Festivals978 1 888822 46 5.web

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Prayer Book for Festivals
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Prayer Book for Festivals
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A prayer book for festival services
based on traditional and contemporary liturgical sources

with full transliteration, modern English translation,
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explanations, instructions and notes,
including services for festival eve, morning, and afternoon;

for the afternoon service before a festival
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the evening service after a festival
and for the intermediate days of Pesach and Sukkot,
including Hoshanah Rabbah
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Prepared by
The Singlish Publication Society
14140 Sherwood, Oak Park, MI 48237
248.842.5563
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singlishps@aol.com
www.singlishps.com
Copyright and Acknowledgements
Copyright (c) 2014 The Singlish Publication Society.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, electronic or otherwise, without our express written per-
mission. But you may read and sing it to your hearts content!
Distinguished rabbis of Venice endorsed Salomone Rossis copyright when he published The Song of Songs
in 1623, threatening any Jewish person who stole or bought stolen intellectual property with:
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The decree of angels, gezerat irin
the sentence of the holy ones,
umeimar kadishin,
with the biting snake. banachash hanoshech
I am grateful to Professor Marty Herman for bringing this early copyright warning to my attention, and I hope
that anyone who is tempted to copy this work without permission will think better of it! For a copyright viola-
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tion is a bit like a snakebite: it may seem like nothing at first, but it can spread through the body and grow until
its out of control. So it is with the theft of intellectual property: by the time the author finds out its happened,
its very difficult to stop. So please, if you want to copy part of this book, ask first. Thank you.
First Edition
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ISBN 978-1-888822-46-5
For Hebrew quotations from Tanach (Hebrew Scripture), we gratefully acknowledge the dedicated work of the
J.Alan Groves Center for Advanced Biblical Research.
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Dedication
As I complete this book, I have in mind
all those who may find it helpful or useful.
I hope my efforts can remove barriers to prayer
and add to the joy of being Jewish.
And I have in mind all those who feel that their view,
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which they grasp with certainty,
is more important than another persons
comfort, security or very existence.
May they be granted uncertainty and humility
so that peace is possible and war is not.
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Table of Contents
When to Use This Book ...............................................12 Blessing for Tallit ........................................................ 68
On Jewish Prayer .........................................................13 Dawn Blessings Birchot
HaShachar ............................................................ 69
AFTERNOON SERVICE BEFORE A FESTIVAL .................17
Ashrei ...........................................................................18 May Your Wish Be Yehi Ratzon............ 72
Ruler of Every World
AMIDAH ............................................................................20 Ribon Kol Haolamim .......................................... 73
Opening Blessings .......................................................20 But We Are Your People
Central Blessings .........................................................24
Aval Anachnu Amcha .......................................... 74
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Closing Blessings .........................................................29
Its You Atah Hu.................................. 76
Personal Prayer ............................................................31
Rabbinic Texts............................................................. 78
Our Duty Aleinu ...........................................33
Interpreting Torah ....................................................... 83
FESTIVAL EVENING SERVICE .........................................37 May This Be Yehi Ratzon ...................... 85
May This Be Yehi Ratzon ...................... 85
SHEMA AND ITS BLESSINGS ............................................38
Daily Psalms................................................................ 86
Call to Prayer ...................................................38
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First Blessing Before Shema ........................................38 POEMS AND SONGS........................................................ 100
Second Blessing Before Shema ...................................39 Blessed Is the One Who Spoke
Shema (First Paragraph)...............................................40 Baruch Sheamar ................................................ 100
Shema (Second Paragraph) ..........................................41 I Chronicles 16:8-36 .................................................. 101
Shema (Third Pragraph) ...............................................43 Additional Psalm Verses ........................................... 104
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First Blessing after Shema ...........................................44 Psalm 100 .................................................................. 106
Second Blessing After Shema ......................................46 Psalm 19 .................................................................... 107
This Day in Torah ........................................................46 Psalm 34 .................................................................... 109
EVENING AMIDAH ...........................................................47 Psalm 90 .................................................................... 111
Festival Intermediate Days...........................................47 Psalm 91 .................................................................... 113
Festival Holy Days.......................................................47 Psalm 135 .................................................................. 115
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Psalm 136 .................................................................. 117
KIDDUSH FOR FESTIVALS ...............................................57 Psalm 33 .................................................................... 119
Farewell to Shabbat Havdalah ...................58 Psalm 92 .................................................................... 121
Shehecheyanu ..............................................................59 Psalm 93 .................................................................... 123
Sukkah .........................................................................59 Let Gods Glory Yehi Chevod............. 124
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Psalm 145 Ashrei....................................... 126
OUR DUTY ALEINU..........................................60
Psalm 146 .................................................................. 128
BE GREAT YIGDAL ............................................63 Psalm 147 .................................................................. 129
Psalm 148 .................................................................. 131
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COUNTING THE OMER Psalm 149 .................................................................. 133
SEFIRAT HAOMER..................................................64 Psalm 150 .................................................................. 134
Opening Meditation .....................................................64 I Chron. 29:10-13 ...................................................... 135
The Days of the Omer ..................................................64 Nehemiah 9:6-11 ....................................................... 136
Closing Meditation.......................................................65 The Song of the Sea Shirat
Hayam ................................................................ 138
FESTIVAL MORNING SERVICE .......................................67
The Life Force Nishmat............................ 142
DAWN BLESSINGS ............................................................68 May Your Name Be Praised
How Fair Mah Tovu .................................68 Yishtabach Shimcha ........................................... 147
SHEMA AND ITS BLESSINGS ......................................... 148 TORAH SERVICE FOR FESTIVAL HOLY DAYS ............ 205
Call to Prayer Barchu .................................148
TAKING OUT THE SCROLL
First Blessing Before Shema ......................................148
Second Blessing Before Shema .................................152 HOTZAAT SEFER HATORAH .............. 206
Shema (First Paragraph).............................................154 Berich Shemei ..................................... 207
Shema (Second Paragraph) ........................................155 Removing the Scroll .................................................. 209
Shema (Third Pragraph) .............................................157
TORAH BLESSINGS BIRCHOT
Blessing after Shema..................................................158
HATORAH .............................................................. 212
FESTIVAL MORNING AMIDAH ..................................... 163 Blessings for Torah Honorees Mi
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MORNING AMIDAH FOR FESTIVAL Sheberach ........................................................... 213
INTERMEDIATE DAYS ............................................ 163 Prayer for Healing ..................................................... 214
Opening Blessings......................................................163 Thanks after Peril Birkat
Central Blessings .......................................................167 HaGomel ............................................................ 215
Closing Blessings .......................................................172 Raising the Scroll Hagbah....................... 215
Blessing Before the Haftarah..................................... 216
MORNING AMIDAH FOR FESTIVAL HOLY DAYS ........ 181 Blessings after the Haftarah....................................... 217
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1. Ancestors Avot ....181 Prayer for Our Country.............................................. 220
2. Might Gevurot .....................................182 Prayer for U.S. Armed Forces ................................... 220
3a. Holiness
Responsive Kedushah .........183 Prayer for Israel ......................................................... 220
3c. Holiness Individual Kedushah ...........184 Prayer for Israels Defence Forces ............................ 221
Ashrei (Psalm 145) ...................................... 222
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4. Holiness of This Day
Kedushat Hayom.................................................185 RETURNING THE TORAH
5. Temple Service Avodah .......................188 HACHNASAT SEFER HATORAH ......................... 224
6a. Thanksgiving Modim ..........................188 Psalm 24 .................................................................... 224
6b. Teachers Thanksgiving When The Ark Rested
Modim Derabbanan ...........................................189 Uvenucho Yomar ............................................... 226
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7. Peace Shalom .........................................190
TORAH SERVICE FOR FESTIVAL INTERMEDIATE
Personal Prayer ..........................................................191 DAYS....................................................................... 227
HALLEL .......................................................................... 193 Taking out the Scroll
Psalm 113 ...................................................................193 Hotzaat Sefer HaTorah...................................... 228
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Psalm 114 ...................................................................194 Torah Blessings Birchot
Psalm 115: 1-11 .........................................................196 HaTorah.............................................................. 232
Psalm 115: 12-18 .......................................................197 Raising the Scroll Hagbah....................... 236
Psalm 116: 1-11 .........................................................197 Ashrei (Psalm 145) ...................................... 240
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Psalm 116: 12-19 .......................................................198
Help Is Coming! Uva
Psalm 117 ...................................................................199
Psalm 118: 1-4 ...........................................................199 LeTziyon Goel .................................................. 242
Psalm 118: 5-20 .........................................................200 FESTIVAL MUSAF SERVICE ......................................... 247
Psalm 118: 21-24 .......................................................201
Psalm 118: 25.............................................................202 MUSAF AMIDAH ............................................................ 248
Psalm 118: 26-29 .......................................................202 1. Ancestors Avot .... 248
Final Blessing.............................................................203 2. Might Gevurot .................................... 249
3. Holiness ................................................................. 250
4. Holiness of This Day Psalm 27 .................................................................... 342
Kedushat Hayom.................................................254
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL .............................................. 345
5. Temple Service Avodah .......................265 Pesach Poems ............................................................ 346
6. We Give Thanks Modim.......................265 I Preface the Words Akdamut
7. Peace Shalom .........................................268 Millin.................................................................. 352
Personal Prayers .........................................................269 Prayer for Rain Geshem .................. 359
CONCLUDING PRAYERS FOR FESTIVAL HOLY Prayer for Dew Tal ............................ 362
DAYS ...................................................................... 271
PRIESTS BLESSING BIRCAT
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No God Like You Ein
KOHANIM ............................................................... 364
Keloheinu............................................................271
Talmud Study .............................................................272 KADDISH ........................................................................ 368
Our Duty Aleinu .........................................273 Half Kaddish Chatzi Kadish.............. 368
Eternal Sovereign Adon Olam ..........276 Full Kaddish Kadish Shalem ........... 369
Mourners Kaddish Kadish
FESTIVAL AFTERNOON SERVICE ................................ 277
Yatom ................................................................. 371
Psalm 145 Ashrei .......................................278
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Teachers Kaddish Kadish
Help Is Coming! Uva
DeRabanan ......................................................... 373
LeTziyon Goel ...................................................280
HOSHANOT ............................................... 375
AFTERNOON AMIDAH FOR FESTIVAL HOLY DAYS ... 285
1. Lemaan Amitach ......................... 376
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AFTERNOON AMIDAH FOR INTERMEDIATE DAYS ..... 296 2. Even Shetiyah ................................. 377
Opening Blessings .....................................................296 3. Om Ani Chomah ..................... 378
Central Blessings .......................................................300
4. Adon Hamoshiah ..................... 379
Closing Blessings .......................................................305
Personal Prayer ..........................................................308 5. Adam Uvehemah ......................... 380
Our Duty Aleinu .........................................310 6. Adamah Meerer ......................... 381
7. Lemaan Eitan ................................ 382
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EVENING SERVICE AFTER A FESTIVAL ..................... 313
8. Om Netzura .................................... 385
SHEMA AND ITS BLESSINGS ......................................... 314 9. Eeroch Shui .................................. 387
Call to Prayer Barchu .................................314 10. El Lemoshaot .......................... 388
First Blessing Before Shema ......................................314 11. Titnenu Leshem Velithilah
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Second Blessing Before Shema .................................315 ............................................................. 389
Shema (First Paragraph).............................................316
12. Kehoshata Elim ..................... 391
Shema (Second Paragraph) ........................................317
Shema (Third Paragraph) ...........................................319 13. Taaneh Emunim .................... 394
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First Blessing After Shema ........................................320 14. Ometz Yeshacha .......................... 398
Second Blessing After Shema ....................................322 15. Kehoshata Adam .................... 402
Third Blessing After Shema .......................................323
THE TORAH PARTY SIMCHAT
EVENING SILENT AMIDAH ........................................... 326 TORAH .................................................................... 408
Opening Blessings .....................................................326 Opening the Ark Petichat
Central Blessings .......................................................328 HaAron ............................................................... 408
Closing Blessings .......................................................333 Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereshit ............................ 411
Farewell to the Festival Havdalah ...........338
Our Duty Aleinu .........................................339
Bridegroom of the Torah Chatan AFTERWORD ................................................................. 430
Torah ...................................................................412 More Thanks ............................................................. 430
Bridegroom of the Creation Story A Practical Book ....................................................... 430
Chatan Bereshit ................................415 Egalitarian, Non-Sexist ............................................. 430
Why Is the Translation Like That? ............................ 431
MEMORIAL SERVICE .................................................... 419 Translation and Typography...................................... 431
Selections from Scripture ...........................................419 Pronunciation ............................................................ 432
May God Remember Yizkor ........................420 Jewish Prayer............................................................. 432
Compassionate God El The Tissue of Quotations........................................... 432
My Hope, My Fear .................................................... 432
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Malei Rachamim .................................................421
Psalm 23 .....................................................................423 BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................. 433
NOTES ............................................................................ 424
Aleinu.........................................................................424
Prayer Responses .......................................................425
First Blessing of the Amidah......................................426
Dawn Blessings..........................................................427
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When to Use This Book
This book is for festivalsthe holy days of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, and the intermediate days of Pesach
and Sukkot, including Hoshanah Rabbah. However, this book is not for Shabbat: the service for festivals that
fall on Shabbat is in our Shabbat book.
Whats the difference in services on intermediate days and holy days? Holy days have a different amidah, a
more elaborate set of morning readings, and an extended Torah service. The intermediate days use weekday
versions of these three parts of the service, except for Hoshanah Rabbah. However, both holy days and inter-
mediate days add Hallel, a musaf service and Hoshanot on Sukkot. The holy and intermediate days are closer
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than we often think.
This book also includes services before and after festivals.
Our liturgy includes several poems for festivals, and those are included in this book: Brach Dodi and the
Prayer for Dew on Pesach; Akdamut Millin for Shavuot; the Prayer for Rain and Hoshanot for Sukkot, and the
poems for calling up the chief honorees for Simchat Torah. Admittedly, the mountain of Hebrew liturgical poet-
ry is a tall one to scale. Some readers will wish we had climbed higher, but I hope our selection of festival poet-
ry will be enough for most.
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On Jewish Prayer
The good things about Jewish prayer were expressed by George Eliot in her wonderful book, Daniel Deronda.
Of all nineteenth-century novels, Russian or English (the French arent in the running, not that Im prejudiced),
this is the best. Some scholars would disagree, but that just goes to show how learned people can be wrong.
Before he finds out about his ancestry, Danielmay our daughters marry someone so compassionate, so
learned, so correct, so independently wealthyfinds himself in Shul on a Friday night.
Derondagave himself up to that strongest effect of chanted liturgies which is independent
of detailed verbal meaninglike the effect of an Allegris Miserere or a Palestrinas Mag-
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nificat. The most powerful movement of feeling with a liturgy is the prayer which seeks for
nothing special, but is a yearning to escape from the limitations of our own weakness and
an invocation of all Good to enter and abide with us; or else a self-oblivious lifting up of
Gladness, a Gloria in excelsis that such Good exists; both the yearning and the exaltation
gathering in their utmost force from the sense of communion in a form which has expressed
them both, for long generations of struggling fellow-men. The Hebrew liturgy, like others,
has its transitions of litany, lyric, proclamation, dry statement and blessing; but this evening
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all were one for Deronda: the chant of the Chazans or Readers grand wide-ranging voice
with its passage from monotony to sudden cries, the outburst of sweet boys voices from the
little choir, the devotional swaying of mens bodies backward and forward, the very com-
monness of the building and shabbiness of the scene where a national faith, which had pen-
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etrated the thinking of half the world, and moulded the splendid forms of that worlds reli-
gion, was finding a remote, obscure echoall were blent for him as one expression of a
binding history, tragic and yet glorious. He wondered at the strength of his own feeling, it
seemed beyond the occasionwhat one might imagine to be a divine influx in the dark-
ness, before there was any vision to interpret. The whole scene was a coherent strain, its
burden a passionate regret, which, if he had known the liturgy for the Day of Reconcilia-
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tion, he might have clad in its authentic burden; Happy the eye which saw all these things;
but verily to hear only of them afflicts our soul. Happy the eye that saw our temple and the
joys of our congregation; but verily to hear only of them afflicts our soul. Happy the eye
that saw the fingers when tuning every kind of song; but verily to hear only of them afflicts
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our soul.1
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Daniel Deronda (London: Panther, 1970), pp. 337-8. First published in 1876 (before Herzl!), the book is an
articulate expression of Zionist fervor.
Pattern and Purpose in Jewish Prayer
Our Obligation
In our Torah, prayers are usually composed for a particular occasion. Abrahams servant Eliezer asked God to
help him find a good match for Isaac, and Rivkah came out to the well. Isaac asked God to help Rivkah, and
she became pregnant. Moses asked God to heal Miriam. The Torah doesnt describe daily prayers. Instead, for
daily devotion, the Torah describes a system of sacrifices. But with the Temple gone and the sacrificial service
irrecoverable1 we follow the lead of Hosea in using prayer instead:
Hosea 14:3
what we owe you in sacrificial bulls we uneshalmah farim sefateinu.
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shall pay with the prayers of our lips.
Thats one reason we have daily services.
In the Temple, we offered a morning and afternoon sacrifice, and an extra sacrifice on special days such as
Shabbat. Our tradition understood that we should say the Shema both morning and evening (when you go to
bed and when you get up), so we added an evening service too. Thats why we have services in the morning,
afternoon and evening, with an extra Musaf service on Shabbat, festivals and Rosh Chodesh.
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Elements of Our Prayers
The two main parts of our prayer services are the Shema and what the Talmud calls the prayer, the amidah.
We say the Shema and amidah in the morning; amidah in the afternoon; and Shema and amidah in the evening.
A musaf service follows the morning service.
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We read from the Torah after the morning amidah on Monday and Thursday, Shabbat, festivals and Rosh
Chodesh. We read from the Torah in the afternoon on Shabbat and fast days.
When we perform an obligation, we say a blessing. Since saying the Shema is an obligation, we introduce it
and follow it with blessings. The amidah consists of seven blessings on Shabbat, nineteen on weekdays; the
afternoon service before Shabbat and the evening service after Shabbat are weekday services.
A short blessing begins with the words: We bless you, God / / Baruch atah Adonai. For long-
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er blessings, these words come close to the end. And for even longer blessings, these words come at the begin-
ning and close to the end.
Prayer is speaking to God, and our tradition holds that we should take time to get in the right frame of mind
for an audience with our creator. This is especially true for the morning service, which begins with two sections
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of preparation, Dawn Blessings and readings from poems (mostly psalms) in scripture. Many of our prayers
quote scriptureour religions history, theology, philosophy and poetry.
To end a service, we may add hymns, psalms and other readings, and we always add Aleinu.
So heres what to expect in our festival services:
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You need a ritually pure Cohen, and for this you need the ashes of a red heifer. Who knows, though, if some
yet-to-be-discovered tunnel or cave hewed into the Jerusalem bedrock contains a vial of these ashes?
Dawn Poetry Shema Amidah Torah
Afternoon Before
Evening
Morning
Additional
Afternoon
Evening After
The Amidah
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Every amidah has the same underlying structure. Three blessings come at the beginning and three at the end,
with one or more in the middle. The beginning blessings celebrate Gods relationship with our ancestors, Gods
power and Gods holiness. The concluding blessings offer thanks, hope that our service is acceptable, and ask
for peace. In the middle, we say thirteen blessings on weekdays, with various petitions for individuals and the
community, and this holds for morning, afternoon and evening services. (At one time we said only twelve of
these blessings for a total of eighteenthe amidah is still called the shemoneh esreh or eighteenand
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experts differ on which blessing was added last.) On Shabbat and festivals, there is one blessing in the middle,
dealing with the particular holiness of this special day. These days and Rosh Chodesh have an additional ami-
dah, in which the middle blessing mentions the Temple sacrifices of the day. On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kip-
pur we add poetry to the early blessings, and the Rosh Hashanah additional amidah has extra middle blessings.
We extend standard blessings to celebrate Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah and Purim, Yom Haatzmaut and Yom
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Yerushalayim. But despite these variations, a standard pattern underlies every amidah.
When the leader repeats the amidahin morning, additional and afternoon serviceswe extend the third
blessing so that we can aspire to join the heavenly chorus of angels praising God; and we add personal thanks
to the thanksgiving blessingthe penultimate blessing of the amidah.
Purpose of Prayer
Sometimes we pray for something, as Moses prayed for Miriam to recover her health, but our daily prayer rou-
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tine repeats the same petitions day after day. Does this have a purpose?
Many people would say that a genuine lover says I love you merely to state a truth, not to earn some re-
ward. When we speak to God, if we wish to express our love and gratitude, our liturgywords worn smooth by
time and traditionhelps us to speak these thoughts. When we ask God for help, our prayers are in the plural:
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we ask for a better society in which to pursue our individual destiny. Sometimes our prayers remind us what we
can do to improve our world.
Its hard to think that prayers will change Gods plan, so its easier to think that our prayers will change us
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instead, giving us the perspective to view life with equanimity and joy, even in adversity, to find a blessing even
when our superficial wish is thwarted. Sometimes we pray for something specific, even trivial, and such prayers
can express a wishbeyond language or conscious thoughtfor serenity and trust in the future.
Not everyone has a constant sense of Gods presence, and some (I suppose Im not the only one) feel that
daily exercise of our capacity for prayer prepares us for those times when God seems closeas if daily prayer
is building a dwelling which Gods presence will one day come to inhabit.
For those whose lives are driven by purpose, perhaps prayer is their only disinterested activity, the only one
which satisfies no urge, meets no goal, brings no rewardthe only time when we can realize that were evanes-
cent bubbles on the cosmic oceans swell, and all that we cherish and struggle to achieve will one day be gone.
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Afternoon Service Before a Festival
Afternoon Service Before a Festival

