew
or not a fellow Jew
and from the retribution of Gehinnom.
Akeidah (The Binding of Isaac)
Our God and God of our fathers,
remember us favorably before You
and be mindful of us for
deliverance and compassion
from the eternal high heavens.
Remember in our behalf, Adonoy, our God:
the love of our ancestors,
Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants;
the covenant, the kindness,
and the oath which You swore
to our father Abraham on Mount Moriah,
and the binding
of Isaac, his son
on the altar,
as it is written in Your Torah.
After these events,
God tested Abraham
and said to him, "Abraham!"
and he [Abraham] said, "Here I am."
He said, "Please, take your son,
your only one,
whom you love—Isaac—
and go to the land of Moriah,
and bring him up as a burnt-offering
on one of the mountains
which I will designate to you.
Abraham awoke early in the morning,
saddled his donkey,
and took his two attendants with him,
and also his son Isaac.
He split the wood of the burnt-offering,
and rose up, and went to the place
that God had designated to him.
On the third day,
Abraham lifted his eyes
and saw the place from afar.
Abraham said to his attendants,
You stay here with the donkey,
and I and the boy will go to that place.
We will prostrate ourselves [in worship]
and return to you."
And Abraham took
the wood of the burnt-offering
and placed it on his son Isaac.
In his hand he took
the fire and the knife,
and they both went together.
Isaac spoke to Abraham his father
and said, "Father,"
and he said, "Here I am my son."
He said, "Here are the fire and the wood,
but where is the lamb for the burnt-offering?"
Abraham said,
God Himself will show the lamb
for a burnt offering, my son."
And the two of them went together.
They came to the place
that God had designated to him,
and Abraham built the altar there,
and arranged the wood,
and bound his son Isaac,
and placed him on the altar,
on top of the wood.
Abraham reached out his hand
and took the knife
to slaughter his son.
An angel of Adonoy called to him
from heaven
and said, "Abraham! Abraham!"
and he said, "Here I am."
He [God] said,
Do not harm the boy,
nor do anything to him;
for now I know
that you are one who fears God
and have not withheld your son,
your only one, from Me."
Abraham raised his eyes
and beheld a ram
after it had been caught in the thicket
by its horns;
and Abraham went and took the ram,
and brought it up as a burnt-offering
instead of his son.
Abraham called
the name of that place,
Adonoy will see;
as it is said [to] this day
On Adonoy's mountain, He will be seen.
An angel of Adonoy called to Abraham
a second time from heaven, and said,
‘I have sworn by Myself,' declares Adonoy,
‘that because you performed
this deed,
and did not withhold
your only son,
I will greatly bless you
and make your descendants as numerous
as the stars of the sky
and like the sand on the seashore,
and your descendants will inherit
the gate of their enemies.
Through your children, will be blessed
all the nations of the world,
because you heeded My voice.'"
Abraham returned to his attendants,
and they rose and went together
to Beer Sheva,
and Abraham dwelt in Beer Sheva.
On a day when Tachanun is not said, the following paragraph is omitted.
Master of the Universe!
just as our father, Abraham suppressed
his compassion
to do Your will with his whole heart,
so may your compassion suppress
your anger against us;
and may your compassion prevail
over your [other] attributes.
Act with us Adonoy, our God,
kindly and with compassion.
In your great goodness
turn away your fierce anger
from your people, and from your city,
from your land
and from your territorial heritage.
Fulfill for us, Adonoy, our God,
the promise you made in your Torah,
through your servant, Moses,
as it says,
I will recall my covenant with Jacob,
also my covenant with Isaac,
and also my covenant with Abraham
will I recall;
and I will recall the land.
And it is said: "And even then
when they are in the land of their enemies
I will not abhor them
nor sparn them to destroy them—
to annul my covenant with them;
for I am Adonoy, their God."
And it is said:
And I will recall for them
the covenant with their ancestors
whom I took out
from the land of Egypt
before the eyes of the nations,
to be their God, I am Adonoy.
And it is said:
"And Adonoy, Your God, will return
your exiles and have compassion upon you,
and will again gather you
from [among] all the nations
where Adonoy, your God, has scattered you.
Even if your dispersed
will be scattered to the ends of the world,
from there
Adonoy, your God, will gather you,
and from there He will fetch you.
And it is said:
And Adonoy, your God will bring you
into the land your forefathers inherited.
And you will inherit it;
And He will do good to you
and multiply you
more than your forefathers.
And it is said by Your prophets:
Adonoy, be gracious to us,
[for] we put our hope in You;
be their strength every morning;
also our deliverance in time of distress.
And it is said:
It is a time of trouble for Jacob,
but he will be delivered from it
And it is said:
In all their affliction, He is afflicted,
and the angel of His Presence delivered them;
in His love and in His pity,
He redeemed them,
and bore them and carried them forever.
and it is said:
Who is an Almighty like You,
forbearer of iniquity
and forgiver of transgression
for the remnant of his heritage?
He does not maintain His wrath forever,
for He desires to do kindness.
He will again show us compassion,
He will suppress our iniquities;
And you will cast into the depths of the sea
all their sins.
You will grant truth to Jacob,
kindliness to Abraham
as You swore to our fathers
from the days of old.
And it is said:
And I will bring them to My holy moutain;
and make them joyful in My House of Prayer;
their burnt-offerings and sacrifices
will be accepted with favor on My Altar,
for My House
will be called a House of Prayer
for all peoples.
Morning Supplications
A person should always be in fear of God,
privately as well as openly,
[he should] admit the truth,
and speak truth in his heart,
and rise early and proclaim:
Lord of all the worlds
and Master of masters!
Not on account of our righteousness
do we offer our supplications before You,
but on account of Your abundant mercy.
What are we? What is our life?
What are our acts of kindness?
What is our righteousness?
What is our deliverance?
What is our strength? What is our might?
What can we say before You,
Adonoy, our God and God of our fathers?
Are not all the mighty men
as nothing before You?
Famous men as though they had never been?
The wise as if they were without knowledge?
And men of understanding,
as if they were devoid of intelligence?
For most of their actions are a waste,
and the days of their life
are trivial in Your presence.
The superiority of man over the beast
is nil,
for all is futile.
Except the pure soul
which is destined to give an accounting
before the Throne of Your Glory.
All the nations are as nothing before you,
as it is written:
The nations are as a drop of a bucket—
no more than dust upon the scales
are they considered!
Behold, the isles are like the flying dust.
However, we are Your people,
children of Your covenant,
children of Abraham, Your beloved,
to whom You swore on Mount Moriah;
the seed of Isaac, his only son,
who was bound on top of the altar;
the community of Jacob, Your firstborn,
[whom]—because of Your love for him
and Your joyous delight in him—
You named him Yisrael
and Yeshurun.
Therefore, we are obligated
to thank You,
to praise You, and to glorify You;
to bless, to sanctify,
and to offer praise and thanks to Your Name.
We are fortunate! How good is our portion!
How pleasant is our destiny!
How beautiful is our heritage!
We are fortunate
we who rise early and stay late
in synagogues and houses of study,
and unify Your Name each day—always
and lovingly say twice:
"Hear Israel, Adonoy is our God,
Adonoy is One."
The following three lines are to be said silently
Blessed [is His] Name,
Whose glorious kingdom
is forever and ever.
And you shall love Adonoy your God
with all your heart
and with all your soul
and with all your possessions.
And these words
which I command you today,
shall be upon your heart.
And you shall teach them sharply
to your children.
And you shall discuss them
when you sit in your house,
and when you travel on the road,
and when you lie down and when you rise.
And you shall bind them for a sign
upon your hand,
and they shall be for totafos
between your eyes.
And you shall write them
upon the doorposts of your house
and upon your gateways.
You existed
before the world was created.
You exist [in the same way]
now that the world has been created.
You exist in this world,
and You will exist in the World-to-Come.
Sanctify Your Name
upon those who hallow Your Name,
and sanctify Your Name in Your world.
And through Your deliverance
You will be exalted
and You will uplift our power,
and deliver us speedily
for the sake of Your Name.
Blessed is He who sanctifies His Name
among the multitudes.
You are Adonoy, our God,
in heaven and on earth,
and in the highest heavens.
In truth, You are First,
and You are Last.
And besides You there is no God.
Gather the scattered who hope in You
from the four corners of the earth.
Let all mankind recognize and know
that You alone are the God
over all the kingdoms of the earth.
You made the heavens,
the earth,
the sea, and all that is in them.
Who is there among all Your handiwork,
among the heavenly or earthly creatures,
that can say to You, "What are You doing?"
and what are you making
Our father in Heaven, living and eternal [One]
deal graciously and kindly with us
for the sake of your great name
[which is] mighty and awesome
which is called upon us
and fulfill for us, Adonoy, our God
that which is written:
the promise you made to us
through Zephaniah, your prophet
as it is said:
‘At that time, I will bring you in
and at that time, I will gather you:
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I bring back your captivity
before your eyes,' said Adonoy.
Korbanos (Sacrificial Offerings)
The Talmud (Maseches Menachos 110a) states: Rabbi Isaac asked, "Why does it say (Leviticus 6:18; 7:1) This is the law of the sin-offering, this is the law of the guilt-offering? To teach us that when one studies the law of the sin-offering, it is considered as though he had actually brought it on the Altar, and when one studies the law of the guilt-offering, it is as though he actually brought it on the Altar."
Rather than merely recite the following portions, study them and attempt to learn about the laws and significance of the various sacrifices.
Exodus 30:17-21
And Adonoy spoke to Moses to say:
Make a copper laver
and a copper base, for washing;
and place it
between the Tent of Meeting and the Altar,
and put water in it.
Aaron and his sons will wash from it,
their hands and their feet.
Upon entering the Tent of Meeting
they will wash with water that they not die,
or whenever they approach the Altar
to serve, to burn a fire-offering to Adonoy.
They will wash their hands and feet
that they not die;
and this is for them a perpetual statute
for him [Aaron], and his descendants
for all their generations.
The following Scripture section describes the removal of the ashes which had accumulated on the Altar from the daily burnt-offering of the previous afternoon. This removal was performed prior to the daily morning burnt-offering. The passage below also describes the ritual of maintaining the wood pyres which were always burning on the Altar.
Leviticus 6:1
And Adonoy spoke to Moses to say:
Command Aaron and his sons to say,
this is the law of the burnt-offering.
This is the burnt-offering
[which must remain] on its pyre,
upon the Altar all night,
until morning,
and the fire of the Altar
will be kept burning on it.
The Kohein will don his linen garment,
and linen breeches upon his flesh,
and he will remove the ashes
when the fire consumes
the burnt-offering on the Altar;
and he will place them beside the Altar.
He will remove his garments
and don other garments,
and carry the ashes
outside the camp
to an undefiled place.
The fire upon the altar will be kept burning,
it may not be extinguished.
And the Kohein will burn wood on it
every morning,
and arrange on it the burnt-offering,
and burn on it the fats of the peace-offerings.
A constant fire
will be kept burning on the Altar,
it may not be extinguished.
Korban Tamid (Daily Offering)
The Tamid-offerings, two daily offerings of one lamb at a time, were offered once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The former was the first public-offering brought on the Altar each day. And the latter terminated the day's offerings. These animals were purchased from the annual half-shekel gifts of the people and were offered on behalf of the entire Jewish People. Before reading this passage we offer a brief prayer.
Some do not say the following prayer on Sabbath and Yom Tov.
May it be Your will,
Adonoy, our God and God of our fathers,
to have compassion on us,
to forgive us all our sins, [done unknowingly],
to atone all our iniquities, [done knowingly],
to pardon all our [malicious] transgressions,
and may You build the Holy Temple
quickly, in our days,
that we may offer, before You,
the daily burnt-offering to atone for us,
as You wrote for us in Your Torah
by the hand of Moses, Your servant,
from the mouth of Your Reverence,
as it is said:
Numbers 28:1-8
And Adonoy spoke to Moses to say:
Command the Children of Israel,
and say to them:
My offering, My food,
to be consumed by My fires,
a pleasing odor to Me,
You shall be diligent to bring unto Me,
at its fixed time.
And you will say to them:
This is the fire-offering
that you will bring unto Adonoy:
[male] lambs, in their first year,
without blemish,
two [of them] each day,
as a constant burnt-offering.
Offer one lamb in the morning,
and the second lamb,
offer in the afternoon.
And a tenth of an ephah of fine flour
as a meal-offering,
mixed with oil of crushed [olives]
measuring one-fourth of a hin.
[This is] a constant burnt-offering
as offered at Mount Sinai
for a pleasing odor, a fire-offering to Adonoy.
And its libation will be
a fourth of a hin for the one lamb;
in the Holy [Sanctuary] you will pour out
a drink-offering of strong wine to Adonoy.
And the second lamb
you will offer in the afternoon;
as the meal-offering of the morning
[together] with its libation, you shall offer
a fire-offering of pleasing odor to Adonoy.
Leviticus 1:11
And he will slaughter it
on the north side of the Altar,
before Adonoy;
and Aaron's sons, the Kohanim, will sprinkle
its blood all around the Altar.
Some do not say the following prayer on Sabbath and Yom Tov.
May it be Your will,
Adonoy, our God and God of our fathers,
that this recitation be
important, acceptable
and desirable before You,
as if we sacrificed
the daily burnt-offering
at its proper time,
in its proper place
and according to its laws.
You are Adonoy, our God,
before Whom our fathers burned
the incense of spices
when the Holy Temple was standing,
as You commanded them
by the hand of Moses Your prophet,
as it is written in Your Torah:
Ketores (Incense Offering)
Exodus 30:34-36
And Adonoy said to Moses,
Take for yourself spices—
stacte, onycha, and galbanum—
spices, and pure frankincense,
[they] shall be in equal weights.
You will make it into incense,
a compound mixed by a compounder,
salted, undefiled, and holy.
You will pulverize some of it very fine,
and place it before the [Ark of] Testimony
in the Tent of Meeting,
where I will meet with you;
it will be to you holy of holies."
It is also written:
Exodus 30:7-8
And Aaron shall burn upon it [the Altar]
incense of spices every morning;
when he cleans the lamps
he will burn it.
And when Aaron lights the lamps
in the afternoon,
he will burn it;
a constant incense-offering before Adonoy
throughout your generations.
Maseches Kreisos 6a; Jerusalem Talmud, Maseches Yoma 4:5
The Rabbis taught:
How was the incense compounded?
Three hundred and sixty-eight
manim were comprised therein,
three hundred and sixty-five
corresponding to
the number of days in the solar year,
one maneh for each day—
half in the morning
and half in the afternoon.
From the three remaining manim
the Kohein Gadol brought
two handfuls [into the Holy of Holies]
on Yom Kippur;
[for which purpose] they were put back
into the mortar
on the eve of Yom Kippur,
and ground [again] very thoroughly,
in order to make them very fine.
Eleven kinds of spices were used for it.
They were:
1) balm, 2) onycha,
3) galbanum, 4) frankincense—
by weight, seventy maneh of each;
5) myrrh, 6) cassia,
7) spikenard and 8) saffron—
in weight
sixteen maneh of each;
9) twelve maneh of costus,
10) three of aromatic bark,
and 11) nine of cinnamon.
[Also used in the incense compound were:] Nine kabin of Carshina lye,
Cyprus wine [measuring]
three s'in and three kabin—
if he had no Cyprus wine,
he could use strong white wine—
a fourth of a kab of Sodom salt,
and a minute quantity of maaleh ashan.
Rabbi Nosson of Babylonia says,
Jordan amber was added
of a minute quantity,
and if one added honey,
it (the incense) became unfit;
and if one omitted any of its spices
he was liable to the death penalty."
Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel says:
The balm is nothing but sap
which drips from the balsam tree.
the lye of Carshina was used
for rubbing the onycha
in order to refine its appearance.
The Cyprus wine was used
to soak the onycha
to give it a pungent odor.
Though the water of Raglayim
was well suited for that purpose,
they did not bring
the water of Raglayim into the Temple
because it would be disrespectful.
It was taught in a Boraysa:
Rabbi Nosson says,
While [the Kohein] ground [the incense]
he would say,
‘Hodeik heiteiv, heiteiv hodeik,'
because the sound is good for the spices.
If half the quantity of incense was prepared
it was acceptable,
but if only a third
or a fourth [of it was prepared]
we have not heard [whether it was acceptable."]
Rabbi Yehuda said,
This is the general rule:
If [it was prepared with all its ingredients]
in the correct proportion,
it is acceptable
even if only half was prepared;
but if he left out any of its spices,
he was liable for the death penalty.
It was taught in a Boraysa:
Bar Kappara says,
Once in sixty or seventy years
the accumulated surplus was sufficient
to provide half [the yearly quantity of incense."]
Bar Kappara also taught,
If he would have put into it
a minute quantity of honey,
no one could have withstood [resisted]
the scent.
Why was no honey mixed with it?
Because the Torah says, (Leviticus 2:11)
For any leaven or honey,
do not burn from them,
[as] a fire-offering to Adonoy.
Recite each of these verses three times:
Adonoy of Hosts is with us,
a stronghold for us is the God of Jacob, Selah!
Adonoy of Hosts,
fortunate is the man who trusts in You.
Adonoy, deliver [us]!
The King will answer us on the day we call.
You are my shelter;
from distress You preserve me;
with glad song of rescue, You envelop me,
Selah!
Let Adonoy be pleased
with the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem,
as in the days of old and in earlier years.
Abbaye listed
the order of the [daily] Altar service
based on tradition,
and according to the opinion of Abba Shaul:
the [arranging on the Altar of the] great Pyre
precedes the second pyre
[from which live coals are taken] for the incense-offering;
the second pyre of the incense-offering
[is arranged] before
the placement of two logs [on the large pyre]
the placement of the two logs precedes
the removal of the ashes from the inner Altar;
the removal of the ashes from the inner Altar
precedes
the cleaning of five lamps [of the Menorah];
the cleaning of the five lamps precedes
[sprinkling] the blood of the daily-offering;
the blood of the daily-offering precedes
the cleaning of the [remaining] two lamps;
the cleaning of the two lamps precedes
the incense-offering;
the incense-offering precedes
[burning] the limbs [of the daily-offering];
burning the limbs
[precedes] the meal-offering;
the meal-offering [precedes]
the baking-pan-offering;
the baking-pan-offerings [precede]
the wine libations;
the wine-libations [precede]
the Mussaf-offering;
the Mussaf-offering [precedes]
the two bowls of frankincense;
and the two bowls of frankincense precede
the daily afternoon-offering,
for it is said, (Leviticus 6:5)
And [the Kohein] shall arrange on it
the burnt-offering,
and burn on it the fat of the peace-offerings.
Therewith complete
all the offerings [of the day.]
The following is the prayer of Rabbi Nechunya ben Hakanah:
Please, by the force of Your great right hand,
release the bound one.
Accept the prayer of Your people;
strengthen us, purify us, Awesome One!
Please! Mighty One,
those who seek Your Unity,
preserve them like the pupil [of Your eye].
Bless them, purify them,
have compassion on them;
Your benevolent righteousness
[may You] always bestow upon them.
Mighty, Holy One,
in Your abundant goodness,
lead Your community.
Unique One, Exalted, turn to Your people
who are mindful of Your holiness.
Accept our prayer and hear our cry,
[You] Who knows hidden thoughts.
Blessed [is His] Name,
Whose glorious kingdom
is forever and ever.
Master of the Worlds, You commanded us
to bring the Daily offering
at its appointed time;
and have the Kohanim perform their service,
and the Levites
[sing and play music] on the platform,
and the Israelites
[attend] at their Ma'amad.
And now, because of our sins,
the Holy Temple is destroyed,
and the Daily offering discontinued;
we have neither a Kohein at his service,
nor a Levite on his platform,
nor an Israelite at his Ma'amad.
Therefore let it be Your will
Adonoy, our God, and God of our fathers,
that the prayer of our lips
be considered, and accepted
and regarded favorably before You,
as if we had offered the Daily offering
at its appointed time,
and stood in attendance at its service,
as it has been said,
Let the offering of our lips replace bullocks.
And it is said,
And he will slaughter it
on the north side of the Altar,
before Adonoy;
and Aaron's sons, the Kohanim, will sprinkle
its blood all around the Altar.
And it is said,
This is the law
of the burnt-offering,
the meal-offering,
the sin-offering,
the guilt-offering,
the inauguration-offerings
and the peace-offerings.
On Rosh Chodesh add:
And on your Rosh Chodesh days
you shall bring a burnt-offering to Adonoy.
Two young bullocks,
one ram,
seven male yearling lambs
without blemish.
And three-tenths [of an epha] of fine flour
for a meal-offering mixed with the [olive] oil,
for each bullock;
and two-tenths of fine flour
for a meal-offering mixed with the [olive] oil,
for the one ram.
And one-tenth of fine flour each
for a meal-offering mixed with the [olive] oil,
for each lamb;
a burnt-offering of pleasing savor,
a fire-offering to Adonoy.
Their libations shall be:
half a hin for [each] bullock,
a third of a hin for the ram,
and a fourth of a hin for each lamb—wine;
this is the burnt-offering of Rosh Chodesh,
each Rosh Chodesh,
for [all] the Rosh Chodesh days of the year.
And one he-goat
for a sin-offeing to Adonoy,
in addition to the daily burnt-offering
and its libation.
The following sequence of Mishnayos and the selection from Sifra "Rabbi Yishmael Says," were inserted after the Scriptural selections dealing with daily-offerings in order to give every Jew the opportunity to study/recite daily, the minimum of selections from Scripture, Mishnah, and Talmud. Even though Sifra is not actually a Talmudic tractate, it is a Tanaitic expansion of Mishnah. (See Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 50:1).
The following are Mishnayos found in the fifth chapter of Maseches Zevachim.
MISHNAH I
Where are the offerings slaughtered [in the Holy Temple?]
The holiest of offerings are slaughtered
on the north side [of the Altar].
The bullock and he-goat of Yom Kippur
are slaughtered on the north side,
and their blood is received
in a sacred vessel, on the north side.
Their blood must be thrown
between the poles [of the Ark],
and in front of the curtain
and upon the Gold Altar;
[omission of] any one of these applications
prevents [atonement].
The remainder of the blood [in the vessel]
he [the Kohein] would pour
on the western base
of the Outer Altar;
[but] if he did not do so,
it did not prevent [atonement].
MISHNAH II
The bullocks that are burned entirely,
and the he-goats that are burned entirely,
are slaughtered on the north side,
and their blood is received
in a sacred vessel, on the north side;
their blood must be thrown
in front of the curtain
and upon the Gold Altar;
[omission of] any one of these applications
prevents [atonement].
The remainder of the blood [in the vessel]
he [the Kohein] would pour
on the western base
of the Outer Altar;
[but] if he did not do so,
it did not prevent [atonement].
These [offerings] and those are burned
at the place where the ashes were put.
MISHNAH III
The communal and individual sin-offerings—
these are the communal sin-offerings:
The he-goats offered on Rosh Chodesh
and on the Festivals
are slaughtered on the north side,
and their blood must be received
in a sacred vessel, on the north side;
their blood requires four applications
[one] on each of the four corners.
How [was this done]?
He [the Kohein] went up
the ramp [of the Altar]
and turned to the ledge [bordering the Altar];
he came to the southeast corner,
the northeast corner,
the northwest corner,
the southwest corner.
He poured the rest of the blood
at the southern base [of the Altar].
These offerings were eaten
within the Temple Courtyard
by the male Kohanim,
prepared in any fashion,
on that day and [the following] night
until midnight.
May it be Your will
Adonoy, our God, and God of our fathers,
if I have committed a sin which requires,
the bringing of a sin-offering,
that this recitation
be acceptable before you
as if I had brought a sin-offering.
MISHNAH IV
The burnt-offering
is one of the holiest offerings.
It is slaughtered on the north side
and its blood is received in a sacred vessel
on the north side;
its blood requires two applications
which are [like] four.
It must be skinned, severed into parts,
and totally consumed by the fire.
May it be Your will
as if I had brought a burnt-offering.
MISHNAH V
Communal peace-offerings
and guilt-offerings.
These are the guilt-offerings:
the guilt-offering for robbery,
the guilt-offering
for unauthorized use of sacred objects,
the guilt-offering
for violating a betrothed handmaiden,
the guilt-offering of a Nazirite,
the guilt-offering of a metzora,
the guilt-offering for suspension.
These are slaughtered on the north side
and their blood received in a sacred vessel
on the north side;
their blood requires two applications
which are [like] four.
These [offerings] were eaten
within the Courtyard
by the male Kohanim,
prepared for eating in any fashion.
On that day and [the following] night
until midnight.
May it be Your will
Adonoy, our God, and God our our fathers,
if I have committed a sin which requires
the bringing of a guilt-offering
that this recitation
be acceptable before You
as if I had brought a guilt-offering.
MISHNAH VI
The thanksgiving-offering
and the ram of the Nazirite
are of lesser sanctity.
They are slaughtered
anywhere in the Temple Courtyard,
and their blood requires two applications
which are [like] four;
they may be eaten anywhere in the city
by anyone,
and prepared for eating in any fashion,
[and may be eaten] on that day and the following night
until midnight.
The portion given to the Kohanim,
has the same rule,
but may be eaten only by the Kohanim,
their wives, children, and slaves.
May it be Your will
as if I brought a thanksgiving-offering.
MISHNAH VII
The peace-offerings are [also] of lesser sanctity.
They are slaughtered
anywhere in the Courtyard,
and their blood requires two applications
which are [like] four.
They may be eaten anywhere in the city
by anyone,
and prepared for eating in any fashion,
for two days and one night.
The portion given to the Kohanim
has the same rule,
but may be eaten only by the Kohanim,
their wives, children, and slaves.
May it be Your will
as if I brought a peace-offering.
MISHNAH VIII
Firstborn animals, the tithe of cattle
and the Passover-offering (Pascal lamb)
are [also] of lesser sanctity.
They are slaughtered
anywhere in the Temple Courtyard,
and their blood requires one application
provided that it is applied
above the base (of the Altar).
They differ in their consumption:
The firstborn is eaten only by Kohanim,
while the tithe may be eaten by any person.
They may be eaten anywhere in the city,
and prepared for eating in any fashion,
and may be eaten for two days and one night.
The Pascal lamb must be eaten only at night
and only until midnight;
and it may not be eaten
except by those registered for it,
and it may only be eaten when spit-roasted.
Rabbi Yishmael says:
through thirteen methods
the Torah is expounded:
1) A conclusion drawn from a minor or lenient law, to a major or more strict one.
2) A clarification based on identical words or terms in the Biblical text.
3) A principle derived from one Biblical text
or from two Biblical texts.
4) A rule followed by a detail.
5) A detail followed by a rule.
6) A rule followed by a detail,
which is in turn followed by a rule,
may infer only what is similar to the detail.
7) When a general rule requires an explicit rule;
when an explicit rule requires generalization.
8) Something included in a general rule,
which was singled out to teach—
was not singled out to teach about itself,
but to teach (something new)
concerning the rule as a whole.
9) Something that was included in a rule
and was singled out in a case
similar to its rule,
—it was singled out to lessen
not to increase the severity of the case.
10) Something that was included in a rule
and was singled out in a case
which is not similar to its rule,
—it was singled out either to lessen
or to increase the severity of the case.
11) Something that was included in a rule
and was singled out for a new stipulation—
does not revert to its rule
unless Scripture restores it to its rule
expressly.
12) A matter deduced from its context,
or from a subsequent expression.
13) Also, two passages that
contradict each other
until a third passage
reconciles them.
May it be Your will
Adonoy, our God and God of our fathers,
that the Holy Temple be rebuilt
speedily in our days:
and grant us our share in Your Torah.
And there we will serve You reverently
as in the days of old,
and in earlier years.
Kaddish d'Rabanan
Kaddish is not the name generally given to this prayer in the Talmud. It is referred to there as "May His great Name...", because the congregational response beginning with these words is the heart of this prayer. Only in one minor tractate, (Maseches Soferim 16, 19, and 21) is it referred to as Kaddish.
Composed primarily in Aramaic, the language spoken and understood by most Jews in the Second Temple period (See Tosafos to Maseches Berachos 3a), nevertheless, several Hebrew phrases, which were familiar even to the unschooled, were also incorporated in the prayer.
This particular form of Kaddish d'Rabanan, is so named because of the insertion of the paragraph which begins with the words "Upon Israel and upon our Sages, etc." This Kaddish is recited following the study of Talmud or Midrash and invokes God's blessings on the Sages of Jewry, the transmitters of the Oral Torah.
Exalted and sanctified be His great Name
in the world which He created
according to His will
and may He rule His kingdom
bring forth His redemption
and hasten the coming of His Mashiach.
In your lifetime and in your days,
and in the lifetime
of the entire House of Israel,
speedily and in the near future—
and say Amein.
May His great Name be blessed
forever and for all eternity.
Blessed and praised,
glorified, and exalted and uplifted,
honored and elevated and extolled
be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He;
above (Ten Days of Penitence: far above)
all the blessings and hymns,
praises and consolations
which we utter in the world—and say Amein.
Upon Israel, and upon our Sages,
and upon their disciples,
and upon all the disciples of their disciples,
and upon all those who engage in Torah study
in this land
and in every land.
May there be unto them and unto you
abundant peace, favor, kindness,
compassion, long life,
ample sustenance and redemption
from their Father
Who is in heaven and on earth,
—and say Amein.
May there be abundant peace from heaven
and a good life
for us and for all Israel,
—and say Amein.
He Who makes peace
(Ten Days of Penitence: the peace)
in His high heavens
may He, in His mercy, make peace
for us and for all Israel,
—and say Amein.
Hodu
The following sequence of prayers until Yishtabach (p. 94) is called Pesukei Dezimrah (verses of praise). These selected Scriptural passages were arranged by the Gaonim of the ninth century, in fulfillment of the Talmudic statement (Maseches Berachos 32a), "A person should always praise God first and make his requests [offer his prayers] afterwards." Beginning with the following prayer, it is forbidden to interrupt your prayer with conversation until after the Shemoneh Esrei (p. 118).
You are permitted to answer Amein, respond to Barechu, Kaddish and to say Kedushah even though you are in the midst of Pesukei Dezimrah. You are also permitted to say Modim d'Rabbonon and the first verse of the Shema together with the congregation.
If you are concerned that the saying of Kerias Shema will not be within the proper time should you follow the regular order of prayers, you are permitted to recite the entire Kerias Shema during the Pesukei Dezimrah.
The first 28 verses of this section are taken from 1 Chronicles 16:8-36, and the first 15 are almost identical with the first fifteen verses of Psalms 105. These prayers are mentioned in Maseches Soferim.
Give thanks to Adonoy, proclaim His Name;
make His deeds known among the nations.
Sing to Him, compose songs to Him,
speak of all His wonders.
Take pride in [uttering] His holy Name,
let the heart rejoice
of those who seek Adonoy.
Search for Adonoy and His might,
seek His presence continually.
Remember the wonders He has performed,
His miracles, and the laws from His mouth.
[You,] the seed of Israel His servant,
children of Jacob, His chosen ones.
He is Adonoy our God;
the entire earth is governed by His laws.
Remember His covenant forever—
the word He commanded
to a thousand generations—
which He made as a treaty with Abraham,
and [which was] His oath to Isaac.
He established it for Jacob as a statute,
for Israel as an everlasting covenant.
Saying,
To you I will give the Land of Canaan,
the portion of your inheritance.
When you were only few in number—
very few, and strangers in it.
They wandered from nation to nation,
and from one kingdom to another people.
He permitted no one to oppress them,
and admonished kings for their sakes.
Do not touch My anointed ones,
and do not harm My prophets."
Sing to Adonoy all the earth,
proclaim His deliverance from day to day.
Recount His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all the peoples.
For Adonoy is great and most extolled;
Awesome is He above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
whereas Adonoy made the heavens.
Beauty and splendor are before Him,
strength and joy are in His presence.
Give to Adonoy families of peoples—
give to Adonoy glory and might.
Give to Adonoy the glory due His Name,
bring an offering and come before Him,
prostrate yourselves before Adonoy
in the splendor of holiness.
Tremble before Him all [peoples of] the earth,
for He established the inhabited world
so that it cannot be moved.
The heavens will rejoice,
the earth will exult,
and they will proclaim among the nations:
Adonoy has begun His reign.
The sea and its fullness will roar;
the field and all that is in it will jubilate.
Then the trees of the forest will sing with joy,
[receding] before Adonoy
when He comes to judge the earth.
Give thanks to Adonoy, for He is good,
for His kindness is everlasting.
And say, "Deliver us, God of our deliverance;
gather us and save us from the nations,
to give thanks to Your holy Name,
to be extolled in Your praise."
Blessed is Adonoy, the God of Israel
for all eternity,
and all the people said: "Amein"
and [they] praised Adonoy."
(The following verses are a selection from the Psalms.)
Exalt Adonoy, our God,
and prostrate yourselves
at His footstool.
Holy is He!
Exalt Adonoy, our God,
and prostrate yourselves
at His holy mountain,
for Adonoy our God is holy.
And He, the Merciful One,
atones iniquity and does not destroy;
He frequently withdraws His anger
and does not arouse all His rage.
You, Adonoy,
withhold not Your mercy from me;
may Your kindness and Your truth
always protect me.
Remember Your mercies Adonoy
and kindnesses,
for
they are from the beginning of the world.
Give might to God,
His pride (majesty) hovers over Israel,
and His might is in the clouds.
You are awesome, God,
from Your Sanctuaries,
Almighty of Israel—
He grants might and power to the people;
blessed is God.
Almighty of vengeance, Adonoy,
Almighty of vengeance, reveal Yourself.
Arise, Judge of the earth!
Repay the arrogant their just reward.
Deliverance is Adonoy's.
Upon Your people is Your blessing. Selah.
Adonoy of Hosts is with us,
a stronghold for us is the God of Jacob. Selah.
Adonoy of Hosts!
Fortunate is the man who trusts in You.
Adonoy, deliver [us].
The King will answer us on the day we call.
Deliver Your people
and bless Your inheritance,
tend them and uplift them forever.
Our soul yearned for Adonoy,
our help and our shield is He.
For in Him our hearts will rejoice,
for in His holy Name we trusted.
May Your kindness, Adonoy, be upon us,
as we have waited for You.
Show us Your kindness, Adonoy,
and grant us Your deliverance.
Arise—come to our aid,
and redeem us for the sake of Your kindness.
I am Adonoy, Your God,
Who brought you up from the land of Egypt;
open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
Fortunate is the people whose lot is thus,
fortunate is the people
for whom Adonoy is their God.
In Your loving kindness I trust,
My heart will exult in Your deliverance;
I will sing to Adonoy,
for He dealt kindly with me.
Mizmor Shir
Psalm 30, once used to inaugurate the Holy Temple, is used today to inaugurate our daily prayers, for the synagogue is a "Holy Temple in miniature" and our prayers take the place of the sacrifices. It is both a prayer for success and a declaration of thanksgiving.
A Psalm,
a song for the inauguration of the Temple,
by David.
I will exalt You, Adonoy,
for You have upheld me,
and not let my foes rejoice over me.
Adonoy, my God,
I cried out to You, and You healed me.
Adonoy, You have raised
my soul from the lower world.
You have kept me alive,
lest I descend to the Pit.
Sing to Adonoy, [you,] His pious ones,
and give thanks to His holy Name.
For His anger lasts only a moment,
but there is [long] life, in His conciliation.
In the evening, one retires weeping,
but in the morning there is [a cry of] joy!
I said, in my serenity,
I would never be moved.
[But,] Adonoy, it was Your will [alone]
that established my mountain
as a stronghold.
When You concealed Your Presence,
I was terrified.
To You, Adonoy, I called,
and my Master I beseeched.
What gain is there
in [the shedding of] my blood?
In my going down to destruction?
Will the dust acknowledge You?
Will it proclaim Your truth?
Hear [me] Adonoy, and be gracious to me,
Adonoy, be a help to me.
You have turned my mourning into dancing,
You have loosened my sackcloth
and supported me with joy.
In order that my soul might sing to You
and not be stilled,
Adonoy, my God, forever will I thank You.
Adonoy is King, Adonoy was King
Adonoy will be King forever and ever.
Adonoy is King, Adonoy was King
Adonoy will be King forever and ever.
And Adonoy will be King
over the whole earth;
on that day Adonoy will be One
and His Name One.
Deliver us Adonoy, our God,
and gather us from among the nations,
to give thanks to Your holy Name—
to be extolled in Your praise.
Blessed is Adonoy, God of Israel
from the world till the next world
and all the people said: "Amen, Praise God."
Let every soul praise God.
Praise God.
To the Chief Musician:
a Psalm with instrumental music, a song.
[May] God favor us and bless us,
[may He] cause His countenance to shine
among us Selah;
[So] that Your way become known on earth,
[and] Your deliverance among all nations.
Peoples will thank You, God,
all the peoples will thank You.
Nations will rejoice and sing
when You judge the peoples justly,
and lead the nations upon the earth Selah.
Peoples will thank You, God,
all the peoples will thank You.
The earth will have yielded its produce;
God, our God, will have blessed us.
God will bless us,
and they will fear Him—
all [men even from] the ends of the earth.
Baruch She'amar
This blessing introduces the Pesukei Dezimrah . It was mentioned by Rabbi Isaac Alfasi (Rif) over 800 years ago in his commentary to Maseches Berachos 32. The Taz (Orach Chaim 51:1) states that this prayer was instituted by the "Men of the Great Assembly." The blessing contains eighty-seven words suggesting the numerical value of פָּז poz, refined gold.
Blessed is He Who spoke,
and the world came into being,
blessed is He;
blessed is He Who maintains the creation;
blessed is He Who says and does;
blessed is He Who decrees and fulfills;
blessed is He Who has compassion
on the earth;
blessed is He Who has compassion
on the creatures;
blessed is He Who rewards well
those who fear Him,
blessed is He Who lives forever
and exists eternally;
blessed is He Who redeems and saves
blessed is His Name.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the Universe,
the Almighty,
the merciful Father,
Who is verbally extolled by His people,
praised and glorified
by the tongue of His pious ones,
and His servants,
and through the songs of David Your servant.
We will extoll You, Adonoy our God,
with praises and psalms;
we will exalt, praise, and glorify You;
we will mention Your Name,
and proclaim You—our King, our God.
Unique One, Life of the worlds, King,
praised and glorified forever
is His great Name.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
King, Who is extolled with praises.
Mizmor Lesodah
Psalm 100 was recited in the Temple only on those days when thank-offerings were offered on the Altar.It is therefore omitted on Shabbos, on Yom Tov, on the day before Yom Kippur, on the day before Pesach, and also on the intermediate days of Pesach, when only obligatory-offerings were offered.
Our Sages declare (Midrash Rabbah Tzav, 9) "In the future, even though all things on earth will be in such an ideal state that there will be no more cause for prayers and offerings, prayers of gratitude, and offerings of thanksgiving will nevertheless not cease."
Ordinarily, when a person is saved from a fatal illness, is released from captivity, or returns from a risky journey, he pronounces the special blessing Hagomeil (see page 177). Our Sages, instituted psalm 100 in our daily prayers as an expression of thanks for the many unrecognized miracles God performs in our behalf every day.
The following Psalm is omitted on Shabbat, Festivals, the day before Pesach, Chol HaMoed, Pesach and the day before Yom Kippur.
A psalm of thanksgiving:
Shout for joy to Adonoy, everyone on earth.
Serve Adony with joy,
come before Him with exultation.
Know that Adonoy is God,
He has made us, and we are His,
His people and the sheep of His pasturing.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving,
His courtyards with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His Name
for Adonoy is good,
His loving kindness is eternal,
and to every generation
His faithfulness [extends.]
Yehi Chevod
This prayer, mentioned in Maseches Sof'rim 17:11 is a collection of 18 verses from Psalms, Chronicles, and Proverbs, in which the Divine Name (הויה) is mentioned 18 times. Great care should be taken to pronounce the "Name" with the utmost concentration, keeping in mind that He is the Supreme Master of all that exists.
The glory of Adonoy will endure forever;
Adonoy will rejoice in His works.
The Name of Adonoy will be blessed
from now forever.
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
praised is the Name of Adonoy.
High above all nations is Adonoy,
above the heavens is His glory.
Adonoy, Your Name is forever,
Adonoy, Your Mention is for generations.
Adonoy has established His throne in heaven,
[but] His dominion rules over all.
The heavens will rejoice, the earth will exult,
and they will proclaim among the nations:
Adonoy has begun His reign.
Adonoy is King, Adonoy was King;
Adonoy will be King forever and ever."
Adonoy will reign for all eternity
[when] nations have perished
from His earth.
Adonoy annuls the counsel of nations,
He disrupts the intention of peoples.
Many thoughts are in the heart of man,
but [only] Adonoy's counsel will endure.
The counsel of Adonoy will stand forever,
the thoughts of His heart
throughout all generations.
For He spoke and it came to be;
He commanded and it stood.
For Adonoy has chosen Zion;
He desired it for His dwelling place.
For God chose Jacob to be His,
Israel for His treasure.
For Adonoy will not cast off His people,
and His inheritance, He will not abandon.
And He, the Merciful One,
atones iniquity; and does not destroy.
He frequently withdraws His anger
and does not arouse all His rage.
Adonoy, deliver [us!]
The King will answer us on the day we call.
Ashrei
Rav S.R. Hirsch writes that the six concluding chapters of the Book of Psalms are the most important gift of David's Divinely-inspired hymns that Israel treasures so greatly. These six psalms, 145-150, are an essential component of our daily prayers. Our Sages attach much significance to Psalm 145 in particular, and stated: "Whoever recites ‘A praise by David' three times a day is assuredly worthy of a share in the world to come" (Maseches Berachos 4b). When recited in prayer this psalm is always introduced with two verses from other Psalms (84:5 and 144:15). These verses contain the word fortunate three times, an allusion to this psalm being recited three times a day. These verses are so closely identified with Psalm 145 that it is commonly referred to as Ashrei (Fortunate).
Fortunate are those who dwell
in Your house;
may they continue to praise You, Selah.
Fortunate is the people whose lot is thus;
fortunate is the people
for whom Adonoy is their God.
A praise by David!
I will exalt You, my God, the King,
and bless Your Name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless You
and extol Your Name forever and ever.
Adonoy is great and highly extolled,
and His greatness is unfathomable.
One generation to another
will praise Your works,
and Your mighty acts they will declare.
The splendor of Your glorious majesty,
and the words of Your wonders I will speak.
Of Your awesome might, they will speak,
and Your greatness I will recount.
Mention of Your bountifulness
they will express,
and in Your righteousness joyfully exult.
Adonoy is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and great in kindliness.
Adonoy is good to all,
His mercy encompasses all His works.
All Your works will thank You, Adonoy,
and Your pious ones will bless You.
Of the honor of Your kingship,
they will speak,
and Your might they will declare.
To reveal to men His mighty acts,
and the glorious splendor of His kingship.
Your kingship is the kingship for all times,
and Your dominion is in every generation.
Adonoy supports all the fallen,
and straightens all the bent.
The eyes of all look expectantly to You,
and You give them
their food at its proper time.
You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living being.
Adonoy is just in all His ways
and benevolent in all His deeds.
Adonoy is near to all who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth.
The will of those who fear Him, He fulfills;
He hears their cry and delivers them.
Adonoy watches over all those who love Him,
and will destroy all the wicked.
Praise of Adonoy, my mouth will declare
and all flesh will bless
His holy Name forever and ever.
And we will bless God
from now forever.
Praise God.
This Psalm acclaims God's loving care as experienced by each Jew in his own life.
Praise God!
My soul, praise Adonoy.
I will praise Adonoy with my life;
I will sing to my God as long as I live.
Do not place your trust [even] in noble men,
in man who has no [power of] deliverance.
[When] his spirit departs,
he returns to his earth;
on that day his plans come to naught.
Fortunate [is he]
when the Almighty of Jacob is his help,
whose expectation is on Adonoy, his God.
He makes heaven and earth,
the sea and all that is in them;
He keeps His promises faithfully forever.
He performs justice for the oppressed;
He gives bread to the hungry;
Adonoy releases the imprisoned.
Adonoy gives sight to the blind;
Adonoy straightens the bent.
Adonoy loves the righteous.
Adonoy protects strangers;
the orphan and widow
He enables to stand firm;
and the way of the wicked He thwarts.
Adonoy will reign forever;
your God, Zion, throughout all generations.
Praise God.
In this Psalm, David imparts the knowledge to sustain and uphold the Jewish People, during their bitter exile. He tells them of their special and enduring relationship with God and of their role as permanent messengers of the word of God to all mankind.
Praise God!
for it is good to sing to our God;
for [His] praise is pleasant, befitting.
The builder of Jerusalem is Adonoy;
the banished ones of Israel He will gather.
[He is] the Healer of the broken-hearted
and [also] binds up their wounds.
He fixes the number of stars;
He calls all of them by names.
Great is our Master and abundant in power;
His understanding is beyond reckoning.
Adonoy causes the humble to stand firm;
He casts down the wicked to the ground.
Cry out to Adonoy in thanksgiving;
sing to our God with the harp.
[He] Who covers the heaven with clouds,
Who prepares rain for the earth;
Who causes grass to grow upon the hills.
Who gives the animal its fodder;
[also] to the young ravens which call.
Not the power of the horse does He desire,
nor the thighs of man does He want.
Adonoy wants those who fear Him,
those who hope for His kindliness.
Jerusalem, praise Adonoy;
Zion, extol your God.
For He has fortified the bars of your gates;
He has blessed your children in your midst.
He established peace at your border;
with prime wheat He satisfies you.
He dispatches His command earthward;
His word races swiftly.
He provides snow like fleece,
He scatters frost like ashes.
He hurls His ice like crumbs;
who can withstand His cold?
He dispatches His word and melts them;
He blows His wind, they flow as water.
He declares His word to Jacob,
His statutes and His laws to Israel.
He did not do so to any [other] nation;
and of His laws they were not informed.
Praise God.
In this psalm, David sings of the moment when all the world will be imbued with the knowledge of God's all-embracing providence. All living creatures—from the infinite heights of heaven above (verses 1-7) down to the depths of the earth below (verses 7-12)—will join together in one great hymn of praise to their Creator, and acknowledge the uniqueness of Israel over all other nations.
Praise God.
Praise Adonoy from the sky;
Praise Him in the heights!
Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!
Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all the stars of light.
Praise Him, skies of skies,
and the waters that are above the skies.
They will praise the Name of Adonoy,
for He commanded it and they were created.
He established them for all time,
for as long as the world exists;
He decreed it and it is unalterable.
Praise Adonoy from the earth,
sea-monsters
and all [that dwell in] the depths.
Fire and hail, snow and vapor,
stormwind, [all] fulfilling His word.
The mountains and all the hills,
fruit trees and all cedars.
Wild beasts and all animals,
creeping things and winged fowl.
Earthly kings and all peoples,
ministers and all earthly judges.
Young men and also maidens,
elders together with lads.
They will praise the Name of Adonoy,
for His Name alone is exalted;
His majesty is over the earth and the skies.
He will raise the might of His people,
[which is] praise for all His pious ones,
for the Children of Israel,
the people near to Him.
Praise God.
This psalm continues the theme of the previous psalm.
Praise God.
Sing a new song to Adonoy,
His praise in the assembly of the pious.
Israel will rejoice in its Maker;
the children of Zion will exult in their King.
They will praise His Name with dance;
with drum and harp
they will make music to Him.
Because Adonoy desires His people;
He will adorn the humble with deliverance.
The pious will rejoice in honor;
they will sing joyously upon their beds.
High praises of the Almighty in their throats,
and a double-edged sword in their hand.
To perform vengeance upon the nations,
chastisement upon the peoples.
To bind their kings with chains,
and their nobles with iron fetters.
To execute upon them
[the] written judgment;
it is the splendor of all His pious ones.
Praise God.
This psalm recapitulates all the previous hymns and tells how God is revealed through His mighty deeds.
Praise God.
Praise the Almighty in His Sanctuary
Praise God
in the firmament of His might
Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him
according to the abundance of His greatness.
Praise Him with the blowing of the shofar;
praise Him with lyre and harp.
Praise Him with drum and dance.
Praise Him
with stringed instruments and flute.
Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Praise Him with clanging cymbals.
Let every soul praise God.
Praise God.
Let every soul praise God.
Praise God.
The following selected verses from Psalms mark the close of the individual books of Psalms. Eitz Yoseif notes that these verses may constitute a sort of blessing marking the close of the Pesukei Dezimrah.
Blessed is Adonoy forever, Amein and Amein!
Blessed is Adonoy from Zion,
Who dwells in Jerusalem.
Praise God.
Blessed is Adonoy, God,
God of Israel
Who alone performs wonders.
And blessed is the Name of His glory forever,
and may His glory fill the whole earth.
Amein and Amein!
The following selections are additions to the Pesukei Dezimrah. The custom of reciting them is mentioned as early as the Gaonic era, specifically by Rav Amram Gaon.
The first four verses (1 Chronicles 29:10-13) relate David's blessing to God, when he presented the gold, silver, and jewels he amassed for the construction of the Holy Temple. It was a day of great rejoicing as, following David's example, the leaders and princes also presented generous gifts for the construction of the Temple.
These verses were incorporated into our daily prayers because they speak so eloquently of God's majesty, and of the Divine providence which is the source of the power, riches, might, and honor of all human beings.
The following until after ישתבח should be said standing.
And David blessed Adonoy
in the presence of all the assembly;
and David said,
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
God of Israel, our father,
forever and ever.
Yours, Adonoy,
is the greatness, the might, the glory
the victory and the beauty,
for all that is in heaven and on earth
[is Yours]; Yours, Adonoy, is the kingdom
and You are uplifted,
[supreme] over all rulers.
The riches and the honor come from You,
and You rule over all;
in Your hand are power and might,
and [it is] in Your hand
to bestow greatness and strength upon all.
And now, our God,
we give thanks to You
and praise Your glorious Name.
The next six verses are taken from Nehemiah 9:6-11. They are the last words of praise found in Scripture.
You alone are Adonoy;
You have made the skies,
the skies of skies and all their hosts,
the earth and all that is upon it,
the seas and all that is in them;
and You give life to all of them,
and the heavenly hosts bow before You.
You are Adonoy, the God
Who chose Avrom,
and brought him out of Ur Kasdim
and established his name (as) Avrohom.
And You found his heart
faithful before You,
and You made the covenant with him
to give the land of the Canaanites,
the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizites,
the Jebusites, and the Girgashites,
to give to his seed;
and You kept Your word,
for You are righteous.
And You saw the affliction
of our fathers in Egypt,
and their cry You heard
at the Sea of Reeds.
And You imposed signs and wonders
against Pharaoh and all his servants
and all the people of his land,
for You knew
that they acted malevolently against them;
and (thus) You have made a name for Yourself,
like this day.
And the sea, You split before them,
and they went through the midst of the sea
on the dry land;
and their pursuers
You hurled into the depths,
like a stone into mighty waters.
Shiras Hayam
In Temple times Shiras Hayam, the Song of the Sea, was sung by the Levites when the daily afternoon sacrifice was offered. After the destruction, the Jews of the Holy Land continued the tradition, reciting the Shira at the end of the Pesukei Dezimrah. The custom spread to Italy and from there to other Jewish communities. This daily recital is mentioned by Rav Saadya Gaon but not as an obligatory part of the service. Rambam calls it a "custom." Subsequently adopted by all communities, reciting the Shira became an integral part of our daily prayers.
Some hold that the Shira should be chanted aloud while standing. It should be sung with joy as at the time of the Exodus. "Sheloh" writes that reciting the Shira atones for sin, so that if one wishes to repent a serious sin, he should recite the Shira every day with great fervor. The Zohar says, "If one recites this song with elation and joy, he will be worthy to sing it in the next world. He will also be worthy to sing it when he greets the Messiah."
On that day, Adonoy delivered
Israel from the hand of Egypt,
and Israel saw the Egyptians
dead on the seashore.
And Israel saw the great hand
which Adonoy wielded against Egypt,
and the people feared Adonoy,
and they believed in Adonoy,
and that Moses was His servant.
Then Moses and the Children of Israel sang
this song to Adonoy,
and they said:
I will sing to Adonoy for He is most high;
the horse with its rider, He threw into the sea.
The strength and retribution of God
was the cause of my deliverance;
this is my Almighty and I will glorify Him,
God of my father and I will exalt Him.
Adonoy is master of war
Adonoy is His Name.
Pharaoh's chariots and army,
He hurled into the sea;
and his elite officers were drowned
in the Sea of Reeds.
The deep waters covered them;
they descended into the depths like stone.
Your right hand Adonoy
is adorned with power,
Your right hand Adonoy crushes the enemy.
And in Your great majesty,
You destroyed Your opponents;
You sent forth Your fury,
it consumed them like straw.
And with the wind from Your nostrils
the waters were heaped up,
flowing water stood erect like a wall;
the deep waters congealed
in the heart of the sea.
The enemy (Pharaoh) said:
I will pursue [them], I will overtake [them],
I will divide the spoils; I will satisfy myself;
I will unsheathe my sword,
my hand will destroy them.
You blew with Your wind,
the sea covered them;
they sank like lead in the mighty waters.
Who is like You among the mighty, Adonoy!
who is like You?
[You are] adorned in holiness,
awesome in praise, performing wonders.
You stretched out Your right hand,
the earth swallowed them.
You led in Your kindliness,
the people whom You redeemed;
You guided them with Your might
to Your holy dwelling place.
The peoples heard and trembled,
pangs of fear gripped
the inhabitants of Philistia.
Then the chieftains of Edom panicked,
the mighty men of Moab
were seized with trembling,
all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away.
Terror and dread fall upon them;
at the greatness of Your arm
they were still as stone;
until Your people cross over, Adonoy,
until [they] cross over,
—the people You have acquired.
You will bring them and plant them
on the mountain of Your inheritance,
the place for Your habitation
which You, Adonoy, have made;
the Sanctuary, my Master,
[which] Your hands established.
Adonoy will reign forever and ever.
Adonoy will reign forever and ever.
Adonoy! His sovereignty is established
forever and to all eternity.
When Pharaoh's horses, with his chariots,
and his horsemen, went into the sea,
Adonoy turned back on them
the waters of the sea;
and the Children of Israel
walked on dry land in the midst of the sea.
For the kingship is Adonoy's
and He rules over nations.
And deliverers will go up to Mount Zion
to judge Mount Esau,
and the kingdom will be Adonoy's.
And Adonoy will be King
over the whole earth;
on that day
Adonoy will be One and His Name One.
Yishtabach
Rabbeinu Alfasi (Maseches Berachos 32) refers to Baruch She'amar as the opening blessing of the Pesukei Dezimrah, and Yishtabach as the concluding blessing.
Praised be Your Name forever, our King,
Almighty the great and holy King
in heaven and on earth.
For to You it is fitting [to offer]
Adonoy, our God, and God of our fathers,
(forever,)
song and praise, glorification and hymns,
[to proclaim your] strength and dominion,
victory, grandeur, and might,
praise and glory,
holiness and sovereignty,
blessings and thanksgivings,
to your great and holy name;
and from the highest world to the lowest
you are Almighty.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Almighty,
King [Who is] great in [our] praise
Almighty,
of [to Whom we offer our] thanksgiving,
Master of [Whom we praise for His] wonders,
creator of all souls
master of all creatures
the Selector of song-hymns,
You are the only King,
Almighty,
Life of [all] the worlds.
During the Ten Days of Penitence add:
In this Psalm, said during the Ten Days of Penitence, the Jewish soul sings of the Jewish spirit ascending from the depths of the deepest misery of all, the burden of sin and guilt.
A Song of Ascents.
Out of the depths
I have called to You, Adonoy.
My Master, hear my voice;
let Your ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications.
If You God should take account of iniquities,
my Master, who could survive?
For with You is forgiveness,
in order that You be feared.
I hope for Adonoy, my soul hopes;
and for His word, I wait.
My soul [waits] for my Master
more than the watchman [waits]
for the morning,
[more than] the watchman [waits]
for the morning.
Wait, Israel, upon Adonoy,
for with Adonoy there is loving-kindness,
and with Him there is much redemption.
And He will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.
The Half-Kaddish is recited by the Chazzan
Here, as elsewhere in the Liturgy, the Half-Kaddish marks the end of a distinct section of the prayers, in this case, the Pesukei Dezimrah.
It is called the Half-Kaddish, the final three verses of the complete Kaddish having been omitted.
Exalted and sanctified be His great Name
in the world which He created
according to His will
and may He rule His kingdom
bring forth His redemption
and hasten the coming if His Messiah
in your lifetime and in your days,
and in the lifetime
of the entire House of Israel,
speedily and in the near future—
and say Amein.
May His great Name be blessed
forever and for all eternity.
Blessed and praised,
glorified, and exalted and uplifted,
honored and elevated and extolled
be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He;
above (Ten Days of Penitence: far above)
all the blessings and hymns,
praises and consolations
which we utter in the world—and say Amein.
The Blessings of Shema
It has become a universally-accepted custom to recite Barechu before proceeding to the blessings of Shema. Barechu, like Kaddish and Kedushah, cannot be recited unless a quorum—a minyan of ten adult males—is present. Barechu is also said by one who is called upon to read from the Torah.
The practice of saying Barechu is mentioned numerous times in the Talmud. It is even cited in the Mishna (Maseches Berachos 49b) in the names of Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Yishmael.
The Chazzan says:
Bless Adonoy Who is blessed.
The Congregation responds and the Chazzan repeats:
Blessed is Adonoy, Who is blessed
forever and ever.
The two blessings יוֹצֵר אוֹר "He Who forms light" and אַהֲבָה רַבָּה "Great love," are referred to as the blessings preceding Shema (Maseches Berachos 11a). According to Rambam they were formulated by Ezra and his Court (Laws of Shema 1:7).
You may not interrupt your prayers from this point on until after the Shemoneh Esrei. But you may answer "Amein" to the blessings of הָאֵל הַקָּדוֹשׁ "The holy Powerful One" and שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִילָּה "He Who heeds prayer;" say the thrice-repeated קָדוֹשׁ "Holy …" and בָּרוּךְ כְּבוֹד "Blessed is the glory …" of Kedushah; and answer Barechu. You may also answer אָמֵן יְהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא "Amein, May His great Name," when you hear Kaddish." You may also answer Amein after the blessings of יוֹצֵר הַמְּאוֹרוֹת, "Who forms the luminaries," and הַבּוֹחֵר בְּעַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּאַהֲבָה , "Who chooses His people Israel with love."
For a more detailed exposition of these laws, see Metsudah Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Vol. I, pp. 172-176.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Former of light,
Creator of darkness,
Maker of peace,
Creator of all things.
He illuminates the earth
[and provides light] for those who dwell on it
with compassion;
and in His goodness
renews every day, continually,
the work of creation.
How many are Your works, Adonoy;
You made them all with wisdom,
the earth is full of Your possessions.
The King Who alone is exalted from then,
Who is praised and glorified
and uplifted,
from the beginning of time.
Eternal God,
in Your abundant mercy,
have compassion on us,
Master, Who is our strength,
Rock, Who is our stronghold
Shield, of our deliverance,
[Be] a stronghold for us.
The blessed Almighty, great in knowledge,
prepared and made the rays of the sun.
[The] Good [One] created [everything]
for the glory of His Name:
the luminaries He set
around His strength (His throne).
The chiefs of His hosts are holy beings,
the exalters of Shadai
continually recount the glory of the Almighty
and His holiness.
Be Blessed, Adonoy, our God,
in the heavens above and on earth below
for the excellent works of Your hands,
and for the light-giving luminaries
which You formed;
they will glorify You forever.
Be blessed eternally our Former, our King,
and our Redeemer—Creator of holy beings.
Praised be Your Name forever, our King,
Who forms ministering angels;
and Whose ministering angels
all stand at the height of the Universe,
and proclaim with reverence, in unison aloud
the words of the living God,
King of the Universe.
All of them are beloved,
all of them are pure,
all of them are mighty;
all are holy
and all of them perform
with awe and reverence
the will of their Possessor.
And they all open their mouths
in holiness and purity,
with song and music,
and they bless, and praise, and glorify,
and revere, and sanctify,
and proclaim the sovereignty of—
the Name of the Almighty, the King,
the Great, the Mighty, the awesome One;
holy is He.
And they all take upon themselves
the yoke of Divine sovereignty
one from the other,
and lovingly give leave to one another
to sanctify their Former
in a spirit of serenity
with clear speech and pleasantness,
all exclaim Kedushah in unison, with awe,
and reverently exclaim:
Holy, holy, holy
is Adonoy of Hosts,
the fullness of all the earth is His glory.
And the Ofanim and the holy Chayos,
with a mighty sound rise
toward the Serafim.
Facing them, they offer praise and say,
Blessed is the glory of Adonoy
from His place.
To the Blessed Almighty,
they offer pleasant melodies;
to the King, the Almighty,
[Who is] living and enduring,
they utter hymns
and make praises heard.
For He alone, exalted and holy
is the Performer of mighty deeds,
Maker of new things;
Master of battles,
Sower of acts of righteousness,
Causer of deliverance to sprout forth;
Creator of cures.
Awesome in praise, Master of wonders,
He renews in His goodness,
each day, continuously,
the work of creation,
as it is said: "[Give thanks to Him]
Who makes the great luminaries,"
for His kindness is everlasting."
(and He fashioned the luminaries,
bringing joy to the world He created)
Shine a new light upon Zion,
and may we all soon be privileged
to [enjoy] its brightness.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Former of the luminaries.
In the second of the blessings that precede Shema we praise God for His goodness in giving us His Torah, and pray for His help in the study of Torah. None of our petitions for the material goods of life approaches the fervor of this prayer for knowledge of the Torah and steadfastness in obeying it.
[With] everlasting love You have loved us
Adonoy, our God;
[With] great and abundant pity
have You pitied us.
Our Father, our King!
for the sake of your great Name
and for the sake of our forefathers
who trusted in You,
and whom You taught statutes of life,
carry out your will
with a perfect heart,
so too, be gracious to us and teach us.
Our Father, merciful Father,
Who acts with compassion
have compassion on us
and put into our hearts
[comprehension] to understand
and to be intellectually creative,
to listen, to learn, and to teach,
to preserve, to practice, and to fulfill
all the words of instruction in Your Torah
with love.
And enlighten our eyes in Your Torah,
and cause our hearts to hold fast
to Your commandments,
and unify our hearts
to love and fear Your Name;
and may we not be subject to shame,
disgrace or stumbling
forever
for in Your holy Name—
great, mighty and awesome—
have we trusted;
may we exult and rejoice in Your deliverance.
And may Your mercy Adonoy our God,
and Your abundant kindness
never forsake us.
Hasten and bring upon us
blessing and peace quickly
from the four corners of the earth
break the yoke of the nations
from our neck
and speedily lead us
upright to our land.
Because, You are the Almighty,
Who performs acts of deliverance,
and You have chosen us
from among all peoples and tongues,
and You have brought us near our king
to Your great Name, forever in truth;
with love, that we may give thanks to You,
and proclaim Your Oneness, with love.
and love Your Name.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who chooses His people Israel with love.
Recitation of Shema
The recitation of Shema was part of the daily worship in the Holy Temple, and our Sages ordained that it be recited in the synagogue service, providing it a central place in the morning and evening prayers of each Jew. Its importance may be judged from the fact that the very first Mishnah in the Oral Torah opens with the question, "From what time may the evening Shema be read?"
In reading Shema, bear in mind that you are performing a Scriptural commandment. All three paragraphs should be read with kavanah, concentrated intention, on what you are saying. The entire Shema should be recited in awe and reverence as it proclaims the existence and unity of God; the Jews' complete dedication to God and His commandments; the belief in Divine justice; the remembrance of the Exodus and the selection of the Jews as God's Chosen People. These concepts are the pillars of the Jewish faith. Whenever this sign (°) appears (e.g. בְּכָל֯־לְ֯בָבְךָ), it indicates that you should be careful to pronounce each word distinctly. In many instances, the last letter of the first word and first letter of the second word are the same, the words might be read as one, which is not the proper way to fulfill the mitzvah of Kerias Shema.
The following three words should be said when praying without a minyan:
(Almighty, faithful King)
Hear, Israel:
Adonoy is our God,
Adonoy is One.
The following two lines are to be said silently:
Blessed [is His] Name, Whose glorious kingdom
is forever and ever.
And you shall love Adonoy your God
with all your heart
and with all your soul
and with all your possessions.
And these words
which I command you today,
shall be upon your heart.
And you shall teach them sharply
to your children.
And you shall discuss them
when you sit in your house,
and when you travel on the road,
and when you lie down and when you rise.
And you shall bind them for a sign
upon your hand,
and they shall be for totafos
between your eyes.
And you shall write them
upon the doorposts of your house
and upon your gateways.
And it will be—
if you vigilantly obey My commandments
which I command you this day,
to love Adonoy your God,
and serve Him
with your entire hearts
and with your entire souls—
that I will give rain for your land
in its proper time,
the early (autumn) rain
and the late (spring) rain;
and you will harvest your grain
and your wine and your oil.
And I will put grass
in your fields for your cattle,
and you will eat and be satisfied.
Beware lest your hearts be swayed
and you turn astray,
and you worship alien gods
and bow to them.
And Adonoy's fury will blaze among you,
and He will close off the heavens
and there will be no rain
and the earth will not yield its produce;
and you will perish swiftly
from the good land
which Adonoy gives you.
Place these words of Mine
upon your hearts and upon your souls,—
and bind them for a sign
upon your hands,
and they shall be for totafos
between your eyes.
And you shall teach them to your sons,
to speak them
when you sit in your house,
and when you travel on the road,
and when you lie down and when you rise.
And you shall write them
upon the doorposts of your house
and upon your gateways.
In order that your days be prolonged,
and the days of your children,
upon the land
which Adonoy swore to your fathers
to give them [for as long]
as the heavens are above the earth.
And Adonoy spoke to Moses saying:
Speak to the children of Israel,
and tell them
to make for themselves fringes
on the corners of their garments
throughout their generations;
and they will place with the fringes
of each corner
a thread of blue.
And it will be to you for fringes,
and you will look upon it
and you will remember
all the commandments of Adonoy,
and you will perform them;
and you will not turn aside after your hearts
and after your eyes
which cause you to go astray.
In order that you will remember
and perform all My commandments;
and you will be holy unto your God.
I am Adonoy, your God,
Who brought you out
of the land of Egypt
to be your God:
I am Adonoy, your God—
You must be careful to connect the last words of Shema, ה' אֱלֺקֵיכֶם (Adonoy, your God), with the word אמת (is true) without pause or interruption so that these three words form one sentence, meaning "Adonoy your God is true" (Maseches Berachos 13a).
—is true—
The chazan repeats:
Adonoy, your God, is true.
The following prayer, which culminates with גָאַל יִשְׂרָאַל, Who redeemed Israel, constitutes the "Blessing after Shema" mentioned in the Talmud (Maseches Berachos 11a). It is also mentioned in Maseches Tamid (32b) as part of the morning service in the Temple.
—and firm,
certain and enduring,
upright and faithful,
beloved and cherished,
desired and pleasant,
awesome and mighty,
correct and acceptable,
good and beautiful
is this [affirmation] to us for all eternity.
It is true,
that the God of the Universe, is our King,
the Stronghold of Jacob
is the Shield of our deliverance.
Throughout the generations
He endures and His Name endures,
and His throne is confirmed;
and His sovereignty and His faithfulness
endure forever.
His words are alive and enduring,
faithful and desirable
forever and to all eternity;
for our fathers and for us,
for our children and for our generations,
and for all generations
of the seed of Israel, Your servants.
Upon the first and upon the last, [generations]
[it is] a matter that is good and everlasting.
It is true and faithful,
a Law that will never be abrogated.
Truly you Adonoy, are
our God, and the God of our fathers,
our King the King of our fathers,
our Redeemer, Redeemer of our fathers,
our Former, Rock of our deliverance;
our Liberator and our Saver
which is Your Name from old,
and we have no other God
besides You, ever.
The help of our fathers
You have always been.
A Shield and a Deliverer
to them and their children after them
in every generation.
The heights of the universe,
is Your habitation,
and Your judgments and Your righteousness
[reach] to the ends of the earth.
Truly fortunate is man
who heeds Your commandments;
and Your Torah and Your word
he takes to his heart.
Truly, You are the Master of Your people
and a mighty King to defend their cause.
for the fathers and [their] sons:
Truly, You are First
and You are Last,
and besides You
we have no king, redeemer, or deliverer.
Truly Your redeemed us from Egypt.
Adonoy, our God,
from the house of bondage You liberated us.
All their firstborn You slew,
and Israel, Your firstborn, You redeemed.
The Sea of Reeds, You split
and the wicked, You drowned.
You caused the beloved ones to pass through,
while the waters covered their enemies;
not one of them remained.
Because of this, the beloved ones praised
and exalted the Almighty;
and the beloved ones offered
hymns, songs, and praises,
blessings and thanksgiving
to the King, the Almighty,
[Who is] living and enduring.
(He is) exalted and uplifted,
great and awesome;
He humbles the haughty to the ground.
and raises the lowly, to the heights.
He frees the captives
and redeems the humble,
(and) helps the impoverished,
and He answers His people Israel
when they cry out to Him.
Praises to the most high Almighty
their redeemer,
blessed is He, and He is blessed.
Moses and the Children of Israel
sang a song to You with great joy,
and they all proclaimed:
Who is like You among the mighty, Adonoy!
Who is like You—
[You are] adorned in holiness,
awesome in praise, performing wonders!
With a new song the redeemed people praised
Your great Name at the seashore!
All of them in unison
gave thanks
and proclaimed Your sovereignty,
and said:
Adonoy will reign forever and ever.
Rock of Israel,
arise to the aid of Israel,
and liberate
Judah and Israel as You promised.
Our Redeemer—
‘Adonoy of hosts' is His Name,
the Holy One of Israel
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who redeemed Israel.
Fundamentals of Kuzari, (Metsudah Publications, 1979) pages 269, 271, 273.
When reciting Shemoneh Esrei, you must adhere to these rules:
1. Before beginning the prayer, take three steps backwards and then return to your former position. Upon completing the prayer, take three steps backwards and return.
2. Keep your feet together.
3. Concentrate on the meaning of the words you are uttering. Remove all distracting thoughts and worries from your mind.
4. You may not interrupt Shemoneh Esrei by talking, not even by answering Amein. If you should hear Kedushah, Kaddish, or Barechu while saying the Shemoneh Esrei, you should remain silent and listen to the Chazzan's words.
5. At the beginning and end of the first blessing, at the beginning and end of the blessing that begins: "We are thankful to You," (page 133) and ends with "The Beneficent is Your Name," (page 140) we half-kneel and bow in the following manner: At the word "Blessed," bend your knees; at the word "You," bend forward until the vertebrae of your spinal cord are loosened; at "Adonoy," return to your upright position in keeping with the verse, "Adonoy straightens the bent" (Psalms 146:8).
6. Each individual recites Shemoneh Esrei in silence. Only the prayer leader, the Chazzan, ever recites it aloud, and then only after the entire congregation, himself included, has recited it silently.
Shemoneh Esrei
My Master, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare Your praise.
THE VIRTUE OF OUR FOREFATHERS
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, and God of our fathers,
God of Abraham, God of Isaac,
and God of Jacob,
the Almighty,
the Great, the Powerful, the Awesome,
most high Almighty,
Who bestows beneficent kindness,
Who possesses everything,
Who remembers the piety of the Patriarchs,
and Who brings a redeemer
to their children's children,
for the sake of His Name, with love.
(During the Ten Days of Penitence add:
Remember us for life
King, Who desires life;
and inscribe us in the Book of Life,
for Your sake, Living God.)
If you forgot to say this, and became aware of your omission before saying the blessing,you should recite it. If you have already said "Blessed are You Adonoy," you must continue the prayers without saying "Remember."
King, Helper, and Deliverer and Shield.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Shield of Abraham.
DIVINE MIGHT
You are mighty forever, my Master;
You are the Resurrector of the dead
the Powerful One to deliver us.
From the Musaf of the first day of Pesach until the Musaf of Shemini Atzeres one should say:
He causes the dew to descend.
From the Musaf of Shemini Atzeres until the Musaf of the first day of Pesach you should say:
Causer of the wind to blow
and of the rain to fall.
If you neglected to say this, and became aware of your omission before saying the blessing מְחַיֵּה הַמֵּתִים, "the Resurrector of the dead," you must say it at that time. If you reminded yourself after saying וְנֶאֱמָן אַתָּה "You are faithful," you must repeat it and then complete the blessing of מְחַיֵּה הַמֵּתִים. If you became aware of your omission after starting the blessing אַתָּה קָדוֹשׁ "You are holy," even if you only said the word "You," say the Shemoneh Esrei from the beginning. If during the first thirty days after Shemini Atzeres you are in doubt whether you said it, you must assume that you didnot say it. After thirty days, however, since you have become accustomed to saying it, you may assume that you recited the proper phrase and you need not repeat the Shemoneh Esrei.
Sustainer of the living with kindliness,
Resurrector of the dead with great mercy,
Supporter of the fallen,
and Healer of the sick,
and Releaser of the imprisoned,
and Fulfiller of His faithfulness
to those who sleep in the dust.
Who is like You, Master of mighty deeds,
and who can be compared to You?
King Who causes death and restores life,
and causes deliverance to sprout forth.
(During the Ten Days of Penitence add:
Who is like You merciful Father,
Who remembers His creatures for life,
in His mercy)
If you forgot to say this, the same law applies as above concerning "Remember us for life."
And You are faithful
to restore the dead to life.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Resurrector of the dead.
(When the Chazzan repeats the Shemoneh Esrei, the Kedushah is said here)
Kedushah
The Congregation says and the Chazzan repeats:
We will hallow and revere You
as [with] the sweet words
of the company of the holy Seraphim
who thrice repeat "holy" unto You,
as is written by the hand of Your prophet,
And they called one to another, and said:
Congregation says and Chazzan repeats:
‘Holy, holy, holy,
is Adonoy of Hosts,
the fullness of all the earth is His glory.'"
The Chazzan says:
Those facing them say "Boruch..."
Congregation says and Chazzan repeats:
Blessed is the glory of Adonoy
from its place
The Chazzan says:
And in Your Holy Words it is written:
Congregation says and Chazzan repeats:
Adonoy will reign forever;
Your God, Zion, throughout all generations!
Praise God.
DIVINE SANCTIFICATION
You are holy and Your Name is holy
and holy beings
praise You every day, forever.
For a great and Almighty King—
great and holy—are You.
During the Ten Days of Penitence, continue at the asterisk (*) below
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
the Almighty, the Holy One.
*During the Ten Days of Penitence:
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
the King, the Holy One.
If you mistakenly said, "the Almighty" instead of "the King," or if you are in doubt—if you realized your error after a lapse of time sufficient to utter a three word greeting (Shalom Aleichem Rebbe), or if you had already started the next blessing, you must say the Shmoneh Esrei from the beginning. If you became aware of your error before that, you should immediately say "the King the Holy One" and continue your prayers.
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING
You favor man with perception
and teach mankind understanding.
Grant us from Your
wisdom, understanding and knowledge.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Grantor of perception.
PRAYER FOR PENITENCE
Cause us to return, our Father,
to Your Torah
and bring us near, our King, to Your service;
and bring us back
in whole-hearted repentance before You
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who desires penitence.
PRAYER FOR PARDON
Pardon us, our Father, for we have sinned,
forgive us, our King,
for we have transgressed;
for you are a good and forgiving almighty.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Gracious One, Who pardons abundantly.
PRAYER FOR REDEMPTION
Look, please, upon our affliction,
and defend our cause:
and redeem us
speedily with complete redemption
for the sake of Your Name;
because You are a Mighty Redeemer.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Redeemer of Israel.
(On Fast Days, the Chazzan says "Answer us" and concludes, "Blessed are ... Who responds at times of trouble.")
PRAYER FOR HEALING
Heal us, Adonoy, and we will be healed,
deliver us and we will be delivered;
for You are our praise.
Grant a cure and healing
to all our sickness
and to all our pain
and to all our affliction
If you wish to pray for the recovery of a sick person, you may do so here.
May it be Your will,
Adonoy, our God, and the God of our fathers,
that You send, quickly,
a complete recovery from the heavens,
healing for the soul,
and healing for the body,
for the ailing
(name)
son/daughter of
(mother's name)
among the ailing of Israel.
because You are the Almighty, King,
Who is a faithful and merciful Healer.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Healer of the sick of His people Israel.
PRAYER FOR PROSPERITY
Bless for us, Adonoy our God,
this year
and all the varieties of its produce
for good;
and bestow
From the first say of Pesach until the evening service [Maariv] on December 4, or, on a civil leap year, December 5, we say the following line.
blessing
From the evening service [Maariv] on December 4, or, on a civil leap year, December 5, until the First day of Pesach, we say the following line.
dew and rain for a blessing*
upon the face of the earth;
satisfy us from Your bounty
for you are generous Almighty
who bestows goodness
and blesses the years.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Blesser of the years.
* If you forgot to say this and became aware of your omission before concluding the blessing, you may say it at that time and conclude the blessing. If you became aware of your omission after saying the blessing, continue the prayers, and before concluding the 16th blessing שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִילָּה, "Who heeds prayer," say: וְתֵן טַל וּמָטָר לִבְרָכָה כִּי אַתָּה וגו' "bestow dew and rain for blessing, for you heed etc.". If you reminded yourself after concluding the blessing שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִילָּה, but before you started רְצֵה, "be pleased," you may say: "bestow dew and rain,"וְתֵן טַל וּמָטָר and then continue with רְצֵה . If you remembered after that you must go back and say the 9th blessing, בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ, and continue from there. But if you became aware of your omission after concluding the entire Shemoneh Esrei [and taking three steps backwards] you must repeat the entire Shemoneh Esrei.
PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE
Sound the great shofar for our liberty,
and raise a banner to gather our exiles,
and gather us together quickly
from the four corners of the earth.
into our Land.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Gatherer
of the dispersed of His people Israel.
PRAYER FOR RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT
Restore our judges as before
and our counselors as at first.
Remove from us sorrow and sighing,
and reign over us quickly
You, Adonoy, alone
with kindness and compassion;
and make us righteous
with righteousness and justice,
During the Ten Days of Penitence, continue at the asterisk (*) below
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
King, Lover of righteousness and justice.
*During the Ten Days of Penitence:
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
the King of Justice.
If you mistakenly said, "King, Lover of righteousness and justice," instead of "the King of Justice" and became aware of your mistake within the time it takes to utter the three word greeting (Sholom Aleichem Rebbe), you should immediately say "the King of Justice." If you remembered after that interval, you may continue the Shemoneh Esrei since the word "King" was mentioned in the regular blessing.
PRAYER FOR DIVINE RETRIBUTION
For informers let there be no hope
and may all wickedness instantly perish
may all Your enemies be swiftly cut off,
and the insolent
may You quickly uproot, crush, rout,
disgrace and humbled
and subdue speedily in our days.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Crusher of enemies
and Subduer of the insolent.
PRAYER FOR THE RIGHTEOUS SCHOLARS
Upon the righteous, upon the pious,
upon the elders of Your people
the House of Israel,
upon the remnant of their scholars,
upon the true proselytes, and upon us,
may Your mercy be aroused,
Adonoy our God.
Grant bountiful reward
to all who trust in Your Name in truth;
and place our lot among them,
and may we never be put to shame,
for in You we have put our trust.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Support and Trust of the righteous.
PRAYER FOR JERUSALEM
And to Jerusalem, Your city,
return in mercy,
and dwell therein as You have spoken;
and rebuild it soon, in our days,
as an everlasting structure,
and the throne of David, Your servant
may You speedily establish therein.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Builder of Jerusalem.
PRAYER FOR SALVATION
The sprout of David, Your servant,
speedily cause to flourish
and exalt his power with Your deliverance,
For Your deliverance we hope all day.
and watch for Your deliverance.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who causes to sprout
the power of salvation.
PRAYER FOR ACCEPTANCE
Merciful Father
Hear our voice, Adonoy, our God;
spare us and have compassion on us,
and accept
our prayers compassionately and willingly,
for You are Almighty
Who hears prayers and supplications;
and from Your Presence, our King,
do not turn us away empty-handed,
be gracious and answer us
and hear our prayer*
for You hear the prayers of every mouth
of Your people, Israel, with compassion.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who hears prayers.
*One may add the following prayer for sustenance, at this point
PRAYER FOR RETURN OF DIVINE SERVICE
Be pleased, Adonoy, our God,
with Your people Israel
and pay need to their prayer;
and restore the service
to the Holy of Holies in Your abode,
and the fire-offerings of Israel;
and accept their prayer, lovingly
and willingly.
And may You always find pleasure
with the service of Your people, Israel.
On regular weekdays continue, "And may our eyes". On Rosh Chodesh and on Chol HaMoed, the following prayer is added:
Our God and God of our fathers,
may there ascend, come, and reach,
appear, be desired, and heard,
counted and recalled
our remembrance and reckoning;
the remembrance of our fathers;
the remembrance of the Messiah
the son of David, Your servant;
the remembrance of Jerusalem,
city of Your Sanctuary;
and the remembrance of Your entire people,
the House of Israel, before You
for survival, for well-being,
for favor, kindliness, compassion,
for good life and peace
on this day of:
Rosh Chodesh
the Festival of Matzos
the Festival of Sukkos
Remember us Adonoy, our God,
on this day for well-being;
be mindful of us on this day for blessing,
and deliver us for good life.
In accord with the promise of deliverance
and compassion,
spare us and favor us,
have compassion on us and deliver us;
for to You our eyes are directed
because You are the Almighty
Who is King, Gracious, and Merciful.
If you forgot to say this at Shacharis, (the Morning Service) or at Mincha (the Afternoon Service), but realized your omission before saying מוֹדִים, "We are thankful," you should say it at that time and continue with מוֹדִים.
If you became aware of your omission after saying "מוֹדִים" "We are thankful," but before concluding the Shemoneh Esrei [and taking three steps backwards], start again from רְצֵה, "Be pleased." If you had completed the Shemoneh Esrei and then remembered, you must repeat the entire Shemoneh Esrei from the beginning.
If you are in doubt, follow the same procedure as above.
If you had already said the Musaf prayer and recalled your omission, it is the opinion of some authorities, that the Shemoneh Esrei of Shacharis be repeated as a נְדָבָה, a free-will-offering of prayer, rather than an obligatory prayer.
And may our eyes behold
Your merciful return to Zion.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who returns His Divine Presence to Zion.
At the words, We are thankful, bend forward; at Adonoy return to an upright position.
THANKSGIVING
We are thankful to You
that You Adonoy are our God
and the God of our fathers forever;
Rock of our lives,
the Shield of our deliverance,
You are in every generation.
We will give thanks to You
and recount Your praise,
for our lives
which are committed into Your hand,
and for our souls
which are entrusted to You,
and for Your miracles of every day with us,
and for Your wonders and benefactions
at all times—
evening, morning and noon.
(You are) The Beneficent One—
for Your compassion is never withheld;
And (You are) the Merciful One—
for Your kindliness never ceases;
for we have always placed our hope in You.
(When the Chazzan repeats the Shemoneh Esrei and says, "Who returns His Divine Presence to Zion", the congregation responds by saying "Amein" and then the following prayer.)
We are thankful to You,
that You Adonoy are our God,
and God of our fathers,
God of all flesh,
Our Creator, Creator of the Beginning.
Blessings and thanksgivings
to Your great and holy Name
for keeping us alive, and sustaining us;
so may You always keep us alive
and sustain us,
and gather our exiles
to the Courtyards of Your Sanctuary
to observe Your statutes,
and to do Your will,
and to serve You wholeheartedly,
for we are thankful to You.
Blessed is the Almighty
to Whom all thanks are due.
(On Chanukah and Purim the following prayer is added. If you omitted it, you need not repeat the Shemoneh Esrei. If, however, you became aware of your omission before concluding the blessing, you should say it at that time, and conclude by saying, "וְעַל כֻּלָּם, and for all the foregoing.")
[We thank You] for the miracles
for the redemption, for the mighty deeds,
for the deliverances, for the wonders
for the consolations and for the wars
that You performed for our fathers
in those days at this season.
On Chanukah:
In the days of Matisyahu,
son of Yochanan the High Priest,
the Hasmonean and his sons,
when the evil Greek kingdom rose up
against Your people Israel
to make them forget Your Torah
and to turn them away
from the statutes of Your will—
You, in Your abundant mercy,
stood by them in their time of distress,
You defended their cause,
You judged their grievances,
You avenged them.
You delivered the mighty
into the hands of the weak,
many into the hands of the few,
defiled people into the hands of the undefiled,
the wicked into the hands of the righteous,
and insolent [sinners] into the hands of
diligent students of Your Torah.
And You made Yourself
a great and sanctified name in Your world.
And for Your people, Israel,
You performed a great deliverance
and redemption unto this very day.
Afterwards, Your sons entered
the Holy of Holies of Your Abode,
cleaned Your Temple,
purified Your Sanctuary,
and kindled lights
in the Courtyards of Your Sanctuary,
and designated these eight days of Chanukah
to thank and praise Your great Name.
On Purim:
In the days of Mordechai and Esther
in Shushan the Capital [of Persia],
when the evil Haman rose up against them,
he sought to destroy, to kill,
and to annihilate all the Jews,
young and old, infants and women,
in one day, the thirteenth day
of the twelfth month,
which is the month of Adar,
and to plunder their wealth—
And You, in Your abundant mercy,
annulled his counsel,
frustrated his intention,
and brought his evil plan upon his own head,
and they hanged him and his sons
upon the gallows.
And for all the foregoing
blessed, exalted and extolled
your Name, our King
constantly, forever and ever.
During the Ten Days of Penitence, add:
Inscribe for a good life
all the children of Your covenant.
If you forget to say this, you need not go back and repeat it. If you became aware of the omission before concluding the blessing, you can say it at that time.
And all the living shall thank You forever
and praise and bless
Your great Name with sincerity forever;
for You are goodness—
the Almighty, Who is our deliverance
and our help forever—
the benevolent Almighty.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
The Beneficent is Your Name
and You it is fitting to praise.
To be said by the Chazzan
Birkas Kohanim
Our God, and God of our fathers, bless us
with the threefold blessing of the Torah,
written by the hand of Moses, Your servant,
pronounced from the mouth of Aaron
and his sons, the kohanim, Your holy people;
as it is said:
Adonoy bless you and guard you.
Adonoy shine His countenance upon you
and be gracious unto you.
Adonoy turn His countenance toward you
and grant you peace.
After Birkas Kohanim the congregation says:
Mighty One on high who dwells in might,
You are peace and Your Name is peace.
May it be Your will that You grant us
and all of Your people, the House of Israel
life and blessing
for a safeguard to peace.
PRAYER FOR PEACE
Grant peace, goodness, and blessing,
life favor, kindness and compassion
upon us and upon all Israel, Your people.
Bless us, our Father, all of us as one
with the light of Your countenance.
For by the light of Your countenance
You gave us Adonoy our God,
a Torah of life and the love of kindliness,
righteousness, blessing, compassion,
life, and peace.
And may it be good in Your sight
to bless us
and to bless Your people Israel,
at all times and at every moment
with Your peace
(with much strength and peace).
During the Ten Days of Penitence continue here:
In the book of life, blessing, peace
and abundant maintenance,
good decrees, salvations and condolences,
may we be remembered and inscribed
before You;
we and all Your people, the House of Israel
for a good life and peace.
If you forget to say this you need not go back and repeat it.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who blesses His people Israel
with peace.
May they be acceptable
the words of my mouth
and the thoughts of my heart, before You
Adonoy, my Rock and my Redeemer.
My God, guard my tongue from evil
and my lips from speaking deceitfully.
To those who curse me,
may my soul be unresponsive;
and let my soul be like dust to all.
Open my heart to Your Torah
and let my soul pursue Your commandments.
And all who plan evil against me,
quickly annul their counsel
and frustrate their intention.
(May it it be Your will
Adonoy, my God and God of my fathers,
that no person be envious of me
and that I not be envious of others,
that I not be brought to anger this day,
and that I not cause Your anger;
and save me from the evil inclination,
and help me be humble and any modest.
Our King and our Father,
unify Your Name in Your world,
rebuild Your city, establish Your house
and perfect your sanctuary.
Gather our exiles,
redeem Your people, rejoice Your congregation).
Act for the sake of Your Name.
Act for the sake of Your right hand.
Act for the sake of Your Torah.
Act for the sake of Your holiness.
In order that Your loved ones be released,
deliver [with] Your right hand and answer me.
May they be acceptable
the words of my mouth
and the thoughts of my heart, before You
Adonoy, my Rock and my Redeemer.
He Who makes peace in His high heavens
may He make peace
upon us and upon all Israel
and say Amein.
May it be Your will,
Adonoy, our God, and the God of our Fathers
that the Holy Temple be rebuilt
speedily in our days,
and grant us our share in Your Torah.
And there we will serve You reverently
as in the days of old,
and in earlier years.
And let Adonoy be pleased
with the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem
as in the days of old and in earlier years.
Tachanun
On Rosh Chodesh, Chol HaMoed, and Chanukah, Hallel is recited. On Fast Days (Monday—Thursday—Monday, Tenth of Teves, Fast of Esther, Seventeenth of Tamuz) Selichos are recited. On days when Tachanun is omitted (see below) the chazzan continues with Half Kaddish. (14 and 15 Adar Rishon in a leap year); the entire month of Nissan; Pesach Sheini (14 Iyar); Lag BaOmer; 1-8 Sivan; 9 and 15 Av; and 29 Elul. When Tachanun is omitted on these days, it is also omitted at the preceding Mincha (afternoon service).
Tachanun is also omitted in the presence of a bridegroom, in the house of a mourner during the week of mourning, and on the occasion of a circumcision if the father, the sandak or the mohel is present. The worshipper recites the Tachanun in a sitting position, while resting his brow on his arm. During the morning service, when the hand-tefillin is on the left arm, he leans his brow on his right arm, but at the Mincha service he leans his brow on his left arm. This "falling on one's face" symbolizes complete submission to God and the committing of our destinies into His hands. It is mentioned in the Talmud (Maseches Megillah 22b), and originates with Moses, who "Fell down before God" (Deuteronomy 9:18) and was followed by Joshua, who "Fell on the earth upon his face before the Ark of God" (Joshua 7:6)
Our God and God of our fathers,
let our prayer come before you
and do not ignore our supplication.
For we are not so brazen-faced
and stiff-necked
to say to you,
Adonoy, our God, and God of our fathers,
We are righteous and have not sined.
But, indeed, we and our fathers have sinned.
We have trespassed [against God and man, and we are devastated by our guilt];
We have betrayed [God and man, we have been ungrateful for the good done to us];
We have stolen; We have slandered.
We have caused others to sin;
We have caused others to commit sins for which they are called רְשָׁעִים, wicked;
We have sinned with malicious intent;
We have forcibly taken other's possessions even though we paid for them;
We have added falsehood upon falsehood; we have joined with evil individuals or groups.
We have given harmful advice;
We have deceived; We have mocked;
We have rebelled against God and His Torah;
We have caused God to be angry with us;
We have turned away from God's Torah;
We have sinned deliberately;
We have been negligent in our performance of the commandments;
We have caused our friends grief;
We have been stiff-necked, refusing to admit that the cause of our suffering is our own sins.
We have committed sins for which we are called רָשָׁע [raising a hand to hit someone].
We have committed sins which are the result of moral corruption;
We have committed sins which the Torah refers to as abominations;
We have gone astray;
We have led others astray.
We have turned away
from Your commandments
and from Your good laws,
and we have gained nothing from it.
And You are the Righteous One
in all [punishment] that has come upon us;
for You have acted truthfully
and we have acted wickedly.
You are Almighty, Slow to anger,
Lord of Mercy, You are called,
and the way of repentance,
You have taught us.
The greatness of Your mercy and kindness,
remember this day and every day
for the descendants of Your loved ones.
Turn to us with compassion
for You are the Lord of Mercy.
With supplication and prayer
we approach Your Presence,
as You made know
to [Moses,] the modest one of old.
From Your fierce anger turn,
as it is written in Your Torah:
In the shadow of Your wings,
may we be sheltered and lodged,
as on the day [of which it is said:]
When Adonoy descended in the cloud.
Remove [our] transgression,
and blot out [our] iniquity,
as on the day [of which it is said:]
And He stood with him there.
Give ear to our cry
and listen to our speech,
as on the day [of which it is said:]
And He proclaimed in the Name, Adonoy
And there it is said:
Congregation and Chazzan:
And Adonoy passed before him [Moses]
and proclaimed:
Adonoy, Adonoy,
Almighty, Merciful, Gracious,
Slow to Anger,
and Abundant in Kindness and Truth.
Keeper of kindness
for thousands of generations,
Endurer of iniquity and transgression,
and sin,
and Acquitter of those who repent.
And pardon our iniquity and our sin,
and take us for Your inheritance.
Pardon us,our Father, for we have sinned,
forgive us, our King, for we have transgressed.
For You, my Master,
are good and forgiving,
and abounding in kindness
to all who call upon You.
The following supplication is recited while resting your brow on your arm.
And David said to Gad (II Samuel 24:14),
I am greatly distressed;
let us fall into the hand of Adonoy
for His mercies are great,
but into the hand of man let me not fall."
Merciful and gracious One,
I have sinned before You;
Adonoy, full of mercy,
have compassion upon me
and accept my supplications.
Adonoy, do not rebuke me with Your anger,
nor chastise me with Your rage.
Be gracious unto me, Adonoy,
for I am desolate,
heal me Adonoy, for my bones are terrified.
My soul, [too,] is utterly terrified,
and You Adonoy, how long?
Return Adonoy, free my soul,
deliver me
for the sake of Your lovingkindness.
For in death there is no mention of You;
in the lower world who will thank You.
I am worn out with my sighing,
every night I cause my bed to float;
with my tears, I melt my couch.
My eye is dimmed from anger,
it has aged because of my tormentors.
Depart from me, all you evildoers,
for Adonoy has heard
the voice of my weeping.
Adonoy has heard my supplication,
Adonoy will (also) accept my prayer.
Ashamed and utterly terrified
will all my foes be,
they will return
and be instantaneously ashamed.
Avinu Malkeinu
During the Ten Days of Penitence, Avinu Malkeinu is recited here during Shacharis—the morning service, and Mincha—the afternoon service. It is also said by some congregations on public Fast Days. The number of petitions in this prayer varies with custom, but in our rite, Avinu Malkeinu consists of 44 petitions. Since many of them are similar to the petitions of Shemoneh Esrei, Avinu Malkeinu is never recited on Shabbos, when the petitions of Shemoneh Esrei are also omitted.
This unique and moving prayer is recorded as having been recited by Rabbi Akiva. The Talmud (Maseches Taanis 25b) relates that Rabbi Eliezer once stepped down before the Ark and recited the 24 benedictions for fast days and his prayers were not answered. Rabbi Akiva stepped down after him and exclaimed, "Our Father, our King, we have no king except You. Our Father, our King, for Your sake have mercy on us," and rain fell.
Our Father, our King!
we have sinned before You.
Our Father our King!
we have no King except You.
Our Father, our King!
deal with us [kindly]
for the sake of Your Name.
During the Ten Days of Penitence, say:
Our Father, our King!
renew for us a good year.
On public fast-days, say:
Our Father, our King!
bless us with a good year.
Our Father, our King!
annul all harsh decrees concerning us.
Our Father, our King!
annul the designs of those who hate us.
Our Father, our King!
thwart the plans of our enemies.
Our Father, Our King!
rid us of every oppressor and adversary.
Our Father, Our King!
seal the mouths of our adversaries
and accusers.
Our Father, Our King!
remove pestilence, sword, famine, captivity,
destruction, [the burden of] iniquity
and religious persecution
from the members of Your covenant.
Our Father, Our King!
withhold the plague from Your inheritance.
Our Father, Our King!
forgive and pardon all our iniquities.
Our Father, Our King!
blot out and remove our transgressions
and sins from before Your eyes.
Our Father, Our King!
erase in Your abundant mercy
all records of our liabilities.
Our Father, Our King!
bring us back
in wholehearted repentance before You.
Our Father, Our King!
send complete healing
to the sick among Your people.
Our Father, Our King!
tear up the evil [parts] of our sentence.
Our Father, Our King!
remember us favorably before You.
The following five prayers are said during the Ten Days of Penitence.
Our Father, Our King!
inscribe us in the Book of the Good Life.
Our Father, Our King!
inscribe us
in the Book of Redemption and Deliverance.
Our Father, Our King!
inscribe us
in the Book of Maintenance and Sustenance.
Our Father, Our King!
inscribe us in the Book of Merits.
Our Father, Our King!
inscribe us
in the Book of Pardon and Forgiveness.
The following five prayers are said on public fast-days.
Our Father, Our King!
remember us for a good life.
Our Father, Our King!
remember us for redemption and deliverance.
Our Father, Our King!
remember us for maintenance and sustenance.
Our Father, Our King!
remember us for merit.
Our Father, Our King!
remember us for pardon and forgiveness.
Our Father, Our King!
cause deliverance to spring forth for us soon.
Our Father, Our King!
raise up the might of Your people Israel.
Our Father, Our King!
raise up the might of Your anointed.
Our Father, Our King!
fill our hands with Your blessings.
Our Father, Our King!
fill our storehouses with abundance.
Our Father, Our King!
hear our voice,
spare us and have compassion upon us.
Our Father, Our King!
accept
our prayer with compassion and favor.
Our Father, Our King!
open the gates of heaven to our prayer.
Our Father, Our King!
remember, that we are dust.
Our Father, Our King!
Please do not turn us away
empty-handed from You.
Our Father, Our King!
let this hour be
an hour of compassion
and a time of favor before You.
Our Father, Our King!
have compassion upon us,
and upon our children and infants.
Our Father, Our King!
do it for the sake of those
who were slain for Your holy Name.
Our Father, Our King!
do it for the sake of those
who were slaughtered
for [proclaiming] Your Unity.
Our Father, Our King!
do it for the sake of those
who went through fire and water
for the sanctification of Your Name.
Our Father, Our King!
avenge before our eyes
the spilled blood of Your servants.
Our Father, Our King!
do it for Your sake if not for ours.
Our Father, Our King!
do it for Your sake and deliver us.
Our Father, Our King!
do it for the sake of Your great mercy.
Our Father, Our King!
do it for the sake
of Your great, mighty, and awesome Name
which is proclaimed upon us.
Our Father, Our King!
favor us and answer us
for we have no accomplishments;
deal with us charitably and kindly with us
and deliver us.
Vehu Rachum
The following prayers are added on Mondays and Thursday. On other days, continue "Guardian of Israel. . .":
This group of somber plaints, known as the "long Vehu Rachum" is recited in the morning service on Mondays and Thursdays, except on days when Tachanun is omitted.
The origin of these seven prayers is shrouded in legend. It has been suggested that they were composed during the terrible persecutions at the hands of the Goths in seventh-century Spain. It has been said, "Whoever can read this ‘long Vehu Rachum' prayer without emotion has lost all feeling for what is great and noble."
Despite all the repetition in these cries for forgiveness, mercy, help, and protection, the effect is not tiring; because here it is not merely an individual soul, but the soul of an entire people that utters these laments and supplications, that gives voice to this woe of nearly two thousand years.
Moses ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Second Tablets on the fifth day of the week, and he returned to the people on the second day of the week, bringing them the new tablets as a security for the Divine covenant and as confirmation of God's atonement for their transgression. Ever since, the second and fifth day of each week, Monday and Thursday, have been days of summons to the Jewish people to assemble anew before God and to reaffirm their sincere "return" to the Law of God. Our regular service is therefore augmented on these days by these additional supplications.
And He, the merciful One,
will atone iniquity, and will not destroy,
He frequently withdraws His anger,
and does not arouse all His rage.
You, Adonoy,
do not withhold Your mercy from us;
may Your kindness and truth
always protect us.
Deliver us, Adonoy, our God,
and gather us from among the nations
to give thanks to Your holy Name
to be extolled in Your praise.
If You, God, should preserve iniquities,
my Master, who could survive?
But with You there is forgiveness,
[in order] that You may be feared.
Do not deal with us according to our sins
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
If our iniquities testify against us,
Adonoy,
act [mercifully] for Your Name's sake.
Remember Your mercies Adonoy,
and Your kindnesses,
for
they are from the beginning of the world.
Adonoy will answer us on the day of distress,
the Name of the God of Jacob will fortify us.
Adonoy, deliver [us];
the King will answer us on the day we call.
Our Father, our King, favor us and answer us,
for we have no [good] deeds;
deal charitably with us
according to Your abundant mercy
and deliver us for the sake of Your Name.
Our Master, our God,
heed our supplications;
and remember unto us
the covenant of our fathers,
and deliver us for Your Name's sake.
And now, my Master, our God,
who brought out Your people,
from the land of Egypt with a mighty hand,
and made for Yourself a name to this day;'
we have sinned, we have acted wickedly.
My Master, with all Your righteousness
turn away Your anger and Your rage
from Your city, Jerusalem,
Your holy mountain;
for because of our sins
and the iniquities of our fathers,
Jerusalem and Your people
are [held] in contempt
by all who surround us.
And now, listen our God,
to the prayers of Your servant
and to his supplications;
and let Your radiant countenance shine
upon Your desolate Sanctuary
for Your sake, my Master.
Incline Your ear, my God, and hear;
open Your eyes
and behold our desolate places
and the city which is called by Your Name,
for it is not on account of our righteousness
that we let fall our supplications before You,
but because of Your great mercy.
My Master, hear! my Master, forgive!
my Master, listen and take action,
do not delay!
For Your sake, my God,
for Your Name is proclaimed
over Your city and Your people.
Our Father, merciful Father,
show us a sign for good
and gather our dispersed [people]
from the four corners of the earth,
[so that] all nations will recognize and know
that You, Adonoy, are our God.
And now, Adonoy, You are our Father;
we are the clay and You are our Former;
and we are all the work of Your hand.
Deliver us, for Your Name's sake
our Father, our King,
our Rock and our Redeemer.
Adonoy, spare Your people,
and let not Your heritage
be [an object] of contempt
for nations to rule over.
Why should they say among the peoples,
Where is their God?
Adonoy, we know that we have sinned,
and there is none to stand up in our behalf;
let Your great Name, then, stand up for us
at the time of distress.
We know that we have no [good] deeds,
[therefore] deal charitably with us
for Your Name's sake.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so do You have compassion on us, Adonoy,
and [therefore] deliver us
for Your Name's sake.
Have pity on Your people,
have compassion on Your heritage,
spare us with Your great mercy;
favor us. our King, and answer us,
for righteousness is Yours, Adonoy,
Who performs wonders at all times.
Look, we beseech You,
speedily have compassion
and deliver the sheep of Your pasture;
let wrath not prevail over us,
for, Adonoy, deliverance is Yours.
Our hope rests with You, God of forgiveness;
please forgive [us],
for You Almighty, are good, and forgiving.
We beseech You,
gracious and compassionate King,
remember and look
to the Covenant between the divided pieces,
and let appear before You
the binding [upon the Altar] of the only son,
and for the sake of Israel, our father.
Do not abandon us our father,
do not cast us off our King,
do not forget us our Creator,
and do not bring destruction upon us
in our exile
for You are the Almighty
who is King, gracious and merciful.
There is none like You,
gracious and merciful
Adonoy, our God;
there is none like You,
Almighty, slow to anger,
abundant in kindliness and truth.
Deliver us, and have mercy on us
with Your great mercy,
save us from storm and rage.
Remember Your servants,
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob;
do not consider
the stubbornness of this people,
their wickedness, and their sinfulness.
Turn from Your fierce anger
and let Your mind be changed
concerning the evil
[intended] for Your people.
Remove from us the scourge of death,
for You are merciful;
for such is Your way—
to bestow undeserved kindness
in every generation.
Spare Your people, Adonoy,
and save us from Your wrath;
remove from us the scourge of plague,
and harsh decree,
for You are the Guardian of Israel.
Righteousness is Yours, my Master,
while shame is ours.
How can we complain?
What can we say?
What can we speak?
and how can we justify ourselves?
Let us search into our ways
and examine them,
and return to You;
for Your right hand is extended
to receive those who repent.
We beseech You Adonoy!—deliver us.
We beseech You Adonoy!—grant us success;
We beseech You Adonoy! —
answer us on the day we call.
For You, Adonoy, we have waited,
For You, Adonoy, we have hoped,
For You, Adonoy, we yearn.
Do not be silent,
and do not allow us to be tormented;
for the nations have said, "Their hope is lost."
Let every knee bend to You
and all who stand erect
prostrate themselves before You
You Who opens Your hand
to [accept] repentance,
to receive transgressors and sinners:
our soul is terrified from our great sorrow—
forget us not forever;
arise and deliver us.
Do not pour out Your wrath upon us,
for we are Your people,
the children of Your covenant.
Almighty, look!
Our glory has sunk low among the nations,
and they abominate us
like the impurity of the nidah.
How long will Your strength be in captivity,
and Your glory, in the hand of the foe?
Arouse Your might and deliver us
for the sake of Your Name,
let our sufferings not seem trivial to You.
May Your mercy come swiftly toward us
in time of our distress;
not for our sake,
but do it for Your sake,
and do not obliterate
the remembrance of our remnant,
for our eyes look hopefully to You,
for You are the Almighty
Who is King, Gracious, and Merciful.
Remember our testimony
every day we proclaim
twice a day with love:
Hear Israel,
Adonoy is our God,
Adonoy is One.
Adonoy, God of Israel,
turn from Your fierce anger,
and let Your mind be changed
concerning the evil intended
for Your people.
Look from heaven and behold
that we have become
[an object] of scorn and derision
among the nations;
we are considered as the sheep
led to the slaughter
to be slain and destroyed,
tortured and humiliated.
And yet despite all this,
we have not forgotten Your Name;
please, do not forget us.
Adonoy, God of Israel,
turn from Your fierce anger,
and let Your mind be changed
concerning the evil intended for Your people.
Strangers say:
there is no hope or expectation [for us.]
Be gracious to the people
who place their hope in Your Name.
Pure One, bring our deliverance near;
we are weary and no relief is granted us.
May Your mercy
suppress Your anger from us.
We beseech You, turn from Your anger,
and have compassion on the treasured people
whom You have chosen.
Adonoy, God of Israel,
turn from Your fierce anger,
and let Your mind be changed
concerning the evil intended for Your people.
Adonoy, in Your mercy, spare us,
do not discard us in the hands of cruel foes.
Why should the nations say:
Where now is their God?
For Your sake, deal kindly with us
and do not delay.
We beseech You, turn from Your anger,
and have compassion on the treasured people
whom You have chosen.
Adonoy, God of Israel,
turn from Your fierce anger,
and let Your mind be changed
concerning the evil intended for Your people.
Hear our voice and be gracious,
do not cast us off
into the hands of our enemies
to obliterate our name.
Remember
what You have sworn to our fathers:
Like the stars of the heavens
will I multiply your descendants,
and now, we are left only a few out of many.
And yet despite all this,
we have not forgotten Your Name;
please, do not forget us.
Adonoy, God of Israel,
turn from Your fierce anger,
and let Your mind be changed
concerning the evil intended for Your people.
Help us, God of our deliverance
for the sake of the glory of Your Name;
save us and atone our sins
for the sake of Your Name.
Adonoy, God of Israel,
turn from Your fierce anger,
and let Your mind be changed
concerning the evil intended for Your people.
Guardian of Israel,
guard the remnant of Israel,
and let not Israel perish,
who say, "Hear Israel."
Guardian of the unique nation,
guard the remnant of the unique people,
and let not the unique nation perish,
who proclaim the Oneness of Your Name,
[saying:] Adonoy is our God, Adonoy is One.
Guardian of the holy nation,
guard the remnant of the holy people
and let not the holy nation perish
who repeat the threefold sanctification
to the Holy One.
You Who are appeased by pleas for mercy,
and conciliated by supplications,
be appeased and conciliated
to an afflicted generation,
for there is none else to help.
Our Father, our King!
be gracious to us and answer us
for we have no [good] deeds,
deal with us charitably and kindly
and deliver us.
As for us, we know not what to do;
but our eyes are upon You.
Remember Your mercies, Adonoy,
and kindnesses
for
they are from the beginning of the world.
Adonoy! may Your kindness be upon us,
as we have waited for You.
Remember not the sins of our ancestors;
let Your mercy come swiftly toward us,
for we have been brought very low.
Help us for the Name of Adonoy
Creator of Heaven and earth.
Be gracious to us, Adonoy, be gracious to us
for we are saturated with humiliation.
[Even] in anger
remember to have compassion.
[Even] in anger
remember the binding of Isaac.
Even in anger
remember the uprightness of Jacob
Adonoy deliver [us]
the King will answer us on the day we call.
For He knows of what we are made;
He is mindful that we are but dust.
Help us, God of our deliverance,
for the sake of the glory of Your Name;
save us and atone our sins,
for the sake of Your Name.
The Chazzan recites the Half Kaddish
Exalted and sanctified be His great Name
in the world which He created
according to His will
and may He rule His kingdom
bring forth His redemption
and hasten the coming if His Messiah
in your lifetime and in your days,
and in the lifetime
of the entire House of Israel,
speedily and in the near future—
and say Amein.
May His great Name be blessed
forever and for all eternity.
Blessed and praised,
glorified, and exalted and uplifted,
honored and elevated and extolled
be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He;
above (Ten Days of Penitence: far above)
all the blessings and hymns,
praises and consolations
which we utter in the world—and say Amein.
On days when the Torah is not read continue with Ashrei.
Reading of the Torah
(Weekdays)
The following paragraph is said on Mondays and Thursdays except on Rosh Chodesh, the eve of Pesach, Tishah b'Av, Chanukah, the 14th and 15th Adar and Adar Sheni (Purim and Purim Katan), the eve of Yom Kippur, and it is also omitted in the house of a mourner.
This prayer is recited while standing, as it includes a form of viduy (confession) which must be said while standing.
On Mondays and Thursdays, as we are about to open the Ark to take out the Seifer Torah for public reading, we realize that we have transgressed much that is written in the Torah and are unworthy even to take it into our hands. Aware of our inadequacy and unworthiness, we utter the words, "Almighty who is slow to anger etc....", appealing to Him for forgiveness.
Almighty who is slow to anger
and full of compassion,
do not hide Your presence from us.
Adonoy, spare Your people
and save us from all evil.
We have sinned against You, Master,
forgive us, please,
in keeping with Your abundant mercy,
Almighty.
Moses and the Elders with him ordained that the Torah be read in public on Shabbos, Monday and Thursday mornings. The Talmud (Maseches Baba Kama 82), notes that Ezra later instituted that three men should be called up to read a total of at least ten verses from the Torah. He also enacted that the Torah be read at the Shabbos Mincha (afternoon) service. When the Torah is removed from the Ark, great care is taken to honor it. It is escorted by as many people as possible from the moment it is taken out of the Ark until it is placed on the reading table. We embrace and kiss the Torah during the procession and refrain from idle chatter. While the Torah is being read, you must be silent and listen to each word.
When the Holy Ark is opened, the following is said:
Whenever the Ark traveled,
Moses would say: "Rise, Adonoy
and let Your enemies be scattered,
and those who hate You, flee before You."
For from Zion will go forth the Torah,
and the word of Adonoy from Jerusalem.
Blessed is He Who gave the Torah
to His people Israel in His holiness.
The following prayer is taken from the Zohar (Parshas Vayakhail), the basic text of Kabbalah which was written by the Mishnaic sage Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. The Zohar states, "When the Torah is taken out to be read before the congregation, the heavenly gates of mercy are opened, and the Divine love is aroused; therefore one should say the following prayer.
Blessed is the Name
of the Master of the universe.
Blessed is Your crown and Your place.
May Your good will [be]
with Your people Israel forever.
The redemption of Your right hand
show Your people in Your Holy Temple.
Bestow on us Your excellent light,
and accept our prayer with compassion.
May it be Your will
to prolong our lives in well-being.
Let me be counted
among the righteous,
so that You will have compassion on me
and protect me and all that is mine,
and all that belongs to Your people, Israel.
You are He
Who nourishes all and maintains all;
You are He Who rules over all;
You are He Who rules over kings,
and the kingdom is Yours.
I am a servant
of the Holy One, blessed is He,
I bow before Him
and before the honor of His Torah
at all times.
Not in man do I put my trust,
nor do I rely on any angel;
but only in the God of heaven,
Who is the true God,
Whose Torah is truth,
Whose prophets are true,
and Who performs many deeds
of goodness and truth.
In Him I put my trust
and to His holy, honored Name
I utter praises.
May it be Your will
to open my heart to Torah,
and to fulfill the desires of my heart,
and of the heart of Your people Israel,
for goodness, for life, and for peace.
The Chazzan says:
Declare the greatness of Adonoy, with me.
and let us exalt His Name together.
The Congregation responds:
Yours, Adonoy, is the greatness, the might,
the glory, the victory, and the beauty,
for everything in heaven and on earth
[is Yours]; Yours, Adonoy, is the kingdom,
and You are uplifted over all rulers.
Exalt Adonoy, our God,
and prostrate yourselves at His footstool,
Holy is He.
Exalt Adonoy, Our God,
and prostrate yourselves
at His holy mountain
for Adonoy, our God, is holy.
May the Father of mercy have compassion
on the people borne by Him,
and may He remember
the covenant with the patriarchs;
may He rescue our souls
from evil times;
and may He rebuke the evil impulse
from those who have been carried by Him;
and may He graciously grant us
eternal survival;
and fulfill our requests
in beneficent measure,
[for] deliverance and compassion.
When the Torah is unrolled, the Reader says:
May His sovereignty be revealed and visible
to us, soon;
and may He be gracious to our remnant
and the remnant of His people,
the House of Israel
[granting them] favor, kindness,
compassion and goodwill.
And let us say Amein.
Let all ascribe greatness to our God,
and give honor to the Torah.
Let the Kohein come forward.
Arise, ______ son of _____, the Kohein,
Blessed is He Who gave the Torah
to His people, Israel, in His holiness.
The Congregation responds:
And you who cling to Adonoy, Your God,
are all alive today.
The Kohein walks up to the Torah and says:
Blessed Adonoy, who is blessed.
The Congregation responds and the Kohein repeats:
Blessed is Adonoy, Who is blessed,
forever and ever.
The Kohein says:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who chose us from among all the peoples
and gave us His Torah.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Giver of the Torah.
After the Torah is read, the Kohein says:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe
Who gave us the Torah of truth,
and implanted eternal life within us.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Giver of the Torah.
(The above blessings are recited by every person called to the Torah.)
Birchas Hagomeil
Rav says, (Maseches Berachos 54) that four are obligated to offer thanks: persons who have safely completed a sea or land journey, or who have recovered from a serious illness, or have been released from captivity. One who is obligated to recite the blessing of thanksgiving should do so at the Torah-scroll after the blessing that follows the Torah reading. It is proper not to delay the recital of the blessing for more than three days.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who bestows goodness upon the guilty,
Who has bestowed every goodness upon me.
The congregation responds:
He Who has bestowed goodness upon you,
may He bestow every goodness upon you,
forever.
Berachah for Father of Bar Mitzvah
Blessing by the father of a Bar Mitzvah
The following blessing is said by the father of a Bar Mitzvah, after the lad has been called to the Torah and has recited the blessing following the reading:
Blessed (are You)
who has released me
from the punishment of this [boy].
When the reading of the Torah is concluded, the Half Kaddish is recited by the Reader. The Torah is then raised so that the congregation can see the script, and the congregation exclaims:
This is the Torah which Moses placed
before the children of Israel
at Adonoy's command by the hand of Moses.
It is a tree of life
to those who grasp to it,
and those who support it are fortunate.
Its ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all its paths are peace.
Long life is at its right,
at its left, riches and honor.
Adonoy desired,
for the sake of His righteousness,
to make the Torah great and to glorify it.
On those Mondays and Thursdays when Tachanun is said, before returning the Torah to the Ark, the Chazzan recites:
May it be the will
of our Father in heaven
to establish the House of our lives
and restore His Divine Presence to our midst,
speedily in our days, and let us say Amein.