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Before a festival begins, we say the weekday afternoon service. The afternoon service recalls the afternoon
sacrifice from Temple times, and its heart is the amidah, said each weekday morning, afternoon and evening.
The three blessings which begin, and the three blessings which end this amidah are like those of every other
amidah. The weekday amidah has thirteen central blessings of personal and communal thanks and petition.
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Before the amidah, we say Ashreipsalm 145. We say this psalm three times a day, following advice from
the Talmud (B.T. Berachot 4b), twice in the morning service and again for the afternoon service.
After the amidah, we finish with Aleinu and Mourners Kaddish.
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_____________________________________ Ashrei _____________________________________
Ps 84:5
Happy are they who live with you;
Ashrei yoshvei veitecha;
Forever they will praise you. Od yehalelucha selah.
Ps 144:15
Happy is such a people; Ashrei haam shekachah lo;
Happy are they whose God is the Ruler. Ashrei haam sheAdonai Elohav.
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Davids praise: Tehilah leDavid:
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Acclaim Ill give my sovereign, God,
Aromimcha Elohai hamelech,
And Ill bless your name forever. Vaavarcha shimcha leolam vaed.
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Blessing to you each day Ill bring, Bechol yom avarcheka,
Ill praise your name forever. Vaahalela shimcha leolam vaed.
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Great is God and greatly praised,
Gadol Adonai umhulal meod,
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Great beyond all probing.
Veligdulato ein cheker.
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Deeds of yours praise every age; Dor ledor yeshabach maasecha,
Your mighty acts they ever speak Ugevurotecha yagidu.
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Hailing the glory of your power,

Hadar kevod hodecha
In words your wonders stating, Vedivrei nifleotecha asicha.
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Voicing your awesome power,
Veezuz norotecha yomeru,
Your greatness, too, relating; Ugdulatcha asaprena.
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Zealously recalling your great good,
Zecher rav tuvcha yabiu
In your righteousness delighting. Vetzidkatcha yeranenu.
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Charitable and caring is God, Chanun verachum Adonai,
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Patient and most gracious. Erech apayim ugdol chased.
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To all creatures God is good, Tov Adonai lakol,
And mercy informs all Gods work. Verachamav al kol maasav.
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Your creatures all will know you, God, Yoducha Adonai kol maasecha,
And your followers will bless you.
Vachasidecha yevarchucha.
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Kingdoms glory they will tell,
Kevod malchutcha yomeru,
And your power they will speak.

Ugvuratcha yedaberu.
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And for Gods greatness there is no probing/examination.
19 Amidah
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Let children sense your power well
Lehodia livnei haadam gevurotav
And glory, your kingdoms splendor;
Uchevod hadar malchuto.
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Monarchy is yours in every world,
Malchutcha malchut kol olamim,
And government in every age and time; Umemshaltecha bechol dor vador.
14
Supporting all who fall Somech Adonai lechol hanoflim,
And bracing those who are bent over.
Vezokef lechol hakfufim.
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In hope all eyes are on you, Einei chol elecha yesaberu,
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And you give them their food in its time, Veata noten lahem et ochlam beito.
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Presenting your open hand Poteach et yadecha,
And filling every creatures wish. 1
Umasbiah lechol chai ratzon.
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True is God in every way
Tzadik Adonai bechol derachav,
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And loving in all deeds. Vechasid bechol maasav.
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Close is God to those who call, Karov Adonai lechol korav,
To all who call on God sincerely. Lechol asher yikrauhu veemet.
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Respect God, and your wish comes true;
Retzon yereav yaaseh,
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God hears your cry and saves you,4
Veet shavatam yishma veyoshiem.
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Sheltering those who love God Shomer Adonai et kol ohavav,
And destroying all the wicked. Veet kol harshaim yashmid.
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Tribute to God my mouth shall deliver;
Tehillat Adonai yedaber pi,
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And let all creatures bless Vivarech kol basar
Gods holy name forever. shem kodsho leolam vaed.
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Ps 115:18
And as for us, well bless God Vaanachnu nevarech Yah
From now and forever: Halleluyah! Meata vead olam Halleluyah!
The leader leads Half Kaddish, page 368.
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This verse is one of the reasons the Talmud finds Ashrei so very important (B.T. Ber. 4b).
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I used the plain translation true for tzadik (righteous); few English words begin with the tz/ts sound.
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In all Gods ways.
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The wish of those who respect God, God performs; and their cry God will hear, and God will save them.
Congregations response | shade Added sometimes | wBend knees, bow head | vBow head |uStand | xSit | Leader starts here
Afternoon Service Before a Festival 20
Amidah
We rise and take three steps back and three forward.
With feet together, we say the amidah (standing prayer) quietly. When the prayer leader chants aloud, we
respond with the words in gray.1 Words added to honor the Matriarchs easy to skip if you wish.
The two lines below introduce our silent prayer.

Ps 51:17
Ruler, just open my lips
Adonai sefatai tiftach,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
ufi yagid tehilatecha.
SP
Opening Blessings
__________________________ 1. Ancestors Avot __________________________
We bless you, God, u v w zBaruch yata uAdonai
Blessed be God, blessed be Gods name! Baruch hu uvaruch shemo
S
our God Eloheinu
and God of our ancestors, vElohei avoteinu ,
God of Abraham, God of Isaac, Elohei Avraham, Elohei Yitzchak,
Sa
and God of Jacob, vElohei Yaakov
the God who is great, haEl hagadol

powerful and awesome, God on high; hagibor vehanorah, El elyon,
m
pl
e
1
Sometimes a congregation does a heiche (or hoiche) kedushahYiddish meaning kedushah out loud. The
prayer leader leads the congregation through kedushah; for minchah, the congregation then returns to the first
blessing (Ancestors / )
and recites the entire Amidah.
We bow four times in the Amidah: at the beginning and end of the first blessing (Ancestors / )and penul-
timate blessing (Thanksgiving / ) . Three times we bend the knees at baruch, bow at atah and straight-
en up at Adonai; at the beginning of the Thanksgiving blessing, we bow without bending the knees. Icons in
the text are reminders to bend the knees, w, to bow from the waist, v, and to stand up, u.
A note on page 426 describes sources for the first blessing of the Amidah.
Prayer | Scripture | Torah |

21 Amidah
Good deeds of kindness you reward gomel chasadim tovim

For everything is in your power vekoneh hakol,
Our parents kind deeds you record vezocher chasdei avot ,
And rescue their posterity umevi goel livnei veneihem,
To show your love and honesty.1 lemaan shemo beahavah.
Sovereign, helper, savior, shield. Melech ozer umoshia umagen.
We bless you, Ruler, u v w zBaruch yata uAdonai,
SP
Abrahams protector . magen Avraham .
Amen
____________________________________ 2. Might Gevurot ____________________________________
S
You are mighty forever, God, Atah gibor leolam Adonai,
you bring life to the dead mechayeh metim atah
and are strong in salvation rav lehoshiah
From the second day of Pesach until Shemini Atzeret, some add:
Sa
you make the dew fall. Morid hatal.
On the day before Pesach, add:
you make wind blow and rain fall.3 Mashiv haruach umorid hageshem.
You feed the living with your grace, Mechalkel chayim bechesed,
Revive the dead with kind embrace,4 mechayeh metim berachamim rabim.
m
Support the fallen, heal the sick, Somech noflim verofeh cholim
And set the prisoners free, umatir asurim,
And faithfully fulfill your trust umkayem emunato
pl
For people who sleep in the dust.
lishenei afar.
e
1
Who rewards good, kind deeds and owns everything, who remembers the good deeds of our ancestors, and
who is bringing a redeemer to their childrens children, for the sake of Gods name (i.e., to maintain Gods repu-
tationhence, to prove Gods honesty), with love.
3
Especially in winter, when nature seems dormant, we note that the cycle of seasons will bring a new spring
and reassure ourselves that the promise of resurrectionhowever we understand itcan surely be fulfilled.
4
Kind embrace is literally abundant mercies.
Who is like you, who can appear Mi chamocha baal gevurot,

Like you, sovereign of power? umi domeh lach,
Ruler, both death and life you bring;
melech memit umchayeh
You make salvation flower. umatzmiach yeshuah.
To bring the dead to life, O you Veneeman ata
Are firm, reliable, and true. lehachayot metim.
We bless you, God, Baruch ata Adonai,
SP
who revives the dead.1 mechayeh hametim. Amen
The third blessing has two versions. One is responsive, led by the prayer leader;
for individual silent prayer, continue with 3b on page 23.
S
____________________________ 3a. Holiness Responsive Kedushah ____________________________
We include the responsive Kedushah when the prayer leader repeats the amidah or leads a heiche kedushah.
The congregation begins, and the prayer leader repeats.
Recite the Kedushah with feet together, rising on the toes for each of the following words:
Sa
Kadosh, kadosh kadosh, Baruch (Kevod), and Yimloch.
We shall make your name holy in the world, - Nekadesh et shimcha baolam,
as the angels make it holy keshem shemakdishim oto
in heavens above; bishmei marom;
for your prophet Isaiah wrote, kakatuv al yad neviecha,

m
Bow left, then right for zeh el zeh:
Isaiah 6:3
And one called to the other, and said: y v Vekarah vzeh el yzeh veamar.
Congregation and prayer leader:
Isaiah 6:3
Holy, holy, holy is God of hosts; Kadosh kadosh kadosh Adonai tzevaot
pl
Gods glory fills the universe. melo chol haaretz kevodo.
Congregation, then leader (based on Ezekiel 3:12)
The angels who face them say, Blessed. leumatam Baruch yomeru.
e
Ezek 3:12
Blessed is Gods glory Baruch kevod Adonai
flowing from its source. mimkomo.
1
This could mean: God wakens dead sinners to a life of faith; God grants an afterlife; God will revive dead
bodies in the future; God breeds life out of death and decomposition, like mushrooms growing on a rotting log.

23 Amidah
Congregation, then leader:

And in your holy writings, this is written: Uvedivrei kodshecha katuv lemor:
Ps 146:10
God will reign forever, Yimloch Adonai leolam,
Your God, Zion, Elohayich, Tziyon,
from age to age: Halleluyah. ledor vador: Halleluyah.
The leader concludes:1
SP
From age to age, your greatness we proclaim, Ledor vador nagid godlecha
Hallow your holiness ulnetzach netzachim
for endless time. kedushatcha nakdish.
Your praise shall Veshivchacha Eloheinu
never, never leave our lips, mipinu lo yamush leolam vaed.
S
God, great and holy sovereign. Ki El melech gadol vakadosh atah.
Blessed are you, Ruler, Baruch atah Adonai,
the holy God. haEl hakadosh. Amen
Sa
During the repetition, continue with blessing 4, Atah Chonen, on page 24.
Individual Kedushah _____________________________
_____________________________ 3b. Holiness
You are holy, your name is holy Atah kadosh veshimcha kadosh,
and every day the holy ones - ukedoshim bechol yom
m
praise you, selah! yehalelucha selah.
the holy God. haEl hakadosh.
pl
e
1
Some say that during a heiche kedushah, while the leader concludes with Ledor vador, the congregation
should recite the short Holiness blessing (3b) and then continue the Amidah.
The leader continues here.

Central Blessings
4. We thank God for our intellectual abilities, knowledge and understanding.
You grace humankind with knowledge Atah chonen leadam daat
and teach people wisdom. umelamed leenosh binah.
Grant us from yourself Choneinu meitcha
knowledge, understanding and wisdom. deah, binah, vehaskel.
SP
who grants knowledge. chonein hadaat. Amen
5. Bring us back to you, God.
Source of life, bring us back to your Torah; Hashivenu avinu leToratecha
S
O Ruler, bring us close to serve you, vekarvenu malkenu laavodatecha,
and bring us back vehachazirenu
in full repentance before you. bitshuvah shelemah lefanecha;
Blessed are you, Ruler, Baruch atah Adonai
Sa
who cherishes repentance. harotzeh bitshuvah. Amen

6. Pardon our sins.
We strike our chest for chatanu (we have sinned) and fashanu (we have transgressed).
Forgive us, source of life, Selach lanu, avinu,
m
for we have sinned; ki chatanu;
pardon us, ruler, mechal lanu, malkenu,
for we have transgressed, ki fashanu,
pl
for you forgive and grant pardons. ki mochel vesoleach atah.
e
gracious and liberal in forgiveness. chanun hamarbeh lisloach. Amen

25 Amidah
7. Save us from our troubles.

Look on our misery, plead our cause, Reei nah veonyenu verivah rivenu,
and save us soon for your reputation, ugealenu meherah lemaan shemecha,
for you are a powerful savior. ki goel chazak atah.
who saves Israel. goel Yisrael. Amen
SP
8. Heal and save us.
Heal us, Ruler, and we will be healed; Refaenu, Adonai, venerafeh;
save us, and we will be saved hoshienu venivasheiah
for you are our praise. ki tehilatenu atah,
And bring full healing vehaaleh refuah shelemah
S
for all our maladies, lechol makoteinu,
-
A private prayer for someone who is ill can be added here.
May your wish be vihi ratzon milfanecha,

O Ruler our God, Adonai Eloheinu
Sa
our ancestors God vElohei avoteinu ,
to quickly send shetishlach meherah
complete healing from above, refuah shelema min hashamayim,
healing of spirit and of body, for refuat hanefesh urefuat haguf, le
1
m
____ child of _____, _____ /_____ _____ ben/bat_____,
and all sick people in our community.2 betoch shear cholei Yisrael.
for you are God, ruler, healer, ki El, melech, rofeh,
faithful and merciful. neeman verachaman atah.
pl
e
healing the sick of your people Israel. rofeh cholei amo Yisrael. Amen
1
Insert the mothers name, if known.
2
Among the rest of the sick people in Israel (i.e., the Jewish community).
9. Grant us a good year.