May it be the will
of our Father in heaven
to have compassion upon us
and upon our remnant,
and to keep destruction and plague from us,
and from all His people, the House of Israel;
and let us say Amein.
May it be the will
of our Father in heaven
to preserve among us the sages of Israel,
them, their wives,
their sons and their daughters,
their disciples,
and the disciples of their disciples,
wherever they live;
and let us say Amein.
May it be the will
of our Father in heaven
that we may hear and receive
good tidings
[of] deliverance and consolation;
may He gather our dispersed
from the four corners of the earth;
and let us say Amein.
[As for] our brethren,
the entire House of Israel
who [still] remain in distress and captivity,
whether on sea or on land,
may God have compassion on them,
and bring them from distress to relief,
from darkness to light,
from servitude to redemption,
at this moment, speedily, very soon;
and let us say Amein.
Ashrei U'va L'Tzion
Fortunate are those who dwell
in Your house;
may they continue to praise You, Selah.
Fortunate is the people whose lot is thus;
Fortunate is the people
for whom Adonoy is their God.
A praise by David!
I will exalt You, my God, the King,
and bless Your Name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless You
and extol Your Name forever and ever.
Adonoy is great and highly extolled,
and His greatness is unfathomable.
One generation to another
will praise Your works
and Your mighty acts they will declare.
The splendor of Your glorious majesty,
and the words of Your wonders I will speak.
Of Your awesome might, they will speak,
and Your greatness I will recount.
Mention of Your bountifulness
they will express,
and in Your righteousness joyfully exult.
Adonoy is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and great in kindliness.
Adonoy is good to all,
His mercy encompasses all His works.
All Your works will thank You, Adonoy,
and Your pious ones will bless You.
Of the honor of Your kingship, they will speak
and Your might they will declare.
To reveal to men His mighty acts,
and the glorious splendor of His kingship.
Your kingship is the kingship for all times,
and Your dominion is in every generation.
Adonoy supports all the fallen,
and straightens all the bent.
The eyes of all look expectantly to You,
and You give them
their food at its proper time.
You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living being.
Adonoy is just in all His ways,
and benevolent in all His deeds.
Adonoy is near to all who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth.
The will of those who fear Him He fulfills;
He hears their cry and delivers them.
Adonoy watches over all those who love Him,
and will destroy all the wicked.
Praise of Adonoy, my mouth will declare,
and all flesh will bless
His holy Name forever and ever.
And we will bless God
from now on forever.
Praise God.
Psalm 20 is omitted on the following days: Rosh Chodesh, the day before Yom Kippur, Chanukah, both days of Purim, the day before Passover, the intermediate days of the Festivals (Chol HaMoed), and Tisha b'Av. It is also omitted when prayers are recited in the house of a mourner, the entire month of Nisssan, Pesach Sheni (14th of Iyar) Lag-b'omer, from Rosh Codesh Sivan through the twelfth of the month i.e., 5 days after Shavuoth, the Fifteenth of av, from Erev Yom Kippur until the end of Tishre, the Fifteenth of Shevat, when there is a circumcision in the Synagogue, or when a bride groom during the seven days of his wedding celebration is present.
According to Rabbi S.R. Hirsch, this psalm is addressed to David by the people of Israel. It is a testimonial of trust that the people have in the Divinely-appointed king, who is accustomed to victory and triumph. At the same time, it proclaims the eternal truth that the victories which our king wins for our people are to be attributed not to his bravery, nor to his sword, nor to his soldiers, but solely to his relationship with God, His Sanctuary, and His Law.
To Him Who grants victory, a Psalm of David
May Adonoy answer you
on the day of distress;
May the Name of Jacob's God fortify you.
May He send your help from the Sanctuary,
and support you from Zion.
May He remember all your meal-offerings,
and accept your burnt sacrifices, Selah.
May He grant you what your heart desires,
and fulfill all your plans.
We will sing at Your deliverance,
and in the Name of our God,
raise our banners;
May Adonoy fulfill all your wishes.
Now I know
that Adonoy has delivered His anointed one,
He will answer him from His holy heavens
with the mighty deliverance
of His right hand.
Some [rely] upon chariots
and some upon horses,
but as for us,
upon the Name of Adonoy, our God, we call.
They have bowed down and fallen,
but we have risen and stand firm.
Adonoy, deliver [us],
the King will answer us on the day we call.
This portion, known as Kedushas d'Sidra, was introduced at the conclusion of the morning service to accomodate those who came to the synagogue too late to hear the Kedushah in Shemoneh Esrei. The Talmud (Maseches Sotah 49a) declares that the world is preserved solely by virtue of this Kedushah, and by the virtue of our answering, "May His great Name," which is part of the Kaddish recited following the study of the Aggadah. Because of its importance, a vernacular translation in Aramaic was added, so that even those ignorant of Hebrew would understand the sacred words.
The Redeemer shall come to Zion
and to those of Jacob who repent from sin,
says Adonoy.
As for Me, this is My covenant with them,
said Adonoy:
My spirit which is upon you,
and My words
which I have put in your mouth
shall not depart from your mouth,
nor from the mouth of your children,
nor from the mouth
of your children's children,
said Adonoy—
from now to eternity.
(This next section is the actual Kedushah d'Sidra)
And You, Holy One,
are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
And [the angels] call one to another and say:
Holy, holy, holy
is Adonoy of Hosts:
the fullness of all the earth is His glory."
And they receive [sanction]
one from another,
and say,
Holy in the highest heights of heaven,
the abode of His Divine Presence;
holy upon earth,
the work of His mighty power;
holy forever and to all eternity—
is Adonoy of hosts;
the whole earth is filled
with the radiance of His glory.
And a wind lifted me;
and I heard behind me
the sound of a great rushing;
Blessed is the glory of Adonoy
from His place.
And a wind lifted me
and I heard behind me
a sound of a great rushing
of those who uttered praises and said,
‘Blessed is the glory of Adonoy
from the place,
the abode of His Divine Presence.
Adonoy will reign forever and ever.
Adonoy, His kingdom is established
forever and to all eternity.
Adonoy,
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel,
our fathers,
keep this forever
as the intention of the hearts of Your people,
and direct their hearts to You.
And He, the merciful One,
atones iniquity and does not destroy;
He frequently withdraws His anger
and does not arouse all His rage.
For You, my Master, are good and forgiving,
and abounding in kindness
to all who call upon You.
Your righteousness is everlasting
and Your Torah is truth.
You will grant truth to Jacob,
kindliness to Abraham,
as You have sworn to our fathers
from the days of old.
Blessed is my Master day by day;
He loads us [with blessings],
the Almighty Who is our deliverance,
forever.
Adonoy of Hosts is with us
a stronghold for us is the God of Jacob, Selah.
Adonoy of Hosts,
fortunate is the man who trusts in You.
Adonoy, deliver [us];
the King will answer us on the day we call.
Blessed is He, our God,
Who created us for His glory,
and set us apart from those who go astray;
and gave us the Torah of truth,
and eternal life He implanted within us.
May He open our heart to His Torah,
and instill in our heart love and awe of Him,
to do His will and serve Him
with a perfect heart,
so that we shall not labor in vain
nor bring forth that which causes dismay.
May it be Your will,
Adonoy, our God, and God of our fathers,
that we keep Your statutes in this world,
and [thus] be privileged to live and behold,
and to inherit the goodness and blessing
of the Messianic days,
and in the life of the World to Come.
In order that my soul sing to You
and not be stilled;
Adonoy, my God, forever will I thank You.
Blessed is the man who trusts in Adonoy,
so that Adonoy is his security.
Trust in Adonoy until the end of days,
for in God,
Adonoy, is the strength of the worlds.
And they will trust in You—
those who know your Name,
for You have never forsaken
those who seek You, Adonoy.
Adonoy desired,
for the sake of His righteousness,
to make the Torah great and to glorify it.
(Adonoy, our Master,
how mighty is Your Name
over all the earth.
Be strong and take courage,
all who wait for Adonoy.)
On Rosh Chodesh the Chazzan recites the half-Kaddish, the Tefillin are then removed and the congregation says the Musaf Amidah; and on Chol Hamoed the Chazzan recites the half-Kaddish, and the congregation says the Mussaf Amidah.
On regular weekdays the Chazzan recites the following Kaddish:
Exalted and sanctified be His great Name
in the world which He created
according to His will
and may He rule His kingdom
bring forth His redemption
and hasten the coming if His Messiah
in your lifetime and in your days,
and in the lifetime
of the entire House of Israel,
speedily and in the near future—
and say Amein.
May His great Name be blessed
forever and for all eternity.
Blessed and praised,
glorified, and exalted and uplifted,
honored and elevated and extolled
be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He;
above (Ten Days of Penitence: far above)
all the blessings and hymns,
praises and consolations
which we utter in the world—and say Amein.
May there be acceptance
of the prayers and supplications
of the entire House of Israel
before their Father in heaven.
And say, Amein.
May there be abundant peace from heaven
and life
for us and for all Israel,
—and say Amein.
He Who makes peace
(Ten Days of Penitence: the peace)
in His high heavens
may He, make peace
for us and for all Israel,
and say, Amen.
On Mondays, Thursdays and other days when the Torah is read, as the Sefer Torah is returned to the Ark the Chazzan takes the Torah and says:
They will praise the Name of Adonoy
for His Name alone is exalted.
Chazzan and congregation:
His majesty is over the earth and the skies.
He will raise the might of His people,
[which is] praise for all His pious ones,
for the children of Israel,
the people near to Him.
Praise God.
A psalm of David:
the earth is Adonoy's
and the fullness thereof,
the inhabited world
and those who dwell in it.
For He founded it upon the seas,
and established it upon rivers.
Who may ascend the mountain of Adonoy,
and who may stand
in the place of His holiness?
The clean of hands and the pure of heart,
who has not borne My soul in vain,
and has not sworn deceitfully.
He will bear Adonoy's blessing
and righteousness
from the God of his deliverance.
This is the generation of those who seek Him,
and seekers of Your Presence,
[God of] Jacob, selah.
Lift up your heads, gates,
and be uplifted
[you] entranceways to eternity,
so that the King of Glory may enter.
Who is this King of Glory?
Adonoy, strong and mighty;
Adonoy, the Mighty One in battle.
Lift up your heads, gates,
and lift, entranceways to eternity,
so that the King of Glory may enter.
Who is He, this King of Glory?
Adonoy of hosts,
He is the King of Glory, selah.
As the Torah is returned to the Ark the following is said:
And when it rested, he would say:
Return, Adonoy,
to the myriads and thousands of Israel.
Arise, Adonoy unto Your resting place,
You and the Ark of Your strength.
Let Your priests
clothe themselves in righteousness,
and let Your devoted ones sing in joy.
For the sake of David, Your servant,
do not reject Your anointed.
For I have given you good instruction,
do not forsake My Torah.
It is a tree of life to those who grasp it,
and those who support it are fortunate.
Its ways are ways of pleasantness
and all its paths are peace.
Cause us to return to you, Adonoy,
and we shall return;
renew our days as of old.
Psalm of the Day
On days in which Tachanun is not said, "A prayer of David," is omitted, and we begin "House of Jacob". On days in which "Almighty who is slow to anger," is not said, continue with the Psalm for the appropriate day.
A prayer of David.
Incline Your ear Adonay, and answer me,
for poor and needy am I.
Preserve my soul for I am devoted,
deliver Your servant, my God,
who trusts in You.
Be gracious to me my Master,
for to You I cry out all the day.
Make glad the soul of Your servant,
for, to You, my Master,
I lift up my soul.
For You, my Master,
are good and forgiving,
and abounding in kindness
to all who call upon You.
Give ear, Adonoy, to my prayer,
and listen to the voice of my supplications.
In the day of my distress I call out to You,
for You will answer me.
There is none like You
among gods, my Master,
and there is nothing like Your works.
All nations which You have made
will come and bow down
before You, my Master,
and they will give honor to Your Name.
For You are great
and do wondrous things,
You alone God.
Teach me, Adonoy, Your way
that I may walk in Your truth;
let me be of one heart to fear Your Name.
I will thank You, my Master, my God,
with all my heart,
and I will glorify Your Name, forever.
For Your kindness
has been great toward me,
and You have rescued my soul
from the lowest depths of the grave.
God, the insolent have risen up against me,
and a company of violent men
have sought my soul,
and they have not set [the fear of] You
before them.
But You, my Master,
are the Almighty Who is Merciful
and Gracious,
Slow to Anger and Full of Kindness and Truth.
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
give Your strength to Your servant,
and deliver the son of Your handmaid.
Give me a sign of Your kindness,
that my enemies may see it and be ashamed,
for You, Adonoy, have helped me
and comforted me.
House of Jacob,
Come let us walk in the light of Adonoy.
For all the nations
walk in the name of its god,
but we walk in the Name of Adonoy,
our God, forever.
May Adonoy, our God, be with us
as He was with our fathers,
may He not forsake us nor abandon us,
that He may turn our hearts to Him,
to walk in all His ways,
to preserve His commandments, His statutes,
and His precepts,
which He commanded our fathers.
May these words of mine
[with] which I have prayed
before Adonoy,
be near to Adonoy, our God
by day and night;
that He provide the needs of his servant
and the needs of His people Israel
each day.
In order that it become known
to all the peoples of the earth
that Adonoy is God—
there is nothing else.
A Song of Ascents of David.
Had it not been for Adonoy
Who was for us,
let Israel now say.
Had it not been for Adonoy
Who was for us,
when men rose up against us.
They would have then swallowed us alive,
when their wrath blazed against us.
The waters would have then swept us away,
affliction would have passed over our soul.
Then over our soul would have gone
the impetuous waters.
Blessed is Adonoy,
Who did not give us
as prey to their teeth.
Our soul escaped as a bird
out of the fowler's snare;
the snare is broken
and we escaped.
Our help is in the Name of Adonoy,
Maker of heaven and earth.
The custom of reciting a different psalm each day of the week originated in the Temple. The Mishnah (Maseches Tamid 7:4) describes the psalms which were chanted by the Levites each day during the service.
On Sunday:
Today is the first day of the week,
on which the Levites used to recite
in the Holy Temple:
A psalm of David:
the earth is Adonoy's
and the fullness thereof,
the inhabited world
and those who dwell in it.
For He founded it upon the seas,
and established it upon rivers.
Who may ascend the mountain of Adonoy,
and who may stand
in the place of His holiness?
The clean of hands and the pure of heart,
who has not borne My soul in vain,
and has not sworn deceitfully.
He will bear Adonoy's blessing
and righteousness
from the God of his deliverance.
This is the generation of those who seek Him,
the seekers of Your Presence,
[God of] Jacob, Selah.
Lift up your heads, gates,
and be uplifted
[you] entranceways to eternity,
so that the King of Glory may enter.
Who is this King of Glory?
Adonoy, strong and mighty;
Adonoy, the Mighty One in battle.
Lift up your heads, gates,
and lift, entranceways to eternity,
so that the King of Glory may enter.
Who is He, this King of Glory?
Adonoy of hosts,
He is the King of Glory, Selah.
(Deliver us...; Mourner's Kaddish.)
On Monday:
Today is the second day of the week,
on which the Levites used to recite
in the Holy Temple:
A song, a psalm by the sons of Korach.
Adonoy is great and highly extolled
in the city of our God,
the mountain of His Sanctuary.
Beautiful in its panoramic vista,
the joy of all the earth is Mount Zion,
on the northern extremities (of Jerusalem);
the city of the great King.
God, in its palaces,
has become known as a Stronghold.
For behold, the kings assembled,
they passed by together.
They saw and were astounded,
they panicked and fled in haste.
Trembling siezed them there,
like the pangs of a woman in labor.
With an east wind
You smashed the ships of Tarshish.
As we heard, so we saw
in the city of Adonoy of hosts,
in the city of our God;
may God establish it for eternity, Selah.
We hoped, God, for Your lovingkindness
in the midst of Your Sanctuary.
As Your Name, God, so is Your praise—
to the ends of the earth;
Your right hand is full of righteousness.
Let Mount Zion rejoice,
let the daughters of Judah exult,
because of Your judgments.
Rally around Zion and encircle her,
count her towers.
Consider well her ramparts,
raise high her citadels,
that you may recount it to future generations.
That this is God, our God
forever and ever,
He will lead us like children.
(Deliver us...; Mourner's Kaddish.)
On Tuesday:
Today is the third day of the week,
on which the Levites used to recite
in the Holy Temple:
A psalm of Assaf
God stands
in the congregation of the Almighty,
in the midst of the judges He gives judgement.
How long will you judge lawlessly
and show partiality to the wicked forever?
Render justice to the lowly and the orphan,
deal righteously with the poor and destitute.
Rescue the lowly and the needy,
save them from the hand of the wicked.
They neither know nor understand,
they walk along in darkness,
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
I had said "You are godlike beings,
all of you, sons of the Most High."
Nevertheless, you shall die like men,
and fall like one of the princes.
Arise, God, judge the earth,
for You will inherit all the nations.
(Deliver us...; Mourner's Kaddish.)
On Wednesday:
Today is the fourth day of the week,
on which the Levites used to recite
in the Holy Temple:
Almighty of vengeance, Adonoy,
Almighty of vengeance, reveal Yourself.
Arise Judge of the earth,
repay the arrogant their just reward.
How long shall the wicked—
Adonoy—
how long shall the wicked exult?
They express, they speak with arrogance;
all the evildoers are boastful.
Adonoy, they crush Your people
and Your heritage they oppress.
The widow and stranger they kill,
and orphans they murder.
And they say, "God does not see,
the God of Jacob is not concerned."
Consider,
[you] stupid [ones] among the people,—
and you fools when will you become wise?
He Who implanted the ear, does He not hear?
He Who formed the eye, does He not see?
He Who chastises nations,
does He not reprove—
He that teaches man knowledge?
Adonoy knows the thoughts of men,
that they are vanity.
Fortunate is the man
whom You chastise, God,
and whom You instruct from Your Torah.
To grant him tranquility from days of evil,
until the pit is dug for the wicked.
for Adonoy will not abandon His people
and His inheritance, He will not forsake.
For justice shall return unto righteousness,
and all the upright in heart will follow it.
Who will rise up for me against the wicked,
who will stand up for me
against the evildoers?
Had Adonoy not been my help,
in an instant
my soul would have dwelt in the silent grave.
If [Whenever] I said, my foot has slipped,
Your kindliness, Adonoy upheld me.
When (worrisome) thoughts multiply
within me,
Your consolations soothe my soul.
Can a tribunal of evil have accord with You—
[a tribunal] that makes iniquity into law?
They gang up against the life of the righteous,
and blood of the innocent they condemn.
Adonoy has been my stronghold,
my God the Rock of my refuge.
He turns their violence against them,
and with their own wickedness
destroys them;
Adonoy, my God, destroys them.
Come let us sing to Adonoy;
let us shout for joy
to the Rock of our Deliverance.
Let us greet Him with thanksgiving;
with song let us shout for joy to Him.
for a great Almighty is Adonoy;
a great King over all godlike beings.
(Deliver us...; Mourner's Kaddish.)
On Thursday:
Today is the fifth day of the week,
on which the Levites used to recite
in the Holy Temple:
To Him Who grants victory—
upon the Gittis, a psalm of Assaf:
Sing joyously to God, our strength,
shout for joy to the God of Jacob.
Take up the hymn, sound the drum,
the pleasant harp and the lute.
Blow the shofar on the Rosh Chodesh,
at the appointed time for our festive day.
For it is a statute for Israel,
a [day of] judgement of the God of Jacob.
As a testimony for Yehosef, He ordained it
when he went out over the land of Egypt,
[where] an unfamiliar language I heard.
From the burden, I removed his shoulder,
his hands were removed from the cauldron.
In distress you called out, and I released you,
I answered you
[though you called] in secret
[I answered you] thunderously;
I tested you at the waters of Merivah. Selah.
Hear, My people, I will testify about you,
Israel, if you would just listen to Me.
Let no strange god be within you,
nor bow before a foreign god.
I am Adonoy, your God,
Who brought you up from the land of Egypt,
open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
But My people did not heed My voice,
and Israel did not want Me.
So I sent them to follow their heart's desires,
let them follow their own devices.
If only My people would heed Me,
if Israel would walk in My ways.
I would immediately subdue their enemies,
and turn My hand against their tormentors.
Those who cause hate of Adonoy
deceive [pretend obedience to] Him,
but their time (of punishment)
will be forever.
But He would feed him (Israel)
from the cream of the wheat,
and from the rock,
I would sate you with honey.
(Deliver us...; Mourner's Kaddish.)
On Friday:
Today is the sixth day of the week,
on which the Levites used to recite
in the Holy Temple:
Adonoy has begun His reign,
with majesty He has clothed Himself;
Adonoy clothed Himself,
with strength He has girded Himself;
He has firmly established the world,
so that it cannot be moved.
Your throne stands firm from of old,
You are from eternity.
The rivers have raised—Adonoy—
the rivers have raised their voice,
the rivers raise their raging waves.
More than the roar of many waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea,
mighty on high are You "Adonoy."
Your testimonies are extremely faithful;
holiness is becoming to Your House,
Adonoy,—for the length of days.
(Deliver us...; Mourner's Kaddish.)
Deliver us, God of our deliverance;
gather us and save us from the nations
to give thanks to Your holy Name,
to be extolled in Your praise.
Blessed is Adonoy, the God of Israel
for all eternity,
and all the people said: "Amen"
Praise God.
Blessed is Adonoy from Zion,
Who dwells in Jerusalem.
Praise God.
Blessed is Adonoy, God,
God of Israel
Who alone performs wonders.
And blessed is the Name of His glory forever,
and may His glory fill the whole earth.
Amen and Amen!
My Soul Bless
The following psalm (104) is recited in many synagogues on Rosh Chodesh days, following the daily psalm.
My soul, bless Adonoy;
Adonoy, my God, You are greatly exalted;
with beauty and splendor
are You clothed.
Enwrapped in light, garment-like,
He spreads out the heavens like a curtain.
He Who covers
His upper chambers with water,
He Who makes clouds His chariot,
He Who walks upon wings of wind.
He Who makes winds His messengers,
flaming fires His servants.
He Who established the earth
upon its foundations,
[so] that it shall never be moved.
The deep,
He covered as with a garment;
the waters remain on mountains.
At Your shout they retreated,
at Your thunderous voice
they hastened away.
They go up mountains, down into valleys,
to the specific place You founded for them.
You set a boundary
[which] they may not cross,
lest they return to cover the earth.
He Who sends springs into streams
to flow between the mountains;
to water all the beasts of the fields;
the wild ones quench their thirst.
Over them dwell the birds of the sky,
from among the branches, they give voice.
[You] Who waters the mountains
from His upper chambers,
from the fruit of Your works
the earth is sated.
[You] Who causes grass to sprout for cattle,
and vegetation for the labor of man,
to bring forth bread from the earth;
wine to cheer the heart of man,
to make [his] face shine from oil,
and bread to sustain the heart of man.
Adonoy's trees are sated,
the cedars of Lebanon that He planted;
where birds make their nests,
the stork—the firs are her home.
The high mountains [are] for the wild goats,
the rocks a refuge for the rabbits.
He made the moon to fix seasons
the sun knows its place to set.
You make darkness and night comes,
in which move about
all the beasts of the forest.
—The young lions roar for prey,
and seek their food from the Almighty.
[When] the sun rises, they gather
and come into their dens to lie.
Man goes out to his work,
to his labor until evening.
How many are Your works, Adonoy!
You made them all with wisdom;
the earth is full of Your possessions!
This sea, great and wide—
therein are innumerable creeping things,
animals small and great.
There ships travel;
this Leviathan
You formed to frolic with.
They all look to You expectantly,
to provide their food in its time.
[When] You give it to them,
they gather it in;
[when] You open Your hand,
they are sated with goodness.
Whey You hide Your face,
they are panic-stricken;
When You gather in their breath, they perish,
and to their dust they return.
When You send Your spirit,
they will be created [anew];
and You will renew the face of the earth.
The glory of Adonoy will endure forever,
Adonoy will rejoice in His works—
Who gazes upon the earth and it trembles;
Who touches the mountains and they erupt.
I will sing to Adonoy with my life;
I will offer hymns to my God
as long as I am alive.
May my words be pleasant to Him;
I will rejoice in Adonoy.
Sin will be excised from the earth,
and the wicked will be no more;
My soul bless Adonoy,
Praise God.
(Deliver us...; Mourner's Kaddish.)
Psalm from Rosh Chodesh Elul
The following psalm (27) is recited at the conclusion of services, morning and evenings, from the first day of Elul, through Shemini Atzeres. Others say only until Hoasha'na Rabbah.
The psalm voices our prayer that God will be our light on Rosh Hashana enabling us to repel the darkness of sin through true repentance, and that He will be our salvation on Yom Kippur, through His compassionate atonement of our sins.
By David:
Adonoy is my light and my salvation,
whom shall I fear?
Adonoy is the strength of my life,
of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers approach me
to devour my flesh—
my tormentors and my foes
they stumble and fall.
If an army should encamp against me,
my heart would not fear;
if war were to rise against me,
in this I trust.
One thing I request of Adonoy,
[only] that shall I seek,
that I may dwell in the House of Adonoy
all the days of my life,
to behold the pleasantness of Adonoy,
and to meditate in His Sanctuary.
For He will hide me in His Tabernacle
on the day of distress,
He will conceal me in the shelter of His Tent,
upon a rock He will lift me.
And now my head is raised high
above my enemies around me;
and I will offer in His Tent,
sacrifices accompanied by trumpets of joy;
I will sing and chant to Adonoy.
Adonoy, hear my voice when I call;
be gracious to me and answer me.
Of You, my heart has said,
Seek My Presence;
Your Presence, Adonoy I will seek.
Conceal not Your Presence from me,
do not turn away Your servant in anger.
You have been my help;
neither cast me off nor abandon me,
God of my deliverance.
When my father and mother abandon me,
Adonoy will gather me up.
Adonoy, teach me Your way,
and lead me in the path of uprightness,
because of my watchers.
Do not deliver me
to the will of my tormentors,
for false witnesses have risen against me,
who breathe violence.
Had I not believed that I would see
the goodness of Adonoy
in the land of living.
Hope to Adonoy,
be strong and He will give you courage;
and hope to Adonoy.
(Mourner's Kaddish.)
Psalm in the House of a Mourner
On days when Tachanun is said:
It is customary to recite this psalm (49) in the house of a mourner during the week of mourning, following the morning and evening services. On weekdays when Tachanun is not said Psalm 16 (page 218) is substituted. This psalm, the final hymn of the psalms set down by the sons of Korach has significance for all mankind. Its message is that man must utilize all his material and physical resources to enhance his spiritual existence so that when his soul survives the body's brief stay on earth it can ascend to immortality. If man fails to recognize his purpose in life and instead regards the acquisition of material wealth the primary aim of life, he forfeits his hope of immortality, and his existence will not continue beyond the grave.—S.R. Hirsch
To Him Who grants victory,
a psalm by the sons of Korach.
Hear this all peoples,
listen all inhabitants of the decaying world!
Sons of Adam and sons of men,
rich and poor together.
My mouth shall speak wisdom,
and the meditation of my heart
shall be of understanding.
I will incline my ear to a parable,
I will begin to solve,
to the accompaniment of a harp,
my riddle.
Why should I fear in the days of evil?
The iniquity I trod upon surrounds me.
Those who trust in their wealth
and take pride in their great riches.
A man will not redeem his brother
neither can he give to God his ransom.
The redemption of their soul is too costly
and it shall cease to be forever.
Shall he then live forever,
shall he never see the grave?
For he sees that wise men die,
the fools and senseless perish equally
and leave their wealth to others.
Their inner thoughts are
that their houses [will last] forever,
their homes for generation after generation;
(for) they have proclaimed their names
throughout the lands.
But man does not endure in his splendor,
he is likened to the silenced animals.
This is their way—
their folly remains with them,
and [yet] their descendants
take pleasure in their speech, Selah.
Like sheep—they are destined for the grave;
death shall be their shepherd,
and the upright shall dominate them
at morning,
their form will be consumed in the grave;
[it will not remain] their dwelling-place.
But God will redeem my soul
from the [grasp of] the grave,
for He will take me [to Himself] Selah.
Fear not when a man grows rich,
when the glory of his house is increased.
For when he dies, he shall carry nothing away,
his glory will not descend after him.
Because while he lived, he blessed his soul.
(saying): they will praise you
because you have done well for yourself.
He will join the generation of his fathers,
they shall not see light, for all eternity.
Man with [all] his splendor,
[but] without understanding
is likened to the silenced animals.
(Mourner's Kaddish.)
On weekdays when Tachanun is not said, the following is said in the house of a mourner.
A Michtam of David.
Preserve me, Almighty,
for I have taken refuge in You.
You said to Adonoy,
You are my Master,
I have no well-being without You.
Due to the holy that are in the earth,
and the mighty,
are all my desires [fulfilled].
Let their sufferings multiply,
those who follow another [sovereignty];
I will not pour their libations of blood,
nor carry their names
upon my lips.
Adonoy is the portion of my inheritance
and of my cup;
You guide my fate.
The portions that have fallen to me
are in pleasant places;
a beautiful inheritance is mine.
I will bless Adonoy
Who has given me counsel;
even for the nights
in which my mind admonished me.
I have set Adonoy before me always;
for surely He is at my right hand,
I will not be moved.
Therefore my heart rejoiced
and my soul exulted;
also my flesh will dwell in safety.
For You will not abandon my soul
to the grave,
nor will You allow Your devoted one
to see the pit.
You will make known to me
the path of life;
fullness of joy is in Your presence;
pleasantness is at Your right hand, evermore.
Mourner's Kaddish
Exalted and sanctified be His great Name
in the world which He created
according to His will
and may He rule His kingdom
bring forth His redemption
and hasten the coming if His Messiah
in your lifetime and in your days,
and in the lifetime
of the entire House of Israel,
speedily and in the near future—
and say Amein.
May His great Name be blessed
forever and for all eternity.
Blessed and praised,
glorified, and exalted and uplifted,
honored and elevated and extolled
be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He;
above (Ten Days of Penitence: far above)
all the blessings and hymns,
praises and consolations
which we utter in the world—and say Amein.
May there be abundant peace from heaven
and life
for us and for all Israel,
—and say Amein.
He Who makes peace
(Ten Days of Penitence: the peace)
in His high heavens
may He, make peace
for us and for all Israel,
and say, Amen.
Aleinu
Hope to Adonoy;
be strong and He will give you courage
and hope to Adonoy.
There is none holy like Adonoy
for there is none beside You
and thee is no stronghold like our God.
For who is a god other than Adonoy
and who is a stronghold beside our God.
There is none like our God.
There is none like our Master.
There is none like our King.
There is none like our Deliverer.
Who is like our God?
Who is like our Master?
Who is like our King?
Who is like our Deliverer?
Let us thank our God.
Let us thank our Master.
Let us thank our King.
Let us thank our deliverer.
Blessed is our God.
Blesed is our Master.
Blessed is our King.
Blessed is our Deliverer.
You are our God.
You are our Master.
You are our King.
You are our Deliverer.
You will deliver us
You will arise and have mercy on Zion,
for it is time to be gracious to her,
for the appointed time has come
you are He,
Adonoy, our God, and God of our fathers
before whom our fathers burned
the incenese offering.
The composition of the incense consisted of
balm, onycha,
galbanum, and frankincense—
by weight, seventy maneh of each;
myrrh, cassia,
spikenard and saffron
by weight—
sixteen maneh of each;
twelve maneh of costus,
three maneh of aromatic bark,
and nine maneh of cinnamon.
[Also used in compounding the incense were:] Nine kabin of Carshina lye,
Cyprus wine [measuring]
three s'in and three kabin—
if he had no Cyprus wine,
he could used strong white wine—
a fourth of a kab of Sodom salt,
and a minute quantity of maaleh ashan.
Rabbi Nosson of Babylonia says,
Add a minute quantity of Jordan amber.
If one added honey, the incense became unfit;
and if one omitted any of its spices
he was liable to the death penalty.
Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel says:
The balm is nothing but sap
which drips from the balsam tree.
Why was Carshina lye used?
To refine the onycha
in order to make it pleasant.
Why was Cyprus wine used?
The onycha was soaked in it
to give it a pungent odor.
Though the water of Raglayim
was well suited for that purpose,
they did not bring
the water of Raglayim into the Temple
because it would be disrespectful.
It was taught in the school of Elijah;
Whoever studies halachos every day,
he is assured
of life in the World-to-Come,
for it is said,
The ways (halichos) of the world are His."
Do not read halichos, but halachos:
Rabbi Eliezer said
on behalf of Rabbi Chanina:
the disciples of the wise
increase peace in the world,
for it is said:
‘and all your children
will be disciples of Adonoy's [Torah];
and great will be the peace of your children.'
Do not read banayich [your children]
but read bonayich [your builders].
Great is the peace
of those who love Your Torah,
and they will have no
stumbling block [misfortune].
Let there be peace within your moats,
serenity within your palaces.
For the sake of my brethren and companions,
I will say: ‘peace be with you.'
For the sake
of the House of Adonoy, our God,
I will seek [pray for] your good.
Mourners say the following Kaddish d'Rabanan
Exalted and sanctified be His great Name
in the world which He created
according to His will
and may He rule His kingdom
bring forth His redemption
and hasten the coming of His Mashiach.
In your lifetime and in your days,
and in the lifetime
of the entire House of Israel,
speedily and in the near future—
and say Amein.
May His great Name be blessed
forever and for all eternity.
Blessed and praised,
glorified, and exalted and uplifted,
honored and elevated and extolled
be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He;
above (Ten Days of Penitence: far above)
all the blessings and hymns,
praises and consolations
which we utter in the world—and say Amein.
Upon Israel, and upon our Sages,
and upon their disciples,
and upon all the disciples of their disciples,
and upon all those who engage in Torah study
in this land
and in every land.
May there be unto them and unto you
abundant peace, favor, kindness,
compassion, long life,
ample sustenance and redemption
from their Father
Who is in heaven and on earth,
—and say Amein.
May there be abundant peace from heaven
and a good life
for us and for all Israel,
—and say Amein.
He Who makes peace
(Ten Days of Penitence: the peace)
in His high heavens
may He, in His mercy, make peace
for us and for all Israel,
—and say Amein.
Kol Bo writes that Joshua authored this prayer when he captured Jericho. Taken from the Musaf service of Rosh Hashana, it serves as the closing prayer of all the daily services. As ruled by Tur (Orach Chaim 133), it is said while standing.
It is our obligation to praise
the Master of all,
to ascribe greatness
to the Creator of the [world in the] beginning:
that He has not made us
like the nations of the lands,
and has not positioned us
like the families of the earth;
that He has not assigned
our portion like theirs,
nor our lot like that of all their multitudes.
For they prostrate themselves
to vanity and nothingness,
and pray to a god that cannot deliver.
But we bow, prostrate ourselves,
and offer thanks
before the Supreme King of Kings,
the Holy One blessed is He,
Who spreads the heavens,
and establishes the earth,
and the seat of His glory is in heaven above,
and the abode of His invincible might
is in the loftiest heights.
He is our God, there is nothing else.
Our King is true,
all else is insignificant,
as it is written in His Torah:
And You shall know this day
and take into Your heart
that Adonoy is God
in the heavens above
and upon the earth below;
there is nothing else.
We therefore put our hope in You,
Adonoy our God,
to soon behold the glory of Your might
in banishing idolatry from the earth,
and the false gods will be utterly exterminated
to perfect the world
as the kingdom of Shadai.
And all mankind will invoke Your Name,
to turn back to You,
all the wicked of the earth.
They will realize and know,
all the inhabitants of the world,
that to You, every knee must bend,
every tongue must swear [allegiance to You].
Before You, Adonoy, our God,
they will bow and prostrate themselves,
and to the glory of Your Name give honor.
And they will all accept [upon themselves]
the yoke of Your kingdom,
and You will reign over them, soon,
forever and ever.
For the kingdom is Yours,
and to all eternity You will reign in glory,
as it is written in Your Torah:
Adonoy will reign forever and ever.
And it is said:
And Adonoy will be King
over the whole earth;
on that day Adonoy will be One
and His Name One.
Do not fear sudden terror
nor the destruction of the wicked
when it comes
take counsel together but it will be foiled
speak the word and it will not stand
for God is with us.
To Your old age I am [with You],
to Your older years I will sustain You,
I have made You, and I will carry You,
I will sustain You and save You.
Mourner's Kaddish
Although the Kaddish contains no reference to the dead, it has been recited by mourners for many centuries. The tradition of the mourner's Kaddish began with the following incident: Once, while walking, Rabbi Akiva met a man who had died some time before and was suffering the torments of Purgatory. He pleaded with Rabbi Akiva to go to his home town and teach his son to recite the Kaddish and Borechu, for this would save him from the terrible punishments. Rabbi Akiva and his Court then instituted the practice of mourners reciting the Kaddish, for until then it had been limited to the Chazzan's reciting it only after the services or after a sermon (See Tana D'vei Eliyahu Zuta, 17: Zohar Parshas Noach).
Exalted and sanctified be His great Name
in the world which He created
according to His will
and may He rule His kingdom
bring forth His redemption
and hasten the coming if His Messiah
in your lifetime and in your days,
and in the lifetime
of the entire House of Israel,
speedily and in the near future—
and say Amein.
May His great Name be blessed
forever and for all eternity.
Blessed and praised,
glorified, and exalted and uplifted,
honored and elevated and extolled
be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He;
above (Ten Days of Penitence: far above)
all the blessings and hymns,
praises and consolations
which we utter in the world—and say Amein.
May there be abundant peace from heaven
and life
for us and for all Israel,
—and say Amein.
He Who makes peace
(Ten Days of Penitence: the peace)
in His high heavens
may He, make peace
for us and for all Israel,
and say, Amen.
Six Verses of Remembrance
According to some authorities it is a mitzvah to recite these six verses of remembrance every day. Those who do so are assured of a share in the World-to-Come.
The Exodus
...in order that you remember the day
you came out of the land of Egypt
all the days of your life.
The Revelation at Mount Sinai
Only beware,
and guard you soul diligently,
lest you forget the things
which your eyes have seen;
lest they be removed from your heart
all the days of your life;
and make them known to your children
and to your children's children.
[That what you witnessed] the day you stood
before Adonoy your God at Chorev.
The Attack of Amalek
Remember
what Amalek did to you
on the way, as you came out of Egypt!
How he encountered you on the way,
and he cut off all the weak ones
[who were straggling] behind you,
when you were weary and exhausted;
and he did not fear God.
When Adonoy, Your God, will relieve you
from all your enemies around you,
in the land which Adonoy, your God,
gives you as a possession to inherit;
you shall eradicate the memory of Amalek
from beneath the heavens. Do not forget.
The Sin of the Golden Calf
Remember, do not forget,
how you provoked
Adonoy, Your God, in the desert.
What Happened to Miriam
Remember
what Adonoy, your God, did
to Miriam
on the way, when you came out of Egypt.
The Sabbath
Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it.
Thirteen Principles of Faith
Many great medieval scholars formulated articles of faith, among them Rav Saadya Gaon, Rav Yehuda Halevi, Rabbeinu Bachya. Maimonides, the foremost of them all, formulated thirteen principles that have attained wide recognition and enduring fame.
The thirteen principles fall into three groups: The first five declare the existence of God as the Creator, One, incorporeal, eternal and alone worthy of man's worship.
The next four deal with the Divine revelation of the Torah, the authenticity of prophecy, particularly that of Moses, and the immutability of the Torah.
The last four deal with God in history, reward and punishment, belief in the coming of Messiah, and the resurrection of the dead.
1. I believe with complete faith
that the Creator, blessed is His Name,
is the Creator and Guide
of all created things,
and He alone has made, does make,
and will make all things.
2. I believe with complete faith
that the Creator, blessed is His Name,
is unique,
and there is no uniqueness like His
in any manner;
and that He alone is our God,
Who was, is, and will ever be.
3. I believe with complete faith
that the Creator, blessed is His Name,
is not corporeal,
and that He is beyond all corporeal concepts,
and there is nothing at all comparable to Him.
4. I believe with complete faith
that the Creator, blessed is His Name,
is First and Last.
5. I believe with complete faith
that the Creator, blessed is His Name,
is the only One to Whom it is proper to pray,
and to no being beside Him
is it proper to pray.
6. I believe with complete faith
that all the words of the prophets are true.
7. I believe with complete faith
that the prophecy of our teacher, Moses,
may he rest in peace,
was true,
and that he was the father of all prophets,
—of those who preceded him,
and of those who followed him.
8. I believe with complete faith
that the entire Torah
which is now in our possession,
is the very one that was given
to our teacher Moses, may he rest in peace.
9. I believe with complete faith
that this Torah will not be exchanged,
and that no additional Torah
[will be given] by the Creator,
blessed is His Name.
10. I believe with complete faith
that the Creator, blessed is His Name,
knows all the deeds of men
and all their thoughts,
as it is said,
He Who forms all their hearts as one,
Who comprehends all their deeds.
11. I believe with complete faith
that the Creator, blessed is His Name,
rewards those who keep His commandments,
and punishes those
who transgress His commandments.
12. I believe with complete faith
in the coming of the Messiah
and even though he may tarry,
nevertheless,
I yearn every day for his coming.
13. I believe with complete faith
that there will be a resurrection of the dead
at a time that pleases
the Creator, blessed is His Name,
and His Name will be exalted forever
and to all eternity.
The Chapter of Reverence for God
Deuteronomy 10:12-11:9
And now Israel, what does Adonoy, your God, require of you, but to fear Adonoy, your God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him and to serve Adonoy, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul. To keep the commandments of Adonoy and His decrees, which I command you this day. Behold, the heaven and the highest of heavens belong to Adonoy, your God, the earth and all that is in it. Yet only in your fathers did Adonoy delight, to love them, and He chose their offspring after them, even you among all the peoples as [it is] this day. Circumcise the barrier of your heart, and be stiffnecked no longer. For Adonoy, your God, is God of all powers and the Master of all masters, the Almighty, the Great, the Powerful, the Awesome, Who has no regard for personages and takes no bribes. Who does justice for the orphan and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. You must love the stranger for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You must fear Adonoy, your God, serve Him, cleave to Him, and swear by His Name. He is your praise, and He is your God, Who did with you all these great and awesome things that your eyes have seen. With seventy people your fathers descended to Egypt, and now Adonoy, your God, has made you as abundant as the stars of heaven. [Therefore] you shall love Adonoy, your God, and keep His trust, His decrees, His statutes, and His commandments all the days. And you should know this day, that it is not with your children who have not known and who did not experience the chastisement of Adonoy, your God, His mighty hand, and His outstretched arm. His signs and His deeds that He performed in the midst of Egypt, to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and to all his land. And what He did to the army of Egypt, to their horses, and to their chariots; how He made the water of the Sea of Reeds drown them as they pursued you, and Adonoy destroyed them to this very day. And what He did for you in the wilderness, until you came into this place. And what He did unto Dathan and Aviram, the sons of Eliav, son of Reuben, when the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them, and their households, their tents and all the substance that was in their possession in the midst of all Israel. But your eyes have seen all the great deeds of Adonoy, that He performed. You should [therefore] keep all the commandments which I command you this day, so you will be strong, and go in and possess the land, to which you are passing over to possess it. And in order to prolong your days upon the land Adonoy swore to your fathers to give to them and to their offspring; a land flowing with milk and honey.
The following prayer is omitted on Shabbos and Yom Tov
May it be Your will Adonoy, my God, and the God of my fathers, to implant Your love and fear of You in my heart and in the heart of all Israel, Your people, to fear Your Great, Mighty and Awesome Name with all our heart and with all our soul, for You are great and Your Name is awesome. Amein. Selah.
The Chapter of Repentance
Deuteronomy 30:1-11
And it will come to pass when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, that you will take it to heart in the midst of all the nations to which Adonoy, your God, has driven you. Then you will return unto Adonoy, your God, and obey His voice according to everything that I command you this day, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul. And then Adonoy, your God, will return your captivity and have compassion upon you; and He will return and gather you from among all the peoples where Adonoy, your God, has scattered you. Even if your scattered ones will be dispersed unto the outermost parts of heaven, from there Adonoy, your God, will gather you, and from there, He will take you. And Adonoy, your God, will bring you into the land which your forefathers possessed, and you will possess it; and He will do good to you and increase you even more than your fathers. Adonoy, your God, will circumcise your heart, and the hearts of your descendants, to love Adonoy, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. Then Adonoy, your God, will set all these curses upon your enemies, and upon those who hate you, who have pursued you. But you will repent and listen to the voice of Adonoy, and perform all His commandments that I command you this day. And Adonoy, your God, will cause you to prosper in all your activities, in the fruit of your womb, in the fruit of your cattle, and the fruit of your soil, for good; for Adonoy will rejoice over you for goodness as He rejoiced over your fathers. For you will then obey the voice of Adonoy, your God, to observe His commandments and His decrees that are written in this Seifer Torah; for you will then return to Adonoy, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul.
(The following prayer is not recited on Shabbos and Yom Tov.)
May it be Your will Adonoy, my God, and the God of my fathers, to construct a passage beneath Your Throne of Glory in order to bring back in perfect repentance all the transgressors of Your people, the House of Israel. And among them, bring me back unto You in perfect repentance, for Your right hand is outstretched to receive those who repent, for You desire repentance. Amein. Selah.
The Chapter of Mannah
According to the Jerusalem Talmud, one who recites this Torah chapter every day is assured that he will never lack for food. The prayer preceding the Torah chapter should not be recited on Shabbos or Yom Tov.
May it be Your will Adonoy, our God, and God of our fathers, to grant livelihood for all Your people, the House of Israel, and may my livelihood and the livelihood of my household be included among them. May it be granted to us with tranquility and not with suffering, with honor and not with disgrace, legally and not illegally, so that we will be able to serve You and study Your Torah. Grant it to us now as You sustained our ancestors in the wilderness, in a desolate and arid land.
Exodus 16:4-36
And Adonoy said to Moses, "See, I will make bread rain down from heaven for you; and the people will go out and gather it for each day['s needs], so that I may test them to see if they will live according to My Torah or not. On the sixth day, they shall prepare what they bring [home], and it will be twice as much as they gather every day." Then Moses and Aaron said to all the Children of Israel, "When evening comes you will know that it was Adonoy Who brought you out of Egypt. And in the morning you will see the glory of Adonoy, since He has heard your complaints against Adonoy. But we—what are we that you should complain against us?"
And Moses said, "When Adonoy gives us meat to eat in the evening and a satisfying meal of bread in the morning, Adonoy will have heard your complaints, which you are addressing to Him. What are we? Your complaints are not against us, but against Adonoy." Then Moses said to Aaron, "Tell the entire community of the Children of Israel, ‘Come near before Adonoy, for He has heard your complaints.'" When Adonoy spoke to the entire community of the Children of Israel, they turned toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of Adonoy appeared in the cloud.
Adonoy spoke to Moses saying, "I have heard the complaints of the Children of Israel; speak to them, saying, ‘In the afternoon you will eat meat, and in the morning you will have your fill of bread; and you will know that I am Adonoy, your God.'" And it was in the evening that flocks of quail rose and covered the encampment; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the encampment.
The layer of dew evaporated, and behold on the surface of the wilderness were thin flakes, as fine as frost on the ground. The Children of Israel saw it and said to one another, "What is this?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "This is the bread that Adonoy is giving you to eat." "This is what Adonoy has commanded: Every man shall take as much as he needs for food, an omer per person; according to the number of your souls let each man take for the individuals in his tent." The Children of Israel did so; they gathered it, some more, some less. But when then they measured it with an omer, the one who took more did not have extra, and the one who took less was not lacking. Each one had gathered according to his required nourishment. Moses said to them, "Let jo one leave any of it over until morning." But some did not listen to Moses and left part of it over until the morning. It turned wormy and became putrid; and Moses was angry at them; they gathered it each morning, every man according to what he needed. The sun then became hot and it melted.
On the sixth day [of the week] they gathered a double portion of food, two omers for each person. All the leaders of the community came and reported it to Moses. He said to them, "This is what Adonoy has [already] spoken: tomorrow is a day of rest, Adonoy's holy Shabbos. Bake what you want to bake, and cook what you want to cook and whatever is left over, put away carefully until morning. They put it away until morning as Moses commanded, and it did not become putrid, and there were no worms in it. Then Moses said, "Eat it today, for today is Adonoy's Shabbos. Today you will not find [manna] in the field. Six days you shall gather it, but the seventh day is Shabbos; there will be no [manna] on that day." But it happened on the seventh day that some of the people went out to gather [manna] but they found nothing.
Adonoy said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep My commandments and My teachings? Look, Adonoy has given you the Shabbos; that is why on the sixth day He gave you food for two days. Every man must remain in his place; no man may leave his designated place on the seventh day." So the people rested on the seventh day. The House of Israel named the food manna. It was like white coriander seed and it tasted like dough kneaded with honey. Moses said, "This is what Adonoy has commanded, ‘Fill an omer measure with it as a keepsake for your generations, so they will see the food with which I fed you in the wilderness when I took you out of Egypt." Moses said to Aaron, "Take a jar and place an omer full of manna in it, and place it before Adonoy as a keepsake for your generations." As Adonoy commanded Moses, so did Aaron place it before the Testimony as a keepsake. The Children of Israel ate the manna for forty years until they came to an inhabited land. They ate the manna until they came to the edge of the land of Canaan. The omer is one-tenth of a ephah.
Birkas Hamazon
Psalm 137
Psalm 137 is recited before Birkas Hamazon on weekdays in memory of the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash:
By the rivers of Babylon,
there we sat and we also wept,
when we remembered Zion.
Upon the willows in its midst,
we hung our harps.
For there our captors demanded of us
words of song,
and our tormentors asked of us [with] mirth;
Sing to us from the song[s] of Zion.
How shall we sing the song of Adonoy
on alien soil?
If I ever forget you, Jerusalem,
may my right hand forget [its movement].
May my tongue cleave to my palate,
if I remember you not;
if I set not Jerusalem
above my highest joy.
Remember, Adonoy,
to the sons of Edom the day of Jerusalem,
[it was they] who said,
Raze it, raze it to its very foundation.
Daughter of Babylon,
you are the annihilated one;
fortunate is he who will repay you
for all you have done to us.
Fortunate is he who will take
and dash your little ones against the rock.
Psalm 126
Psalm 126 is recited on Shabbos, Yom Tov and other festive occasions such as weddings, circumcisions or redemption of the first born.
A Song of Ascents.
When Adonoy brings about
the return to Zion
we will have been like dreamers.
Then will our mouths be filled with laughter,
and our tongue with joyous song.
Then will they say among the nations:
‘Adonoy has done great things for them.'
Adonoy had done great things for us;
we will [then] rejoice.
Adonoy! bring back our exiles
like springs in the desert.
Those who sow in tears
will reap with joyous song.
[Though] he walks along weeping,
carrying the bag of seed,
he will return with joyous song
carrying his sheaves.
When three or more males, aged 13 or older eat together one of them leads the group in reciting the Birkas Hamazon.
The leader begins by saying:
"Gentlemen, let us say the blessing:
The others respond:
The Name of Adonoy will be blessed
from now forever.
The leader repeats:
"The Name of Adonoy will be blessed
from now forever."
The leader continues: (the words "our God" are substituted for "Him" and "He" if ten males are in the group):
"With your permission
our masters and teachers,
Let us bless (our God,) Him,
for we have eaten of His bounty."
The others respond accordingly:
Blessed is (our God) He
for we have eaten of His bounty
and through His goodness we live.
The leader repeats:
"Blessed is (our God) He
for we have eaten of His bounty
and through His goodness we live."
If there are at least 10 men, add:
Blessed is He and blessed is His Name.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who nourishes the entire world
with His goodness,
with favor, with kindness, and with mercy.
He provides food for all flesh,
for His kindness endures forever.
And through His great goodness,
we have never lacked
and we will not lack food
forever and ever,
for the sake of His great Name.
For He is Almighty
Who nourishes and maintains all,
does good to all, and prepares nourishment
for all His creatures which He has created.
As it is said:
You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living being.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
Who nourishes all.
We thank You, Adonoy, our God,
for Your parceling out as a heritage
to our fathers,
a land which is
desirable, good, and spacious;
for Your bringing us out, Adonoy, our God,
from the land of Egypt,
and redeeming us from the house of bondage;
for Your covenant
which You sealed in our flesh;
for Your Torah which You taught us;
for Your statutes
which You made known to us;
for the life, favor, and kindness
which You granted us;
and for the provision of food
with which You nourish and maintain us
constantly, every day, at all times
and in every hour.
On regular weekdays, continue, "For everything" on page 239
On Chanukah and Purim add:
If you forgot to say עַל הַנִּסִּים, you may include it when you reach הָרַחֲמָן by saying: הָרַחֲמָן הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה-לָּנוּ נִסִים וְנִפְלָאוֹת כְּמוֹ שֶׁעָשָׂה לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה. and then continue on Chanukah with: בִּימֵי מַתִּתְיָהוּ, and on Purim with: בִּימֵי מָרְדְּכַי וְאֶסְתֵּר. If you reminded yourself before concluding the second blessing עַל הָאָרֶץ וְעַל הַמָּזוֹן, you may repeat it at that time and continue with the Birkas Hamazon.
[We thank You] for the miracles
for the redemption, for the mighty deeds,
for the deliverances, for the wonders
for the consolations and for the wars
that You performed for our fathers
in those days at this season.
On Chanukah:
In the days of Matisyahu,
son of Yochanan the High Priest,
the Hasmonean and his sons,
when the evil Greek kingdom rose up
against Your people Israel
to make them forget Your Torah
and to turn them away
from the statutes of Your will—
You, in Your abundant mercy,
stood by them in their time of distress,
You defended their cause,
You judged their grievances,
You avenged them.
You delivered the mighty
into the hands of the weak,
many into the hands of the few,
defiled people into the hands of the undefiled,
the wicked into the hands of the righteous,
and insolent [sinners] into the hands of
diligent students of Your Torah.
And You made Yourself
a great and sanctified name in Your world.
And for Your people, Israel,
You performed a great deliverance
and redemption unto this very day.
Afterwards, Your sons entered
the Holy of Holies of Your Abode,
cleaned Your Temple,
purified Your Sanctuary,
and kindled lights
in the Courtyards of Your Sanctuary,
and designated these eight days of Chanukah
to thank and praise Your great Name.
On Purim:
In the days of Mordechai and Esther
in Shushan the Capital [of Persia],
when the evil Haman rose up against them,
he sought to destroy, to kill,
and to annihilate all the Jews,
young and old, infants and women,
in one day, the thirteenth day
of the twelfth month,
which is the month of Adar,
and to plunder their wealth
And You, in Your abundant mercy,
annulled his counsel,
frustrated his intention,
and brought his evil plan upon his own head,
and they hanged him and his sons
upon the gallows.
For everything Adonoy, our God,
We thank You
and bless You.
Blessed be Your Name
through the mouth of all the living,
constantly, forever, as it is written:
When You have eaten and are satisfied,
You will bless Adonoy, your God,
for the good land
which He has given to you.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
for the land and for the food.
Have compassion, Adonoy, our God,
on Israel, Your people,
on Jerusalem, Your city,
on Zion, the dwelling place of Your glory,
on the kingship of the house of David,
Your anointed;
and on the great and holy House
upon which Your Name is called.
Our God, our Father tend us, nourish us,
maintain us, sustain us, relieve us
and grant us relief Adonoy, our God,
speedily from all our troubles.
Adonoy, our God—may we never be in need
of the gifts of men
nor of their loans,
but only of Your hand
which is full, open,
holy and generous,
so that we may not be shamed
nor humiliated
forever and ever.
On regular weekdays, continue, "Rebuild"
On Shabbos add:
May it please You, to strengthen us
Adonoy, our God,
through Your commandments,
and through the commandment
of the seventh day,
this great and holy Sabbath.
For this day
is great and holy before You,
to refrain from work on it
and to rest on it with love,
as ordained by Your will.
And by Your will,
grant us repose Adonoy, our God,
that there be no distress, sorrow,
or sighing on the day of our rest.
Show us Adonoy, our God,
the consolation of Zion, Your city,
and the rebuilding of Jerusalem,
city of Your Sanctuary,
for You are the Master of deliverance
and the Master of consolation.
On Rosh Chodesh and Yom Tov add:
Our God and God of our fathers,
may there ascend, come, and reach,
appear, be desired, and heard,
counted and recalled
our remembrance and reckoning;
the remembrance of our fathers;
the remembrance of the Messiah
the son of David, Your servant;
the remembrance of Jerusalem,
city of Your Sanctuary;
and the remembrance of Your entire people,
the House of Israel, before You
for survival, for well-being,
for favor, kindliness, compassion,
for good life and peace
on this day of:
Rosh Chodesh
the Festival of Matzos
the Festival of Sukkos
the Festival of Shmini Atseres
Remembrance
Remember us Adonoy, our God,
on this day for well-being;
be mindful of us on this day for blessing,
and deliver us for good life.
In accord with the promise of deliverance
and compassion,
spare us and favor us,
have compassion on us and deliver us;
for to You our eyes are directed
because You are the Almighty
Who is King, Gracious, and Merciful.
If you forgot to say רְצֵה or יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא and became aware of it before starting the fourth blessing (הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב), or even if you are in doubt, see pages 249-250 for the appropriate blessing.
If you reminded yourself after you had already begun the fourth blessing and have said: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה', then you must repeat the entire Birkas Hamazon. These laws apply only to Shabbos, and the Festival days of Pesach, Shavuos and Sukkos. On Chol Ha-Moed or on Rosh Chodesh days that do not fall on Shabbos, you need not repeat the Birkas Hamazon even though you began the blessing of הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב.
Rebuild Jerusalem, city of the Holy Sanctuary,
speedily, in our days.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Builder of Jerusalem in His mercy. Amein.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
the Almighty, our Father, our King,
our Mighty One, our Creator, our Redeemer,
our Maker, our Holy One, Holy One of Jacob,
our Shepherd, Shepherd of Israel,
the King, Who is good and beneficent to all.
Every single day He has done good,
does good, and will do good to us.
He has rewarded us, He rewards us,
He will reward us forever with
favor, kindness, and compassion,
relief, rescue, and success,
blessing, deliverance, and consolation,
maintenance, sustenance, compassion,
life, peace, and everything good;
and of all good things
may He never deprive us.
The Merciful One will reign over us
forever and ever.
The Merciful One will be blessed
in heaven and on earth.
The Merciful One will be praised
for all generations,
He will be glorified through us
forever and for all eternity;
and He will be honored through us
for time everlasting.
May the Merciful One
maintain us with honor.
The Merciful One will break the yoke
(of oppression) from our necks
and lead us upright
to our land.
May the Merciful One send us
abundant blessing to this house,
and upon this table
at which we have eaten.
The Merciful One will send us
Elijah the prophet,
who is remembered for good,
who will announce to us
good tidings, deliverances,
and consolations.
When eating at your parents' table, say:
May the Merciful One bless
my father, my teacher,
the master of this house,
and my mother, my teacher,
the mistress of this house;
them, their household,
their children
and all that is theirs.
When eating at your own table, say:
May the Merciful One bless
me, my spouse, my children,
and all that is mine;
A guest says:
May the Merciful One bless
the host
and the hostess,
them, their household, their children
and all that is theirs.
May it be God's will that the
host not be shamed
in this world
or humiliated in the World to Come.
May he have great success
with all his possessions.
May his properties and ours prosper
and be located close to town.
May no evil force have power over
his endeavors
or our endeavors.
May no opportunity present itself before him
or before us
to contemplate
[committing any] sin,
transgression or iniquity
from now forever.
Ours and all that is ours—
just as our forefathers were blessed—
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—
In all things, "From everything,"
and "With everything";
so may He bless us,
all of us together, with a perfect blessing
and let us say Amein.
From on high,
may there be invoked upon them
and upon us, [the] merit
to insure peace,
And may we receive a blessing from Adonoy,
and kindness
from the God of our deliverance;
and may we find favor and understanding
in the eyes of God and man.
On Shabbos say:
May the Merciful One let us inherit
the day which will be completely Shabbos
and rest, for life everlasting.
On Rosh Chodesh say:
May the Merciful One renew for us
this month
for good and for blessing.
On Yom Tov say:
May the Merciful One let us inherit
that day which is completely good.
On Rosh Hashono say:
May the Merciful One renew for us
this year
for good and for blessing.
On Sukkos say:
May the Merciful One raise up for us
the fallen Tabernacle of David.
May the Merciful One make us worthy
of the days of the Messiah
and life of the World to Come.
He who gives great deliverance to His king,
(On Shabbos and Yom Tov say:
He who is a tower of deliverance
to His king,)
and shows kindness to His anointed—
to David and his descendants forever.
He Who makes peace in His high heavens
may He make peace for us
and for all Israel,
and say, Amein.
Fear Adonoy, [you] His holy ones,
for those who fear Him suffer no deprivation.
Young lions may feel want and hunger,
but those who seek Adonoy,
will not be deprived of any good thing.
Give thanks to Adonoy, for He is good,
for His kindness endures forever.
You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living being.
Blessed is the man who trusts in Adonoy,
so that Adonoy is his security.
I was young and I have grown old,
yet I have never seen
a righteous man forsaken,
nor his children begging for bread.
Adonoy will give strength to His people,
Adonoy will bless His people with peace.
The following blessings are said in the event you forgot to say רְצֵה or יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא and reminded yourself before starting the fourth blessing, הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב.
If you forgot to say רְצֵה on Shabbos:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who gave Shabbosos for rest
to His people Israel with love
for a sign and a covenant.
Blessed are You Adonoy,
Sanctifier of Shabbos.
If you forgot to say יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא on Rosh Chodesh:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
King of the Universe,
Who gave Rosh Chodesh days
to His people Israel for remembrance.
If you forgot to say יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא on Yom Tov:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who gave Yomim Tovim
to His people Israel for happiness and joy,
this day of (name the Yom Tov).
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Sanctifier of Israel and the seasons.
If a Yom Tov occurs on Shabbos and you forgot to say רְצֵה and יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who gave Shabbosos for rest
to His people Israel with love,
for a sign and a covenant,
and Yomim Tovim for happiness and joy,
this day of (name the Yom Tov.)
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Sanctifier of Shabbos, Israel,
and the seasons.
If you forgot to say יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא on Rosh Hashanah:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who gave Festivals
to His people Israel for remembrance.
If Rosh Hashanah occurs on Shabbos and you forgot to say רְצֵה and יַעֲלֶה וְיָבֹא:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who gave Shabbosos for rest
to His people Israel, with love
for a sign and a covenant,
and Yomim Tovim to Israel,
for remembrance.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Sanctifier of Shabbos, Israel,
and the Day of Remembrance.
Concluding Blessings
After eating foods of the five species of grain, or wine, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, or dates.
The following blessing is said after eating cooked or baked foods prepared from any of the five species of grain: wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the universe,
for the food and the sustenance
(Continue: "for the produce," on next page)
After drinking wine:
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the universe,
for the vine and the fruit of the vine;
(Continue: "for the produce," on next page)
After eating grapes, figs, olives, dates or pomegranates:
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the universe,
for the trees and fruits of the trees
(Continue: "for the produce," below)
After eating grain foods and drinking wine:
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the universe,
for the food and the sustenance;
for the vine and the fruit of the vine;
(Continue: "for the produce," below)
for the produce of the field;
and for the land
which is delightful, good, and spacious
that You were pleased
to allot as a heritage to our ancestors,
to eat of its fruit
and to be satisfied with its goodness.
Have compassion Adonoy, our God,
upon Israel, Your people,
upon Jerusalem, Your city,
upon Zion, the dwelling place of Your glory,
upon Your Altar and upon Your Temple.
Rebuild Jerusalem, city of the Holy Sanctuary
speedily in our days:
bring us up into it
and cause us to rejoice in its rebuilding;
let us eat from its fruit
and be satisfied with its goodness,
and bless You for it
in holiness and purity.
On Shabbos say:
May it please You to strengthen us
on this Shabbos Day.
On Rosh Chodesh say:
Remember us for good
on this Rosh Chodesh day.
On the Yom Tov say: (choose the appropriate phrase)
Cause us to rejoice on:
this Festival of Matzos.
this Festival of Shavuos.
this Festival of Sukkos.
this Festival of Shemini Atzeres.
On Rosh Hashanah say:
Remember us for good
on this Day of Remembrance.
For You, Adonoy, are good
and beneficent to all,
and we thank You for the land
After food prepared from the five grains, say:
and for the food.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
for the land and for the food.
(and for the sustenance)
After wine say:
and for the fruit of the vine.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
for the land and for the fruit of the vine.
After grapes, figs, olives, dates, pomegranates, say:
and for the fruits.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
for the land and for the fruits.
After grain foods and wine say:
and for the food,
and for the fruit of the vine.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
for the land, and for the food,
(and for the sustenance)
and for the fruit of the vine.
After partaking of all other foods and drinks say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the universe,
Creator of numerous living things
and what they lack,
for all that You have created
in order to sustain the life of every being.
Blessed [is He Who] is
the Life of the Worlds.
Berachos Said Before Performing Mitzvos
Before putting up a Mezuzah, say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us to attach a mezuzah.
Upon erecting a protective fence around a roof or porch, say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us
to erect a [protective] barrier.
Before immersing metal or glass utensils in a Mikveh, say:
[This applies only to vessels manufactured by or purchased from a non-Jew, and are used for the preparation or in the consumption of food or drink.]
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us about immersing vessels.
Separating the challah from the dough:
[When you prepare a batch of dough that is at least 3 lbs. 10.7 ounces, you must remove a kazayis piece of dough and recite the above blessing. This piece is then burned. If the dough weighs at least 2 lbs, 10 ounces but less than 3 lbs, 10.7 ounces, the kazayis piece is removed but the blessing is not recited.]
Before separating the challah from the dough, say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us
to separate challah from the dough.
Berachos Said Before Eating or Drinking
Before eating anything made of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt or rice, say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who created various kinds of nourishment.
Before drinking wine or grape juice say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who creates the fruit of the vine.
Before eating tree-grown fruits say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who created the fruit of the tree.
Before eating earth-grown produce (vegetables) say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who creates the fruit of the earth.
Before eating meat, fish, milk, eggs, cheese, mushrooms, and before drinking all liquids except wine and grape juice, say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
by Whose word all things came to be.
Before tasting any fruit or vegetable for the first time in the season, say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who has kept us alive and sustained us
and brought us to this time.
[This blessing is also said when purchasing a new suit or dress.]
Berachos Said Upon Witnessing Phenomenal Sights
When seeing shooting stars, a comet, or witnessing a hurricane or lightning say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who makes the work of Creation.
Upon hearing thunder, say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
for His strength and His power fill the universe.
When seeing a rainbow say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who remembers the covenant,
is faithful to His covenant
and fulfills His word.
When seeing great seas, or tall mountains which are famous for their great height, say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who makes the work of Creation.
Upon seeing a place where you had experienced a life-saving miracle, you should say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who performed a miracle for me at this place.
Upon seeing a place where your parents or ancestors were miraculously saved, say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who performed a miracle
for my mother/my father
at this place.
Various Other Berachos
Upon hearing good news that concerns both yourself and others, say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who is good and does good.
Upon hearing tragic news, say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
the true Judge.
When putting on a new suit or dress for the first time, say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who clothes the naked.
When you smell fragrant spices, say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who creates various kinds of fragrances.
When you smell fragrant shrubs or flowers, say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who creates fragrant trees.
When you smell fragrant herbs, say:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who creates fragrant herbs.
Marriage Service
The following berachos are said under the marriage canopy
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the Universe
Who creates the fruit of the vine.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the Universe
Who has sanctified us
with His commandments
and commanded us
regarding forbidden sexual relationships
and forbade to us
betrothed women,
and permitted to us [those women]
who are married to us
by means of the chupah and consecration.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who sanctified His people Israel
through the chupah and consecration.
Both the groom and the bride drink from the cup.
The groom then consecrates his bride to him with a ring, in the presence of two appropriate witnesses, and says:
You are hereby
consecrated to me
with this ring
according to the rite of
Moses and Israel.
The kesubah (marriage contract) is read, after which the groom presents it to the bride.
A second cup of wine is poured, and the following "Seven Berachos" are recited.
1. Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the Universe
Who creates the fruit of the vine.
After Birkas Hamazon the "Seven Berachos" begin here, and are followed by number 1 above.
2. Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the Universe
Who created everything for His glory.
3. Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the Universe
Former of man.
4. Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the Universe
Who formed man (Adam) in His image,
in the image of His likeness;
and fashioned for him out of his very self
a building (a wife: Eve) for eternity.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Former of Man.
5. May the barren one be happy and exult
with the ingathering of her children
into her midst with joy.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who gladdens Zion through her children.
6. Grant abundant joy
to these beloved companions,
as You gladdened Your created being
in the Garden of Eden of old.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who gladdens groom and bride.
7. Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the Universe,
Who created happiness and joy,
groom and bride, exultation, song,
pleasure, delight, love, brotherhood,
peace and companionship.
Soon, Adonoy, our God, may there be heard
in the cities of Judah
and in the streets of Jerusalem
the sound of happiness and the sound of joy,
the sound of the groom
and sound of the bride,
the sound of grooms' jubilation
from their chupah,
and of the youths from their feasts of song.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who gladdens the groom with the bride.
Birchas Hamazon for Sheva Berachos
The leader begins:
Gentlemen, let us say the blessing.
The others respond:
The Name of Adonoy will be blessed
from now forever.
The leader repeats:
The Name of Adonoy will be blessed
from now forever.
and proceeds:
Banish sorrow and fury too
and then the mute will exult in song.
Guide us in the paths of righteousness.
Heed the blessing of the children of Jeshurun
(and) the sons of Aaron.
With your permission
our masters and teachers,
let us bless our God,
in Whose abode is joy
for we have eaten of His bounty.
The others respond:
Blessed is our God
in Whose abode is joy
for we have eaten of His bounty
and through His goodness we live.
The leader repeats:
Blessed is our God,
in Whose abode is joy
[and] we have eaten of His bounty
and through His goodness we live.
Recite Birchas Hamazon.
Service at a Circumcision
Upon the arrival of the child, all those present at the service rise and say:
Blessed is he that comes!
The Mohel takes the child, and placing it upon a designated seat which is called the Throne of Elijah and he says:
This is the Throne of Elijah,
may he be remembered for good.
For Your deliverance I have hoped, Adonoy.
I have longed for Your deliverance, Adonoy;
and I have fulfilled Your commandments.
Elijah, messenger of the circumcision!
Behold, yours is now before you,
stand at my right hand and support me.
I have longed for Your deliverance.
I am happy with Your word
like one who finds great gain.
Great is the peace
of those who love Your Torah,
and there is no stumbling for them.
Fortunate is he whom You choose
and bring near,
that he may dwell in Your courts.
All those present respond:
May we be satisfied
with the goodness of Your House,
the holy place of Your Sanctuary.
Before the Mohel performs the circumcision, the father of the child says:
Behold, I am prepared and ready
to fulfill the positive commandment
commanded me by the Creator, blessed is He,
to circumcise my son.
The Mohel takes the child and proclaims:
The Holy One, blessed is He, said
to our father, Abraham,
Walk before me and be perfect.
Behold, I am prepared and ready
to fulfill the positive commandment
that the Creator, blessed is He,
commanded us to circumcise.
The Mohel places the child upon the knees of the Sandek, and before performing the actual circumcision, he says:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who sanctified us with His commandments,
and commanded us
concerning the circumcision.
As the Mohel performs the act of circumcision the father of the child says:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who sanctified us with His commandments,
and commanded us to bring him
into the covenant of our father, Abraham.
All those present proclaim:
Amein!
Even as he has entered into the covenant,
so may he enter into the [study of] Torah,
chupah [the nuptial canopy], and good deeds.
One of the distinguished relatives or guests is given the honor of reciting the following Berachos:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who creates the fruit of the vine.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who sanctified [Isaac] the beloved one,
from birth,
and set Your statute in his flesh,
and sealed his offspring
with the sign of the holy covenant.
Therefore, on this account,
living Almighty, our Portion, our Rock,
give the command to rescue
the beloved soul within our flesh
from destruction,
for the sake of His covenant
that He has set in our flesh.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Maker of the covenant.
Another distinguished relative or guest is given the honor of announcing the name of the child.
Our God and God of our fathers,
preserve this child
to his father and his mother,
and let his name be called in Israel
(the child's Hebrew name) son of
(father's Hebrew name).
May his father rejoice in his offspring
and may his mother exult
in the fruit of her womb;
as it is written:
Let your father and your mother rejoice,
and let her who gave birth to you exult.
And it is said:
And I passed by you
and saw you staggering in your blood,
‘and I said to you, In your blood live!'
‘And I said to you, in your blood live!'
And it is said:
He remembered His covenant forever,
the word which He commanded
to a thousand generations.
Which He made as a treaty with Abraham,
and which was His oath to Isaac.
And He established it for Jacob as a statute,
for Israel as an everlasting covenant.
And it is said:
Abraham circumcised his son Isaac
when he was eight days old,
as God had commanded him.
Thank Adonoy for He is good,
for His kindness endures forever.
Thank Adonoy, for He is good,
for His kindness endures forever.
This little child—
(child's Hebrew name)
son of (father's Hebrew name)
may he become great.
Even as he entered into the covenant,
so may he enter into the [study of] Torah,
chupah [the nuptial canopy] and good deeds.
The person who recited the Berachos drinks some wine, and the Mohel blesses the child:
He who blessed our fathers,
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
may He bless
this tender, circumcised child
(child's Hebrew name)
son of (father's Hebrew name)
and grant him a complete recovery,
because he has entered into the covenant.
And even as he has entered into the covenant,
so may he enter into the [study of] Torah,
chupah [the nuptial canopy] and good deeds.
And let us [all] say Amein.
The Mohel and the father of the child recite this prayer:
Master of the Universe,
may it be Your will
that he be
considered and regarded favorably,
and accepted before You,
as though I had offered him
before the Throne of Your Glory.
And May You in Your abundant mercy send
through Your holy angels
a holy and pure soul to my son
(Child's Hebrew name)
son of (father's Hebrew name)
who was now circumcised
for Your great Name.
And may his heart be as open
as the Temple entrance,
to be receptive to Your holy Torah,
to learn it, to teach it, to observe it
and to perform [its commandments).
Grant him long days, years,
a life of fear of sin,
a life of richness and honor,
a life in which You will fulfill
the wishes of his heart for good.
Amein, may it so be Your will.
Birkas Hamzon for Bris Milah
The leader begins:
Gentlemen, let us say the blessing.
The others respond:
The Name of Adonoy will be blessed
from now forever.
The leader repeats:
The Name of Adonoy will be blessed
from now forever.
and proceeds:
We give thanks to Your Name
in the midst of our faithful ones,
blessed are You unto Adonoy.
With permission of the Almighty
Who is fearful and awesome
(our) refuge in times of trouble;
Almighty girded with strength
mighty on high is Adonoy.
All respond:
We give thanks to Your Name
in the midst of our faithful ones,
blessed are You unto Adonoy.
The leader continues:
With permission of the holy Torah
(which is) pure and clear,
it was commanded to us as a heritage
by Moses, servant of Adonoy.
All respond:
We gave thanks to Your Name
in the midst of our faithful ones,
blessed are You unto Adonoy.
The leader continues:
With permission of the Kohanim
and the Levites,
I call upon the God of the Hebrews;
I declare His glory in all the isles,
I attribute blessing to Adonoy.
All respond:
We give thanks to Your Name
in the midst of our faithful ones,
blessed are you unto Adonoy.
The leader continues:
With your permission
our masters and teachers,
I open my mouth and lips with song,
and my bones shall proclaim:
blessed is he who comes
in the Name of Adonoy.
All respond:
We give thanks to Your Name
in the midst of the faithful ones,
blessed are You unto Adonoy.
The leader continues:
With your permission
our masters and teachers,
let us bless our God,
for we have eaten of His bounty.
All respond:
Blessed is our God
for we have eaten of His bounty
and through His goodness we live.
The leader repeats:
Blessed is our God,
for we have eaten of His bounty
and through His goodness we live.
Recite "Birchas Hamazon".
After Birchas Hamazon, the leader says
May the Merciful One bless
the boy's father and mother
and may they merit to raise him,
to educate him
and to rear him in wisdom.
From this eighth day onward
may his blood find acceptance,
and may Adonoy his God be with him.
All respond:
Amen
May the Merciful One bless
the sandak at the circumcision covenant,
who happily performed
this righteous deed in joy.
May he be rewarded for his deed
with doubled recompense,
and exalt him higher and higher.
All respond:
Amen
May the Merciful One bless
the tender infant
who has been circumcised on his eighth day;
may his hands and heart be faithful to God,
may he merit to behold the Divine Presence,
three times a year.
All respond:
Amen
May the Merciful One bless
the mohel who circumcised the uncut flesh
and lifted it off and sucked forth
the blood of the circumcision.
the service of the timid or faint-hearted
is unfit
if these three essential acts
are not performed.
All respond:
Amen
May the Merciful One send us His Messiah,
who walks in perfect wholesomeness,
in the merit of the blood of circumcision,
to bring good tidings
and consolations
to the unique people (who are)
dispersed and scattered among the nations.
All respond:
Amen
May the Merciful One send us
the righteous Kohein
who was taken and concealed [in heaven,]
until his throne is established
[bright] as the sun, [radiant] as a diamond;
he who covered his face with his cloak
and enwrapped himself therein,
My covenant was with him
for life and peace.