Ruling God, bless for us Barech aleinu Adonai Eloheinu
this year - et hashanah hazot
and all its kinds of produce, for good,
- veet kol minei tevuatah, letovah,
and grant blessing veten berachah
on the face of the earth, al penei haadamah,
and satisfy us from its goodness vesabeinu mituvah
SP
and bless our year like the best years. uvarech shenatenu kashanim hatovot.
who blesses the years. mevarech hashanim. Amen
10. Gather our exiles.
S
Sound the great shofar for our freedom,
Teka beshofar gadol lecherutenu
raise a banner to gather our exiles, vesa nes lekabetz galuyoteinu
and gather us together vekabtzeinu yachad
from the four corners of the earth. mearbah kanfot haaretz.
Sa
Blessed are you, Ruler; Baruch atah Adonai,
gathering your dispersed people, Israel. mekabetz nidchei amo Yisrael. Amen

11. Restore justice, that we may be ruled by God alone.
m
Restore our judges as at first Hashivah shofteinu kevarishonah,
and our advisors as in the beginning,1 veyoatzeinu kevatchilah
take away our sorrow and sighing vehaser mimenu yagon vaanacha,
and rule us, Godyou alone umeloch aleinu atah Adonai levadcha
pl
with kindness and mercy, bechesed uverachamim,
and make us right through judgment. vetzadkeinu bamishpat.
e
1
We pray to see Isaiahs prophecy (1:26) fulfilled: Veashivah shoftayich kevarishonah veyoatzayich kev-
/ I will restore your judges as at first and your advisors as in the
atchilah /
beginning.

27 Amidah
ruler who loves melech ohev

righteousness and justice.
tzedakah umishpat. Amen
12. Let evil people meet their fate.
For slanderers, let there be no hope, Velamalshinim al tehi tikvah,
and all wickedness - vechol harishah
may it perish in an instant, kerega toved,
and all your peoples enemies, - vechol oyvei amcha
SP
may they soon be cut down! meherah yikaretu.
And the arrogant people Vehazedim
may you soon uproot and crush them, meherah teaker uteshaber
cast them down and humble them, utemager vetachnia
quickly and in our time! bimherah veyameinu!
S
Blessed are you, Ruler, Baruch atah, Adonai,
who destroys foes shover oyvim
Sa
and humbles the arrogant. umachnia zedim. Amen
13. But let the righteous enjoy their reward.
For the righteous and devout Al hatzadikim veal hachasidim
and the elders of your people veal ziknei amcha
the Jewish community, beit Yisrael
m
for the remnant of their scholars, veal pleitat sofreihem
for the righteous converts and for us veal gerei hatzedek vealeinu
let your mercies be stirred, yehemu nah rachamecha,
pl
O Ruler, our God, Adonai Eloheinu,
and grant a good reward to all veten sachar tov lechol
who rely on your reputation sincerely, habotchim beshimcha beemet
e
and put our lot with them forever vesim chelkenu imahem leolam
we wont be ashamed, for we trust you. velo nevosh, ki vecha batachnu.
Blessed be God, blessed be Gods name!. Baruch hu uvaruch shemo
the support and trust of the righteous mishan umivtach latzadikim. Amen
14. And let Jerusalem be restored.

And to Jerusalem your city
Velirushalayim ircha
return in mercy, berachamim tashuv,
stay there as you promised, vetishkon betochah kaasher dibarta,
and build it soon, in our days, uveneh otah bekarov beyameinu,
a structure to last forever; binyan olam;
and Davids throne vechiseh David
SP
set it there soon. mehera letochah tachin.
who builds Jerusalem. boneh Yerushalayim. Amen

15. Let the Messiah come Davids descendant.
S
The flower of your servant David - Et tzemach David avdecha
hurry to make it bloom, meherah tatzmiach,
and in your salvation raise his horn: vekarno tarum bishuatecha,
weve waited all day for your salvation! - ki lishuatcha kivinu kol hayom!
Sa
who makes the horn of salvation flourish. matzmiach keren yeshuah. Amen
16. Hear our prayers.
m
Hear our voice, Sovereign God, Shema kolenu, Adonai Eloheinu,
pity us and be merciful to us, chus verachem aleinu,
and with mercy and favor accept vekabel berachamim uveratzon
our prayer, - et tefilatenu,
pl
for you are a God who listens to ki El shomeah
prayers and petitions. tefilot vetachanunim atah;
e
Dont turn us away from you emptyhanded, umilfanecha malkenu reikam
O Ruler, al teshiveinu,
because you listen to ki atah shomeah
your people Israels prayer in mercy. tefilat amcha Yisrael berachamim.
who listens to prayer. shomeah tefilah. Amen
29 Amidah
Closing Blessings
________________________________ 1. Temple Service Avodah ________________________________
Sovereign God, take delight Retze Adonai Eloheinu
in your people Israel and in their prayer; beamcha Yisrael uvitfilatam,
restore the Temple service vehashev et haavodah
to the sanctuary of your house; lidvir beitecha,
1
as for Israels fires and their prayer veishei Yisrael utefilatam
SP

accept them with love and delight; beahavah tekabel beratzon,
and may you always enjoy2 utehi leratzon tamid
the worship of your people Israel. avodat Yisrael amecha.
And may our eyes witness Vetechezena eineinu
S
your return to Zion, in mercy. beshuvcha leTziyon berachamim.
you return your presence to Zion. hamachazir shechinato leTziyon. Amen
Sa
_________________________________ 2a. Thanksgiving Modim _________________________________
We thank you, v yModim anachnu lach
because you are the Ruler, our God, u shaatah huuAdonai Elohenu
God of our ancestors, vElohei avoteinu ,
m
forever. leolam vaed.
The one sure thing in our lives, Tzur chayenu,
the shield of our salvation magen yishenu,
pl
that is you, from age to age! ata hu ledor vador.
We thank you and declare your praise Nodeh lecha unesaper tehilatecha
For our lives, which in your hand you hold, al chayenu hamsurim beyadecha,
e
Our souls, which in your care are told; veal nishmoteinu hapekudot lach,
Your miracles, with us every day, - veal nisecha shebchol yom imanu,
1
Include the shaded words if you favor the restoration of the sacrificial system.
2
And may it be to your liking forever
Your wonders and abundant boons, veal nifleotecha vetovotecha,

With us evening, morn, and noon. shebechol et, erev vavoker vetzohorayim.
Your mercies never end; the one Hatov ki lo chalu rachamecha,
All good and merciful and blessed, vehamrachem
Whose kindnesses are never done. ki lo tamu chasadecha,
In you our hopes forever rest. meolam kivinu lach.
SP
___________________ 2b. Teachers Thanksgiving Modim
Derabbanan ___________________
When the leader repeats the amidah and says the Thanksgiving blessing, the congregation says this:
We thank you v yModim anachnu lach
for you are the Ruler, our God u shaata hu uAdonai Eloheinu
and our ancestors God, vElohei avoteinu ,
God of all flesh, Elohei chol basar,
S
-
our maker, who formed Creation. yotzrenu, yotzer bereshit.
Blessings and thanks we give Berachot vehodaot
to your great and holy name, leshimcha hagadol vehakadosh,
Sa
because you have given us life al shehecheyitanu
and sustained us. vekiyamtanu.
Keep giving us life and sustenance,
Ken techayenu utekaymenu,
and gather our scattered exiles veteesof galuyotenu
to the courtyards of your sanctuary, lechatzrot kodshecha,
m
to keep your statutes, lishmor chukecha
do your will, velaasot retzonecha,
and serve you wholeheartedly uleovdecha belevav shalem;
pl
for which we thank you. al sheanachnu modim lach.
Blessed is the God of thanks. Baruch El hahodaot.

Continue the Thanksgiving blessing below:
e
And for all these things may your Veal kulam
name be blessed and exalted, yitbarach veyitromam shimcha
O our ruler, constantly, and for ever. malkenu, tamid leolam vaed.
Every living being will thank you (selah), Vechol hachayim yoducha selah,
and they will hail your name in truth, vihalelu et shimcha beemet,
God, our salvation and help (selah). haEl yeshuatenu veezratenu selah.

31 Amidah
Blessed are you, Ruler, u v w zBaruch yatah uAdonai,

whose reputation is good, hatov shimcha
and to whom thanks are due. ulecha naeh lehodot. Amen
_____________________________________ 3. Peace Shalom _____________________________________
Abundant peace on your people Israel Shalom rav al Yisrael amcha
SP
bestow forever. tasim leolam.
For you are the ruler, Ki atah hu melech
sovereign of all peace. adon lechol hashalom.
And its good in your eyes Vetov beeinecha
to bless your people Israel levarech et amcha Yisrael
S
every time, and every hour, bechol et uvchol shaah
with your peace. bishlomecha.
We bless you, God, Baruch atah Adonai,
Sa
who blesses Gods people Israel hamvarech et amo Yisrael
with peace. bashalom. Amen
The amidah ends here, but we remain standing to express our own thanks and the longings of our heart,
guided by the following paragraphs. After repeating the amidah, the leader leads Full Kaddish, page 369.
_________________________________ Personal Prayer _________________________________
m
My God, keep bad words from my tongue, Elohai, netzor leshoni mera,
and lies from my lips. usefatai midaber mirmah.
Let me not try to answer those who curse me; Velimkalelai nafshi tidom,
pl
let my spirit be as still as dust to everyone. venafshi keafar lakol tihyeh.
Open my heart with your teaching Petach libi beToratecha,
that my spirit may follow your rules. uvemitzvotecha tirdof nafshi.
e
As for all who plan harm for me, - Vechol hachoshvim alai raah,
quickly upset their designs meherah hafer atzatam
and spoil their plans. vekalkel machashavtam.
Do it for the sake of your reputation; Aseh lemaan shemecha,

do it for the sake of your right hand; aseh lemaan yeminecha,
do it for the sake of your holiness; aseh lemaan kedushatecha,
do it for the sake of your law. aseh lemaan Toratecha.
Ps 60:7
To save your devoted followers,
Lemaan yechaltzun yedidecha,
take action, rescue and answer me!
hoshiah yemincha, vaaneni.
Psalm 19:15
May what I say be to your liking,

Yiheyu leratzon imrei fi,
SP
and my deepest thoughts come before you, vehegyon libi lefanecha,
God, my rock, my savior. Adonai, tzuri, vegoali.

Take three steps back, bow left on oseh shalom, right on hu yaaseh and forward on aleinu.
Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, replace the next line with the shaded line.
Making peace in heaven above, Oseh shalom bimromav
S
may God bring peace hu yaaseh shalom
to us and to all Israel, aleinu veal kol Yisrael,
Now you say, Amen. veimru, Amen.

Add this passage if you mourn the loss of the sacrificial system, metaphorically or literally.
Sa
May this be what you want, Yehi ratzon milfanecha
ruling God Adonai Eloheinu
and God of our ancestors: vElohei avoteinu ,
that the Temple be rebuilt sheyibaneh beit hamikdash
m
soon, in our days, bimherah veyameinu
and restore our rights in your Torah, veten chelkenu beToratecha
and there we shall serve you reverently vesham naavodcha beyirah
pl
Mal 3:4
as in days of old and years long past.
kimei olam ucheshanim kadmoniyot.
Mal. 3:4
So that God will enjoy Vearvah lAdonai
the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem
minchat Yehudah Virushalayim
e
Take three steps forward. The leader leads Full Kaddish, page 369.

33 Amidah
_____________________________ Our Duty Aleinu1 ____________________________

The Sovereign of all u uAleinu leshabeach
to praise were bound, laadon hakol,
The Creative Force latet gedulah
with greatness to crown, leyotzer bereshit,
Who made us like no other race shelo asanu kegoyei haaratzot
On earth, nor set us velo samanu
SP
in their place. kmishpechot haadamah,
Our fatelike theirs God made it not shelo sam chelkenu kahem
2
But chose for us a different lot. - vegoralenu kechol hamonam.
Some add the next three lines.
For they prostrate themselves Shehem mishtachavim
S
before futility and emptiness lehevel varik
Is 45:20
and pray to a god that cant help.

umitpalelim el el lo yoshia.
We bend the knee w Vaanachnu zkorim
Sa
and bow the head gratefully, v yumishtachavim umodim
Before the Ruler whom rulers dread, u ulifnei melech malchei hamlachim,
The holy, blessed One Hakadosh baruch hu;
m
pl
e
1
For our note on Aleinu, please see page 424.
2
We are bound to give praise / to the ruler of everything, /to acknowledge the greatness /of the one who
formed creation, who did not make us like other nations nor position us like the rest of the worlds families, /
who did not make our portion like theirs / nor our destiny like that of those multitudes. If you dislike the idea
that Jews are a chosen people, you might consider that in ancient days our mission was to bring Torah values
to those who lacked them; now, perhaps, that mission is largely fulfilled. Or, you might say for the

two words sound identicalimplying that God chose us, for Gods own purposes, to be like the other nations,
by showing them how to live a Torah-observant life.
Who Is. 51:13 stretches out the heavens, shehu noteh shamayim
Supports the earth below; veyosed aretz,
Above, high in the sky, umoshav yekaro
The Presence does bestow; bashamayim mimaal,
Whose power dwells
ushechinat uzo
1
In heights where none can go. begovhei meromim.
This is our God, there is no more; Hu Eloheinu, ein od;
SP
our ruler is truth, beyond whom is naught. emet malkenu, efes zulato.
Its written in Gods Law: Kakatuv bTorato:
Deut 4:39
This day you must know
Veyadata hayom,
and take it to heart
vahashevota el levavecha
that God is God
ki Adonai, hu haElohim
S
in heaven above bashamayim mimaal,
and on earth below: nothing else is. veal haaretz mitachat: ein od.
Sa
So we hope in you, Al ken nekaveh lecha,
God, our God, Adonai Eloheinu,
soon to see your splendid power, lirot meherah betiferet uzecha;
to make idols pass from the earth
lehaavir gilulim min haaretz,
and destroy false gods, vehaelilim karot yikaretun,
m
to repair the world in the Almightys rule. letahken olam bemalchut shadai,
And all people - vechol benei vasar
will call on your name, yikreu vishmecha,
pl
to turn to you all the wicked on earth. - lehafnot elecha kol rishei aretz.
Theyll see and know Yakiru veyedu
all earth dwellers - kol yoshvei tevel,
e
that to you each knee must bend, - ki lecha tichra kol berech,
each tongue must swear. - tishava kol lashon.
1
We bend the knee / and bow in gratitude / before the ruler, / ruler of rulers, / the holy, blessed one, who
stretches out the heavens, / supports the earth below; / whose own dwelling place / is in the sky above / and
whose power is present / in the loftiest heights.

35 Amidah
Before you, ruling God, Lefanecha Adonai Elohenu

they will kneel and fall down, yichreu veyipolu,
and to the glory of your reputation velichvod shimcha
they will give honor. yekar yitenu,
And they will all accept vikablu chulam
the yoke of your rule,
- et ol malchutecha,
that soon you may rule them vetimloch aleihem mehera
SP
forever and ever. leolam vaed.
For this is your reign, Ki hamalchut shelcha hi,
and forever and ever uleolmei ad
you will rule in glory. timloch bechavod.
Its written in your Law: Kakatuv beToratecha:
S
Ex. 15:18
God will be the ruler forever! Adonai yimloch leolam vaed.
And its said in your scripture: veneemar:
Zech. 14:9
And God will be ruler Vehayah Adonai lemelech
Sa
over all the earth; al kol haaretz;
on that day God will be one
bayom hahu yihyeh Adonai echad
and Gods name will be one.
ushemo echad.
Mourners and those observing Yahrzeit lead Mourners Kaddish, page 371.
m
pl
e
e
pl
m
Sa
S
SP

SP
Festival Evening Service
Festival Evening Service

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Evening services begin with the Shema section: the call to prayer, blessings celebrating Gods creation and
love, the three parts of the Shema, and the blessings which recall Gods redemption at the Exodus and continu-
ing protection.
The amidah has three opening and three closing blessings, like those of every other amidah. For holy days,
Sa
the central blessing speaks of the holiness of this festival day; for intermediate days, the central group of bless-
ings is like the weekday blessings.
We conclude with some songs and hymns, as well as Aleinu. On the second and remaining nights of Pesach,
we count the Omer.
The variations for Friday night are in our Shabbat book.
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Shema and Its Blessings
_______________________________ Call to Prayer _______________________________
We rise as the leader begins the call to prayer.
Bless God, the blessed one. u v yBarchu uet Adonai hamvorach.
The congregation responds, and the leader repeats:
Blessed is God, the blessed one, u v yBaruch uAdonai hamvorach
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for ever and ever. leolam vaed.
____________________________ First Blessing Before Shema ____________________________
We are seated x
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We bless you, Sovereign, x xBaruch atah Adonai
our God, ruler of time and space, Eloheinu melech haolam,
who by your word brings evening, asher bidvaro maariv aravim,
Sa
in wisdom opens the gates, bechochmah poteach shearim
with insight changes the times, uvitvunah meshaneh itim
varies the seasons, umachalif et hazmanim
and arranges the stars umesader et hakochavim
in their guardposts bemishmeroteihem
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1
in the sky, by your will, barakiah kirtzono.
creating day and night, Borei yom valaylah,
rolling away light before darkness golel or mipnei choshech
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and darkness before light, vechoshech mipnei or,
making day pass and bringing night. umaavir yom umevi laylah,
Separating day from night, umavdil bein yom uvein laylah,
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God is called the Ruler of Hosts. Adonai tzevaot shemo.
God who lives and prevails El chai vekayam
will rule us always, forever and ever. tamid yimloch aleinu leolam vaed.
1
Literally, your word and your will use the third person pronoun (Gods word Gods will).
39 Shema and Its Blessings

who brings on evenings. hamaariv aravim. Amen
___________________________ Second Blessing Before Shema __________________________

With lasting love for Israels family Ahavat olam beit Yisrael
have you loved your people. amcha ahavta.
Torah and commandments, Torah umitzvot
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statutes and judgements, chukim umishpatim
you have taught us. otanu limadta.
Because of this, O Ruler, our God, Al ken Adonai Eloheinu
when we lie down and when we get up, beshochbenu uvekumenu
we shall speak about your statutes, nasiach bechukecha,
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and well rejoice in words of your Torah venismach bedivrei Toratecha
and commandments forever and ever. uvemitzvotecha leolam vaed.
For they are our life and our good old age, Ki hem chayeinu veorech yameinu
and well enjoy them day and night. uvahem nehgeh yomam valaylah.
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And your love Veahavatcha
dont take it away from us, ever. al tasir mimenu leolamim.
who loves your people Israel. ohev amo Yisrael. Amen
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Festival Evening Service 40
______________________________ Shema (First Paragraph) _____________________________

Add this shaded line when praying without a minyan.
God is the reliable ruler. El melech neeman.
Deut. 6:4
Listen, descendants of Israel: Shema, Yisrael:
The Ruler is our God; the Ruler is one. 1 Adonai Eloheinu; Adonai echad.
Say the next two lines silently.
Blessed is Gods name, Baruch shem
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the glory of whose reign lasts forever.2 kevod malchuto leolam vaed.
Deut. 6:5-9
You are to love your ruling God
Veahavta et Adonai Elohecha
with your whole heart,
bechol levavcha,
your whole self
uvechol nafshecha,
and all your resources.

uvechol meodecha.
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6
These words Vehayu hadvarim haeleh
I tell you today must be
asher anochi metzavcha hayom
on your heart.
al levavecha.
7
Repeat them to your children, Veshinantam levanecha,
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and talk about them vedibarta bam
when you sit at home, beshivtecha beveitecha,
when you walk down the street,
uvelechtecha vaderech,
when you go to bed and when you get up.

uveshochbecha, uvekumecha.
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Tie them as a sign on your hand, Ukeshartam leot al yadecha,
let them be on your forehead between your eyes, vehayu letotafot bein einecha.
9
and write them on your doorposts

Uchetavtam al mezuzot beitecha,
pl
and on your gates.
uvisharecha.
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1
The of and of are large letters. Together, they form the Hebrew word , witness; with this
declaration of Gods unity, we Jews bear witness to our faith. Another reason for the large letters is to avoid
misreading ( perhaps) for and ( another) for , which would replace our confident faith with
agnostic uncertainty! Some say the large letters express hope for Gods universal acceptance in the four ()
corners of the earth and among the seventy ( )nations of the world (Genesis chapter X lists Noahs seventy
grandsons, so were all descendants of Gen X-ers).
2
This phrase is a response to hearing Gods name. In the Temple, the people would respond with this phrase
when they heard the High Priest pronounce Gods name on Yom Kippur (Mishna Yoma, 3:9).

_____________________________Shema (Second Paragraph) ____________________________

Deut 11:13-21
This is what will happen Vehayah
if you listen well to my commands,

im shamoah tishmeu el mitzvotai
which I asher anochi
tell you today, metzaveh etchem hayom,
to love God, your God,
leahavah et Adonai Eloheichem
and to serve God with your whole heart

uleovdo, bechol levavchem,
SP
and all your resources:
uvechol nafshechem.
14
I will give your land its rain Venatati metar artzechem
at the right time, early and late rains,
beito, yoreh umalkosh,
so you can harvest your grain
veasafta deganecha,
and wine and oil.
vetiroshcha, veyitzharecha.
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15
I will provide grass in your fields Venatati esev besadcha
for your cattle, livhemtecha,
so you can eat your fill. veachalta vesavata.
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16
But take care! Hishamru lachem
1
Dont be misled, to turn from me pen yifteh levavchem, vesartem
and serve other gods
vaavadtem elohim acherim,
and worship them.
vehishtachavitem lahem.
17 2
Then God will be angry at you Vecharah af Adonai bachem,
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and close up the sky: veatzar et hashamayim,
there will be no rain, velo yihyeh matar,
the earth will not yield its produce,

vehaadamah lo titen et yevulah,
pl
and you will soon perish vaavadtem meherah
from the good land
meal haaretz hatovah
which God gives you.
asher Adonai noten lachem.
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1
Lest your heart (the thinking part) be misled.
2
Gods nose will blaze against you.
18
Set these words
Vesamtem et devarai eileh
on your heart and soul,
al levavchem veal nafshechem,
tie them as a sign on your hand, ukeshartem otam leot al yedchem,
and place them on your forehead vehayu letotafot
between your eyes.
bein eineichem.
19
Teach them to your children,

Velimadtem otam et beneichem,
talking about them ledaber bam
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when you sit at home, beshivtecha beveitecha

uvshochbecha uvekumecha.
20
Write them on your doorposts

and on your gates.
uvisharecha.
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21
So that you and your children may spend a Lemaan yirbu yemeichem
1
long time, on the land

vimei veneichem al haadamah
that God promised
asher nishbah Adonai
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to your parents, to give them,
laavoteichem, latet lahem,
2
as long as the sky is above the land!
kimei hashamayim al haaretz.
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1
So that your days may be many, and your childrens days
2
Like the days of.

______________________________ Shema (Third Pragraph)______________________________

Numbers 15:37
God told Moses: Vayomer Adonai el Moshe lemor:
38
Talk to the children of Israel,
Daber el benei Yisrael
and tell them
veamarta aleihem,
they should make fringes

veasu lahem tzitzit
on the corners of their garments
al kanfei vigdeihem
1
as long as their people last.
ledorotam.
SP
On the corner fringe, they should put

Venatnu al tzitzit hakanaf
a blue thread. petil techelet.
39
That will be your fringe.
Vehayah lachem letzitzit
You will look at it
uritem oto,
and remember all of Gods rules,
uzechartem et kol mitzvot Adonai,
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and you will perform them;
vaasitem otam,
you should not follow your heart
velo taturu acharei levavchem
nor your eyes
veacharei eineichem
Sa
for you stray after them!
asher atem zonim achareihem;
40
Rather, remember lemaan tizkeru,
and perform all my commands

vaasitem et kol mitzvotai,
and be holy to your God.

viheyitem kedoshim lEloheichem.
41
I am the Ruler, your God,
Ani Adonai Eloheichem,
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who brought you

asher hotzeti etchem
from Egypt, meeretz Mitzrayim
to be your God.
liheyot lachem lElohim.
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I am Ani
the Ruler, your God.
Adonai Eloheichem.
Its true Emet
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The leader says the last three words of Shema aloud, bringing the number of words in Shema to 248.
The last word (Its true / / Emet) isnt part of Shema
but the first word of the blessing that follows Shema.
1
For their generations.
_____________________________ First Blessing after Shema1 ____________________________

All this is certainits our faith veemunah kol zot
and its proven for us, vekayam aleinu
that this is the Ruler our God, ki hu Adonai Eloheinu
2
and there is no other, veein zulato
and we are Israel, Gods people. vaanachnu Yisrael amo.
God rescues us from the hand of kings, Hapodenu miyad melachim
SP
our ruler, who redeems us malkeinu, hagoalenu
from the clutches of all tyrants; mikaf kol hearitzim;
God, who claims damages from our foes haEl hanifrah lanu mitzareinu
and who pays back in full vehamshalem gemul
all our mortal enemies; lechol oyvei nafshenu;
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Job 9:10
Who does great things Ha- Oseh gedolot
too many to find out ad ein cheker
3
and miracles beyond counting; veniflaot ad ein mispar;
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Ps 66:9
Who sets our souls in life Hasam nafshenu bachayim,
and has not let our foot falter; velo natan lamot raglenu;
who leads us to our enemies heights hamadrichenu al bamot oyveinu,
and has raised our glory vayarem karnenu
over all who hate us; al kol soneinu;
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who works miracles for us haoseh lanu nisim
and revenge on Pharaoh, unekamah beFaroh,
signs and wonders otot umoftim
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on the land of Hams children; beadmat benei Cham;
who strikes in anger hamakeh veevrato
all the firstborn of Egypt, kol bechorei Mitzrayim,
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1
The two blessings that follow Shema develop the theme of redemption from Egypt which concludes Shema.
In the responsive parts, we re-enact the drama of the Exodus.
2
Ein zulato (there is no other, or there is nothing except God) may mean that God has no rival, or perhaps
that God is all existence, all reality.
3
The first letter of the Hebrew, ( the one who), is added to the verse from Job.

and brings out Gods people Israel vayotzeh et amo Yisrael

from among them to eternal freedom; mitocham lecherut olam;
who guides the children hamaavir banav
between the parts of the Reed Sea bein gizrei Yam Suf,
their pursuers and enemies et rodfeihem veet soneihem
God sunk into the depths, bithomot tiba,.
while those children saw Gods strength,
verau vanav gevurato,
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gave praise and thanks to Gods name. shibchu vehodu lishmo
Willingly, they accepted Gods authority1 Umalchuto veratzon kiblu
over them. aleihem:
Moses and the children of Israel Moshe uvnei Yisrael
answered you with song lecha anu shirah
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in great joy, and they all said: besimchah rabah,veamru chulam:
Say the next three lines aloud.
Ex 15:11
Who is like you among gods, Ruler?
Mi chamochah baelim Adonai?
Sa
Who is like you, sublime in holiness,
Mi kamocha nedar bakodesh
awesome in praise, working wonders?
norah tehilot, oseh feleh?
Your children saw your ruling power Malchutcha rau vanecha
split the sea before Moses.
bokeah yam lifnei Moshe.
Ex 15:2
This is my God, they responded, saying: Zeh Eli, anu, veamru:
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Say the next line aloud.
Ex. 15:18
Adonai will be the ruler forever! Adonai yimloch leolam vaed.
pl
Jer 31:10
For God has redeemed Jacob, Ki fadah Adonai et Yaakov
saved him from a hand too strong for him. ugealo miyad chazak mimenu.
Blessed are you, God, Baruch atah Adonai,
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who saves Israel. gaal Yisrael. Amen
1
And Gods-sovereignty willingly they-took upon-themselves.
___________________________ Second Blessing After Shema ___________________________

In peace, O God, lay us in bed, Hashkivenu Adonai Elohenu lshalom,
Wake us to life, O Sovereign. vehaamidenu malkenu lechayim,
Your peaceful shelter oer us spread, uferos aleinu sukat shelomecha
Guide us with good counseling. vetaknenu beetza tovah milfanecha
Save us for your reputation, vehoshienu lemaan shemecha
Shield us for our own salvation, vehagen baadenu
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Spare us these miseries: the foe, vehaser mealeinu oyev,
Pestilence, sword, famine and woe. dever vecherev veraav veyagon,
1
Keep Satan vehaser Satan
from our front and rear, milfaneineinu umeachareinu,
Hide us in shadow of your wing, uvetzel kenafecha tastirenu,
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O God, our guard and rescuer, ki El shomrenu umatzilenu atah;
Gracious and kind, our sovereign. ki El melech chanun verachum atah.
Protect us as we leave and return Ushemor tzetenu uvoenu
Sa
in life and in peace lechayim uleshalom
from now for ever; meata vead olam,
spread over us your sheltering peace. uferos aleinu sukat shelomecha.
Blessed are you, God, Baruch atah Adonai
who spreads the shelter of peace haporeis sukat shalom
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over us, over all your people Israel aleinu veal kol amo Yisrael
and over Jerusalem. veal Yerushalayim. Amen
_________________________________ This Day in Torah ________________________________

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We stand to recall what the Torah says of this day and remain standing until after the amidah.
Congregation, then leader.
Lev 23:44
And Moses explained
Vayedaber Moshe

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Gods special times

et moadei Adonai
to the children of Israel.
el benei Yisrael.
1
Satan, the adversary in the book of Job, acts like a prosecuting attorney who probes human failings.

47 Evening Amidah
Evening Amidah
Festival Intermediate Days
On festival intermediate days, including the third evening of Pesach or Sukkot, the amidah begins on page 326.
Then conclude the service with Aleinu, page 339, and Mourners Kaddish, page 371.
Festival Holy Days
We stand to say the silent amidah, and take three steps forward, as if entering holy space.
Ps 51:17
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___________________________ 1. Ancestors Avot ___________________________
We bless you, God, our God u v w zBaruch yata uAdonai Eloheinu

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Sa
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1
____________________________________ 2. Might Gevurot ____________________________________


On the first evening and morning of Pesach, add:
SP
2
Revive the dead with kind embrace, mechayeh metim berachamim rabim.
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For people who sleep in the dust. lishenei afar.

Sa
Ruler, both death and life you bring; melech memit umchayeh
m
3
who revives the dead. mechayeh hametim.
_____________________________ 3. Holiness
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1
2
3

49 Evening Amidah

_______________________ 4. Holiness of This Day Kedushat Hayom _______________________
You chose us from all the other peoples. - Ata vechartanu mikol haamim.
You gave us your love, took delight in us Ahavta otanu, veratzita banu,
and raised us above all other peoples; - veromamtanu mikol halshonot,
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you made us holy through your rules vekidashtanu bemitzvotecha,
and brought us close, Ruler, to serve you, vekeravtanu malkenu laavodatecha,
and you bestowed on us veshimcha hagadol vehakadosh
your great and holy reputation. aleinu karata.

On Saturday night add this:
Sovereign God, you taught us Vatodieinu, Adonai Eloheinu,
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the verdicts of your justice - et mishpetei tzidkecha,
and taught us to perform vatlamdeinu laasot
the statutes of your will. chukei retzonecha.
Sa
You gave us, Sovereign God, Vatiten lanu, Adonai Eloheinu,
correct verdicts and laws of truth, mishpatim yesharim vetorot emet,
good statutes and rules, chukim umitzvot tovim,
1
you let us inherit times of joy, vatanchileinu zemanei sason
2
holy gatherings and festivals of giving. umoadei kodesh vechagei nedavah.
m
You made our legacy the holiness of Shabbat, Vatorisheinu kedushat Shabbat
the glory of the gatherings uchevod moed
and the delight of the festivals.3 vachagigat haregel.
pl
You distinguished, Sovereign God, Vatavdel Adonai Eloheinu
holy from secular, bein kodesh lechol,
darkness from light, bein or lechoshech,
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1
The root means inherit.
2
generosity, philanthropy: our festivals are times to share the benefits we enjoy.
3
foot,
referring to the three pilgrimage festivals, when the people used to go to Jerusalem: Pesach,
Shavuot and Sukkot.
Israel from other peoples, bein Yisrael laamim,

the seventh day bein yom hashvii
from the six days of creative activity. lesheshet yemei hamaaseh.
Between Shabbat holiness Bein kedushat Shabbat
and festival holiness likdushat Yom Tov
you made a distinction, hivdalta,
and you made the seventh day
- veet yom hashvii
SP
more holy than the six days of creation.
misheshet yemei hamaaseh kidashta.
You distinguished and made holy Hivdalta vekidashta
your people Israel, - et amcha Yisrael
through your own holiness. bikdushatecha.
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And you gave us, Sovereign God, Vatiten lanu, Adonai Eloheinu
with love festivals for rejoicing beahavah moadim lesimchah,
feasts and times for joy, chagim uzemanim lesason,
Sa
this day - et yom
For Pesach:
this festival of Matza, chag hamatzot hazeh,
time of our freedom
zeman cherutenu
For Shavuot:
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this festival of Weeks, chag hashavuot hazeh,
time of giving us our Torah zeman matan Toratenu
For Sukkot:
this festival of Huts, chag hasukkot hazeh
pl
time of our joy zeman simchatenu

For Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah:
the eighth day, this festival of assembly, hashmini chag haatzeret hazeh,
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Continue here on all festivals:
a holy assembly,1 mikra kodesh
recalling our Exodus from Egypt. zecher litziyat Mitzrayim.
1
is a convocation, a calling together, an assembly, from the root , to call.

51 Evening Amidah
Our God Eloheinu

and God of our ancestors, velohei avoteinu ,
may there rise, approach and reach you, yaaleh veyavo veyagia
be seen, favored, and heard, veyeraeh veyeratzeh veyishama
noticed and remembered veyipaked veyizacher
thoughts and memories of us, zichronenu ufikdonenu,
and of our ancestors, vezichron avoteinu ,
SP
of the Messiah vezichron Mashiach
(your servant Davids descendant), ben David avdecha,
of Jerusalem vezichron Yerushalayim
your holy city, ir kodshecha,
and of all your people - vezichron kol amcha
S
the descendants of Israel beit Yisrael lefanecha
for deliverance, good, lifleta letova
grace, kindness, mercy, lechen ulchesed ulrachamim
Sa
life and peace, lechayim ulshalom,
For Pesach:
on this festival of matza. beyom chag hamatzot hazeh.
For Shavuot:
on this festival of matza. beyom chag hashavuot hazeh.
m
For Sukkot:
on this festival of huts. beyom chag hasukkot hazeh.
on the eighth day, beyom hashmini
pl
this festival of assembly. chag haatzeret hazeh.
Remember us, our sovereign God, Zochrenu Adonai Eloheinu
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on this day for good; Amen bo letovah;
think of us for blessing; Amen ufokdenu vo livracha;
and save us for life. Amen vehoshienu vo lechayim.
And as for salvation and mercy Uvidvar yeshuah verachamim

take pity on us, be gracious to us, chus vechonenu
have mercy on us, and save us; verachem aleinu vehoshienu,
for our eyes are on you, ki elecha eineinu,
because you are God, a ruler ki el melech
both gracious and compassionate. chanun verachum ata.
SP
Grant us, Ruling God, Vehasienu Adonai Eloheinu
the blessing of your festivals - et birkat moadecha
for life and peace, lechayim uleshalom,
for joy and happiness, as you wished
lesimcha ulesason, kaasher ratzita
and said you would bless us. veamarta levarchenu.
S
Our Sovereign God, Eloheinu veElohei
our parents God, avoteinu ,
Hallow us with your commands, Kadsheinu bemitzvotecha,
Sa
And in us Torah-shares invest. veten chelkenu beToratecha.
Fill us from your bounty fair, Sabeinu mituvecha,
In your salvation give us cheer; vesamcheinu bishuatecha,
Cleanse our hearts to serve you right vetaher libeinu leovdecha beemet.
m
And lovingly entrust to us, Vehanchilenu Adonai Eloheinu
with joy and glee, besimchah uvesason
times of festivity. moadei kodshecha,
pl
Grant Israel joy now, who proclaim veyismechu vecha Yisrael
The sanctity of your great name. mekadshei shemecha.
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who sanctifies Israel mekadesh Yisrael
1
and our festive times. vehazmanim.
1
God and god of our ancestors, enjoy our rest. Make us holy with your commandments, and grant our portion
in your Torah. Satisfy us from your goodness, and make us rejoice in your salvation, and cleanse our hearts for
your service in truth. And let us inherit, Sovereign God, with joy and glee, your holy assemblies. And let Israel
rejoice in you, they who make your name holy. Blessed are you, who make Israel and the seasons holy.