All respond:
Amen
Redemption of the Firstborn
The first born male child must be redeemed on the thirty-first day of his birth. If, however, the father is a Kohein or a Levite, or the mother a daughter of a Kohein or a Levite, they are exempt from the duty of redemption. Should the thirty-first day fall on a Shabbos or Yom Tov, the service is postponed until the next day.
The father, presenting his child to the Kohein, makes the following declaration:
This, my first born son,
is the first issue of his mother's womb,
and the Holy One, blessed is He
has commanded to redeem him,
as it is said:
And those that are to be redeemed of them,
from a month old shall you redeem them,
according to your estimation,
for the money of five silver shekalim,
of the shekel of the Sanctuary
which is equal to twenty geirah.
And it is said:
Sanctify unto me all the firstborn,
whatsoever opens the womb
among the Children of Israel,
both of man and of beast is Mine.
The father then places before the Kohein silver dollars in the amount of fiveshekalim which is equal to five silver dollars, or according to some Poskim seven silver dollars, and the Kohein asks:
Which do you prefer,
to give me your firstborn son
who is the first issue of his mother's womb,
or would you rather redeem him
for five shekalim,
as you are required to do by the Torah?
The father replies:
I wish to redeem my son
and here is the value of his redemption
which I am required to give
according to the Torah.
While holding the silver dollars, the father says these two Berachos:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us concerning
the redemption of the [firstborn] son.
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who has kept us alive and sustained us
and brought us to this time.
The Kohein accepts the silver dollars, and holding it over the head of the child, says:
This is instead of that,
this is in exchange for that,
this is pardoned for that.
May this child enter into life,
into the [study of] Torah,
chupah [the nuptial canopy] and good deeds.
Amein.
The Kohein places his right hand upon the head of the child and blesses him:
May God make you
as Ephraim and Menashe.
Adonoy bless you and guard you.
Adonoy shine His countenance upon you
and be gracious unto you.
Adonoy turn His countenance toward you
and grant you peace.
Adonoy is your guardian;
Adonoy is your shelter at your right hand.
For length of days
and years of life and peace,
will He add to you.
Adonoy will guard you from all evil,
He will preserve your soul.
The Kohein hands the child to the father.
The Kohein then takes a cup of wine and says:
Blessed are You, Adonoy
our God, King of the Universe,
Who creates the fruit of the vine.
The Travelers' Prayer
May it be Your will
Adonoy, our God, and God of our fathers,
that you lead us to peace,
incline our footsteps to peace,
guide us to peace,
and cause us to reach our desired destination
for life, for joy and for peace.
Rescue us from the grasp of every foe,
ambush, bandits, and vicious animals
along the way,
and from all forms of punishment
that rage upon the world.
Send blessing in all our work,
and grant us favor, kindness, and compassion
in Your eyes,
and in the eyes of all who see us.
Hear the sound of our supplication,
for You are Almighty
Who hears prayer and supplication.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who hears prayer.
Recite these verses three times:
And Jacob went on his way,
and angels of God met him.
And Jacob said when he saw them,
‘This is God's host.'
And he called
the name of the place Machanayim.
Recite these verses three times:
For Your deliverance, I hope, Adonoy.
I hope, Adonoy, for Your deliverance.
Adonoy, for Your deliverance I hope.
Recite this verse three times:
Behold, I send an angel before you,
to preserve you on the way,
and to bring you to the place
I have prepared.
Recite this verse three times:
Adonoy will give strength to his people;
Adonoy will bless His people with peace.
Mincha
Ashrei
Fortunate are those who dwell
in Your house;
may they continue to praise You, Selah.
Fortunate is the people whose lot is thus;
fortunate is the people
for whom Adonoy is their God.
A praise by David!
I will exalt You, my God, the King,
and bless Your Name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless You
and extol Your Name forever and ever.
Adonoy is great and highly extolled,
and His greatness is unfathomable.
One generation to another
will praise Your works,
and Your mighty acts they will declare.
The splendor of Your glorious majesty,
and the words of Your wonders I will speak.
Of Your awesome might, they will speak,
and Your greatness I will recount.
Mention of Your bountifulness
they will express,
and in Your righteousness joyfully exult.
Adonoy is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and great in kindliness.
Adonoy is good to all,
His mercy encompasses all His works.
All Your works will thank You, Adonoy,
and Your pious ones will bless You.
Of the honor of Your kingship,
they will speak,
and Your might they will declare.
To reveal to men His mighty acts,
and the glorious splendor of His kingship.
Your kingship is the kingship for all times,
and Your dominion is in every generation.
Adonoy supports all the fallen,
and straightens all the bent.
The eyes of all look expectantly to You,
and You give them
their food at its proper time.
You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living being.
Adonoy is just in all His ways
and benevolent in all His deeds.
Adonoy is near to all who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth.
The will of those who fear Him, He fulfills;
He hears their cry and delivers them.
Adonoy watches over all those who love Him,
and will destroy all the wicked.
Praise of Adonoy, my mouth will declare
and all flesh will bless
His holy Name forever and ever.
And we will bless God
from now forever.
Praise God.
The Chazzan recites the following half-Kaddish
Exalted and sanctified be His great Name
in the world which He created
according to His will
and may He rule His kingdom
bring forth His redemption
and hasten the coming of His Mashiach.
In your lifetime and in your days,
and in the lifetime
of the entire House of Israel,
speedily and in the near future—
and say Amein.
May His great Name be blessed
forever and for all eternity.
Blessed and praised,
glorified, and exalted and uplifted,
honored and elevated and extolled
be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He;
above (Ten Days of Penitence: far above)
all the blessings and hymns,
praises and consolations
which we utter in the world—and say Amein.
Shemoneh Esrei
When I proclaim Adonoy's Name
attribute greatness to our God.
My Master, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare Your praise.
THE VIRTUE OF OUR FOREFATHERS
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, and God of our fathers,
God of Abraham, God of Isaac,
and God of Jacob,
the Almighty,
the Great, the Powerful, the Awesome,
most high Almighty,
Who bestows beneficent kindness,
Who possesses everything,
Who remembers the piety of the Patriarchs,
and Who brings a redeemer
to their children's children,
for the sake of His Name, with love.
(During the Ten Days of Penitence add:
Remember us for life
King, Who desires life;
and inscribe us in the Book of Life,
for Your sake, Living God.)
If you forgot to say this, see page 000.
King, Helper, and Deliverer and Shield.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Shield of Abraham.
DIVINE MIGHT
You are mighty forever, my Master;
You are the Resurrector of the dead
the Powerful One to deliver us.
From the Musaf of the first day of Pesach until the Musaf of Shemini Atzeres you should say:
He causes the dew to descend.
From the Musaf of Shemini Atzeres until the Musaf of the first day of Pesach you should say:
Causer of the wind to blow
and of the rain to fall.
If you neglected to say this, see page 000.
Sustainer of the living with kindliness,
Resurrector of the dead with great mercy,
Supporter of the fallen,
and Healer of the sick,
and Releaser of the imprisoned,
and Fulfiller of His faithfulness
to those who sleep in the dust.
Who is like You, Master of mighty deeds,
and who can be compared to You?
King Who causes death and restores life,
and causes deliverance to sprout forth.
(During the Ten Days of Penitence add:
Who is like You merciful Father,
Who remembers His creatures for life,
in His mercy.)
If you forgot to say this, see page 000.
And You are faithful
to restore the dead to life.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Resurrector of the dead.
(When the Chazzan repeats the Shemoneh Esrei, the Kedushah is said here)
Kedushah
The Congregation says and the Chazzan repeats:
We will hallow and revere You
as [with] the sweet words
of the company of the holy Seraphim
who thrice repeat “holy” unto You,
as is written by the hand of Your prophet,
“And they called one to another, and said:
Congregation says and Chazzan repeats:
‘Holy, holy, holy,
is Adonoy of Hosts,
the fullness of all the earth is His glory.'”
The Chazzan says:
Facing them, they offer praise and say:
Congregation says and Chazzan repeats:
“Blessed is the glory of Adonoy
from its place”
The Chazzan says:
And in Your Holy Words it is written:
Congregation says and Chazzan repeats:
“Adonoy will reign forever;
Your God, Zion, throughout all generations!
Praise God.”
DIVINE SANCTIFICATION
You are holy and Your Name is holy
and holy beings
praise You every day, forever.
For a great and Almighty King—
great and holy—are You.
During the Ten Days of Penitence, continue at the asterisk (*) below
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
the Almighty, the Holy One.
*During the Ten Days of Penitence:
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
the King, the Holy One.
If you mistakenly said, “the Almighty” instead of “the King,” or if you are in doubt, see page 000.
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING
You favor man with perception
and teach mankind understanding.
Grant us from Your
wisdom, understanding and knowledge.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Grantor of perception.
PRAYER FOR PENITENCE
Cause us to return, our Father,
to Your Torah
and bring us near, our King, to Your service;
and bring us back
in whole-hearted repentance before You
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who desires penitence.
PRAYER FOR PARDON
Pardon us, our Father, for we have sinned,
forgive us, our King,
for we have transgressed;
for you are a good and forgiving almighty.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Gracious One, Who pardons abundantly.
PRAYER FOR REDEMPTION
Look, please, upon our affliction,
and defend our cause:
and redeem us
speedily with complete redemption
for the sake of Your Name;
because You are a Mighty Redeemer.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Redeemer of Israel.
(On Fast Days, the Chazzan says “Answer us” and concludes, “Blessed are . . . Who responds at times of trouble.”)
PRAYER FOR HEALING
Heal us, Adonoy, and we will be healed,
deliver us and we will be delivered;
for You are our praise.
Grant a cure and healing
to all our sickness
and to all our pain
and to all our affliction
because You are the Almighty, King,
Who is a faithful and merciful Healer.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Healer of the sick of His people Israel.
PRAYER FOR PROSPERITY
Bless for us, Adonoy our God,
this year
and all the varieties of its produce
for good;
and bestow
From the first say of Pesach until the evening service [Maariv] on December 4, or, on a civil leap year, December 5, we say the following line.
blessing
From the evening service [Maariv] on December 4, or, on a civil leap year, December 5, until the First day of Pesach, we say the following line.
dew and rain for a blessing
If you forgot to say this, see page 000.
upon the face of the earth;
satisfy us from its bounty
and bless our year
as other good years, for blessing,
for You are generous Almighty
who bestows goodness
and blesses the years.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Blesser of the years.
PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE
Sound the great shofar for our liberty,
and raise a banner to gather our exiles,
and gather us together quickly
from the four corners of the earth.
into our Land.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Gatherer
of the dispersed of His people Israel.
PRAYER FOR RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT
Restore our judges as before
and our counselors as at first.
Remove from us sorrow and sighing,
and reign over us quickly
You, Adonoy, alone
with kindness and compassion;
and make us righteous
with righteousness and justice,
During the Ten Days of Penitence, continue at the asterisk (*) below
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
King, Lover of righteousness and justice.
*During the Ten Days of Penitence:
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
the King of Justice.
If you mistakenly said, “King, Lover of righteousness and justice,” instead of “the King of Justice,” see page 000.
PRAYER FOR DIVINE RETRIBUTION
For informers let there be no hope
and may all wickedness instantly perish
may all Your enemies be swiftly cut off,
and the insolent may You quickly uproot,
crush, rout, disgrace, humble
and subdue speedily in our days.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Crusher of enemies
and Subduer of the insolent.
PRAYER FOR THE RIGHTEOUS SCHOLARS
Upon the righteous, upon the pious,
upon the elders of the remnant
of Your people the House of Israel,
upon the remnant of their scholars,
upon the true proselytes, and upon us,
may Your mercy be aroused,
Adonoy our God.
Grant bountiful reward
to all who trust in Your Name in truth;
and place our lot among them,
and may we never be put to shame,
for in You we have put our trust,
and on Your great compassion
we truly rely.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Support and Trust of the righteous.
PRAYER FOR JERUSALEM
And to Jerusalem, Your city,
return in mercy,
and dwell therein as You have spoken;
and rebuild it soon, in our days,
as an everlasting structure,
and the throne of David, Your servant
may You speedily establish therein.
During Mincha services on the Ninth of Av, the following petition is added here:
Adonoy, our God, console
the mourners of Zion
and the mourners of Jerusalem
and the city that is in mourning
and in ruins, despised and desolate.
Mourning because she is bereft of her children,
ruined of her dwellings,
despised in contrast to her former glory,
desolate without inhabitants,
she sits alone with her head covered
like a barren woman who never gave birth.
Legions have devoured her,
idolaters have deprived her of her inheritance;
they have put Your people Israel
to the sword
and have wantonly murdered
the pious ones of the Most High.
Therefore, Zion weeps bitterly,
and Jerusalem raises her voice,
“My heart, my heart
[grieves] for their slain,
my innards, my innards,
[ache] for their slain.
For you, Adonoy, set her afire,
and with fire You will ultimately rebuild her,
as it is said,
“I will be to her, says Adonoy,
a wall of fire around [her],
and I shall be for glory in her midst.”
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Consoler of Zion and Builder of Jerusalem.
Continue: “The sprout of David
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Builder of Jerusalem.
PRAYER FOR SALVATION
The sprout of David, Your servant,
speedily cause to flourish
and exalt his power with Your deliverance,
For Your deliverance we hope all day.
and watch for Your deliverance.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who causes to sprout
the power of salvation.
PRAYER FOR ACCEPTANCE
Merciful Father
Hear our voice, Adonoy, our God;
spare us and have compassion on us,
and accept
our prayers compassionately and willingly,
for You are Almighty
Who hears prayers and supplications;
and from Your Presence, our King,
do not turn us away empty-handed,
be gracious and answer us
and hear our prayer
On Fast days during Mincha, the following petition is added here:
Answer us, Adonoy, answer us
on the day of our fasting,
for we are in great trouble.
Do not regard our wickedness,
do not conceal Your countenance from us,
and do not be unmindful
of our supplication.
Please be near to our cry,
let Your loving kindness console us.
Even before we call unto You, answer us,
as it is said:
“And it shall come to pass that before they call
I will answer;
while they are yet speaking,
I will hear.
For You, Adonoy,
are the One Who answers in time of trouble,
Who redeems and rescues
in all times of trouble and distress.
Continue: “for You hear the prayers.” The Chazzan, however, concludes:
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who answers His people Israel
in time of trouble.
for You hear the prayers of every mouth
of Your people, Israel, with compassion.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who hears prayers.
PRAYER FOR RETURN OF DIVINE SERVICE
Be pleased, Adonoy, our God,
with Your people Israel
and pay heed to their prayer;
and restore the service
to the Holy of Holies in Your abode,
and the fire-offerings of Israel;
and accept their prayer, lovingly
and willingly.
And may You always find pleasure
with the service of Your people, Israel.
On regular weekdays continue, “And may our eyes”.
On Rosh Chodesh and on Chol HaMoed, the following prayer is added:
Our God and God of our fathers,
may there ascend, come, and reach,
appear, be desired, and heard,
counted and recalled
our remembrance and reckoning;
the remembrance of our fathers;
the remembrance of the Mashiach
the son of David, Your servant;
the remembrance of Jerusalem,
city of Your Sanctuary;
and the remembrance of Your entire people,
the House of Israel, before You
for survival, for well-being,
for favor, kindliness, compassion,
for good life and peace
on this day of:
Rosh Chodesh
the Festival of Matzos
the Festival of Sukkos
Remember us Adonoy, our God,
on this day for well-being;
be mindful of us on this day for blessing,
and deliver us for good life.
In accord with the promise of deliverance
and compassion,
spare us and favor us,
have compassion on us and deliver us;
for to You our eyes are directed
because You are the Almighty
Who is King, Gracious, and Merciful.
If you forgot to say this, see page 000.
And may our eyes behold
Your merciful return to Zion.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who returns His Divine Presence to Zion.
At the words, We are thankful, bend forward; at Adonoy return to an upright position.
THANKSGIVING
We are thankful to You
that You Adonoy are our God
and the God of our fathers forever;
Rock, Rock of our lives,
the Shield of our deliverance,
You are in every generation.
We will give thanks to You
and recount Your praise,
for our lives
which are committed into Your hand,
and for our souls
which are entrusted to You,
and for Your miracles of every day with us,
and for Your wonders and benefactions
at all times—
evening, morning and noon.
(You are) The Beneficent One—
for Your compassion is never withheld;
And (You are) the Merciful One—
for Your kindliness never ceases;
for we have always placed our hope in You.
(When the Chazzan repeats the Shemoneh Esrei and says, “Who returns His Divine Presence to Zion”, the congregation responds by saying “Amein” and then the following prayer.)
We are thankful to You,
that You Adonoy are our God,
and God of our fathers,
God of all flesh,
Our Creator, Creator of the Beginning.
Blessings and thanksgivings
to Your great and holy Name
for keeping us alive, and sustaining us;
so may You always keep us alive
and sustain us,
and gather our exiles
to the Courtyards of Your Sanctuary
to observe Your statutes,
and to do Your will,
and to serve You wholeheartedly,
for we are thankful to You.
Blessed is the Almighty
to Whom all thanks are due.
(On Chanukah and Purim the following prayer is added. If you omitted it, you need not repeat the Shemoneh Esrei. If, however, you became aware of your omission before concluding the blessing, you should say it at that time, and conclude by saying, “ וְעַל כֻּלָּם , and for all the foregoing.”)
[We thank You] for the miracles
for the redemption, for the mighty deeds,
for the deliverances, for the wonders
for the consolations and for the wars
that You performed for our fathers
in those days at this season.
On Chanukah:
In the days of Matisyahu,
son of Yochanan the High Priest,
the Hasmonean and his sons,
when the evil Greek kingdom rose up
against Your people Israel
to make them forget Your Torah
and to turn them away
from the statutes of Your will—
You, in Your abundant mercy,
stood by them in their time of distress,
You defended their cause,
You judged their grievances,
You avenged them.
You delivered the mighty
into the hands of the weak,
many into the hands of the few,
defiled people into the hands of the undefiled,
the wicked into the hands of the righteous,
and insolent [sinners] into the hands of
diligent students of Your Torah.
And You made Yourself
a great and sanctified name in Your world.
And for Your people, Israel,
You performed a great deliverance
and redemption unto this very day.
Afterwards, Your sons entered
the Holy of Holies of Your Abode,
cleaned Your Temple,
purified Your Sanctuary,
and kindled lights
in the Courtyards of Your Sanctuary,
and designated these eight days of Chanukah
to thank and praise Your great Name.
On Purim:
In the days of Mordechai and Esther
in Shushan the Capital [of Persia],
when the evil Haman rose up against them,
he sought to destroy, to kill,
and to annihilate all the Jews,
young and old, infants and women,
in one day, the thirteenth day
of the twelfth month,
which is the month of Adar,
and to plunder their wealth—
And You, in Your abundant mercy,
annulled his counsel,
frustrated his intention,
and brought his evil plan upon his own head,
and they hanged him and his sons
upon the gallows.
And for all the foregoing
blessed, exalted and extolled
your Name, our King
constantly, forever and ever.
During the Ten Days of Penitence, add:
Inscribe for a good life
all the children of Your covenant.
If you forgot to say this, see page 000.
And all the living shall thank You forever
and praise and bless
Your great Name with sincerity forever;
for You are goodness—
the Almighty, Who is our deliverance
and our help forever—
the benevolent Almighty.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
“The Beneficent” is Your Name
and You it is fitting to praise.
Birkas Kohanim is said by the Chazzan on public fast-days:
Birkas Kohanim
Our God, and God of our fathers, bless us
with the threefold blessing of the Torah,
written by the hand of Moses, Your servant,
pronounced from the mouth of Aaron
and his sons, the kohanim, Your holy people;
as it is said:
Adonoy bless you and guard you.
Adonoy shine His countenance upon you
and be gracious unto you.
Adonoy turn His countenance toward you
and grant you peace.
After Birkas Kohanim the congregation says:
Mighty One on high who dwells in might,
You are peace and Your Name is peace.
May it be Your will that You grant us
and all of Your people, the House of Israel
life and blessing
for a safeguard to peace.
PRAYER FOR PEACE
Grant peace, goodness, and blessing,
life favor, kindness and compassion
upon us and upon all Israel, Your people.
Bless us, our Father, all of us as one
with the light of Your countenance.
For by the light of Your countenance
You gave us Adonoy our God,
a Torah of life and the love of kindliness,
righteousness, blessing, compassion,
life, and peace.
And may it be good in Your sight
to bless us
and to bless Your people Israel,
at all times and at every moment
with Your peace
(with much strength and peace).
During the Ten Days of Penitence continue here:
In the book of life, blessing, peace
and abundant maintenance,
good decrees, salvations and condolences,
may we be remembered and inscribed
before You;
we and all Your people, the House of Israel
for a good life and peace.
If you forget to say this you need not go back and repeat it.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who blesses His people Israel
with peace.
May they be acceptable
the words of my mouth
and the thoughts of my heart, before You
Adonoy, my Rock and my Redeemer.
My God, guard my tongue from evil
and my lips from speaking deceitfully.
To those who curse me,
may my soul be unresponsive;
and let my soul be like dust to all.
Open my heart to Your Torah
and let my soul pursue Your commandments.
And all who plan evil against me,
quickly annul their counsel
and frustrate their intention.
(May it it be Your will
Adonoy, my God and God of my fathers,
that no person be envious of me
and that I not be envious of others,
that I not be brought to anger this day,
and that I not cause Your anger;
and save me from the evil inclination,
and help me be humble and any modest.
Our King and our Father,
unify Your Name in Your world,
rebuild Your city, establish Your house
and perfect your sanctuary.
Gather our exiles,
redeem Your people, rejoice Your congregation).
Act for the sake of Your Name.
Act for the sake of Your right hand.
Act for the sake of Your Torah.
Act for the sake of Your holiness.
In order that Your loved ones be released,
deliver [with] Your right hand and answer me.
Biblical phrases applicable to one's name may be found on pp. 000-000.
May they be acceptable—
the words of my mouth
and the thoughts of my heart—before You
Adonoy, my Rock and my Redeemer.
He Who makes peace
in His high heavens
may He make peace
upon us and upon all Israel
and say Amein.
May it be Your will,
Adonoy, our God, and the God of our Fathers
that the Holy Temple be rebuilt
speedily in our days,
and grant us our share in Your Torah.
And there we will serve You reverently
as in the days of old,
and in earlier years.
And let Adonoy be pleased
with the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem
as in the days of old and in earlier years.
On days when Tachanun is omitted (see below) the chazzan continues with Kaddish. (14 and 15 Adar Rishon in a leap year); the entire month of Nissan; Pesach Sheini (14 Iyar); Lag BaOmer; 1-8 Sivan; 9 and 15 Av; and 29 Elul. When Tachanun is omitted on these days, it is also omitted at the preceding Mincha (afternoon service).
Tachanun
Tachanun is also omitted in the presence of a bridegroom, in the house of a mourner during the week of mourning, and on the occasion of a circumcision if the father, the sandak or the mohel is present. The worshipper recites the Tachanun in a sitting position, while resting his brow on his arm. During the morning service, when the hand-tefillin is on the left arm, he leans his brow on his right arm, but at the Mincha service he leans his brow on his left arm. This "falling on one's face" symbolizes complete submission to God and the committing of our destinies into His hands. It is mentioned in the Talmud (Maseches Megillah 22b), and originates with Moses, who "Fell down before God" (Deuteronomy 9:18) and was followed by Joshua, who "Fell on the earth upon his face before the Ark of God" (Joshua 7:6)
Our God and God of our fathers,
let our prayer come before you
and do not ignore our supplication.
For we are not so brazen-faced
and stiff-necked
to say to you,
Adonoy, our God, and God of our fathers,
We are righteous and have not sined.
But, indeed, we and our fathers have sinned.
We have trespassed [against God and man, and we are devastated by our guilt];
We have betrayed [God and man, we have been ungrateful for the good done to us];
We have stolen; We have slandered.
We have caused others to sin;
We have caused others to commit sins for which they are called רְשָׁעִים, wicked;
We have sinned with malicious intent;
We have forcibly taken other's possessions even though we paid for them;
We have added falsehood upon falsehood; we have joined with evil individuals or groups.
We have given harmful advice;
We have deceived; We have mocked;
We have rebelled against God and His Torah;
We have caused God to be angry with us;
We have turned away from God's Torah;
We have sinned deliberately;
We have been negligent in our performance of the commandments;
We have caused our friends grief;
We have been stiff-necked, refusing to admit that the cause of our suffering is our own sins.
We have committed sins for which we are called רָשָׁע [raising a hand to hit someone].
We have committed sins which are the result of moral corruption;
We have committed sins which the Torah refers to as abominations;
We have gone astray;
We have led others astray.
We have turned away
from Your commandments
and from Your good laws,
and we have gained nothing from it.
And You are the Righteous One
in all [punishment] that has come upon us;
for You have acted truthfully
and we have acted wickedly.
You are Almighty, Slow to anger,
Lord of Mercy, You are called,
and the way of repentance,
You have taught us.
The greatness of Your mercy and kindness,
remember this day and every day
for the descendants of Your loved ones.
Turn to us with compassion
for You are the Lord of Mercy.
With supplication and prayer
we approach Your Presence,
as You made know
to [Moses,] the modest one of old.
From Your fierce anger turn,
as it is written in Your Torah:
In the shadow of Your wings,
may we be sheltered and lodged,
as on the day [of which it is said:]
When Adonoy descended in the cloud.
Remove [our] transgression,
and blot out [our] iniquity,
as on the day [of which it is said:]
And He stood with him there.
Give ear to our cry
and listen to our speech,
as on the day [of which it is said:]
And He proclaimed in the Name, Adonoy
And there it is said:
Congregation and Chazzan:
And Adonoy passed before him [Moses]
and proclaimed:
Adonoy, Adonoy,
Almighty, Merciful, Gracious,
Slow to Anger,
and Abundant in Kindness and Truth.
Keeper of kindness
for thousands of generations,
Endurer of iniquity and transgression,
and sin,
and Acquitter of those who repent.
And pardon our iniquity and our sin,
and take us for Your inheritance.
Pardon us,our Father, for we have sinned,
forgive us, our King, for we have transgressed.
For You, my Master,
are good and forgiving,
and abounding in kindness
to all who call upon You.
The following supplication is recited while resting your brow on your arm.
And David said to Gad (II Samuel 24:14),
I am greatly distressed;
let us fall into the hand of Adonoy
for His mercies are great,
but into the hand of man let me not fall.
Merciful and gracious One,
I have sinned before You;
Adonoy, full of mercy,
have compassion upon me
and accept my supplications.
Adonoy, do not rebuke me with Your anger,
nor chastise me with Your rage.
Be gracious unto me, Adonoy,
for I am desolate,
heal me Adonoy, for my bones are terrified.
My soul, [too,] is utterly terrified,
and You Adonoy, how long?
Return Adonoy, free my soul,
deliver me
for the sake of Your lovingkindness.
For in death there is no mention of You;
in the lower world who will thank You.
I am worn out with my sighing,
every night I cause my bed to float;
with my tears, I melt my couch.
My eye is dimmed from anger,
it has aged because of my tormentors.
Depart from me, all you evildoers,
for Adonoy has heard
the voice of my weeping.
Adonoy has heard my supplication,
Adonoy will (also) accept my prayer.
Ashamed and utterly terrified
will all my foes be,
they will return
and be instantaneously ashamed.
Guardian of Israel,
guard the remnant of Israel,
and let not Israel perish,
who say, "Hear Israel."
Guardian of the unique nation,
guard the remnant of the unique people,
and let not the unique nation perish,
who proclaim the Oneness of Your Name,
[saying:] Adonoy is our God, Adonoy is One.
Guardian of the holy nation,
guard the remnant of the holy people
and let not the holy nation perish
who repeat the threefold sanctification
to the Holy One.
You Who are appeased by pleas for mercy,
and conciliated by supplications,
be appeased and conciliated
to an afflicted generation,
for there is none else to help.
Our Father, our King!
be gracious to us and answer us
for we have no [good] deeds,
deal with us charitably and kindly
and deliver us.
As for us, we know not what to do;
but our eyes are upon You.
Remember Your mercies, Adonoy,
and kindnesses
for
they are from the beginning of the world.
Adonoy! may Your kindness be upon us,
as we have waited for You.
Remember not the sins of our ancestors;
let Your mercy come swiftly toward us,
for we have been brought very low.
Help us for the Name of Adonoy
Creator of Heaven and earth.
Be gracious to us, Adonoy, be gracious to us
for we are saturated with humiliation.
[Even] in anger
remember to have compassion.
[Even] in anger
remember the binding of Isaac.
Even in anger
remember the uprightness of Jacob
Adonoy deliver [us]
the King will answer us on the day we call.
For He knows of what we are made;
He is mindful that we are but dust.
Help us, God of our deliverance,
for the sake of the glory of Your Name;
save us and atone our sins,
for the sake of Your Name.
The Chazzan recites the following Kaddish
Exalted and sanctified be His great Name
in the world which He created
according to His will
and may He rule His kingdom
bring forth His redemption
and hasten the coming of His Mashiach
in your lifetime and in your days,
and in the lifetime
of the entire House of Israel,
speedily and in the near future—
and say Amein.
May His great Name be blessed
forever and for all eternity.
Blessed and praised,
glorified, and exalted and uplifted,
honored and elevated and extolled
be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He;
above (Ten Days of Penitence: far above)
all the blessings and hymns,
praises and consolations
which we utter in the world—and say Amein.
May there be acceptance
of the prayers and supplications
of the entire House of Israel
before their Father in heaven.
And say, Amein.
May there be abundant peace from heaven
and good life
for us and for all Israel,
—and say Amein.
He Who makes peace
(Ten Days of Penitence: the peace)
in His high heavens
may He, make peace
for us and for all Israel,
and say, Amein.
Aleinu
It is our obligation to praise
the Master of all,
to ascribe greatness
to the Creator of the [world in the] beginning:
that He has not made us
like the nations of the lands,
and has not positioned us
like the families of the earth;
that He has not assigned
our portion like theirs,
nor our lot like that of all their multitudes.
For they prostrate themselves
to vanity and nothingness,
and pray to a god that cannot deliver.
But we bow, prostrate ourselves,
and offer thanks
before the Supreme King of Kings,
the Holy One blessed is He,
Who spreads the heavens,
and establishes the earth,
and the seat of His glory is in heaven above,
and the abode of His invincible might
is in the loftiest heights.
He is our God, there is nothing else.
Our King is true,
all else is insignificant,
as it is written in His Torah:
“And You shall know this day
and take into Your heart
that Adonoy is God
in the heavens above
and upon the earth below;
there is nothing else.”
We therefore put our hope in You,
Adonoy our God,
to soon behold the glory of Your might
in banishing idolatry from the earth,
and the false gods will be utterly exterminated
to perfect the world
as the kingdom of Shadai.
And all mankind will invoke Your Name,
to turn back to You,
all the wicked of the earth.
They will realize and know,
all the inhabitants of the world,
that to You, every knee must bend,
every tongue must swear [allegiance to You].
Before You, Adonoy, our God,
they will bow and prostrate themselves,
and to the glory of Your Name give honor.
And they will all accept [upon themselves]
the yoke of Your kingdom,
and You will reign over them, soon,
forever and ever.
For the kingdom is Yours,
and to all eternity You will reign in glory,
as it is written in Your Torah:
“Adonoy will reign forever and ever.”
And it is said:
“And Adonoy will be King
over the whole earth;
on that day Adonoy will be One
and His Name One.”
Do not fear sudden terror
nor the destruction of the wicked
when it comes.
Take counsel together and it will be foiled
speak the word and it will not stand
for God is with us.
To your old age I am [with you],
to your older years I will sustain you,
I have made you, and I will carry you,
I will sustain you and save you.
Exalted and sanctified be His great Name
in the world which He created
according to His will
and may He rule His kingdom
bring forth His redemption
and hasten the coming of His Mashiach
in your lifetime and in your days,
and in the lifetime
of the entire House of Israel,
speedily and in the near future—
and say Amein.
May His great Name be blessed
forever and for all eternity.
Blessed and praised,
glorified, and exalted and uplifted,
honored and elevated and extolled
be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He;
above (Ten Days of Penitence: far above)
all the blessings and hymns,
praises and consolations
which we utter in the world—and say Amein.
May there be abundant peace from heaven
and good life
for us and for all Israel,
—and say Amein.
He Who makes peace
(Ten Days of Penitence: the peace)
in His high heavens
may He, make peace
for us and for all Israel,
and say, Amen.
The following is recited here by some congregations from the first day of Elul, through Shemini Atzeres. Others recite it at the end of the Maariv (Evening) Service.
By David:
Adonoy is my light and my salvation,
whom shall I fear?
Adonoy is the strength of my life,
of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers approach me
to devour my flesh—
my tormentors and my foes
they stumble and fall.
If an army should encamp against me,
my heart would not fear;
if war were to rise against me,
in this I trust.
One thing I request of Adonoy,
[only] that shall I seek,
that I may dwell in the House of Adonoy
all the days of my life,
to behold the pleasantness of Adonoy,
and to meditate in His Sanctuary.
For He will hide me in His Tabernacle
on the day of distress,
He will conceal me in the shelter of His Tent,
upon a rock He will lift me.
And now my head is raised high
above my enemies around me;
and I will offer in His Tent,
sacrifices accompanied by trumpets of joy;
I will sing and chant to Adonoy.
Adonoy, hear my voice when I call;
be gracious to me and answer me.
Of You, my heart has said,
“Seek My Presence”;
Your Presence, Adonoy I will seek.
Conceal not Your Presence from me,
do not turn away Your servant in anger.
You have been my help;
neither cast me off nor abandon me,
God of my deliverance.
When my father and mother abandon me,
Adonoy will gather me up.
Adonoy, teach me Your way,
and lead me in the path of uprightness,
because of my watchers.
Do not deliver me
to the will of my tormentors,
for false witnesses have risen against me,
who breathe violence.
Had I not believed that I would see
the goodness of Adonoy
in the land of living.
Hope to Adonoy,
be strong and He will give you courage;
and hope to Adonoy.
Mourner's Kaddish is said here:
The Psalm said in the house of a mourner is found on page 000.
Maariv
Berachos Preceding Shema
Unlike the morning Shacharis and afternoon Mincha services which correspond to the two daily communal sacrifices (Tamid), offered in the Temple, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, the evening Maariv service has no counterpart in the Temple service, since sacrifices were never brought at night in the Temple.
The Maariv service was instituted to correspond to the Temple ritual of keeping on the altar the unconsumed parts of sacrifices that had been offered earlier in the day. These parts were kept on the altar at night so that they could be completely consumed by its fire. This ritual was applicable only if there actually were uncon- sumed parts of offerings.
Although the Maariv service was instituted to correspond to this ritual, and may therefore seem to be non-obligatory (see Maseches Berachos 27b), Rabbeinu Yitzchak Alfasi and all the other codifiers have ruled that Maariv has been accepted and hallowed by custom, and is therefore an obligatory service.
The Shema is preceded by two blessings and followed by two other blessings.
And He, the Merciful One,
atones iniquity; and does not destroy.
He frequently withdraws His anger
and does not arouse all His rage.
Adonoy, deliver [us!]
The King will answer us on the day we call.
The Chazzan says:
Bless Adonoy Who is blessed.
The congregation responds and the Chazzan repeats:
Blessed is Adonoy, Who is blessed
forever and ever.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the Universe,
With His word He brings on evenings,
with wisdom He opens the gates (of heaven);
and with understanding
changes the times
and alternates the seasons,
and arranges the stars
in their watches, in the sky,
according to His will.
He creates day and night,
He rolls the light away from before darkness,
and darkness from before light;
He causes day to pass
and brings night,
and separates between day and night;
Adonoy of Hosts is His Name.
The Almighty,
[Who is] living and enduring
will always reign over us
forever and ever.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who brings on evening.
[With] An everlasting love
You loved the House of Israel, Your people.
Torah and commandments,
statutes and laws,
You taught us.
Therefore, Adonoy, our God,
when we lie down and when we rise,
we will discuss Your statutes,
and rejoice
in the words of the teachings of Your Torah
and in Your commandments forever.
For they are our life
and they lengthen our days,
and on them we will meditate day and night.
[May] Your love
never be removed from us
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who loves His people Israel.
Shema
The following three words should be said when praying without a minyan:
(Almighty, faithful King)
Hear, Israel:
Adonoy is our God, Adonoy is One.
The following three lines are to be said silently:
Blessed [is His] Name,
Whose glorious kingdom
is forever and ever.
And you shall love Adonoy your God
with all your heart
and with all your soul
and with all your possessions.
And these words
which I command you today,
shall be upon your heart.
And you shall teach them sharply
to your children.
And you shall discuss them
when you sit in your house,
and when you travel on the road,
and when you lie down and when you rise.
And you shall bind them for a sign
upon your hand,
and they shall be for totafos
between your eyes.
And you shall write them
upon the doorposts of your house
and upon your gateways.
And it will be—
if you vigilantly obey My commandments
which I command you this day,
to love Adonoy your God,
and serve Him
with your entire hearts
and with your entire souls—
that I will give rain for your land
in its proper time,
the early (autumn) rain
and the late (spring) rain;
and you will harvest your grain
and your wine and your oil.
And I will put grass
in your fields for your cattle,
and you will eat and be satisfied.
Beware lest your hearts be swayed
and you turn astray,
and you worship alien gods
and bow to them.
And Adonoy's fury will blaze among you,
and He will close off the heavens
and there will be no rain
and the earth will not yield its produce;
and you will perish swiftly
from the good land
which Adonoy gives you.
Place these words of Mine
upon your hearts and upon your souls,—
and bind them for a sign
upon your hands,
and they shall be for totafos
between your eyes.
And you shall teach them to your sons,
to speak them
when you sit in your house,
and when you travel on the road,
and when you lie down and when you rise.
And you shall write them
upon the doorposts of your house
and upon your gateways.
In order that your days be prolonged,
and the days of your children,
upon the land
which Adonoy swore to your fathers
to give them [for as long]
as the heavens are above the earth.
And Adonoy spoke to Moses saying:
Speak to the children of Israel,
and tell them
to make for themselves fringes
on the corners of their garments
throughout their generations;
and they will place with the fringes
of each corner
a thread of blue.
And it will be to you for fringes,
and you will look upon it
and you will remember
all the commandments of Adonoy,
and you will perform them;
and you will not turn aside after your hearts
and after your eyes
which cause you to go astray.
In order that you will remember
and perform all My commandments;
and you will be holy unto your God.
I am Adonoy, your God,
Who brought you out
of the land of Egypt
to be your God:
I am Adonoy, your God—
You must be careful to connect the last words of Shema, ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶם (Adonoy, your God), with the word אֶמֶת (is true) without pause or interruption so that these three words form one sentence, meaning “Adonoy your God is true” (Maseches Berachos 13a).