53 Evening Amidah

1
SP
and may you always enjoy2 utehi leratzon tamid
S
you return your presence to Zion. hamachazir shechinato leTziyon.
__________________________________ 6. Thanksgiving Modim __________________________________
Sa
m
pl
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1
2

SP
S
and to whom thanks are due. ulecha naeh lehodot.
____________________________________ 7. Peace Shalom ____________________________________
Sa
m
pl
with peace. bashalom.
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guided by the following paragraphs. After the amidah, the leader leads Full Kaddish, page 369.

55 Evening Amidah
__________________________________________ Personal Prayer __________________________________________

SP
S
Ps 60:7
Sa
Psalm 19:15


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pl

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Mal 3:4
Mal. 3:4
The leader leads Full Kaddish, page 369.

SP
S
Sa
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57 Kiddush for Festivals
Kiddush in the synagogue reminds us of ancient times, when Jews who traveled from town to town might say
Kiddush, eat and lodge in the synagogue. Unlike those travelers, we will say Kiddush at home, but the Kiddush
blessing should not be in vain, so we invite a child to drink from the cup.
Kiddush for Festivals

We bless you, Sovereign God, who rules Baruch ata Adonai
Eternal space and time, Eloheinu melech haolam,
Creator of the grapevines fruit, Boreh peri hagafen. Amen
SP
From which we make this wine.
We bless you, Sovereign God, Baruch ata Adonai
Who rules eternal time and space Eloheinu melech haolam,
From all the nations of the world - asher bachar banu mikol am
Its us you did select; - verommanu mikol lashon
S
You raised us over those who speak vekidshanu bemitzvotav.
With foreign dialect.
The duties that you gave us
Do our holiness project. 1
Sa
with lovefestivals for rejoicing beahavah moadim lesimchah,
this day - et yom
m
For Pesach:
time of our freedom
zeman cherutenu
pl
For Shavuot:
For Sukkot:
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1
Blessed are you, Adonai, our God, ruler of the world, who chose us from every people and raised us above
every tongue and made us holy with Gods rules.

lovingly, a holy assembly,1 beahavah mikra kodesh
Because from all the peoples Ki vanu vacharta
SP
You chose us your holy nation - veotanu kidashta mikol haamim,
And made our heritage these times umoadei kodshecha,
Of joy and celebration, besimchah uvsason hinchaltanu.
We bless you, God, for hallowing Baruch ata Adonai,
our feast and nation. mekadesh Yisrael vehazmanim.
S
______________________Farewell to Shabbat Havdalah ______________________
On Saturday night, light a multi-wick candle from an existing flame and say Havdalah.
Sa
Who rules the universe entire; Eloheinu melech haolam,
You are creator of this flickering light, borei meorei haesh.
The light of fire.
Ruler of the universe, Eloheinu melech haolam,
m
who distinguishes holy from secular, hamavdil bein kodesh lechol,
darkness from light,
bein or lechoshech,
pl
the seventh day
bein yom hashvii
You distinguished Shabbats holiness Bein kedushat Shabbat
e
from the holiness of the festival, likdushat yom tov hivdalta
and you made Shabbat more holy - veet yom hashvii
than the six days of creative activity. - misheshet yemei hamaaseh kidashta.
1

59 Our Duty Aleinu
You distinguished and hallowed Hivdalta vekidashta

your people Israel through your holiness. - et amcha Yisrael bikdushatecha.
Blessed are you, God, Baruch ata Adonai
1
who distinguishes types of holiness. hamavdil bein kodesh lekodesh.
__________________________________ Shehecheyanu _________________________________

Omit on the last two nights of Pesach
(on the first night of Sukkot, say the Sukkah blessing first).
SP
Who rules eternal time and space; Eloheinu melech haolam,
You raised us and sustained us, Shehecheyanu vekimanu
And you brought us to this place.2 Vehigianu lazman hazeh.
_____________________________________ Sukkah_____________________________________
S
In the sukkah, on Sukkot, add this.
Both time and space complete; Eloheinu melech haolam,
Sa
You made us holy with your laws, Asher kidshanu bemitzvotav
In booths to take a seat. vetzivanu leshev basukkah.
After dark, on the third and remaining nights of Pesach, count the Omer, page 64.
m
pl
e
1
Who makes a distinction between one type of holiness and another type of holiness
2
Place is literally time; but are not time and space a continuum?
Our Duty1 Aleinu

SP
2
S
Is 45:20

Sa
m
pl
e
1
2


61 Our Duty Aleinu
Whose power dwells
ushechinat uzo
1
SP
Deut 4:39
Veyadata hayom,
that God is God
S
Sa
m
pl
e
1

SP
S
Ex. 15:18
Zech. 14:9
Sa
ushemo echad.
Mourners and those observing Yahrzeit rise to lead Mourners Kaddish, page 371.
m
During Sukkot until Hoshanah Rabbah, add Psalm 27, page 95, and Mourners Kaddish, page 371.
pl
e

63 Be Great Yigdal
Be Great Yigdal
The living God be great, Gods praise resound; Yigdal Elohim chai veyishtabach;
God is, and theres no end nimtzah, veein et
to where Gods found. - el metziuto.
God is One; like Gods there is no unity, Echad veein yachid keyichudo;
Oneness beyond our ken, infinity! neelam, vegam ein sof leachduto.
Unseen of form, without carnality; Ein lo demut haguf, veeino guf.
SP
Beyond all measure is Gods sanctity. Lo naaroch elav kedushato.
Old before any thing that came to be; Kadmon lechol davar asher nivrah.
First, with no onset to Gods primacy. Rishon, veein reshit lereshito.
Gods ruler of the universe, and see! Hino adon olam lechol notzar;
God shows each creature grandeur, majesty. yoreh gedulato umalchuto.
S
Splendor and prophecy in liberal measure. Shefa nevuato netano
God gave to this people, to Gods treasure. el anshei segulato, vetifarto.
No one like Moses did in Israel rise, Lo kam beYisrael
Sa
Prophet who saw Gods form keMoshe od navi,
with his own eyes. umabit et temunato.
True to Gods people, God gave us a guide Torat emet natan leamo El
To truthTorah, by prophets hand supplied. al yad nevio neeman beto.
God will not change; Lo yachalif haEl,
m
Gods faith will never sway, velo yamir dato
For all of time, to any other way. leolamim, lezulato.
Our secret thoughts God searches out and knows; Tzofeh veyodeah setarenu;
pl
When things are born, mabit lesof davar
God sees how they will close. bekadmato.
The good man gains a just reward in time; Gomel leish chesed kemifalo:
e
The bad, God punishes as fits the crime. noten lerasha rah kerishato.
The anointed, God at end of days will send, Yishlach leketz hayamin meshichenu
Salvation for us who await the end. lifdot mechakei ketz yeshuato.
God kindly will the dead with life invest; Metim yechayeh El berov chasdo:
Gods glorious name shall be forever blest. baruch adei ad shem tehilato.
Counting the Omer Sefirat HaOmer

We count the Omer after dark from the second evening of Pesach until Shavuot.
We do not mention the number of the day before reciting the blessing.
If we mention the number by mistake, we cannot recite the blessing but may recite it on later nights.
If we forget to count at night, we can count during the next day without the blessing
and continue to recite the blessing on later nights.
But if we forget to count the next day too, we omit the blessing on all later nights.
Some people add an opening and closing meditation to the counting.
SP
Opening Meditation
Here I am, ready and prepared
Hineni muchan umezuman
to fulfill the positive commandment lekayem mitzvat aseh
of counting the Omer, shel sefirat haomer,
as the Torah says: kemo shekatuv baTorah:
S
Lev 23:15-16
Count for yourselves
Usefartem lachem
from the day after the Pesach holiday, mimochorat hashabbat,
from the day you bring miyom haviachem
Sa
the offering of an omer of grain,

et omer hatnufah
seven weeks; sheva shabatot,
they must be full weeks.
temimot tiheyenah.
Up to the day after the seventh week
Ad mimochorat hashabbat hashviit
you must count fifty days. tisperu chamishim yom.
m
_______________________________ The Days of the Omer_______________________________
We bless you, Ruler, Baruch atah Adonai,
our God, eternal sovereign, Eloheinu melech haolam,
pl
who made us holy with your rules asher kidshanu bemitzvotav
and told us about counting the Omer. vetzivanu al sefirat haOmer.

Here is the list of days; we start on the 16th of Nisan, the second evening of Pesach
e
16 Nisan
Today is the first day into the Omer. Hayom yom echad baOmer.
17 Nisan
Today is 2 days into the Omer. Hayom shnei yamim baOmer.
18 Nisan
Today is 3 days into the Omer. Hayom shloshah yamim baOmer.
19 Nisan
Today is 4 days into the Omer. Hayom arbaah yamim baOmer.
20 Nisan
Today is 5 days into the Omer. Hayom chamisha yamim baOmer.
21 Nisan
Today is 6 days into the Omer. Hayom shishah yamim baOmer.

65 Counting the Omer Sefirat HaOmer
From Day 7 (22 Nisan, the last night of Pesach), count weeks and days
22 Nisan
Today makes 7 days, Hayom shivah yamim,
which is one week into the Omer. shehem shavua echad baOmer.
After counting the day, continue here.
________________________________ Closing Meditation ________________________________
May the merciful one restore Harachaman, hu yachazir
the Temple service avodat beit hamikdash
SP
to its proper place. limkomah.
May this be what you want, Yehi ratzon lefanecha
Ruler, our God Adonai Eloheinu
S
soon, in our days, bimherah veyamenu
and there we shall serve reverently vesham naavodcha beyirah
Sa
Mal 3:4
Mal. 3:4
m
pl
e
e
pl
m
Sa
S
SP

SP
Festival Morning Service
Festival Morning Service

S
Like the evening service, the morning service consists of the Shema and an amidah. The Shema has appropriate
blessings before and after, and the amidah for holy days has one central blessing that speaks of the holiness of
this day, while the amidah for intermediate days has the thirteen central blessings of the weekday amidah. Our
call to prayer begins the Shema section. This is the heart of the morning service, but we prepare for it with two
Sa
sections of prayer and song: Dawn Blessings, and Poems and Songs.
As we rise in the morning, ancient words of blessing help us consider our identity as human beings with a
body to stretch and clothe, and as Jews with our own obligations and opportunities, history and literature.
We praise the Creator with selected psalms, devotional poetry that often speaks through the millennia to
modern concerns, and with other quotations from our scriptures.
Some people come late and miss the entire morning service. This is understandable but regrettable, since our
m
morning Shema and amidah are the heart of our prayer service.
pl
e
Festival Morning Service 68
Dawn Blessings
___________________________ How Fair Mah Tovu __________________________
Num 24:5
Jacob, how fair your dwellings are
Mah tovu ohalecha Yaakov,
O Israelyour communities.
Mishkenotecha, Yisrael.
Ps 5:8
With your great kindness, Vaani berov chasdecha
I come to your house; avo veitecha;
SP
I bow to your holy sanctuary
eshtachaveh el heichal kodshecha
in reverence to you. beyiratecha.
Ps 26:8
God, I love your residence, Adonai, ahavti meon beitecha,
the place where your glory dwells.

umekom mishkan kevodecha.
Ps. 69:14
Sovereign, let my prayer
Vaani tefilati
S
be welcome when it comes; lecha Adonai et ratzon;
Sovereign, in kindness plentiful,
Elohim berov chasdecha,
1
answer me with salvation sure. aneni beemet yishecha.
Sa
_________________________________ Blessing for Tallit ________________________________
We bless you, O Ruler, Baruch ata Adonai
our God, who rules the world. Eloheinu melech haolam
You made us holy with your laws Asher kidshanu bemitzvotav
And told us to wrap ourselves in fringes.
vetzivanu lehitatef batzitzit.
m
pl
e
1
The Hebrew is rather elliptical; lit., And as for me, my prayer to you, Sovereign, may it be at an acceptable
time; Sovereign, in the abundance of your kindness, answer me in the truth of your salvation.

69 Dawn Blessings
_________________ Dawn Blessings Birchot HaShachar ________________

We stand to thank God for a new day with these fifteen blessings;1 for discussion of these blessings, see page 427.
When the leader leads each blessing, we respond Amen.
1
We bless you, Sovereign God, Baruch atah Adonai
you rule both space and time: Eloheinu melech haolam:
you taught the rooster asher natan lasechvi vina
to tell day from night. lehavchin bein yom uvein layla.Amen
SP
2
you made me in your image. sheasani betzalmo. Amen
3
S
you made me a Jew. sheasani Yisrael. Amen

Girls and ladies say bat chorin, men and boys say ben chorin:
4
Sa
you made me a free person. - / sheasani ben/bat chorin. Amen
5
you restore our sight. pokeach ivrim. Amen
m
1
Originally, a person would say these blessings on waking up, opening the eyes, etc. Most are based on T. B.
pl
Berachot 60b, but 2, 3 and 4 are based on T. B. Menachot 43b. Traditional siddurim use the wording below so
that men can thank God that they are bound by more mitzvot than gentiles (no mitzvot), servants (some mitz-
vot) or women (nearly all mitzvot).
2
e
shelo asani goy. Amen
that you did not make me a non-Jewish person.
3
that you did not make me a servant. shelo asani ahved. Amen
4 for men
that you did not make me a woman. shelo asani ishah. Amen
4 for women
that you made me as you wished. sheasani kirtzono. Amen

The fourth blessing for women may be said either with a sigh of resignation or with confidence that Gods final
creation and most successful design for a human was the woman.
6
you clothe the naked. malbish arumim. Amen
7
you remove our limitations. matir asurim. Amen
8
SP
you set us up when were bent over. zokeif kefufim. Amen
9
you stretch the earth over the water. roka haaretz al hamayim. Amen
S
10
you make everything I need. - sheasah li kol tzorki. Amen
Sa
11
you guide each persons steps. - hamechin mitzadei gahver. Amen
12
m
you brace Israel with courage. ozer Yisrael bigvurah. Amen
13
pl
you crown Israel with splendor. oter Yisrael betifarah. Amen
14
e
you give strength to the weary. hanotein layaef koach. Amen
15
you rule the world; Eloheinu melech haolam,
you drive sleep from our eyes hamaavir sheinah meeinai
and slumber from our eyelids. utenumah meafapai. Amen

71 Dawn Blessings
We are seated, and we pray for Gods help to keep us from trouble and temptation.
May your wish be x x Vihi ratzon milfanecha

ruling God, Adonai Eloheinu
God of our ancestors vElohei avoteinu
to make Torah our routine shetargileinu beToratecha
and bind us to your rules, vedabkeinu bemitzvotecha.
not to bring us into the clutches of error Veal tevieinu lo lidei chet
SP
or wrongdoing or sin velo lidei averah veavon
or temptation or disdain. velo lidei nisayon velo lidei vizayon.
Dont give us over to the evil urge, - Veal tashlet banu yetzer harah
but keep us far from a bad person veharchikeinu meadam ra
and a bad companion.1 umechaver ra.
S
Bind us to our good impulse Vedabkeinu beyetzer hatov
and good deeds, uvemaasim tovim
and make our nature bow to serve you. - - vechof et yitzreinu lehishtabed lach.
Sa
Grant this today and every day - Uteneinu hayom uvechol yom
for grace, kindness and mercy lechen lechesed ulerachamim
in your eyes and the eyes of all who see us, - beeinech uveeinei chol roeinu
and reward us with your good kindness. vetigmeleinu chasadim tovim.
m
who rewards2 with good kindness gomeil chasadim tovim
your people Israel. leamo Yisrael. Amen
pl
1
What makes us do something bad? We ask God to keep us out of trouble and away from those evil influ-
encesbad places, bad people and bad impulses.
We speak of our yetzer tov and yetzer ra, our good and evil impulse or inclination. The word yetzer is
e
related to the Hebrew root for make, form or fashion (as you make a pot from clay). You might say the impulse
is what makes us an instrument of good or evil.
2
The idea of gomel is familiar today. People and companies that sense their own good fortune talk of giving
back to the community. In the same way, this Hebrew word for reward and repay is part of the Hebrew
idiom for charityGemilut chasadim or doing acts of lovingkindness. If you have the money, however
hard you worked for it, you have an obligation to help others.
So does God have an obligation to reward us? Yes, our liturgy says repeatedlynot for our own merit, but be-
cause of the good deeds of our ancestors.
_____________________ May Your Wish Be Yehi Ratzon _____________________

1
May your wish be Yehi ratzon milfanecha
ruling God Adonai Elohai
and God of my ancestors vElohei avotai
to protect me today and every day shetatzilenu hayom uvechol yom
from rude people and rude manners, meazei fanim umeazut panim,
from a bad person, a bad friend, meadam ra umechaver ra
SP
a bad neighbor, a troublemaker, umishachen ra umipega ra
a ruinous enemy, umisatan hamashchit
a harsh judgement and a harsh judge
midin kasheh umibaal din kasheh,
2
Jewish or not Jewish. bein shehu ven brit
uvein sheeino ven brit.
S
A person should always Leolam yehei adam
fear Heaven in secret3 and in public, yerei shamayim beseter uvagalui
Sa
4
be grateful for the truth umodeh al haemet
and speak truth deep inside vedover emet bilvavo
and get up early to say this: vayashkem veyomar:
m
pl
e
1
These are the humble supplications of a person with little earthly power. We ask God to keep us from trouble-
some peoplethieves, false accusers, drunk drivers, credit cheats, and so on.
2
Jewish is literally a child of the Covenant (or contract) referring to the Jews contract with God outlined
in the Shema.
3
In secret may refer to a time when saying Shema was illegal.
4
Why be thankful for the truth? Troublemakers distort the truth to get us in trouble though our conscience is
clear. Lets be grateful when truth clears us.

73 Dawn Blessings
____________ Ruler of Every World Ribon Kol Haolamim ___________

1
Ruler of every world! Ribon kol haolamim!
Dan 9:18
Not because of our merits do we
lo al tzidkoteinu anachnu
submit our pleas to you,
mapilim tachanuneinu lefanecha,
but because of your great mercies.
ki al rachamecha harabim.
What are we, what is our life, Mah anachnu, meh chayeinu,
our devotion, our righteousness, - meh chasdenu, mah tzidkenu,
SP
our salvation, our strength - - mah yishenu, mah kochenu,
or our power? - mah gevuratenu?
What are we to say to you, Mah nomar lefanecha
and God of our ancestors vElohei avoteinu ?
S
Arent all our heroes - Halo kol hagiborim
like nothing to you, keayin lefanecha,
famous people as if they never existed, veanshei hashem kelo hayu,
Sa
learned people like the ignorant vachachamim kivli mada
and wise people like fools? unevonim kivli haskel!
For all they achieved is chaos, Ki rov maaseihem tohu,
their lives are worth nothing to you. vimei chayeihem hevel lefanecha,
Eccles 3:19
People are no better than beasts umotar haadam min habhemah ayin,
m
its all useless. ki hakol havel.
pl
e
1
This prayer was composed for Yom Kippur, when we all feel depressed. When the humble person sees the
wonder of a new day, s/he feels unworthy and insignificant: as King Lear said to Edgar, Unadulterated man is
no more but such a poor, bare forked animal as thou art (King Lear III.iv.109-111). Prayerwe often say the
Hebrew root implies self-judgementbrings us both low and high, both to abject self-abhorrence (especially
before breakfast) and triumphant joy.
___________ But We Are Your People Aval Anachnu Amcha ___________

1
But we are your people, Aval anachnu amcha,
children of your contract, benei veritecha,
children of Abraham who loved you benei Avraham ohavcha
you made a promise to him shenishbata lo
on Mount Moriah behar haMoriyah,
we are the seed of his dear Isaac zera Yitzchak yechido
SP
who was tied on top of the altar, sheneekad al gav hamizbeach,
the people of your son Jacob, your first-born adat Yaakov bincha bechorecha
because of your love for him shemeahavatcha sheahavta oto
and the joy you took in him umisimchatcha shesamachta bo
you called him - karata et shemo
S
2
Israel and Jeshurun. Yisrael viYeshurun.
And so we are bound Lefichach anachnu chayavim
to thank you and praise you, lehodot lecha uleshabechacha,
Sa
to glorify, bless and sanctify you, ulefaercha ulevarech ulekadesh,
and to give praise and thanks to your name. velatet shevach vehodayah lishmecha.
m
pl
1
We have wallowed in the depths of misery, and now its time to pull ourselves up from the mire by our spiritu-
e
al bootstraps. We have inherited Gods promise and love.
2
Jacob became Israel in Genesis 35:10 after wrestling with the angel. Jeshurun is mentioned in Deuteron-
omy 32:15: Jeshurun grew fat and kicked. The name comes from the Hebrew root for straight or direct,
and we like to interpret this as a name for Israel when it is morally upright. However, the only time the name is
used in the Torah is here, when Jeshurun is a fat assoops, a well-fed donkeyand since it has enough to eat,
it has become rebellious.
When Oliver Twist becomes refractory, Mr. Bumble explains why: Its not Madness its Meat. If you
had kept the boy on gruel, maam, this would never have happened (Oliver Twist, Chapter VII).

75 Dawn Blessings
We are so lucky! How good is our lot, - Ashreinu mah tov chelkenu
how fair our fortune, - umah naim goralenu
how delightful our heritage.
umah yafah yerushatenu.
We are so lucky that Ashreinu sheanachnu
early and late, mashkimim umaarivim
morning and evening erev vavoker
1
we say twice a day: - veomrim paamayim bechol yom:
SP
We join the prayer leader, saying the next two lines aloud.
Deut. 6:4
The Ruler is our God; the Ruler is one. 2
Adonai Eloheinu; Adonai echad.
We say the next two lines in an undertone:
S
It was you4 Atah hu

back before the world was created, ad shelo nivrah haolam;
Sa
it was you atah hu
since the world was created, mishenivra haolam
its you in this world atah hu baolam hazeh,
and its you in the World to Come. veatah hu laolam haba.
m
1
From the depths of despair, we return to the heights of joy; this is the spirit in which we say Shema. Birnbaum
pl
(Daily Prayer Book, p. 23) says that Babylonian authorities forbade our reciting Shema because they saw our
declaration of Gods unity as a challenge to their beliefs.
2
e
3
4
In this passage, we express the eternity of the God we described in Shema.
Make your name holy - Kadesh et shimcha

1
through the martyrs, al makdishei shemecha,
and make it holy throughout your world; - vekadesh et shimcha beolamecha,
and as you save us, uvishuatcha
raise and heighten our glory.2 tarim vetagbia karnenu.
SP
3
who makes your name holy far and wide. - mekadesh et shimcha barabim. Amen
___________________________ Its You Atah Hu ___________________________

Its you, Ruler, our God, Atah hu Adonai Eloheinu
in heaven and earth,
bashamayim uvaaretz,
S
4
in the high reaches of the sky. uvishmei hashamayim haelyonim.
Really, you are first Emet, atah hu rishon
and you are last, veatah hu acharon,
5
and aside from you there is no God. umibaladecha ein Elohim.
Sa
Gather those who hope in you Kabetz kovecha
6
from the four corners of the earth. mearba kanfot haaretz.
Theyll see and know, Yakiru veyedu
all creatures that stir on the earth, that - kol baei olam ki
m
II Kings 19:15
you are God, you alone,
atah hu haElohim levadcha
7
for all the nations of the world; lechol mamlechot haaretz.
You made Atah asita
pl
heaven and earth, et hashamayim veet haaretz,
e
1
Martyrs are people who died al kidush hashem, to make Gods name holy.
2
Our glory is literally our hornthe weapon of the aggressive bull, and the horn of plenty.
3
Among the many.
4
The heavens of the high heavens.
5
Refers to Isaiah 44:6: I am the first, and I am the last, and there is no God except for me.
6
The four corners of the earth is figurative.
7
God is for all nations, not just the Jewsa sentiment echoed in Aleinu.

77 Dawn Blessings
the sea, and everything in them. - - - et hayam veet kol asher bam,
And who of those you formed - umi bechol maasei yadecha
above or below baelyonim o vatachtonim
can ask you, What will you do? sheyomar lecha: Mah taaseh?
Heavenly source of life, Avinu shebashamayim,
be kind to us asei imanu chesed
for the sake of your great name baavur shimcha hagadol
SP
which was pronounced upon us, shenikra aleinu,
and fulfill for us, ruling God, - vekayem lanu, Adonai Eloheinu,
what is written: mah shekatuv:
Zeph 3:20
Then I will bring you Baeit hahi avi etchem
and then I will gather you, uvaeit kabtzi etchem,
S
to present you for fame and honor ki eten etchem leshem velithilah
among all the peoples of the world, bechol amei haaretz,
when I bring about your return

beshuvi et shevuteichem
Sa
1
before your own eyes, says God. leeineichem, amar Adonai.
m
pl
e
1
This promise of salvation is the last verse of the Book of Zephaniah. And has it not come true (despite daily
problems of reality) with the founding of the State of Israel?
__________________________________Rabbinic Texts1 _________________________________

Avot deRabbi Natan, 4:5
Once, Paam achat hayah
2
Raban Yochanan ben Zakkai - Raban Yochanan ben Zakkai
was leaving Jerusalem;
yotzeh miYrushalayim,
Rabbi Yehoshuah walked vehaya Rabi Yehoshuah
behind him as his student holech acharav,
SP
and saw the Temple ruined. - veraah et Beit Hamikdash charev.
Rabbi Yehoshuah said: Amar Rabi Yehoshuah:
Alas for us! Its ruined, Oy lanu al zeh, shehu charev,
the place where people atoned makom shemechaprim bo
for Israels sins. avonoteihem shel Yisrael!
S
Raban Yochanan said to him, Amar lo Raban Yochanan:
Child, dont get upset. Beni, al yera lecha.
We have another atonement, Yesh lanu kaparah acheret,
Sa
as good as this. shehi kemotah.
What is it? Acts of kindness, ? Veezo? Gemilut chasadim,
As its said: Sheneemar:
Hosea 6:6
I want kindness, not sacrifice! Ki chesed chafatzti velo zavach!
m
pl
e
1
As part of our morning prayer, we study texts. Many siddurim include source material on the sacrificial sys-
tem, from the Torah, Talmud and Mishnah. We follow the lead of Sim Shalom with texts on lovingkindness and
other suitable topics. Study ends the section of dawn blessings.
2
We credit Yochanan ben Zakkai with saving Judaism after the destruction of the Temple. He escaped from the
siege of Jerusalem, faced the Roman general Vespasian, and secured permission to found an academy in
Yavneh. He founded Rabbinic Judaism.

79 Dawn Blessings
__________________________________ Babylonian Talmud, Sukkah, 49b __________________________________

Rabbi Elazar said, Amar Rabi Elazar,
What does this quotation mean: Mai dichtiv,
Micah 6:8 1
Humanity, you know whats right Higid lecha, Adam, mah tov,
and what God wants of you:
umah Adonai doresh mimcha:
only to act justly, ki im asot mishpat
to act with lovingkindness, veahavat chesed,
SP
2
and to be modest about doing right. vehatzneah lechet im Elohecha.?
To act justly, Asot mishpat,
this refers to the legal system. zeh hadin.
Lovingkindness, Veahavat chesed,
this refers to performing acts of kindness. zo gemilut chasadim.
S
To be modest about doing right, Vehatzneah lechet im Elohecha,
this means taking out the dead for burial zo hotzaat hamet
and bringing the bride to the wedding canopy vehachnasat kalah lechupah.
Sa
with all that she needs.
A person who gives charity is a great person, Gadol haoseh tzedakah
more than one who brings all the sacrifices, - yoter mikol hakorbanot,
as we are told: sheneemar,
m
Prov 21:3
Acting with charity and justice
Asoh tzedakah umishpat
is what God chooses above sacrifices. nivchar lAdonai mizavach.
And Rabbi Elazar said, Veamar Rabi Elazar,
pl
Charity doesnt pay Ein tzedakah mishtalemet
except according to the kindness of the act, elah lefi chesed shebah,
as we are told: sheneemar:
e
Hosea 10:12
Sow for yourselves in charity, Ziru lachem litzdakah;
and reap according to kindness. kitzru lefi chesed.
1
It has been told you, O earthling, what is good.
2
And to walk humbly with your God; when you are walking with God, you are doing the right thing. But
dont be self-righteous; be modest!
Our Rabbis taught: Tanu Rabanan:

In three ways Bishloshah devarim
is the performance of kindness gedolah gemilut chasadim
greater than charity. yoter min hatzedakah.
Charity is giving your money, Tzedakah bemamono,
but kindness gemilut chasadim
is giving yourself or your money. bein begufo, bein bemamono.
SP
Charity is giving to the poor, Tzedakah laoniyim;
can be given to either poor or rich. bein laoniyim, bein laashirim.
Charity is for the living, Tzedakah lachayim;
S
is for both the living and the dead. bein lachayim, bein lametim.
__________________________________ Babylonian Talmud, Sukkah, 49b __________________________________
Rabbi Elazar said, Amar Rabi Elazar:
Sa
Anyone who acts with charity and justice
- Kol haoseh tzedakah umishpat
is like one who has filled keilu mileh
the entire world with kindness, - kol haolam kulo chesed,
Ps 33:5
When one loves charity and justice,
Ohev tzedakah umishpat
m
Gods kindness has filled the earth. chesed Adonai malah haaretz.

pl
What does this quotation mean: Mai dichtiv:
Prov 31:26
She opens her lips with wisdom, Piha patchah vechochmah,
the Torah of kindness is on her tongue.

vetorat chesed al leshonah?
e
So, is there a Torah of kindness Vechi yesh Torah shel chesed
and another Torah veyesh Torah sheeinah
without kindness? No! Theres only one Torah! shel chesed?
Following Torah for its own sake, Elah Torah lishmah,
this is the Torah of kindness; zo hi Torat chesed,
following Torah for some other motive, shelo lishmah,

81 Dawn Blessings
this is the Torah without kindness! zo hi Torah sheeinah shel chesed!

And some say,
Ikah deamrei,
Torah for the sake of learning, Torah lelamdah,
this is the Torah of kindness; zo hi Torah shel chesed;
Torah for some other motive than learning, shelo lelamdah,
this is Torah without kindness! zo hi Torah sheeinah shel chesed.
______________________________________ Sifre Deuteronomy, Ekev ______________________________________
SP
Deut 11:22
To follow all Gods ways. Lalechet bechol derachav,

These are the ways eilu darchei
of the Holy One, whom we bless, haKadosh Baruch Hu,
Ex 34:6-7
S
God, God, Adonai, Adonai,
is a God both merciful and gracious, El rachum vechanun
patient, and great in kindness and truth,
erech apayim, verav chesed veemet
ensuring mercy for thousands of generations,
notzer chesed laalafim
Sa
tolerating sin, transgression and wrong,
noseh avon vafesha vechataah
and cleansing people of their guilt venakeh.
Just as God, who is everywhere, Mah haMakom

is called merciful and gracious. nikrah rachum vechanun,
m
so should you be merciful and gracious. af atah hevei rachum vechanun.
Just as the Holy One, whom we bless, Mah haKadosh Baruch Hu
is called righteous, nikrah tzadik,
pl
Ps: 145:17
Righteous is God in all Gods ways
so should you be righteous. af atah hevei tzadik.
e
The Holy One, whom we bless, HaKadosh Baruch Hu
is called kind, nikrah chasid,
Ps. 145:17
And kind in all Gods works Vechasid bechol maasav,
so should you be kind. af atah hevei chasid.
___________________________________ Babylonian Talmud, Sotah, 14a ___________________________________

Rabbi Chamah said, Amar Rabi Chamah
quoting Rabbi Chaninah: beRabi Chaninah,
What does this quotation mean: Mai dichtiv,
Deut 13:5
After your ruling God shall you walk.
Acharei Adonai Eloheichem telechu.
Really, is it possible for a human being Vechi efshar lo leadam
to walk after the divine presence? lahaloch achar Shechinah?
SP
Surely, it means to conduct oneself Elah lahaloch
in accordance with the character traits achar midotav
of the Holy One, whom we bless. shel haKadosh Baruch Hu.
Just as God clothes the naked, Mah hu malbish arumim,
so should you clothe the naked. af atah halbesh arumim.
S
visited the sick; biker cholim;
so should you visit the sick. af atah baker cholim.
Sa
comforted the mourners; nichem avelim;
so should you comfort mourners. af atah nachem avelim.
buried the dead; kavar metim;
m
so should you bury the dead. af atah kevor metim.
Rav Simlai explained: Darash Rav Simlai:
As for Torah Torah,
pl
its beginning is a kind deed, techilatah gemilut chasadim,
and its end is a kind deed. vesofah gemilut chasadim.
Its beginning is a kind deed, Techilatah gemilut chasadim,
e
as is written: dichtiv:
Genesis 3:21
Ruling God made
Vayaas Adonai Elohim
the man and his wife
leAdam uleishto
garments of skin, and clothed them. kotnot or, vayalbishem.

83 Dawn Blessings
And its end is a kind deed, Vesofah gemilut chasadim,

as is written: dichtiv:
Deut 34:6
God buried Moses in the valley, Vayikbor oto vagai,
1
in the land of Moab.
beeretz Moav.
________________________________ Interpreting Torah2 ________________________________

Rabbi Ishmael says: Rabi Yishmael omer:
SP
By thirteen types of inferences bishlosh esreh midot
the Torah may be explained: haTorah nidreshet.
1
From an easy case to a strict case, and vice versa. Mikal vachomer.
2
From a similar phrase in two places.
Umigzerah shavah.
3
From a general principle derived Mibinyan av
S
from a single text mikatuv echad,
and from a general principle umibinyan av
derived from two related texts. mishnei ketuvim.
4
From an ostensibly general rule Miklal ufrat.
Sa
restricted to specific cases.
5
And from an ostensibly specific
Umiprat uchelal.
case expanded to a general rule.
6
A general principle followed by specifics Klal ufrat
m
3
and then another general principle: uchlal
you can only rule ee ata dan
that it applies to the specific cases. elah keein haprat.
7
pl
From a general rule Miklal
that needs a specific case to explain it shehu tzarich lifrat
and from a specific case umiprat
e
that needs a general rule to explain it. shehu tzarich lichlal.
1
Jewish texts I have seen omit the sheva under the yod in , but its in the Westminster Leningrad Codex.
2
The thirteen principles of scriptural interpretation are from Sifra, a work that explains Leviticus, and they give
insight into the exegetical methods of our sages.
3
Leviticus 14:9 gives an example of this principle.
8
Anything that was Kol davar shehaya
included in a general rule bichlal
but was taken out of that rule veyatza min haklal
to demonstrate something, lelamed,
it does not refer only to itself, lo lelamed al atzmo yatza,
but to make a point elah lelamed
1
about the general rule. al haklal kulo yatza.
SP
9
Anything that was included in a general rule Kol davar shehu bichlal
but was used for a specific case veyatza liton toan echad
similar to the general rule, shehu cheinyano,
it was used to make the rule more lenient, yatza lehakel,
not more stringent. velo lehachamir.
S
10
Anything that was Kol davar shehu
included in a general rule bichlal
but was used veyatza
Sa
for a specific case that is different, liton toan acher
not like the general rule, shehu cheinyano,
it was used to make the rule more lenient yatza lehakel,
and more stringent. ulehachamir.
11
Anything that was included in a general rule Kol davar shehayah bichlal
m
but was taken out veyatza
to be considered as a new topic, lidon badavar hechadash,
you cant ee atah yachol
pl
put it back into the general rule lehachaziro lichlalo,
until holy scripture puts it back ad sheyachazirenu hakatuv
into its general rule, explicitly. lichlalo beferush.
e
1
Any thing that was in a general rule and came out of the general rule (i.e., was used by itself) to teach (i.e., to
make a point), not to teach about itself did it come out (i.e., it was not taken by itself only to make a point about
itself), but to teach about the whole general rule did it come out (i.e., it was taken in order to make a point that
applies to the general rule).