—is true—
The chazan repeats:
Adonoy, your God, is true.
Berachos Following Shema
This is the first of the two berachos that follow the Shema.
—and faithful is all this,
and it is permanently established with us
that he is Adonoy, our God,
and there is nothing besides Him,
and that we, Israel, are His people.
[He] Who liberated us
from the hand of kings,
[is] our King, Who redeemed us
from the grasp of all the tyrants.
[He is] the Almighty
Who exacts payment [punishment]
from our oppressors,
and brings retribution
on all those who are enemies of our soul.
He does great things
beyond comprehension,
miracles and wonders without number.
He sustains our soul in life
and does not allow our feet to slip.
He makes us tread
upon the high places of our enemies,
and exalts our strength
over all who hate us.
He performed miracles for us
and vengeance upon Pharaoh,
signs and wonders
in the land of the Hamites.
He slew in His wrath,
all the firstborn of Egypt,
and brought out His people, Israel,
from their midst
to everlasting freedom.
He led His children
through the divided parts of
the Sea of Reeds,
their pursuers and their enemies
He drowned in its depths.
And His children saw His mighty power—
they praised and gave thanks to His Name,
His sovereignty
they willingly accepted;
Moses and the children of Israel
sang unto You with great joy,
and they all said:
“Who is like You among the mighty, Adonoy!
Who is like You?
[You are] adorned in holiness,
awesome in praise, performing wonders”
Your children beheld Your sovereignty
when You divided the sea before Moses.
“This is my God,” they exclaimed,
and declared,
“Adonoy will reign forever and ever.”
And it is said,
“For Adonoy has liberated Jacob
and redeemed him
from a hand, mightier than his.”
Blessed are You, Adonoy
Who has redeemed Israel.
This is the second of the benedictions that follow the Sh'ma.
Adonoy our God; make us lie down in peace,
our King, raise us again
to good life, and peace
Spread over us the shelter of Your peace,
and direct us to better ourselves
through Your good counsel;
and deliver us speedily for Your Name's sake.
Shield us, and remove from us
enemies, pestilence, sword,
famine and sorrow.
Remove the adversary from before us
and from behind us,
and shelter us in the shadow of Your wings.
For, Almighty,
You are our Protector and Rescuer,
For, Almighty
You are a gracious and merciful King.
Guard our going out and our coming in
for life and peace
for now forever.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who guards His people Israel forever.
The following prayer was originally a compilation of eighteen verses instituted during the Gaonic era as a substitute for the Shemoneh Esrei. According to Avudraham, the Shemoneh Esrei was omitted because of decrees issued against the Jews that banned them from participating in the Evening Service. These eighteen verses, adopted in place of the Shemoneh Esrei, have remained a part of the Maariv service. Some Halachic commentaries maintain that these verses should not be included in Maariv, because they constitute an interruption between the final blessing after Shema and the Shemoneh Esrei.
Blessed is Adonoy forever,
Amein and Amein!
Blessed is Adonoy from Zion
Who dwells in Jerusalem,
Praise God.
Blessed is Adonoy, God,
God of Israel
Who alone performs wonders.
Blessed is the Name of His glory forever
and may His glory fill the whole earth;
Amein and Amein!
The Glory of Adonoy will endure forever;
Adonoy will rejoice in His works.
The Name of Adonoy will be blessed
from now forever.
For Adonoy will not cast off His people,
for the sake of His great Name,
because Adonoy has determined
to make you His people.
And all the people saw it
and they fell on their faces, and proclaimed,
“Adonoy, He is God!
Adonoy, He is God!”
And Adonoy will be King
over the whole earth;
on that day Adonoy will be One
and His Name One.
Adonoy, may Your kindness be upon us
as we have hoped for You.
Deliver us, Adonoy, our God,
gather us from the nations
to give thanks to Your Holy Name,
to be extolled in Your praise.
All the nations which You have made
will come and bow down
before You, my Master,
and they will give honor to Your Name.
For You are great and do wondrous things,
You alone are God.
And we,
Your people, the sheep of Your pasture,
will give thanks to You forever,
from generation to generation
we will recount Your praise.
Blessed is Adonoy by day,
Blessed is Adonoy by night,
Blessed is Adonoy when we lie down,
Blessed is Adonoy when we rise.
For in Your hand
are the souls of the living and the dead:
[as it is written]: for in His hand
is the soul of every living thing,
and the spirit of every human being.
In Your hand, I commit my spirit;
You have liberated me
Adonoy, Almighty of truth.
Our God in heaven,
reveal the unity of Your Name,
preserve Your kingdom always
and reign over us forever and ever.
May our eyes behold,
our heart rejoice, and our soul exalt
in Your true deliverance,
when it will be said to Zion:
“Your God has begun His reign.”
“Adonoy is King, Adonoy was King
Adonoy will reign for ever and ever”
For the kingdom is Yours
and to all eternity, You will reign in glory;
for we have no king except You.
Blessed are You,
the King in His glory,
will always reign over us
forever and ever,
and over all His creation.
The Chazzan recites the following half-Kaddish
Exalted and sanctified be His great Name
in the world which He created
according to His will
and may He rule His kingdom
bring forth His redemption
and hasten the coming of His Mashiach.
In your lifetime and in your days,
and in the lifetime
of the entire House of Israel,
speedily and in the near future—
and say Amein.
May His great Name be blessed
forever and for all eternity.
Blessed and praised,
glorified, and exalted and uplifted,
honored and elevated and extolled
be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He;
above (Ten Days of Penitence: far above)
all the blessings and hymns,
praises and consolations
which we utter in the world—and say Amein.
Shemoneh Esrei
My Master, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare Your praise.
THE VIRTUE OF OUR FOREFATHERS
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, and God of our fathers,
God of Abraham, God of Isaac,
and God of Jacob,
the Almighty,
the Great, the Powerful, the Awesome,
most high Almighty,
Who bestows beneficent kindness,
Who possesses everything,
Who remembers the piety of the Patriarchs,
and Who brings a redeemer
to their children's children,
for the sake of His Name, with love.
(During the Ten Days of Penitence add:
Remember us for life
King, Who desires life;
and inscribe us in the Book of Life,
for Your sake, Living God.)
If you forgot to say this, see page 000.
King, Helper, and Deliverer and Shield.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Shield of Abraham.
DIVINE MIGHT
You are mighty forever, my Master;
You are the Resurrector of the dead
the Powerful One to deliver us.
From the Musaf of the first day of Pesach until the Musaf of Shemini Atzeres you should say:
He causes the dew to descend.
From the Musaf of Shemini Atzeres until the Musaf of the first day of Pesach you should say:
Causer of the wind to blow
and of the rain to fall.
If you neglected to say this, see page 000.
Sustainer of the living with kindliness,
Resurrector of the dead with great mercy,
Supporter of the fallen,
and Healer of the sick,
and Releaser of the imprisoned,
and Fulfiller of His faithfulness
to those who sleep in the dust.
Who is like You, Master of mighty deeds,
and who can be compared to You?
King Who causes death and restores life,
and causes deliverance to sprout forth.
(During the Ten Days of Penitence add:
Who is like You merciful Father,
Who remembers His creatures for life,
in His mercy.)
If you forgot to say this, see page 000.
And You are faithful
to restore the dead to life.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Resurrector of the dead.
DIVINE SANCTIFICATION
You are holy and Your Name is holy
and holy beings
praise You every day, forever.
For a great and Almighty King—
great and holy—are You.
During the Ten Days of Penitence, continue at the asterisk (*) below
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
the Almighty, the Holy One.
*During the Ten Days of Penitence:
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
the King, the Holy One.
If you mistakenly said, “the Almighty” instead of “the King,” or if you are in doubt, see page 000.
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING
You favor man with perception
and teach mankind understanding.
(You have favored us
[with the ability] to know Your Torah
and taught us to fulfill
the statutes of Your will.
You made a distinction, Adonoy, our God,
between sacred and unhallowed,
between light and darkness,
between Israel and the peoples,
between the seventh day
and the six work days.
Our Father, our King,
commence for us
the days that approach us,
in peace,
devoid of all sin,
and cleansed of all iniquity,
and devoted to the fear of You.)
And grant us from Your
wisdom, understanding and knowledge.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Grantor of perception.
PRAYER FOR PENITENCE
Cause us to return, our Father,
to Your Torah
and bring us near, our King, to Your service;
and bring us back
in whole-hearted repentance before You
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who desires penitence.
PRAYER FOR PARDON
Pardon us, our Father, for we have sinned,
forgive us, our King,
for we have transgressed;
for you are a good and forgiving almighty.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Gracious One, Who pardons abundantly.
PRAYER FOR REDEMPTION
Look, please, upon our affliction,
and defend our cause:
and redeem us
speedily with complete redemption
for the sake of Your Name;
because You are a Mighty Redeemer.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Redeemer of Israel.
(On Fast Days, the Chazzan says “Answer us” which is on page 000 and concludes, “Blessed are . . . Who responds at times of trouble.”)
PRAYER FOR HEALING
Heal us, Adonoy, and we will be healed,
deliver us and we will be delivered;
for You are our praise.
Grant a cure and healing
to all our sickness
and to all our pain
and to all our affliction
because You are the Almighty, King,
Who is a faithful and merciful Healer.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Healer of the sick of His people Israel.
PRAYER FOR PROSPERITY
Bless for us, Adonoy our God,
this year
and all the varieties of its produce
for good;
and bestow
From the first day of Pesach until the evening service [Maariv] on December 4, or, on a civil leap year, December 5, we say the following line.
blessing
From the evening service [Maariv] on December 4, or, on a civil leap year, December 5, until the First day of Pesach, we say the following line.
dew and rain for a blessing
If you forgot to say this, see page 000.
upon the face of the earth;
satisfy us from its bounty
and bless our year
as other good years, for blessing,
for You are generous Almighty
who bestows goodness
and blesses the years.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Blesser of the years.
PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE
Sound the great shofar for our liberty,
and raise a banner to gather our exiles,
and gather us together quickly
from the four corners of the earth.
into our Land.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Gatherer
of the dispersed of His people Israel.
PRAYER FOR RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT
Restore our judges as before
and our counselors as at first.
Remove from us sorrow and sighing,
and reign over us quickly
You, Adonoy, alone
with kindness and compassion;
and make us righteous
with righteousness and justice,
During the Ten Days of Penitence, continue at the asterisk (*) below
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
King, Lover of righteousness and justice.
*During the Ten Days of Penitence:
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
the King of Justice.
If you mistakenly said, “King, Lover of righteousness and justice,” instead of “the King of Justice,” see page 000.
PRAYER FOR DIVINE RETRIBUTION
For informers let there be no hope
and may all wickedness instantly perish
may all Your enemies be swiftly cut off,
and the insolent
may You quickly uproot, crush, rout,
disgrace, humble
and subdue speedily in our days.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Crusher of enemies
and Subduer of the insolent.
PRAYER FOR THE RIGHTEOUS SCHOLARS
Upon the righteous, upon the pious,
upon the elders of the remnant of Your people
the House of Israel,
upon the remnant of their scholars,
upon the true proselytes, and upon us,
may Your mercy be aroused,
Adonoy our God.
Grant bountiful reward
to all who trust in Your Name in truth;
and place our lot among them,
and may we never be put to shame,
for in You we have put our trust,
and on Your great compassion
we truly rely.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Support and Trust of the righteous.
PRAYER FOR JERUSALEM
And to Jerusalem, Your city,
return in mercy,
and dwell therein as You have spoken;
and rebuild it soon, in our days,
as an everlasting structure,
and the throne of David, Your servant
may You speedily establish therein.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Builder of Jerusalem.
PRAYER FOR SALVATION
The sprout of David, Your servant,
speedily cause to flourish
and exalt his power with Your deliverance,
For Your deliverance we hope all day.
and watch for Your deliverance.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who causes to sprout
the power of salvation.
PRAYER FOR ACCEPTANCE
Merciful Father
Hear our voice, Adonoy, our God;
spare us and have compassion on us,
and accept
our prayers compassionately and willingly,
for You are Almighty
Who hears prayers and supplications;
and from Your Presence, our King,
do not turn us away empty-handed,
be gracious and answer us
and hear our prayer
for You hear the prayers of every mouth
of Your people, Israel, with compassion.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who hears prayers.
PRAYER FOR RETURN OF DIVINE SERVICE
Be pleased, Adonoy, our God,
with Your people Israel
and pay heed to their prayer;
and restore the service
to the Holy of Holies in Your abode,
and the fire-offerings of Israel;
and accept their prayer, lovingly
and willingly.
And may You always find pleasure
with the service of Your people, Israel.
On regular weekdays continue, “And may our eyes,” on p. 000.
On Rosh Chodesh and on Chol HaMoed, the following prayer is added:
Our God and God of our fathers,
may there ascend, come, and reach,
appear, be desired, and heard,
counted and recalled
our remembrance and reckoning;
the remembrance of our fathers;
the remembrance of the Mashiach
the son of David, Your servant;
the remembrance of Jerusalem,
city of Your Sanctuary;
and the remembrance of Your entire people,
the House of Israel, before You
for survival, for well-being,
for favor, kindliness, compassion,
for good life and peace
on this day of:
Rosh Chodesh
the Festival of Matzos
the Festival of Sukkos
Remember us Adonoy, our God,
on this day for well-being;
be mindful of us on this day for blessing,
and deliver us for good life.
In accord with the promise of deliverance
and compassion,
spare us and favor us,
have compassion on us and deliver us;
for to You our eyes are directed
because You are the Almighty
Who is King, Gracious, and Merciful.
If you forgot to say this, see page 000.
And may our eyes behold
Your merciful return to Zion.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who returns His Divine Presence to Zion.
At the words, We are thankful, bend forward; at Adonoy return to an upright position.
THANKSGIVING
We are thankful to You
that You Adonoy are our God
and the God of our fathers forever;
our Rock, Rock of our lives,
the Shield of our deliverance,
You are in every generation.
We will give thanks to You
and recount Your praise,
for our lives
which are committed into Your hand,
and for our souls
which are entrusted to You,
and for Your miracles of every day with us,
and for Your wonders and benefactions
at all times—
evening, morning and noon.
(You are) The Beneficent One—
for Your compassion is never withheld;
And (You are) the Merciful One—
for Your kindliness never ceases;
for we have always placed our hope in You.
(On Chanukah and Purim the following prayer is added. If you omitted it, you need not repeat the Shemoneh Esrei. If, however, you became aware of your omission before concluding the blessing, you should say it at that time, and conclude by saying, “ וְעַל כֻּלָּם , and for all the foregoing.”)
[We thank You] for the miracles
for the redemption, for the mighty deeds,
for the deliverances, for the wonders
for the consolations and for the wars
that You performed for our fathers
in those days at this season.
On Chanukah:
In the days of Matisyahu,
son of Yochanan the High Priest,
the Hasmonean and his sons,
when the evil Greek kingdom rose up
against Your people Israel
to make them forget Your Torah
and to turn them away
from the statutes of Your will—
You, in Your abundant mercy,
stood by them in their time of distress,
You defended their cause,
You judged their grievances,
You avenged them.
You delivered the mighty
into the hands of the weak,
many into the hands of the few,
defiled people into the hands of the undefiled,
the wicked into the hands of the righteous,
and insolent [sinners] into the hands of
diligent students of Your Torah.
And You made Yourself
a great and sanctified name in Your world.
And for Your people, Israel,
You performed a great deliverance
and redemption unto this very day.
Afterwards, Your sons entered
the Holy of Holies of Your Abode,
cleaned Your Temple,
purified Your Sanctuary,
and kindled lights
in the Courtyards of Your Sanctuary,
and designated these eight days of Chanukah
to thank and praise Your great Name.
On Purim:
In the days of Mordechai and Esther
in Shushan the Capital [of Persia],
when the evil Haman rose up against them,
he sought to destroy, to kill,
and to annihilate all the Jews,
young and old, infants and women,
in one day, the thirteenth day
of the twelfth month,
which is the month of Adar,
and to plunder their wealth—
And You, in Your abundant mercy,
annulled his counsel,
frustrated his intention,
and brought his evil plan upon his own head,
and they hanged him and his sons
upon the gallows.
And for all the foregoing
blessed, exalted and extolled
your Name, our King
constantly, forever and ever.
During the Ten Days of Penitence, add:
Inscribe for a good life
all the children of Your covenant.
If you forgot to say this, see page 000.
And all the living shall thank You forever
and praise and bless
Your great Name with sincerity forever;
for You are goodness—
the Almighty, Who is our deliverance
and our help forever—
the benevolent Almighty.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
“The Beneficent” is Your Name
and You it is fitting to praise.
PRAYER FOR PEACE
Grant peace, goodness, and blessing,
life favor, kindness and compassion
upon us and upon all Israel, Your people.
Bless us, our Father, all of us as one
with the light of Your countenance.
For by the light of Your countenance
You gave us Adonoy our God,
a Torah of life and the love of kindliness,
righteousness, blessing, compassion,
life, and peace.
And may it be good in Your sight
to bless us
and to bless Your people Israel,
at all times and at every moment
with Your peace
(with much strength and peace).
During the Ten Days of Penitence continue here:
In the book of life, blessing, peace
and abundant maintenance,
good decrees, salvations and condolences,
may we be remembered and inscribed
before You;
we and all Your people, the House of Israel
for a good life and peace.
If you forget to say this you need not go back and repeat it.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who blesses His people Israel
with peace.
The following is said by some in place of שים שלום on the previous page.
Abundant peace
upon Israel, Your people,
bestow forever,
for You King
are the Master of all peace.
And may it be good in Your sight
to bless us
and to bless Your people Israel,
at all times and at every moment
with Your peace.
During the Ten Days of Penitence continue here:
In the book of life, blessing, peace
and abundant maintenance,
good decrees, salvations and condolences,
may we be remembered and inscribed
before You;
we and all Your people, the House of Israel
for a good life and peace.
If you forget to say this you need not go back and repeat it.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who blesses His people Israel
with peace.
May they be acceptable
the words of my mouth
and the thoughts of my heart, before You
Adonoy, my Rock and my Redeemer.
My God, guard my tongue from evil
and my lips from speaking deceitfully.
To those who curse me,
may my soul be unresponsive;
and let my soul be like dust to all.
Open my heart to Your Torah
and let my soul pursue Your commandments.
And all who plan evil against me,
quickly annul their counsel
and frustrate their intention.
(May it it be Your will
Adonoy, my God and God of my fathers,
that no person be envious of me
and that I not be envious of others,
that I not be brought to anger this day,
and that I not cause Your anger;
and save me from the evil inclination,
and help me be humble and any modest.
Our King and our Father,
unify Your Name in Your world,
rebuild Your city, establish Your house
and perfect your sanctuary.
Gather our exiles,
redeem Your people, rejoice Your congregation).
Act for the sake of Your Name.
Act for the sake of Your right hand.
Act for the sake of Your Torah.
Act for the sake of Your holiness.
In order that Your loved ones be released,
deliver [with] Your right hand and answer me.
Biblical phrases applicable to one's name may be found on pp. 000-000.
May they be acceptable—
the words of my mouth
and the thoughts of my heart—before You
Adonoy, my Rock and my Redeemer.
He Who makes peace
in His high heavens
may He make peace
upon us and upon all Israel
and say Amein.
May it be Your will,
Adonoy, our God, and the God of our Fathers
that the Holy Temple be rebuilt
speedily in our days,
and grant us our share in Your Torah.
And there we will serve You reverently
as in the days of old,
and in earlier years.
And let Adonoy be pleased
with the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem
as in the days of old and in earlier years.
The Chazzan recites the half Kaddish, and the congregation then says, “May the pleasantness” and “and You Holy One,” found on p. 000.
Motzei Shabbos Prayers
At the conclusion of the Festivals, and on a Saturday night before a Festival, say עָלֵינוּ.
Exalted and sanctified be His great Name
in the world which He created
according to His will
and may He rule His kingdom
bring forth His redemption
and hasten the coming of His Mashiach.
In your lifetime and in your days,
and in the lifetime
of the entire House of Israel,
speedily and in the near future—
and say Amein.
May His great Name be blessed
forever and for all eternity.
Blessed and praised,
glorified, and exalted and uplifted,
honored and elevated and extolled
be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He;
above (Ten Days of Penitence: far above)
all the blessings and hymns,
praises and consolations
which we utter in the world—and say Amein.
May the pleasantness of my Master our God
be upon us,
and the work of our hands established for us,
and the work of our hands—establish it.
He who dwells
in the shelter of the Supreme One,
under the protection of Shadai he will abide.
I say of Adonoy,
[He is] my refuge and my stronghold,
my God in Whom I trust.
For He will save you from the snare-trap,
from destructive pestilence.
With His wings He will cover you
and beneath His wings, you will find refuge;
His truth is a shield, a full shield.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day.
The pestilence that prowls in darkness,
nor the deadly plague that ravages at noon.
A thousand will fall at your [left] side,
and ten thousand at your [right] side
but it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes will you behold
and see the punishment of the wicked.
For you [have proclaimed]:
“Adonoy is my refuge,”
the Supreme One
you have made your dwelling.
No evil shall befall you,
and no plague shall come near your tent.
For His angels
He will command on your behalf—
to guard you in all your ways.
They will carry you upon their hands,
lest you hurt your foot on a rock.
You will tread upon lion and snake,
you will trample young lion and serpent.
Because he clings to Me with desire,
I will save him;
I will strengthen him,
for he knows My Name.
When he calls upon Me, I will answer him;
I am with him in distress,
I will free him and honor him.
I will satiate him with longevity,
and will let him see My deliverance.
I will satiate him with longevity,
and will let him see My deliverance.
And You, Holy One,
are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
And [the angels] call one to another and say:
“Holy, holy, holy
is Adonoy of Hosts:
the fullness of all the earth is His glory.”
And they receive [sanction] one from another,
and say,
“Holy in the highest heights of heaven,
the abode of His Divine Presence;
holy upon earth,
the work of His mighty power;
holy forever and to all eternity—
is Adonoy of Hosts;
the whole earth is filled
with the radiance of His glory.”
And a wind lifted me;
and I heard behind me
the sound of a great rushing;
“Blessed is the glory of Adonoy
from His place.”
“And a wind lifted me
and I heard behind me
a sound of a great rushing
of those who uttered praises and said,
“Blessed is the glory of Adonoy
from the place,
the abode of His Divine Presence.”
Adonoy will reign forever and ever.
Adonoy, His kingdom is established
forever and to all eternity.
Adonoy,
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel,
our fathers,
keep this forever
as the intention of the hearts of Your people,
and direct their hearts to You.
And He, the merciful One,
atons iniquity and does ot destroy;
He frequently withdraws His anger
and does not arouse all His rage.
For You, my Master, are good and forgiving,
and abounding in kindness
to all who call upon You.
Your righteousness is everlasting
and Your Torah is truth.
You will grant truth to Jacob
kindliness to Abraham,
as You have sworn to our fathers
from the days of old.
Blessed is my Master day by day;
He loads us,
the Almighty Who is our deliverance,
forever.
Adonoy of Hosts is with us
a stronghold for us
is the God of Jacob, selah.
Adonoy of Hosts,
fortunate is the man who trusts in You.
Adonoy, deliver [us];
the King will answer us on the day we call.
Blessed is He, our God,
Who created us for His glory,
and set us apart from those who go astray;
and gave us the Torah of truth,
and eternal life He implanted within us.
May He open our heart to His Torah,
and instill in our heart love and awe of Him,
to do His will and serve Him
with a perfect heart,
so that we shall not labor in vain
nor bring forth that which causes dismay.
May it be Your will,
Adonoy, our God, and God of our fathers,
that we keep Your statutes in this world,
and [thus] be privileged to live and behold,
and to inherit the goodness and blessing
of the Messianic days
and in the life of the World to Come.
In order that my soul sing to You
and not be stilled;
Adonoy, my God, forever will I thank You.
Blessed is the man who trusts in Adonoy,
so that Adonoy is his security.
Trust in Adonoy until the end of days,
for in God,
Adonoy, is the strength of the worlds.
Those who know your Name will trust in You,
for You have never forsaken
those who seek You, Adonoy.
Adonoy desired,
for the sake of His righteousness,
to make the Torah great and to glorify it.
Aleinu
The Chazzan recites the following Kaddish:
Exalted and sanctified be His great Name
in the world which He created
according to His will
and may He rule His kingdom
bring forth His redemption
and hasten the coming of His Mashiach
in your lifetime and in your days,
and in the lifetime
of the entire House of Israel,
speedily and in the near future—
and say Amein.
May His great Name be blessed
forever and for all eternity.
Blessed and praised,
glorified, and exalted and uplifted,
honored and elevated and extolled
be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He;
above (Ten Days of Penitence: far above)
all the blessings and hymns,
praises and consolations
which we utter in the world—and say Amein.
May there be acceptance
of the prayers and supplications
of the entire House of Israel
before their Father in heaven.
And say, Amein.
May there be abundant peace from heaven
and life
for us and for all Israel,
—and say Amein.
He Who makes peace in His high heavens
may He, make peace
for us and for all Israel,
—and say Amein.
It is our obligation to praise
the Master of all,
to ascribe greatness
to the Creator of the [world in the] beginning:
that He has not made us
like the nations of the lands,
and has not positioned us
like the families of the earth;
that He has not assigned
our portion like theirs,
nor our lot like that of all their multitudes.
For they prostrate themselves
to vanity and nothingness,
and pray to a god that cannot deliver.
But we bow, prostrate ourselves,
and offer thanks
before the Supreme King of kings,
the Holy One blessed is He,
Who spreads the heavens,
and establishes the earth,
and the Seat of His glory is in heaven above,
and the abode of His invincible might
is in the loftiest heights.
He is our God, there is nothing else.
Our King is true,
all else is insignificant,
as it is written in His Torah:
“And you shall know this day
and take into your heart
that Adonoy is God
in the heavens above
and upon the earth below;
there is nothing else.”
We therefore put our hope in You,
Adonoy our God,
to soon behold the glory of Your might
in banishing idolatry from the earth
and the false gods
will be utterly exterminated
to perfect the world
as the kingdom of Shadai.
And all mankind will invoke Your Name,
to turn back to You,
all the wicked of the earth.
They will realize and know,
all the inhabitants of the world,
that to You, every knee must bend,
every tongue must swear [allegiance to You].
Before You, Adonoy, our God,
they will bow and prostrate themselves,
and to the glory of Your Name give honor.
And they will all accept [upon themselves]
the yoke of Your kingdom,
and You will reign over them, soon,
forever and ever.
For the kingdom is Yours,
and to all eternity You will reign in glory,
as it is written in Your Torah:
“Adonoy will reign forever and ever.”
And it is said:
“And Adonoy will be King
over the whole earth;
on that day Adonoy will be One
and His Name One.”
Do not fear sudden terror
nor the destruction of the wicked
when it comes.
Take counsel together and it will be foiled
speak the word and it will not stand
for God is with us.
To your old age I am [with you],
to your older years I will sustain you,
I have made you, and I will carry you,
I will sustain you and save you.
Exalted and sanctified be His great Name
in the world which He created
according to His will
and may He rule His kingdom
bring forth His redemption
and hasten the coming of His Mashiach
in your lifetime and in your days,
and in the lifetime
of the entire House of Israel,
speedily and in the near future—
and say Amein.
May His great Name be blessed
forever and for all eternity.
Blessed and praised,
glorified, and exalted and uplifted,
honored and elevated and extolled
be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He;
above (Ten Days of Penitence: far above)
all the blessings and hymns,
praises and consolations
which we utter in the world—and say Amein.
May there be abundant peace from heaven
and life
for us and for all Israel,
—and say Amein.
He Who makes peace in His high heavens
may He, make peace
for us and for all Israel,
—and say Amein.
Counting the Omer
The Omer is counted from the second night of Pesach until the night before Shavuos. The counting of forty-nine days (seven weeks) between the Festival of Pesach and Shavuos (the Feast of Weeks), connects the exodus from Egypt with the festival of the giving of the Torah. Just as one who awaits a most intimate friend on a certain day counts the days in eager anticipation of his arrival, so do we count the days from our liberation till the day we receive the Torah, which is the culmination and fulfillment of our freedom.
It is proper to count the Omer at the beginning of the night, usually after the Maariv Service, and the Omer should be counted while standing.
I am prepared and ready to perform
the affirmative command to count the Omer,
as it is written in the Torah,
And you shall count for yourselves,
from the day after the day of rest,
from the day you bring
the omer as the wave-offering,
seven complete weeks shall there be;
until the day following the seventh week
shall you count fifty days;
and you shall bring a
new meal-offering unto Adonoy.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the universe,
Who sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us to count the Omer.
The Merciful One, may He return for us
the service of the Beis Hamikdash in its place
speedily in our days, Amein, Selah.
Psalm 67
To Him, Who grants victory:
a psalm with instrumental music, a song.
[May] God favor us and bless us,
[may He] cause His countenance to shine
among us forever;
[so] that Your way become known on earth,
[and] Your deliverance among all nations.
Peoples will thank You, God,
all the peoples will thank You.
Nations will rejoice and sing
when You judge the peoples justly,
and lead the nations upon the earth forever.
Peoples will thank You, God,
all the peoples will thank You.
The earth will have yielded its produce;
God, our God, will have blessed us.
God will bless us,
and they will fear Him—
all [men even from] the ends of the earth.
Please, by the force of Your great right hand,
release the bound one.
Accept the prayer of Your people;
strengthen us, purify us, awesome One!
Please mighty One—
those who seek Your unity—
preserve them like the apple [of Your eye.]
Bless them,
purify them, have mercy on them;
Your benevolent righteousness
[may You] always bestow upon them.
Mighty, Holy One
in Your abundant goodness
lead Your community.
Unique One, Exalted, turn to Your people
who are mindful of Your holiness.
Accept our prayer and hear our cry,
[You] Who knows hidden thoughts.
Blessed [is His] Name,
Whose glorious Kingdom
is forever and ever.
Master of the universe,
You commanded us
through the hands of Your servant, Moses,
to count the Omer
in order to purify us
from our evil and defilement.
As You have written in Your Torah:
And you shall count for yourselves,
from the day after the day of rest,
from the day you bring
the omer as the wave-offering,
seven complete weeks, shall there be;
until the day following the seventh week
shall you count fifty days,
in order to cleanse
the souls of Your people Israel
from their impurities.
Therefore, may it be Your will,
Adonoy, our God, and God of our fathers,
that in the merit of the Omer
which I counted today,
may any defect I have caused be rectified.
May I be purified and sanctified
with sublime holiness,
and thereby
may abundant bounty be bestowed
upon all the worlds.
May it rectify our being,
our spirit and our souls
from every baseness and defect,
and may it purify us and sanctify us
with Your sublime holiness.
Amen, Selah.
Prayer Before Retiring at Night
The following is Omitted on the Shabbat and Festivals.
Master of the universe!
I hearby forgive
anyone who has angered me,
or sinned against me,
either physically or financially,
against my honor or anything that is mine,
whether accidentally or intentionally,
inadvertently or deliberately,
by speech or by deed,
in this incarnation
or in any other
any Israelite [is forgiven],
may no man be punished on my account.
May it be Your will,
Adonoy, my God and God of my fathers,
that I shall sin no more
nor repeat my sins,
neither shall I again anger You
nor do what is wrong in Your eyes.
The sins I have committed,
erase in your abounding mercies,
but not through suffering or severe illnesses.
May they be acceptable
the words of my mouth
and the thoughts of my heart, before You
Adonoy, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the Universe,
Who causes the fetters of sleep to fall
upon my eyes,
and slumber upon my eyelids.
And illuminates the pupil of the eye.
May it be Your will,
Adonoy, my God and God of my fathers
to make me lie down in peace,
and to raise me (again)
to good life and peace,
and grant me my portion in Your Torah,
make us accustomed to do Your commands,
and let us not become accustomed to sin,
Do not bring us
into the grasp of sin,
Do not cause us to be tested,
or brought to disgrace.
May I be ruled by the Good Inclination
and let me not be ruled over
by the Evil Inclination.
Protect me from Satan,
from an evil mishap and from illnesses.
Let my thoughts not terrify me—
nor evil dreams
or evil fancies (disturb me),
and may my bed be perfect before You.
And light up my eyes
lest I sleep the sleep of death,
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who illuminates the whole world
with His glory.
If one has prayed Ma'ariv and with it recited Sh'ma earlier than the ideal time for the evening Sh'ma, he should repeat all of it here. Some people have the custom of reciting all three paragraphs here every night.
Almighty, faithful King
Hear, Israel
Adonoy is our God
Adonoy is One
The following three lines are to be said silently:
Blessed [is His] Name,
Whose glorious Kingdom
is forever and ever.
And you shall love Adonoy, your God
with all your heart
and with all your soul
and with all your possessions.
And these words
which I command you today
shall be upon your heart.
And you shall teach them sharply
to your children,
and you shall discuss them
when you sit in your house,
and when you travel on the road,
and when you lie down and when you rise.
And you shall bind them for a sign
upon your hand,
and they shall be for totafos
between your eyes.
And you shall write them
upon the doorposts of your house
and upon your gateways.
If one has prayed Maariv and with it recited Shema earlier than the ideal time for the evening Shema, he should repeat all of it here. Some people have the custom of reciting all three paragraphs here every night.
May the pleasantness of my Master, our God,
be upon us,
and the work of our hands establish for us
and the work of our hands may He establish.
He who dwells
in the shelter of the Supreme One,
under the protection of Shadai He will abide.
I say of Adonoy,
[He is] my refuge and my stronghold,
my God in Whom I trust.
For He will save you from the snare-trap,
from destructive pestilence.
With His wings He will cover you
and beneath His wings, you will find refuge;
His truth is a shield, a full shield.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
the pestilence that prowls in darkness,
nor the deadly plague that ravages at noon.
A thousand will fall at your [left] side,
and ten thousand at your [right] side
but it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes will you behold
and see the punishment of the wicked.
For you [have proclaimed]:
Adonoy is my refuge,
the Supreme One
you have made your dwelling
No evil shall befall you,
and no plague shall come near your tent.
For His angels
He will command on your behalf—
to guard you in all your ways.
They will carry you upon their hands,
lest you hurt your foot on a rock.
You will tread upon lion and snake,
you will trample young lion and serpent.
Because he clings to Me with desire,
I will save him;
I will strengthen him, for he knows My Name.
When he calls upon Me, I will answer him;
I am with him in distress,
I will free him and honor him.
I will satiate him with longevity,
and will let him see My deliverance.
I will satiate him with longevity
and will let him see My deliverance.
Psalms 3:2-9
Adonoy, how many are my tormentors;
many rise up against me.
Many say of my soul:
There is no deliverance for him
through God, forever.
But You, Adonoy, are a shield for me;
my glory and Raiser of my head.
With my voice, I call out to Adonoy,
and He answers me from His holy mountain,
forever.
I lay down and slept;
I awake for Adonoy supports me.
I fear not the tens of thousands of people
deployed against me from every side.
Rise Adonoy, deliver me, my God,
for You have struck all my enemies
on the cheek;
You have broken the teeth of the wicked.
Deliverance is Adonoy's;
upon Your people is Your blessing, selah.
Adonoy, our God, make us lie down in peace,
our King, raise us [again]
to good life and peace.
Spread over us the shelter of Your peace,
and direct us to better ourselves
through Your good counsel;
and deliver us speedily for Your Name's sake.
Shield us, and remove from us
enemies, pestilence,
sword, famine and sorrow.
Remove the adversary from before us
and from behind us,
and in the shadow of Your wings shelter us.
For You are the Almighty
Who is our protector and rescuer.
For You are the Almighty
Who is King, Gracious, and Merciful.
Guard our going out and our coming in
for life and peace
from now, forever.
Blessed is Adonoy by day,
Blessed is Adonoy by night.
Blessed is Adonoy when we lie down
Blessed is Adonoy when we rise.
For in Your hand
are the souls of the living and the dead,
(as it is written): For in His hand
is the soul of every living thing
and the spirit of every human being.
In Your hand, I commit my spirit;
You have liberated me,
Adonoy, Almighty of truth.
Our God in heaven,
reveal the unity of Your Name,
preserve Your kingdom always,
and reign over us forever and ever.
May our eyes behold,
may our heart rejoice and our soul exalt
in Your true deliverance,
when it will be said to Zion:
Your God has begun His reign
Adonoy is King, Adonoy was King,
Adonoy will reign forever and ever
For the Kingdom is Yours
and to all eternity, You will reign in glory,
for we have no king except You.
The angel who redeemed me from all evil
May he bless the lads;
and may they be called by my name
and the names of my fathers,
Abraham and Isaac;
and may they multiply
like fish within the land.
And He said, "If you will diligently heed
the voice of Adonoy, your God,
and do what is upright in His eyes,
and listen carefully to His commandments,
and guard all His statutes—
[then] every sickness
that I put in Egypt,
I will not put upon you,
for I am Adonoy, your Healer.
And Adonoy said to Satan:
Adonoy rebukes you, Satan,
Adonoy rebukes you,
He Who chose Jerusalem;
for is this one not a firebrand
plucked out of the fire?
Behold the bed of Solomon!
Sixty mighty men [are set] around it,
of the mighty men of Israel.
All of them armed with swords,
trained in warfare;
each man has his sword at his side,
because of the dread of the night.
Each unit is said three times:
Adonoy bless you and guard you!
Adonoy shine His countenance upon you
and be gracious unto You!
Adonoy turn His countenance toward you
and grant you peace!
Behold, He neither slumbers nor sleeps!
the Guardian of Israel.
For your deliverance, I hope, Adonoy;
I hope, Adonoy, for Your deliverance;
Adonoy, for Your deliverance I hope.
In the Name of Adonoy, God of Israel:
at my right [hand] Michael,
at my left [hand] Gabriel,
before me Uriel,
behind me Raphael,
and above my head, the Presence of Almighty.
A song of ascents
Fortunate are all who fear Adonoy,
who walk in His ways.
When you eat of the toil of your hands
you are fortunate and it is good with you.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
in the innermost parts of your house;
your children like olive plants
around your table.
Behold! thus shall be blessed the man
who fears Adonoy.
Adonoy bless you from Zion!
and [may you] see the good of Jerusalem
all the days of your life!
May you [live to] see
your children's children!
Peace upon Israel!
To be said three times:
Tremble and do not sin;
commune with your hearts upon your bed,
and be silent, selah!
Master of the Universe Who reigned
before any creature was created.
At the time when all was made by His will,
then was His Name proclaimed King.
And after all things shall cease to be
the Awesome One will reign alone.
He was, He is,
and He shall be in glory.
He is One, and there is no second
to compare to Him, to associate [with Him].
Without beginning, without end,
power and dominion are His.
He is my God and my ever-living Redeemer,
the Rock of my destiny in times of distress.
He is my flag and my refuge;
He is the portion of my cup on the day I call.