85 Dawn Blessings
12
A topic explained by its context, Davar halamed meinyano,
and a topic explained by what follows. vedavar halamed misofo.
13
And in the same way, two scriptural passages Vechen, shnei chetuvim
that contradict each other hamachchishim zeh et zeh
their meaning is unclear until there is ad sheyavo
a third passage hakatuv hashlishi
that reconciles them. veyachria beineihem.
SP
Choose one of the following two passages.
________________________ May This Be Yehi Ratzon _______________________

S
to grant our rights in your Torah, shetiten chelkenu beToratecha,
that we may join the students venihyeh mitalmidav
Sa
of Aaron the High Priest, shel Aharon hakohen,
who loved peace and sought peace, ohev shalom verodef shalom,
loved all creatures ohev et habriyot
and brought them to the Torah. umekorvan laTorah.
________________________ May This Be Yehi Ratzon _______________________

m
pl
e
Mal 3:4
Mourners lead Teachers Kaddish, page 373.
___________________________________ Daily Psalms __________________________________

We include the psalm of the day and add Psalm 27 on Sukkot through Hoshanah Rabbah; some add the daily
psalm at the end of the service. After each of these psalms, mourners lead Mourners Kaddish, page 371.
Psalm 24, for Sunday
Today is the first day of the week, Hayom yom rishon bashabbat,
on which the Levites would recite shebo hayu haLeviim omrim
this psalm in the Temple: beVeit haMikdash.
SP
1
A psalm by David. LeDavid mizmor:
Gods is the world, with all it holds,
LAdonai haaretz umloah,
1
The land on which all people dwell, tevel veyoshvei vah,
2
For God fixed earth on running streams ki hu al yamim yesadah,
Spread land oer mighty oceans swell.2 veal neharot yechonneha.
S
3
On Gods hill, who can make thascent Mi yaaleh vehar Adonai,
To reach Gods holy station?
umi yakum bimkom kodsho?
4
The pure of heart, the innocent: Neki chapayim uvar levav,
Sa
Without equivocation, asher lo nasah lashav nafshi,
3
Their vow is their intent. velo nishbah lemirmah.
5
Gods blessing will upon them smile, Yisa verachah meet Adonai,
Defending them in every trial.4
utzedakah meElohei yisho.
6
For these are Jacobs children, who Ze dor dorshav,
m
5
Seek only, God, to be with you. Selah. mevakshei fanecha, Yaakov. Selah.
7
Now raise your beams, O gates, stretch high; Seu shearim rosheichem,
Doors of the world, reach to the sky vehinasu pitchei olam,
pl
1
The glorious sovereign is nigh! veyavo melech hakavod.
e
1
To God belongs the world and its contents, the lived-on land and its inhabitants.
2
For God founded it above waters, and established it above rivers.
3
The clean of hands and pure of heart, who has not held me in balance (i.e., has not given me an elusive an-
swer, or equivocated) nor sworn deceitfully.
4
Such a person will bear a blessing from God, vindication from the God of his/her salvation.
5
This is the generation of his (Jacobs) generations (i..e., these are Jacobs distant descendants), who seek your
presenceJacob! As for the meaning of Selah, if I knew, I would have given it an English equivalent. It
may be a musical instruction for the singing of the psalm.

87 Dawn Blessings
8
Who is this sovereign glorious? Mi zeh melech hakavod?
Its mighty God, who fights for us, Adonai izuz vegibor,
2
Unfailingly victorious! Adonai gibor milchamah.
9
Doors of the world, reach to the sky
useu pitchei olam,
10
Who is this sovereign glorious? Mi hu zeh melech hakavod?
SP
The God of hosts, who fights for us; Adonai tzevaot,
3
God is the sovereign glorious. Selah! hu melech hakavod. Selah!
_______________________________________ Psalm 48, for Monday _______________________________________
Today is the second day of the week, Hayom yom sheni bashabbat,
S
1 4
A song, a tune, for Korachs sons. Shir mizmor livnei Korach.
2
Great is God and greatly praised
Gadol Adonai umehulal meod
Sa
in Gods town, Gods holy hill. beir Eloheinu, har kodsho.
3
A lovely place, joy of all the earth, Yefeh nof, mesos kol haaretz,
5
is Mount Zion, far to the North,
Har Tziyon, yarketei tzafon,
a great kings city. kiryat melech rav.
m
4
In all its citadels, God is acknowledged

Elohim bearmenoteha nodah
6
as the strongest citadel of all. lemisgav.
pl
1
Oh gates, raise your heads ; be lifted up, doors of the world, and the sovereign of glory will enter. No earth-
ly gate is high enough to admit God.
2
Who is this ruler of glory? God, mighty and heroic; God is a hero of war.
e
3
Who is this ruler of glory? God of armies: God is the ruler of glory.
4
This psalm may be written by Korachs descendants (just as many psalms are by King David), or it may
have been used by them in the Temple service.
5
In the northern part of Jerusalem.
6
God, among its strongholds, is known as a stronghold. may be translated as in its palaces instead
of strongholds: a royal residence is both luxurious, a palace, and well-protected, a stronghold. The great for-
tresses of Jerusalem, where the great king lives, concede that its safer to be with God than to seek shelter in
any citadel.
5
For look, the kings congregated,
Ki hineh hamlachim noadu,
they came over together; avru yachdav.
6
they saw and were astonished, hemah rau, ken tamahu;
they panicked and ran away, nivhalu, nechpazu;
7
trembling gripped them there, readah achazatam sham,
pangs, like a woman in labor chil kayoledah.
8
with an east wind Beruach kadim
SP
you shatter the ships of Tarshish. teshaber oniyot Tarshish.
9 1
We had heard of it, then we saw it, Kaasher shamanu, ken rainu
in the city of the Ruler of Hosts, beir Adonai Tzevaot,
in the city of our God beir Eloheinu
S
may God establish it forever.Selah.
Elohim yechoneneha ad olam. Selah.
10
God, we thought of your kindness
Diminu, Elohim, chasdecha
inside your sanctuary. bekerev heichalecha.
11
Like your reputation, God,
Keshimcha, Elohim,
Sa
your praise reaches the worlds end ken tehilatcha al katzvei aretz:
righteousness fills your right hand. tzedek malah yeminecha.
12
Mount Zion will rejoice,
Yismach Har Tziyon,
Judahs daughters celebrate
tagelnah benot Yehudah
m
because of your judgements!2 lemaan mishpatecha.
13
Surround Zion, encircle her, Sobu Tziyon vehakifuha,
count off her towers. sifru migdaleha.
pl
14
Study the fortifications, Shitu libchem lecheilah
3
inspect the top of her strongholds pasgu armenoteha,
4
so you can tell future generations lemaan tesapru ledor acharon.
e
1
As we had heard, so did we see.
2
I.e., when God executes judgement on bad people.
3
is a plural imperative, Be at the top her towers with your eyes.
4
The last generation.

89 Dawn Blessings
15
That this is God:
Ki zeh Elohim,
our God is forever: Eloheinu olam vaed;
God will guide us beyond death.
hu yenahagenu al mut.
_______________________________________ Psalm 82, for Tuesday _______________________________________
Today is the third day of the week, Hayom yom shelishi bashabbat,

SP

1 1
A tune by Assaf. Mizmor leAssaf.
God stands in the courthouse2
Elohim nitzav beadat El,
3
judging among the judges.
bekerev elohim yishpot.
2
How long will you judge unfairly, Ad matai tishpetu avel
S
4
bringing satisfaction to the wicked? Selah!
ufenei reshaim tisu? Selah.
3
Judge the poor and the orphan;
Shiftu dal veyatom;
do justice for the humble and destitute. oni varash hatzdiku.
4
Rescue the poor and needy
Paltu dal veevyon;
Sa
save them from the power of the wicked. miyad reshaim hatzilu.
5
They dont know, dont understand Lo yadu, velo yavinu;
they walk in darkness, bachashecha yithalachu
5
weakening the worlds foundations.
yimotu kol mosdei aretz.
m
6
I told them, You are judges,
Ani amarti, Elohim atem,
children of the Most High;
uvenei Elyon kulchem.
7
even so, you will die like all humans Achen, keadam temutun,
pl
and fall like some petty potentate.
ucheachad hasarim tipolu.
e
1
Psalms 73-83 are , to or for or by Assaf.
2
In the congregation of God; presumably, because true justice is a divine attribute, the place where justice is
dispensed is a place where people congregate to acknowledge God.
3
While is often a term for God, sometimes it seems to refer to human judges. When applied to God, it
suggests divine justice (rather than compassion).
4
And raise the face of the wicked, making them the opposite of our word downcast.
5
All the foundations of the world are moved. If justice is one of the founding principles of the world, unjust
judges may weaken the very existence of the world.
8
O God, arise and judge the world,
Kumah, Elohim, shaftah haaretz,
1
bringing your rule to every nation. ki atah tinchal bechol hagoyim.
_____________________________________ Psalm 94, for Wednesday _____________________________________
Today is the fourth day of the week, Hayom yom revii bashabbat,

1
God of vengeance, God! El nekamot, Adonai,
SP

God of vengeance, show yourself!
El nekamot, hofia.
2
Arise, judge of the world: Hinaseh, shofet haaretz,
give the arrogant what they deserve! hashev gemul al geim.
3
How long will the wicked, O God, Ad matai reshaim, Adonai,
S
how long will the wicked rejoice? ad matai reshaim yaalozu?
4
They bluster and brag, Yabiu, yedabru atak;
they boast, all these evildoers. yitamru kol poalei aven.
5
They bully your people Amcha, Adonai, yedaku,
Sa
and humiliate your own. venachalatcha yeanu.
6
They kill the widow and stranger,
Almanah veger yaharogu,
murder the orphan.

vitomim yerachetzu.
7
They say, God wont see;
Vayomru, Lo yireh Yah,
m
Jacobs God wont know! velo yavin Elohei Yaakov.
8
Wise up, you brutes among the people; Binu, boarim baam,
fools, when will you realize?

uchesilim, matai taskilu?
pl
9
God gave us ears: you think God cant hear?
Hanotah ozen, halo yishmah?
2
God made the eye: can God not see? Im yotzer ayin, halo yabit?
10
God punishes nations: will God not chide,

Hayoser goyim, halo yochiach,
e
who teaches humans whatever they know! hamelamed adam daat?
1
For you shall inherit all nations implies that God will control and impose Gods beneficial will upon the
nations.
2
The one who planted ears in our heads, God, do you think he wont hear what you say? Do you seriously
think that the one who formed the eye will not look at what you do?

91 Dawn Blessings
11
God knows peoples thoughts, Adonai yodeah machshevot adam,
how silly they are. ki hemah havel.
12
Lucky is the person whom God chides
Ashrei hagever asher teyasrenu Yah
and teaches from Gods law
umiToratcha telamdenu,
13
to be at peace in evil days lehashkit lo mimei rah
until a grave is dug for the wicked! ad yikareh larashah shachat.
14
God will not desert Gods people Ki lo yitosh Adonai amo,
SP
nor abandon Gods own. venachalato lo yaazov.
15
The verdict will return to justice, Ki ad tzedek yashuv mishpat,
and all the upright will follow it. veacharav kol yishrei lev.
16
Who will stand up to the wicked,
Mi yakum li im mereim,
S
stand with me against evildoers? mi yityatzev li im poalei aven?
17
If God had not helped me,
Lulei Adonai ezratah li,
my spirit would soon have been at peace! kimat shochnah dumah nafshi!
18
Had I said, My foot has slipped, Im amarti, Matah ragli,
Sa
Your kindness, God, had nurtured me.
chasdecha, Adonai, yisadeni.
19 1
When I am absorbed in my thoughts, Berov sarapai bekirbi,
your comforts bring me delight. tanchumecha yeshaashu nafshi.
20
Can an unjust court be your companion Hayechovrecha kiseh havot,
m
2
since it makes mischief the law? yotzer amal alei chok?
21
They conspire against the just Yagodu al nefesh tzadik,
and condemn innocent blood. vedam naki yarshiu.
pl
22
But God is my stronghold,
Vihi Adonai li lemisgav,
my God is my safe refuge.3 vElohai letzur machsi.
e
1
There being many thoughts within methis may refer to the distractions of an active brain, or the medita-
tions of a peaceful heart.
2
Could your companion be the official seat of evil, which makes trouble founded upon law?
3
The rock of my protection, for one may feel safe hiding behind a rock.
23
God will turn their evil against them, Vayashev aleihim et onam,
cut them off in their wickedness;
uveraatam yatzmitem,
God, our God, will cut them off! yatzmitem Adonai Eloheinu!
When reciting the Daily Psalm for Wednesday, add Psalm 95:1-3
Ps. 95:1-3
Come, sing for joy to God on high, Lechu neranena lAdonai;
On whose salvation we rely.1 nariah letzur yishenu.
2
Approach God with a thankful heart
Nekadmah fanav betodah
SP
With songs of praise to take your part. Bizmirot, nariah lo.
3
For a great God is Adonai, Ki El gadol Adonai
2
Above all powers ruling high,
Umelech gadol al kol elohim.
______________________________________ Psalm 81, for Thursday ______________________________________
Today is the fifth day of the week, Hayom yom chamishi bashabbat,
S

1 3
For the conductor, on the gittit, by Asaf. Lamnatzeach, al hagittit, leAsaf.
Sa
2
To God, our refuge, sing in joy,
Harninu lElohim uzenu,
To Jacobs God call out in glee: Hariu lElohei Yaakov.
3
Raise your voice and beat the drum,

Seu zimrah utenu tof
4
With harp and lyre for harmony. Kinnor naim im nahvel.
m
4 5
Let shofar blasts hail the new moon Tiku vachodesh shofar,
To mark our days festivity. Bakeseh leyom chageinu.
5
For this is Israels rule, Ki chok leYisrael hu,
pl
6
Studied in Gods own school! Mishpat lElohei Yaakov.
e
1
Sing to the rock of our salvation; the rock is a firm foundation for our faith
2
Powersthe Hebrew could be gods or heavenly powers.
3
What is a gittit? Nobody is sure.
4
The drum could be like a tambourine, the kinnor is a type of lyre; in Sumer, a lyre could be a big thing you
rest on the ground. The Midrash says the nahvel (lyre) was so called because its ravishing sound shamed all
other instruments.
5
The new moon may refer to Rosh Hashanah, when we use this verse for evening kiddush.
6
A judgement for the God of Jacob.

93 Dawn Blessings
6
Joseph1 heard this law when he Edut biYhosef samo
Left foreign tongue in Egypt land. Betzeto al eretz Mitzrayim,
Sefat lo yadati eshmah.
7
I freed his shoulder from its toil,
Hasiroti misevel shichmo,
From servants pail I took his hand. Kapav midud taavorna.
8
You cried in pain, I set you free, Batzarah karata vaachaltzeka;
In thunder met your mute demand.2 Eencha beseter raam evchancha
SP
You opposed me, even so, Al mei merivah. Selah.
3
Where Meribahs waters flow. Selah.
9
My people, if you heed my call
Shema ami, veaidah bach;
Israel, listen to me now!

Yisrael, im tishmah li,
10
No heathen deities will you take, Lo yihyeh vecha el zar,
S

To foreign gods you shall not bow.
Velo tishtachaveh leel nechar.
11
I am your God: I raised you, I, Anochi Adonai Elohecha,
4
From Egypt. I fulfilled my vow. Hamaalcha meeretz Mitzrayim:
Sa
Gape, like the birds young brood:
Harchev picha vaamalehu.
Ill fill you full of food.5
12
My people would not hear my voice.
Velo shama ami lekoli,
No, Israel cared no whit for me. VeYisrael lo avah li.
m
13
I let them chase their every lust Vaashalchehu bishrirut libi,
And follow their own vanity. Yelchu bemoatzoteichem.
14
Would they had heeded me Lu ami shomeah li, Yisrael,
pl
And walked my way, the path of purity. bidrachai yehalechu.
e
1
Josephs name became Yhoseph, tradition says, after he refused Potiphars wife (Gen.39).
2
Translators differ over who was thunder and who was mute: did Israel cry out with thunderous voice and God
answer quietly, or did Israel cry out quietly and God answer in thunder? We can appreciate the Psalmists con-
trast between Gods public salvation and the Israelites private pain.
3
God tested the Israelites at Meribah (Num. 20).
4
God promised Abraham that his descendants would suffer and be saved (Gen. 15).
5
As God fed them with quails and manna in the desert (Num. 11).
15
In a flash, Id trounce their foes, Kimat oyveihem achniah
1
My hand would crush their woes. Veal tzareihem ashiv yadi.
16
Gods enemies will crawl Mesanei Adonai
2
cringing from their tricks; Yechachashu lo,
I see their hearts: their fate is ever fixed.
Vihi itam leolam.
17
But you shall feast on choicest cream of wheat, Vayaachilehu mechelev chitah,
On honey from the Rockall you can eat!3
Umitzur devash asbieka.
SP
_______________________________________ Psalm 93, for Friday _______________________________________
Today is the sixth day of the week, Hayom yom shishi bashabbat,
S
1
God reigns, enrobed in regal grace, Adonai malach: geut lavesh,
Robed in grace and cloaked in power; lavesh Adonai, oz hitazar.
Earth cannot slip in Gods embrace;

Af tikon tevel bal timot.
Sa
2
Firm is your throne from the first hour; Nachon kisacha meaz,
Eternal is your place. meolam atah.
3
God, streams have raised, Nasu neharot, Adonai,
yes raised their voice; nasu neharot kolam,
m
The rivers crash and roar: yisu neharot dochyam.
4
Let mighty waters make their noise, Mikolot mayim rabim
The breakers on the shore: adirim mishberei yam,
pl
Gods strength is more, much more! adir bamarom Adonai.
e
1
I would turn my hand against their troubles / oppressors.
2
The root means deceive and become weak, cringe and tricks suggest both meanings.
3
The fatty or creamy part of the wheat berry is a delicacy (sorry, kids); at least, it beats a spoonful of bran!
Honey from the Rock is perhaps solid sweetener or rock candy; who knows?