Into His hand I entrust my spirit
[both] when I sleep and when I awaken.
And with my spirit my body [too],
Adonoy is with me, I shall not fear.
Berachos on Lulav
Many recite the following prayer before taking the four species (Lulav).
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the Universe
Who sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us
concerning the taking of the lulav.
If you are taking the lulav for the first time on Sukkos, you should also recite:
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the Universe
Who has kept us alive and sustained us
and brought us to this time.
Hallel
Hallel, the name especially applied to Psalms 113-118, is mentioned in the Talmud (Pesachim 117a), when Rabbi Judah quoted Samuel as saying “Who recited this Hallel? (Who ordained that this Hallel be read?) The prophets ordained that Israel should recite Hallel when they are redeemed from misfortune as an expression of gratitude for their redemption.”
In time, the Rabbis made the reading of Hallel obligatory on the major festivals such as Pesach, Shavuos, and Sukkos. Since Maccabean times, Chanukah is like- wise marked by the reading of Hallel. On Purim the reading of the Scroll of Esther takes the place of Hallel. (Maseches Megillah 14a)
The reading of Hallel on Rosh Chodesh is not rabbinically ordained, but a minhag, a custom which began with the Jews of Babylon in the second century, and has been accepted by all Israel as an obligatory Service. Because it is a minor festival, the Hallel is shortened on Rosh Chodesh by omitting half of Psalms 115 and 116. On the last six days of Pesach also, only “half”-Hallel is recited to show that our joy is diminished because of the drowning of the Egyptians.
Hallel is omitted in a house of mourning (during the week of shiv'ah) on Rosh Chodesh and Chanukah.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the Universe,
Who sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us to read the Hallel.
Praise God!
Praise, you servants of Adonoy,
praise the Name of Adonoy.
The name of Adonoy will be blessed
from now forever.
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
praised is the Name of Adonoy.
High above all nations, is Adonoy
above the heavens, is His Glory.
Who is like Adonoy, our God,
Who dwells on high,
[yet] looks down so low
in the heavens and [upon] the earth?
He raises up the poor from the dust,
from the dunghills He lifts up the needy,
to seat [them] with nobles,
with the nobles of His people.
He returns the barren woman to the home
[as] a joyful mother of children.
Praise God!
When Israel went out of Egypt,
the House of Jacob
from a people of an alien language,
Judah became His holy nation,
Israel, His dominion.
The sea saw and fled,
the Jordan turned back.
The mountains skipped like rams,
the hills like young sheep.
What startles you, sea,
that you flee;
Jordan, that you turn backwards?
Mountains, that you skip like rams
hills, like young sheep?
Tremble, earth, before the Master,
from before the God of Jacob,
Who turns the rock
into a pool of water,
the flintstone into a fountain of water.
On Rosh Chodesh and on the last six days of Pesach omit the following paragraph, and continue Adonoy, mindful.
Not for our sake, Adonoy,
not for our sake,
but unto Your Name give honor,
for the sake of Your kindliness,
for the sake of Your truth.
Why should the nations say,
“Where now is their God?”
And [indeed,] our God is in heaven,
whatever He desires, He does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
products of human hands.
They have a mouth but cannot speak,
they have eyes but cannot see,
they have ears but cannot hear,
they have a nose, but cannot smell.
Their hands cannot feel.
Their feet cannot walk,
they cannot speak with their throat.
Like them shall be their makers—
all who put their trust in them.
Israel, trust in Adonoy;
He is their help and their shield.
House of Aaron, trust in Adonoy;
He is their help and their shield.
[You] who fear Adonoy, trust in Adonoy;
He is their help and their shield.
Adonoy, mindful of us, will bless—
He will bless the House of Israel;
He will bless the House of Aaron.
He will bless those who fear Adonoy,
the small ones along with the great.
May Adonoy increase you,
you and your children.
Blessed are you unto Adonoy,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
The heaven is the heaven of Adonoy,
but the earth He gave to mankind.
The dead do not praise God,
nor do those who go down
into the silence (of the grave).
But we will bless God
from now forever.
Praise God!
On Rosh Chodesh and on the last six days of Pesach omit the following paragraph, and continue, “How can I repay.”
I love when Adonoy hears
my voice, my prayers.
Because He turned His ear to me,
throughout my days I will call [upon Him].
I am encompassed with pangs of death
and the narrow confines of the grave
come upon me;
trouble and sorrow I encounter.
And upon the Name, Adonoy, I call
“I beseech You, Adonoy, save my soul.”
Gracious is Adonoy and righteous,
and our God is compassionate.
Adonoy protects the simple;
I was brought low and He delivered me.
Return, my soul, to your restfulness,
for Adonoy has rewarded you bountifully.
For You freed my soul from death,
my eye from tears,
my foot from stumbling.
I will walk before Adonoy
in the land of the living.
I had faith (even) when I said,
“I suffer greatly.”
I said in my haste,
“All men are deceitful.”
How can I repay Adonoy
for all the rewards He bestowed on me?
The cup of deliverance I will raise,
and upon the Name, Adonoy, I will call.
My vows to Adonoy I will fulfill
in the presence of all His people.
Precious in the eyes of Adonoy
is the death of His pious ones.
I beseech You, Adonoy,
for I am Your servant—
I am Your servant,
the son of Your handmaid;
You have loosened my bonds.
To You I will offer offerings of thanksgiving,
and upon the Name, Adonoy, I will call.
My vows to Adonoy I will fulfill.
in the presence of all His people.
In the courtyards of the House of God,
in Your midst, Jerusalem.
Praise God!
Praise Adonoy, all nations
extol Him, all peoples.
For His kindness overwhelmed us,
and Adonoy's truth is forever.
Praise God!
The following four verses are chanted by the Chazzan and congregation with the congregation responding “Thank Adonoy” after each verse.
Thank Adonoy for He is good,
for His kindness endures forever.
Let Israel declare:
for His kindness endures forever.
Response: Thank Adonoy for He is good,
for His kindness endures forever.
Let the House of Aaron declare:
for His kindness endures forever.
Response: Thank Adonoy for He is good,
for His kindness endures forever.
Let those who fear Adonoy declare:
for His kindness endures is forever.
Response: Thank Adonoy for He is good,
for His kindness endures forever.
From the narrowness (of distress)
I called [to] God,
He answered me
with the breadth of Divine relief.
Adonoy is with me, I will not fear,
what can man do to me?
Adonoy is with me, to help me,
and I will see my enemies' (defeat).
It is better to take refuge in Adonoy
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in Adonoy
than to trust in nobles.
All nations surround me;
in Adonoy's Name, I cut them down.
They surrounded me, they surround me;
in Adonoy's Name, I cut them down.
They surrounded me like bees,
[but] they were extinguished like a thorn fire;
in Adonoy's Name, I cut them down.
You pushed me again and again to fall,
but Adonoy helped me.
The strength and retribution of God
was (the cause of) my deliverance.
The sound of joyous song and deliverance
is in the tents of the righteous:
the right hand of Adonoy
performs deeds of valor.
The right hand of Adonoy is exalted,
the right hand of Adonoy
performs deeds of valor.
I shall not die; for I shall live
and relate the deeds of God.
God has severely chastised me,
but unto death He has not handed me.
Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter them,
I will give thanks unto God.
This gate is Adonoy's
the righteous shall enter it.
I thank You for You answered me,
and You have been my deliverance.
I thank You for You answered me,
and You have been my deliverance.
The stone which the builders scorned
became the cornerstone.
The stone which the builders scorned
became the cornerstone.
This is Adonoy's doing,
it is a marvel in our eyes.
This is Adonoy's doing,
it is a marvel in our eyes.
This day was made by Adonoy,
let us exult and rejoice in Him.
This day was made by Adonoy.
let us exult and rejoice in Him.
The Chazzan chants each of the following four lines and the congregation repeats after him.
We implore You, Adonoy, deliver us!
We implore You, Adonoy, deliver us!
We beseech You, Adonoy, make us successful!
We beseech You, Adonoy, make us successful!
Blessed be he who comes
in the Name of Adonoy;
we bless you from Adonoy's House.
Blessed be he who comes
in the Name of Adonoy;
we bless you from Adonoy's House.
Almighty, Adonoy, He gave us light;
bind the festival sacrifices with ropes
(until they are brought) to the corners
of the Altar.
Almighty, Adonoy, He gave us light;
bind the festival sacrifices with ropes
(until they are brought) to the corners
of the Altar.
You are my Almighty
and I will give thanks to You;
My God, I will exalt You.
You are my Almighty
and I will give thanks to You;
My God, I will exalt You.
Thank Adonoy for He is good;
for His kindness endures forever.
Thank Adonoy for He is good;
for His kindness endures forever.
Your praise, Adonoy our God,
[will be proclaimed by] all Your works,
Your pious ones, the righteous,
who do Your will;
and all Your people, the House of Israel,
will joyfully thank and bless,
praise and glorify and sing,
exalt and revere,
sanctify and proclaim the sovereignty
of Your Name, our King continuously.
For to You it is good to give thanks,
and to Your Name it is fitting to sing praises,
for from this world to the next,
You are Almighty.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
King, Who is extolled with praises.
As a segulah for long life, some people say the following verse on Rosh Chodesh:
And Avrohom was old,
well-on in years,
and Adonoy blessed Avrohom
with everything.
On Succos, the Hoshanos are said, before the Chazzan recites the following Kaddish
On Rosh Chodesh and on Chol HaMoed the Chazzan recites the Whole Kaddish. On Chanukah (except for Rosh Chodesh-Chanukah and Shabbos-Chanukah) he recites the Half-Kaddish.
The Service continues with the Order of Reading the Torah. After the conclusion of the Torah reading, אַשְׁרֵי (Fortunate), and וּבָא לְצִיוֹן (The Redeemer will come), are said. The Chazzan recites Half-Kaddish , the Tefillin are then removed and the Congregation says the Musaf Amidah.
The Chazzan recites the following Kaddish:
Exalted and sanctified be His great Name
in the world which He created
according to His will
and may He rule His kingdom
bring forth His redemption
and hasten the coming of His Mashiach
in your lifetime and in your days,
and in the lifetime
of the entire House of Israel,
speedily and in the near future—
and say Amein.
May His great Name be blessed
forever and for all eternity.
Blessed and praised,
glorified, and exalted and uplifted,
honored and elevated and extolled
be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He;
above
all the blessings and hymns,
praises and consolations
which we utter in the world—and say Amein.
May there be acceptance
of the prayers and supplications
of the entire House of Israel
before their Father in heaven.
And say, Amein.
May there be abundant peace from heaven
and good life
for us and for all Israel,
—and say Amein.
He Who makes peace in His high heavens
may He, make peace
for us and for all Israel,
—and say Amein.
Musaf for Rosh Chodesh
“When I proclaim Adonoy's Name
attribute greatness to our God.”
My Master open my lips
and my mouth will declare Your praise.
THE VIRTUE OF OUR FOREFATHERS
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, and God of our fathers,
God of Abraham, God of Isaac,
and God of Jacob,
the Almighty
the Great, the Powerful, the Awesome,
most high Almighty,
Who bestows beneficent kindness,
Who possesses everything,
Who remembers the piety of the Patriarchs,
and Who brings a redeemer
to their children's children,
for the sake of His Name, with love.
King, Helper, and Deliverer and Shield.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Shield of Abraham.
DIVINE MIGHT
You are mighty forever, my Master;
You are the Resurrector of the dead
the powerful One to deliver us.
From the Musaf of the first day of Pesach until the Musaf of Shemini Atzeres you should say:
He causes the dew to descend.
From the Musaf of Shemini Atzeres until the Musaf of the first day of Pesach you should say:
Causer of the wind to blow
and of the rain to fall.
If you neglected to say this, see page 000.
Resurrector of the dead with great mercy,
Supporter of the fallen,
and Healer of the sick,
and Releaser of the imprisoned,
and Fulfiller of His faithfulness
to those who sleep in the dust.
Who is like You, Master of mighty deeds,
and who can be compared to You?
King Who causes death and restores life,
and causes deliverance to sprout forth.
And You are faithful
to restore the dead to life.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Resurrector of the dead.
When praying silently, continue “You are holy” on page 000. When the Chazzan repeats the Shemoneh Esrei during Shacharis, the Kedushah is said here. For Mincha turn to page 000.
Kedushah
The Congregation says and the Chazzan repeats:
A crown is given to You
Adonoy, our God
by the angels on high
and by Your people who assemble below:
all of them together
thrice repeat “holy” unto You
as is said by way of Your prophet,
“And they called one to another, and said:
Congregation and Chazzan:
‘Holy, holy, holy,
is Adonoy of hosts,
the fullness of all the earth is His glory.'”
Facing them, they offer praise and say:
Congregation and Chazzan:
“Blessed is the glory of Adonoy
from His place.”
And among Your holy words it is written:
Congregation and Chazzan:
“Adonoy will reign forever,
your God, Zion, throughout all generations!
Praise God.”
The Chazzan concludes:
From generation to generation
we will declare Your greatness,
and to all eternity,
we will sanctify Your holiness,
and Your praise, our God,
will not depart from our mouths
forever and ever;
because You are the Almighty
Who is King; Great, and Holy.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
the Almighty, the Holy One.
During the silent Shemoneh Esrei, continue here:
DIVINE SANCTIFICATION
You are holy and Your Name is holy
and holy beings
praise You every day, forever.
because You are the Almighty
Who is King; Great, and Holy.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
the Almighty, the Holy One.
You gave Rosh Chodesh days to Your People,
[as] a time of atonement
for all their generations;
When they brought before You
free-will offerings,
and he-goats for sin-offerings
to atone for them.
These were a memorial for all of them,
and the deliverance of their soul
from the hand of the enemy.
Establish a new altar in Zion,
and the burnt-offering of Rosh Chodesh
we will offer on it
and the he-goats we will prepare willingly
With the service of the Temple,
we will all rejoice,
and [also] with the songs of David, Your servant
that were heard in Your city,
that were chanted before Your altar.
Bestow upon them everlasting love,
and the covenant of the fathers
remember to their children.
Bring us with song to Zion, Your city,
and to Jerusalem,
the House of Your Sanctuary,
with everlasting joy.
There we will prepare before You
our obligatory offerings,
the daily burnt-offering in their sequence,
and the musaf-offerings according to their law.
And the musaf-offering
of this Rosh Chodesh day
we will prepare and bring before You
with love
according to the command of Your will,
as You wrote for us in Your Torah
through the hands of Moses, Your servant,
from the mouth of Your glory,
as it is said:
“And on your Rosh Chodesh days
You shall bring a burnt-offering to Adonoy;
two young bullocks
and one ram,
seven male yearling lambs
without blemish.”
And their meal-offerings and libations
as prescribed:
three-tenths (of an epha of fine flour)
for each bullock,
two-tenths for the ram,
and one-tenth for each lamb,
and wine according to each libation;
and a he-goat for atonement,
and the two daily burnt-offerings
according to their law.
Our G-d and G-d of our fathers
renew for us this month
for goodness and for blessing,
for delight and for rejoicing,
for deliverance and for consolation,
for maintenance and for sustenance,
for life and for peace,
for the forgiving of sin
and for the pardoning of iniquity
(In a leap year add:
and for atonement of transgression)
For You have chosen Your People, Israel,
from all the peoples,
and statutes of Rosh Chodesh
have You instituted for them.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Sanctifier of Israel
and the Rosh Chodesh days.
PRAYER FOR RETURN OF DIVINE SERVICE
Be pleased, Adonoy, our God,
with Your people Israel and their prayer,
and restore the service
to the Holy of Holies in Your abode,
and the fire-offerings of Israel;
and accept their prayer, lovingly and willingly.
And may You always find pleasure
with the service of Your people, Israel.
And may our eyes behold
Your merciful return to Zion.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who returns His Divine Presence to Zion.
At the words, We are thankful, bend forward; at Adonoy return to an upright position.
We are thankful to You
that You Adonoy are our God
and the God of our fathers forever;
our Rock, Rock of our lives,
the Shield of our deliverance,
You are in every generation.
We will give thanks to You
and recount Your praise,
for our lives
which are committed into Your hand.
And for our souls which are entrusted to You,
and for Your miracles of every day with us
and for Your wonders and benefactions
at all times—
evening, morning and noon.
(You are) The Beneficent One—
for Your compassion is never withheld;
And (You are) the Merciful One—
for Your kindliness never ceases;
we have always placed our hope in You.
(When the Chazzan repeats the Shemoneh Esrei and says, “Who returns His Divine Presence to Zion”, the congregation responds by saying “Amein” and then the following prayer.)
We are thankful to You,
that You Adonoy are our God
and God of our fathers,
God of all flesh,
Our Creator, Creator of the Beginning.
Blessings and thanksgivings
to Your great and holy Name
for keeping us alive, and sustaining us;
so may You always keep us alive
and sustain us,
and gather our exiles
to the Courtyards of Your Sanctuary
to observe Your statutes
and to do Your will,
and to serve You wholeheartedly
for we are thankful to You.
Blessed is the Almighty
to Whom all thanks are due.
And for all the foregoing
blessed, exalted and extolled
your Name, our King
constantly, forever and ever.
And all the living shall thank You forever
and praise and bless
Your great Name with sincerity forever;
for You are goodness—
the Almighty, Who is our deliverance
and our help forever—
the benevolent Almighty.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
“The Beneficent” is Your Name
and You it is fitting to praise.
When Kohanim are present, the Birkas Kohanim is recited here, If no Kohanim are present, the Chazan recites the following.
Our God, and God of our fathers, bless us
with the threefold blessing of the Torah,
written by the hand of Moses, Your servant,
pronounced from the mouth of Aaron
and his sons, the kohanim, Your holy people;
as it is said:
Adonoy bless you and guard you.
Adonoy shine His countenance upon you
and be gracious unto you.
Adonoy turn His countenance toward you
and grant you peace.
PRAYER FOR PEACE
Grant peace, goodness, and blessing,
life favor, kindness and compassion
upon us and upon all Israel, Your people.
Bless us, our Father, all of us as one
with the light of Your countenance.
For by the light of Your countenance
You gave us Adonoy our God,
a Torah of life and the love of kindliness,
righteousness, blessing, compassion,
life, and peace.
And may it be good in Your sight
to bless us
and to bless Your people Israel,
at all times and at every moment
with Your peace
(with much strength and peace).
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who blesses His people Israel
with peace.
May they be acceptable
the words of my mouth
and the thoughts of my heart, before You
Adonoy, my Rock and my Redeemer.
My God, guard my tongue from evil
and my lips from speaking deceitfully.
To those who curse me,
may my soul be unresponsive;
and let my soul be like dust to all.
Open my heart to Your Torah
and let my soul pursue Your commandments.
And all who plan evil against me,
quickly annul their counsel
and frustrate their intention.
(May it it be Your will
Adonoy, my God and God of my fathers,
that no person be envious of me
and that I not be envious of others,
that I not be brought to anger this day,
and that I not cause Your anger;
and save me from the evil inclination,
and help me be humble and any modest.
Our King and our Father,
unify Your Name in Your world,
rebuild Your city, establish Your house
and perfect your sanctuary.
Gather our exiles,
redeem Your people, rejoice Your congregation).
Act for the sake of Your Name.
Act for the sake of Your right hand.
Act for the sake of Your Torah.
Act for the sake of Your holiness.
In order that Your loved ones be released,
deliver [with] Your right hand and answer me.
Biblical phrases applicable to one's name may be found on pp. 000-000.
May they be acceptable—
the words of my mouth
and the thoughts of my heart—before You
Adonoy, my Rock and my Redeemer.
He Who makes peace
in His high heavens
may He make peace
upon us and upon all Israel
and say Amein.
May it be Your will,
Adonoy, our God, and the God of our Fathers
that the Holy Temple be rebuilt
speedily in our days,
and grant us our share in Your Torah.
And there we will serve You reverently
as in the days of old,
and in earlier years.
And let Adonoy be pleased
with the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem
as in the days of old and in earlier years.
Musaf for Chol Hamo'ed
“When I proclaim Adonoy's Name
attribute greatness to our God.”
My Master open my lips
and my mouth will declare Your praise.
THE VIRTUE OF OUR FOREFATHERS
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, and God of our fathers,
God of Abraham, God of Isaac,
and God of Jacob,
the Almighty
the Great, the Powerful, the Awesome,
most high Almighty,
Who bestows beneficent kindness,
Who possesses everything,
Who remembers the piety of the Patriarchs,
and Who brings a redeemer
to their children's children,
for the sake of His Name, with love.
King, Helper, and Deliverer and Shield.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Shield of Abraham.
DIVINE MIGHT
You are mighty forever, my Master;
You are the Resurrector of the dead
the powerful One to deliver us.
He causes the dew to descend.
Sustainer of the living with kindliness,
Resurrector of the dead with great mercy,
Supporter of the fallen,
and Healer of the sick,
and Releaser of the imprisoned,
and Fulfiller of His faithfulness
to those who sleep in the dust.
Who is like You, Master of mighty deeds,
and who can be compared to You?
King Who causes death and restores life,
and causes deliverance to sprout forth.
And You are faithful
to restore the dead to life.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Resurrector of the dead.
When praying silently, continue “You are holy” on page 000. When the Chazzan repeats the Shemoneh Esrei during Shacharis, the Kedushah is said here. For Mincha turn to page 000.
Kedushah
The Congregation says and the Chazzan repeats:
A crown is given to You
Adonoy, our God
by the angels on high
and by Your people who assemble below:
all of them together
thrice repeat “holy” unto You
as is said by way of Your prophet,
“And they called one to another, and said:
Congregation and Chazzan:
‘Holy, holy, holy,
is Adonoy of hosts,
the fullness of all the earth is His glory.'”
Facing them, they offer praise and say:
Congregation and Chazzan:
“Blessed is the glory of Adonoy
from His place.”
And among Your holy words it is written:
Congregation and Chazzan:
“Adonoy will reign forever,
your God, Zion, throughout all generations!
Praise God.”
The Chazzan concludes:
From generation to generation
we will declare Your greatness,
and to all eternity,
we will sanctify Your holiness,
and Your praise, our God,
will not depart from our mouths
forever and ever;
because You are the Almighty
Who is King; Great, and Holy.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
the Almighty, the Holy One.
During the silent Shemoneh Esrei, continue here:
DIVINE SANCTIFICATION
You are holy and Your Name is holy
and holy beings
praise You every day, forever.
because You are the Almighty
Who is King; Great, and Holy.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
the Almighty, the Holy One.
You chose us from [among] all the peoples;
You loved us and took pleasure in us;
You exalted us above all tongues,
and You sanctified us
with Your commandments;
You drew us near, our King, to Your servitude,
and Your great and holy Name
You have pronounced upon us.
And [You] gave us Adonoy, our God,
in love
appointed festivals for rejoicing,
festivals and seasons for happiness,
this day of
On Pesach:
the Festival of Matzos,
the season of our freedom,
On Sukkos:
the Festival of Sukkos,
the season of our rejoicing.
a day of holy assembly
commemorating the exodus from Egypt.
But because of our sins,
we were exiled from our land,
and driven far away from our soil;
and we are unable to go up,
[in order] to appear
and to prostrate ourselves before You,
and to perform our obligatory offerings
in Your chosen House,
in the great and holy House
upon which Your Name is proclaimed,
because of the hand [of violence]
that was sent against Your Sanctuary.
May it be Your will
Adonoy, our God and God of our fathers,
merciful King,
to once again have compassion on us,
and on Your Sanctuary
in Your abundant mercy;
and rebuild it soon
and greatly enhance its glory.
Our Father, our King!
Reveal the glory of Your kingship
upon us soon,
appear and be uplifted over us
before the eyes of all living things.
Bring near our scattered [people]
from among the nations,
and gather our dispersed
from the ends of the earth.
Bring us to Zion, Your city, with joyous song,
to Jerusalem, house of Your Sanctuary,
with everlasting joy.
And there we will offer before You
our obligatory sacrifices,
the daily [burnt]-offerings in their order,
and the Musaf-offerings
according to their rule.
And the Musaf-offering of:
On Pesach
this Festival of Matzos
On Sukkos
this Festival of Sukkos
we will prepare and bring before You
with love
according to the command of Your will;
as You wrote for us in Your Torah,
through the hands of Moses, Your servant,
from the mouth of Your glory,
as it is said:
On Chol Hamoed Pesach
“And you shall bring a fire-offering,
a burnt-offering to Adonoy:
two young bullocks
and one ram,
and seven male yearling lambs
without blemish they shall be for you.
And their meal-offerings and libations
as stated:
three-tenths [of an ephah of fine flour]
for each bullock,
two-tenths for the ram,
and one-tenth for each lamb,
and wine according to each libation;
and a he-goat for atonement,
and the two daily burnt offerings
according to their law.
Continue אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ Our God and God of our fathers.
On the first day of Chol HaMoed Sukkos:
And on the second day [you will offer]
twelve young bullocks
two rams
fourteen male yearling lambs
without blemish.
And their meal offerings and libations
as perscribed:
three tenths [of an ephah of the fine flour]
for each bullock,
two tenths for each ram,
and one tenth for each lamb,
and wine according to each libation,
and a he-goat for atonement,
and the two daily burnt offerings
according to their law.
And on the third day [you will offer]
eleven bullocks
two rams
fourteen male yearling lambs
without blemish.
And their meal offerings and libations
as prescribed:
three tenths [of an ephah of fine flour]
for each bullock,
two tenths for each ram,
and one tenth for each lamb,
and wine according to each libation,
and a he-goat for atonement,
and the two daily burnt offerings
according to their law.
Continue אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ Our God and God of our fathers.
On the second day of Chol HaMoed Sukkos:
And on the third day [you will offer]
eleven bullocks
two rams
fourteen male yearling lambs
without blemish.
And their meal offerings and libations
as prescribed:
three tenths [of an ephah of fine flour]
for each bullock,
two tenths for each ram,
and one tenth for each lamb,
and wine according to each libation,
and a he-goat for atonement,
and the two daily burnt offerings
according to their law.
And on the fourth day [you will offer]
ten bullocks
two rams
fourteen male yearling lambs
without blemish
And their meal offerings and libations
as prescribed:
three tenths [of an ephah of fine flour]
for each bullock,
two tenths for each ram,
and one tenth for each lamb,
and wine according to each libation,
and a he-goat for atonement,
and the two daily burnt offerings
according to their law.
Continue אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ Our God and God of our fathers.
On the third day of Chol HaMoed Sukkos:
And on the fourth day [you will offer]
ten bullocks
two rams
fourteen male yearling lambs
without blemish
And their meal offerings and libations
as prescribed:
three tenths [of an ephah of fine flour]
for each bullock,
two tenths for each ram,
and one tenth for each lamb,
and wine according to each libation,
and a he-goat for atonement,
and the two daily burnt offerings
according to their law.
And on the fifth day [You will offer]
nine bullocks
two rams
fourteen male yearling lambs
without blemish.
And their meal offerings and libations
as prescribed:
three tenths [of an ephah of fine flour]
for each bullock,
two tenths for each ram,
and one tenth for each lamb,
and wine according to each libation,
and a he-goat for atonement,
and the two daily burnt offerings
according to their law.
Continue אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ Our God and God of our fathers.
On the fourth day of Chol HaMoed Sukkos:
And on the fifth day [you will offer]
nine bullocks
two rams
fourteen male yearling lambs
without blemish
And their meal offerings and libations
as prescribed:
three tenths [of an ephah of fine flour]
for each bullock,
two tenths for each ram,
and one tenth for each lamb,
and wine according to each libation,
and a he-goat for atonement,
and the two daily burnt offerings
according to their law.
And on the sixth day [you will offer]
eight bullocks
two rams
fourteen male yearling lambs
without blemish
And their meal offerings and libations
as prescribed:
three tenths [of an ephah of fine flour]
for each bullock,
two tenths for each ram,
and one tenth for each lamb,
and wine according to each libation,
and a he-goat for atonement,
and the two daily burnt offerings
according to their law.
Continue אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ Our God and God of our fathers.
On Hoshanah Rabbah:
And on the sixth day [you will offer]
eight bullocks
two rams
fourteen male yearling lambs
without blemish
And their meal offerings and libations
as prescribed:
three tenths [of an ephah of fine flour]
for each bullock,
two tenths for each ram,
and one tenth for each lamb,
and wine according to each libation,
and a he-goat for atonement,
and the two daily burnt offerings
according to their law.
And on the seventh day [you will offer]
seven bullocks
two rams
fourteen male yearling lambs
without blemish
And their meal offerings and libations
as prescribed:
three tenths [of an ephah of fine flour]
for each bullock,
two tenths for each ram,
and one tenth for each lamb,
and wine according to each libation,
and a he-goat for atonement,
and the two daily burnt offerings
according to their law.
Continue אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ Our God and God of our fathers.
Our God and God of our fathers,
merciful King, have compassion on us;
Good and Beneficent One,
make Yourself accessible to us;
return onto us in Your abundant mercy,
for the sake of the Patriarchs
who did Your will.
Rebuild Your House as it was originally,
and establish Your Sanctuary on its site;
let us see its rebuilding
and make us rejoice in its reinstation.
Restore the Kohanim (Priests) to their service,
and the Levites to their song and music,
and restore Israel to their dwelling places.
And there we will go up and appear,
and prostrate ourselves before You
at the three seasons of our pilgrimage,
as it is written in Your Torah:
Three times a year
shall all your males appear
before the countenance of Adonoy, your God,
in the place He will choose—
on the Festival of Matzos,
on the Festival of Shavuos,
and on the Festival of Sukkos;
and they shall not appear
before the countenance of Adonoy
empty handed.
[But] every man [shall bring offerings]
according to the gift of his hand
according to the blessing of Adonoy your God
which He gave you.
And load us up
Adonoy, our God,
with the blessing of Your appointed seasons
for life and peace,
for joy and for happiness,
as You desired;
and You promised to bless us.
Sanctify us with Your commandments,
and give us a share in Your Torah,
satisfy us from Your goodness,
and gladden us with Your deliverance,
and purify our hearts to serve You in truth,
and give us as a heritage, Adonoy, our God,
in joy and in happiness
Your appointed festivals of holiness
and may Israel rejoice in You—
[they who are] sanctifiers of Your Name.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Sanctifier of
Israel and the seasons.
PRAYER FOR RETURN OF DIVINE SERVICE
Be pleased, Adonoy, our God,
with Your people Israel and their prayer,
and restore the service
to the Holy of Holies in Your abode,
and the fire-offerings of Israel;
and accept their prayer, lovingly and willingly.
And may You always find pleasure
with the service of Your people, Israel.
And may our eyes behold
Your merciful return to Zion.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who returns His Divine Presence to Zion.
At the words, We are thankful, bend forward; at Adonoy return to an upright position.
We are thankful to You
that You Adonoy are our God
and the God of our fathers forever;
our Rock, Rock of our lives,
the Shield of our deliverance,
You are in every generation.
We will give thanks to You
and recount Your praise,
for our lives
which are committed into Your hand.
And for our souls which are entrusted to You,
and for Your miracles of every day with us
and for Your wonders and benefactions
at all times—
evening, morning and noon.
(You are) The Beneficent One—
for Your compassion is never withheld;
And (You are) the Merciful One—
for Your kindliness never ceases;
we have always placed our hope in You.
(When the Chazzan repeats the Shemoneh Esrei and says, “Who returns His Divine Presence to Zion”, the congregation responds by saying “Amein” and then the following prayer.)
We are thankful to You,
that You Adonoy are our God
and God of our fathers,
God of all flesh,
Our Creator, Creator of the Beginning.
Blessings and thanksgivings
to Your great and holy Name
for keeping us alive, and sustaining us;
so may You always keep us alive
and sustain us,
and gather our exiles
to the Courtyards of Your Sanctuary
to observe Your statutes
and to do Your will,
and to serve You wholeheartedly
for we are thankful to You.
Blessed is the Almighty
to Whom all thanks are due.
And for all the foregoing
blessed, exalted and extolled
your Name, our King
constantly, forever and ever.
And all the living shall thank You forever
and praise and bless
Your great Name with sincerity forever;
for You are goodness—
the Almighty, Who is our deliverance
and our help forever—
the benevolent Almighty.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
“The Beneficent” is Your Name
and You it is fitting to praise.
When Kohanim are present, the Birkas Kohanim is recited here, If no Kohanim are present, the Chazan recites the following.
Our God, and God of our fathers, bless us
with the threefold blessing of the Torah,
written by the hand of Moses, Your servant,
pronounced from the mouth of Aaron
and his sons, the kohanim, Your holy people;
as it is said:
Adonoy bless you and guard you.
Adonoy shine His countenance upon you
and be gracious unto you.
Adonoy turn His countenance toward you
and grant you peace.
PRAYER FOR PEACE
Grant peace, goodness, and blessing,
life favor, kindness and compassion
upon us and upon all Israel, Your people.
Bless us, our Father, all of us as one
with the light of Your countenance.
For by the light of Your countenance
You gave us Adonoy our God,
a Torah of life and the love of kindliness,
righteousness, blessing, compassion,
life, and peace.
And may it be good in Your sight
to bless us
and to bless Your people Israel,
at all times and at every moment
with Your peace
(with much strength and peace).
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who blesses His people Israel
with peace.
May they be acceptable
the words of my mouth
and the thoughts of my heart, before You
Adonoy, my Rock and my Redeemer.
My God, guard my tongue from evil
and my lips from speaking deceitfully.
To those who curse me,
may my soul be unresponsive;
and let my soul be like dust to all.
Open my heart to Your Torah
and let my soul pursue Your commandments.
And all who plan evil against me,
quickly annul their counsel
and frustrate their intention.
(May it it be Your will
Adonoy, my God and God of my fathers,
that no person be envious of me
and that I not be envious of others,
that I not be brought to anger this day,
and that I not cause Your anger;
and save me from the evil inclination,
and help me be humble and any modest.
Our King and our Father,
unify Your Name in Your world,
rebuild Your city, establish Your house
and perfect your sanctuary.
Gather our exiles,
redeem Your people, rejoice Your congregation).
Act for the sake of Your Name.
Act for the sake of Your right hand.
Act for the sake of Your Torah.
Act for the sake of Your holiness.
In order that Your loved ones be released,
deliver [with] Your right hand and answer me.
Biblical phrases applicable to one's name may be found on pp. 000-000.
May they be acceptable—
the words of my mouth
and the thoughts of my heart—before You
Adonoy, my Rock and my Redeemer.
He Who makes peace
in His high heavens
may He make peace
upon us and upon all Israel
and say Amein.
May it be Your will,
Adonoy, our God, and the God of our Fathers
that the Holy Temple be rebuilt
speedily in our days,
and grant us our share in Your Torah.
And there we will serve You reverently
as in the days of old,
and in earlier years.
And let Adonoy be pleased
with the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem
as in the days of old and in earlier years.
Hoshanos
Chanukah Service
The festival of Chanukah begins on the 25th day of Kislev and lasts eight days. The Chanukah lights should be kindled as soon as possible after nightfall. On Friday the Chanukah lights are kindled before the Sabbath candles are lit. On the first night of Chanukah, one light is kindled—at the right of the menorah. Each night thereafter one light is added—to the immediate left of the one kindled the preceding night. The newly-added light is always kindled first, and the kindling then proceeds toward the right.
Before kindling the lights, the following blessings are recited.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the universe,
Who sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us
to kindle the light of Chanukah.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the universe,
Who performed miracles for our fathers
in those days at this time.
The following blessing is said only on the first evening:
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the universe,
Who has kept us alive and sustained us
and brought us to this time.
After kindling the lights, the following is said:
We kindle these lights
because of the miracles and the wonders,
the deliverances and the battles
which You performed for our fathers
in those days at this time
through Your holy priests.
All eight days of Chanukah
these lights are sacred,
And we are not permitted to make use of them,
but only to look at them,
in order to offer thanks and praise
to Your great Name
for Your miracles, for Your deliverance,
and for Your wonders.
Stronghold, Rock of my deliverance,
it is fitting to offer praise to You.
You will establish the House of my prayer
and there we will offer thanksgiving offerings.
When You prepare total destruction
against the raging foe,
I will then complete, with song and psalm,
the dedication of the Altar.
My soul was sated with troubles,
my strength consumed with sorrow;
they made my life bitter with hardship,
enslaved by the kingdom of the heifer [Egypt].
With His great hand,
He brought forth the treasured [people],
[while] Pharaoh’s army and all his seed,
sank like a stone into the deep.
He brought me to His Holy of Holies
but even there, I found no rest;
the oppressor came and exiled me,
because I had served alien gods
and I prepared poisoned wine.
I had hardly gone away
[when] the Babylonian exile ended
[It came through] Zerubabel;
after seventy years, I was delivered.
To cut down the lofty cypress
was the intention of the Aggagite,
son of Hamedasa;
it became [however] his own trap and snare,
and his arrogance was put to rest.
You raised the head of the Binjaminite
and You blotted out the name of the foe,
his numerous sons and wealth;
You hanged upon the gallows.
The Greeks gathered against me
in the days of the Hasmoneans;
and broke down the walls of my towers,
and defiled all the [sacred] oils.
And from the last of the remaining flasks,
a miracle was performed for the Shoshanim
Men of insight [then] designated eight days
for song and joyful psalms.
Uncover Your holy arm
and bring near the day of deliverance;
Avenge the blood of Your servants
from the wicked people.
For long have we waited for the deliverance,
and there is no end to the evil days.
Cast the “red one” into the dark shadows
and raise for us the seven shepherds.
Purim Service
Everyone is obligated to hear the reading of the Megillah on the night of Purim and again on the day of Purim itself. The following three blessings are recited by the Reader.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the universe
Who sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us
concerning the reading of the Megillah.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the universe,
Who performed miracles for our fathers
in those days at this time.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the universe,
Who has kept us alive and sustained us
and brought us to this time.
After the reading of the Megillah, if there is a minyan of ten adult males present, the following is recited.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
our God, King of the universe,
Who defends our cause,
judges our grievances,
takes vengeance for us,
brings retribution
upon all our mortal enemies
and exacts payment [punishment]
from our oppressors.
Blessed are You, Adonoy,
Who exacts payment [punishment]
in behalf of His people, Israel
from all their oppressors,
the Almighty, the Deliverer.
The rose of Jacob cheered and rejoiced
when they [all] saw
Mordechai dressed in royal blue.
You have always been their deliverance,
their hope in every generation,
to make known
that all who hope in You
will never be shamed,
and never will be disgraced
those who trust in You.
Cursed be Haman who sought to destroy me,
blessed be Mordechai the Yehudi [the Jew].
Cursed be Zeresh,
wife of he [Haman] who terrified me;
blessed be Esther
[who interceded] on my behalf.
Cursed be all the wicked,
blessed be all the righteous;
and also, may Charvona
be remembered favorably.
Selichos
Monday (1)
Thursday
Monday (2)
Tenth of Teves
Fast of Esther
Seventeenth of Tamuz