95 Dawn Blessings
5
Your promises will be fulfilled: Edotecha neemnu meod
Your sacred house you shall rebuild,
levetcha naavah kodesh,
Sovereign, for evermore. Adonai, leorech yamim.
After the daily psalm, mourners and those observing yahrzeit lead Mourners Kaddish, page 371.
_______________________________ Psalm 27, for the Season of Repentance _______________________________
On Sukkot, through Hoshanah Rabbah, add Psalm 27.
SP
1
A psalm of David: LeDavid
God lights my way and saves me from alarm.
Adonai ori veyishi, mimi irah?
God is my life-force. Who can do me harm? Adonai maoz chayai, mimi efchad?
2
When evil people came Bikrov alai mereim
my flesh to eat,
leechol et besari
S
My irksome foes slipped, tzarai veoyvai li
1
fell down at my feet. hemah kashlu venafalu.
3
Let armies camp!

Im tachaneh alai machaneh
my heart will not take fright.
lo yirah libi;
Sa
Let war come; im takum alai milchamah
still I know that this is right. bezot ani voteach.
4
One thing I asked of God, Achat shaalti meet Adonai,
for this I pray: otah avakesh:
m
To sit in Gods own house shivti beveit Adonai
living each day, kol yemei chayai,
To view Gods grace, lachazot benoam Adonai
pl
2
and in Gods Temple stay.
ulevaker beheichalo.
e
1
A Psalm of David: God is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? God is the power of my life; of
whom shall I be afraid? When evil people came at me, to devour my fleshmy troubles, my enemiesthey
stumbled and fell!
2
If an army camps against me, my heart will not fear. If war rises against me, this is what Ill rely on. One
thing I asked from God, this is my request: to sit in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to view the
sweetness of God and to be a visitor in his Temple.
5
For God will keep me safe in evil days, Ki yitzpeneni besuko beyom raah,
Perch me in secret tent yastireni beseter oholo
on mountain raised.
betzur yeromemeni.
6
And now Im high above
Veatah yarum roshi
my enemies round; al oyvai sevivotai
Ill offer in Gods tent veezbechah veoholo
1
my joyful sound. zivchei teruah;
SP
2
With song to God my music will resound.
ashirah vaazamrah lAdonai.
7
God, hear my cry, Shema Adonai, koli ekrah;
and answer in your grace. vechoneni vaaneni.
8
My heart implored you, God, O seek my face Lecha amar libi, Bakshu fanai.
As I seek yours. Et panecha Adonai avakesh.
S

9 Dont turn away from me, Al taster panecha mimeni,
3
Dont send away your servant angrily.
al tat beaf avdecha.
You helped me; Ezrati hayita:
Sa
4
dont spurn or abandon me.
al titsheni, veal taazveni.
O God, you save me, time and time again. Elohei yishi
10
My parents left me, Ki avi veimi azavuni,
5
God will take me in. vAdonai yaasfeni.
m
11
Show me your way, God, Horeni Adonai darkecha,
set me on level ground unecheni beorach mishor
1
To stand against those who can boss me around! lemaan shorerai.
pl
1
Zivchei teruah, sacrifices of shouting, could imply lots of animals bellowing at their slaughter. On the other
hand, it may imply that a voice raised in song and praise is itself an acceptable offering, perhaps even an alter-
e
native to the blood and guts of the sacrificial system.
2
For hell hide me in his shelter on a bad day, hell conceal me in the secrecy of his tent, hell lift me up on a
rock! And now my head is raised above my enemies all around, and Ill offer in his tent sacrifices of joyous
shouting, Ill sing and make music to God.
3
Listen, God; Ill call with my voice: take pity on me and answer me. My heart said to you, Seek my face.
Lord, I shall seek your face! Dont hide your face from me; Dont turn your servant away in anger.
4
You have been my help: Dont throw me off, dont abandon me.
5
O Lord, you are my savior. For my father and mother abandoned me, and God will take me in.

97 Dawn Blessings
12
Dont turn me over to my enemies,
Al titneni benefesh tzarai,
False witnesses,
ki kamu vi
2
who breathe brutality.
edei sheker vifeach chamas.
13
What had I been, had I not known Id spy Lulei heemanti lirot
Gods goodness here on earth before I die? betuv Adonai beeretz chayim.
14
Wait for God, wait and trust. Kaveh el Adonai:
Though God come late,
chazak veyaametz libecha:
SP
Be strong, take heart. vekaveh el Adonai.
3
And wait for God, just wait.
Mourners lead Mourners Kaddish, page 371.

_____________________________________________ Psalm 30 _____________________________________________
S
Many communities include this psalm for every morning service.
1
A psalm, a song to dedicate the Temple, Mizmor shir chanukat haBayit

by David: leDavid:
Sa
2
I exalt you, God; you raised me tall;
Aromimcha Adonai ki dilitani,
4
My enemies could not cheer my fall.
velo simachta oyvai li.
3
O God, to you I screamed in pain, Adonai Elohai shivati elecha,
My God, you made me well again. vatirpaeni.
4
O God, you raised my soul from Sheol,
Adonai helita min Sheol nafshi,
m
5
so I survived the Pit alive. chiyitani miyordi vor.
5
To God sing out, all you devout,
Zamru lAdonai chasidav,
Give thanks for holy thoughts divine.1 vehodu lezecher kodsho.
pl
1
God, show me your path and lead me on a level road (no ups and downs!) because of those people who can
e
ruin my day!
2
Dont turn me over to the will of my foes, for there have risen against me witnesses who lie, breathing vio-
lence. Shorerai means those who have power over me; they can ruin my day and put ups and downs in my
daily path.
3
If I had not trusted that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living what would have be-
come of me! Wait for the Lord: keep your heart strong and resolute, and wait for the Lord.
4
I will make you high, God, because you picked me up and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
5
You made me live despite my going down into the Pit.
6
Gods wrath soon takes flight, Ki rega beapo,
but Gods love lasts for life; chayim birtzono,
If you weep through the night, baerev yalin bechi,
2
youll rejoice at first light. velaboker rinah.
7
I said, when I felt confident, Vaani amarti veshalvi
Nothing can shake me nowever.3 bal emot leolam.
8
O God, should you grant favor, Adonai birtzoncha
SP
4
Youd stand me high, a tower of power; heemadta leharri oz,
But should you hide your face, histarta fanecha,
Id be abashed, in terror cower.
hayiti nivhal.
9
To you, God, I shall call, Elecha Adonai ekra,
To my ruler bring my plea: veel Adonai etchanan.
S

10
Could my silence serve a purpose, Mah betzah bedomi
Deep in my sepulcher; beridti el shachat,
As dry dust could I thank you,
hayodcha afar,
Sa
5
Your constant faith aver?
hayagid amitecha.
11
God, hear me graciously, Shema Adonai vechoneini,
God, be a help to me!
Adonai heyeh ozer li.
m
pl
1
You might translate this line, give thanks for Gods holiness, but that omits the word , memory of. It seems
to mean, Give thanks for (or to) the memory of Gods holiness. If you remember Gods holiness, youre thinking
of something thats holy and divine; thats why I translate, give thanks for holy thoughts divine.
e
2
Because a moment in Gods anger, brings a lifetime in Gods favor; at evening weeping may come and stay
overnight, and in the morning rejoicing. The rhythm of the Hebrew changes; so does the translation.
3
A Hebrew idiom: And I said in my confidence, Lest I be moved forever.
4
You would cause me to stand, to raise me like a mountain of my strength; the Hebrew is rather elliptical.
5
What profit could there be in spilling my blood (or in my silence), in my going down into my grave (or de-
struction); would dust thank (or acknowledge) you, would it tell your faithfulness? Those who think
means in spilling my blood will transliterate the word bedami; those who think it means in my silence
will transliterate it bedomi. Perhaps the poet intends both meanings.

99 Dawn Blessings
12
To joyful dance you changed Hafachta mispedi lemachol li,
1
my grief and care, pitachta saki,
2
Took my sack-cloth and gave me joy to wear. vatazreini simchah.
13 3
That my best part may sing your praise, Lemaan yezamercha chavod
and not fall dumb; velo yidom,
O God, my God, Ill bring you thanks Adonai Elohai
for endless time to come.
leolam odeka.
SP
S
Sa
m
pl
e
1
mourning, lament, funeral oration.
,
2
is my sackcloth or mourning clothestoday we use an armband of black crepe or a black ribbon.
Opened my sackcloth (took off my mourning clothes) and girded me with joy.
3
, honor, glory; hence, the best of human nature.
Poems and Songs

____________ Blessed Is the One Who Spoke Baruch Sheamar ____________
We rise. Those wearing a tallit hold the front tzitziyot.
The congregation responds Amen but not Baruch hu uvaruch shemo from here to the amidah, page 163.
Blessed is the one who spoke u uBaruch sheamar
and the world came into being! vehaya haolam!
Blessed is the one. Baruch hu.
SP
Blessed is the maker of creation. Baruch oseh vereishit,
who says and does, baruch omer veoseh,
who breaks and makes, baruch gozeir umkayem,
who pities the earth, baruch merachem al haaretz,
who pities all creatures, baruch merachem al habriyot,
S
who rewards the God-fearing, baruch meshalem sachar tov lireav,
who lives forever and lasts in glory, baruch chai laad vekayam lanetzach,
who ransoms and rescues, baruch podeh umatzil,
Sa
Blessed is Gods name. baruch shemo.
We bless you, God, Baruch atah Adonai
our God, ruler of the universe, Eloheinu, melech haolam,
God, the merciful source of life, haEl, haav harachaman,
hailed by your people, hamhulal befi amo
m
praised and lauded by the tongues meshubach umefoar
of your saints and servants. bilshon chasidav vaavadav.
And with songs of your servant David Uveshirei David avdecha
pl
we shall hail you, God, our God, nehalelcha Adonai Eloheinu
in praise and melody. bishvachot uvizmirot.
We shall magnify and praise you, Negadelcha, uneshabechacha,
e
glorify you and honor your name unefaercha, venazkir shimcha
and crown you as our ruler, O God, venamlichecha malkeinu Eloheinu,

101 Poems and Songs
only life of the worlds. yachid chei haolamim.

Sovereign praised and glorified Melech meshubach umefoar
forever is your name great. adei ad shemo hagadol.
ruler hailed with praises. melech mehulal batishbachot. Amen

Kiss the tzitziyot and release them; then sit down.
_______________________________ I Chronicles 16:8-361 _______________________________
SP
x {Hodu lAdonai
I Chron 16:8-36
Give thanks to God,
call on Gods name. kiru vishmo,
Make all the peoples know Gods deeds.
hodiu vaamim alilotav.
9
Sing to God, make songs to God, Shiru lo, zamru lo,
S
Speak of all Gods miracles. sichu bechol nifleotav.
10
Share praises in Gods holy name, Hithalelu beshem kodsho,
Let them rejoice, who ask for God. yismach lev mevakshei Adonai.
11
Seek out God and power divine, Dirshu Adonai veuzo,
Sa
Seek Gods presence all the time. bakshu fanav tamid.
12
Think of the wonders God has done, Zichru nifleotav asher asah,
The signs and judgements God decreed.

moftav umishpetei fihu.
13
Israels children work for God, Zera Yisrael avdo,
m
Gods chosen people, Jacobs seed.
benei Yaakov bechirav.
14
This is God, our sovereign, Hu Adonai Eloheinu,
Whose judgements are in all the earth. bechol haaretz mishpatav.
pl
15
Think always of our pact with God, Zichru leolam berito,
A rule to last a thousand ages, davar tzivah leelef dor.
16
That God promised to Abraham, Asher karat et-Avraham,
e
And Gods oath to Isaac,
ushevuato leYitzchak.
1
We recall a happy day in Jewish history, when the Ark was brought to Jerusalem. This was Davids song of
praise at that time, and its very close to some of the psalms. Verses 8-22 are almost identical to Psalm 105:1-
16. Verses 23-33 are almost identical to Psalm 96. The last verses are in Psalm 106, verses 1, 47 and 48.
17
That God set as Jacobs law,
Vayaamideha leYaakov lechok,
For Israel an eternal pledge, leYisrael berit olam.
18
Canaans land I give to you;
Lemor lecha eten eretz Kenaan,
This part is your inheritance. chevel nachalatchem.
19
When you numbered but a few,
Biheyotchem metei mispar,
A small group who were staying there, kimat vegarim bah.
20
And they trudged from land to land, Vayithalchu migoy el goy
SP
From state to state they made their way,
umimamlacha el am acher.
21
God let no one do them harm
Lo hiniach leish leoshkam
God reprimanded kings for them! vayochah aleihem melachim.
22
Dont touch my anointed ones,
Al tigu bimshichai
S
And dont harm my prophets.
uvinviai al tareiu.
23 1
Sing to God, sing every place, Shiru lAdonai kol haaretz,
2
Declare each day the saviors grace. basru miyom el yom yeshuato.
24
Tell Gods renown to every race,
Sapru vagoyim et kevodo
Sa
Gods wonders among every folk; bechol haamim nifleotav.
25
For great is God and greatly praised,
Ki gadol Adonai umehulol meod,
3
No other can such awe evoke.

venorah hu al kol elohim.
26 4
Those other gods are but a joke
Ki kol elohei haamim elilim,
m
While our God did the heavens form. vAdonai shamayim asah.
27
Glory and majesty herald God, Hod vehadar lefanav,
pl
5
Strength and joy Gods place adorn. oz vechedvah bimkomo.
28
People, wherever you were born, Havu lAdonai mishpechot amim,
1
Declare Gods honor and Gods fame! havu lAdonai kavod vaoz.
e
1
Sing to God, all the earth.
2
Publicize from day to day Gods saving.
3
And awesome is God above all the gods.
4
But a joke The word elilim seems to imply worthless or ineffective deities, so the literal translation is:
For all the gods of other peoples are worthless deities.
5
Glory and majesty are before God; strength and joy are in Gods place.

103 Poems and Songs
29
Declare the glory of Gods name, Havu lAdonai kevod shemo;
2
Bring offerings, come before God; seu mincha uvou lefanav.
To God bow down in sacred space. Hishtachavu lAdonai bhadrat kodesh.
30
Tremble, earth, before Gods face; Chilu milfanav kol haaretz;
3
Earth cannot slip in Gods embrace.

af tikon tevel bal timot,
31
Sky will delight Yismechu hashamayim
and earth rejoice, vetagel haaretz,
SP
4
Gods sovereignty all folk will voice.
veyomru vagoyim, Adonai malach!
32 5
The teeming sea will roar, the lea
Yiram hayam umloo;
And all its creatures will exult, yaalotz hasadeh vechol asher bo.
33
And forests answer joyfully Az yeranenu atzei hayaar
S
As God comes near milifnei Adonai ki va
to judge earths sphere.6 lishpot et haaretz.
34
Give thanks to God for God is good, Hodu lAdonai ki tov,
Because forever lasts Gods love. ki leolam chasdo.
Sa
35
And say, Save us, O saving God,
Veimru, Hoshienu Elohei yishenu,
Unite us, save us from our foes, vekabtzenu vehatzilenu min hagoyim,
That we may thank your holy name lehodot leshem kodshecha,
That we may praise your glory. lehishtabeach bithilatecha.
m
36
Blessed is God, Israels God, Baruch Adonai Elohei Yisrael
From now until eternity. min haolam vead haolam.
And all the people said:
Vayomru chol haam:
pl
Amen! and Praise to God! Amen vehalel lAdonai.
e
1
Ascribe to God, clans of peoples, ascribe to God glory and power.
2
Ascribe to God the glory of Gods name; take an offering and come before God.
3
God fixed the earth so that it cannot slip.
4
And they will say among the peoples, God is (or has become) king.
5
A lea is a field or meadow.
6
Before God, because God is coming to judge the world.
Ps. 99:5
Exalt God, our ruler,
Rommu Adonai Eloheinu,
and bow at Gods footstool;
vehishtachavu lahadom raglav,
God is holy. kadosh hu.
Ps. 99:9
Rommu Adonai Eloheinu
and bow at Gods holy mountain, vehishtachavu lehar kodsho,
because God, our ruler, is holy. ki kadosh Adonai Eloheinu.
SP
______________________________ Additional Psalm Verses _____________________________
We continue with more verses from Psalms.
Ps. 73:38
God is merciful, excuses sin Vehu rachum yechaper avon
and will not destroy us, velo yashchit,
often withholds divine anger vehirbah lehashiv apo,
and does not arouse Gods rage.1
S
velo yair kol chamato.
Ps. 40:12
God, Atah Adonai
dont keep your compassion from me
lo tichla rachamecha mimeni;
your kindness and faithfulness chasdecha vaamitcha
Sa
always protect me. tamid yitzruni.
Ps 25:6
Remember your mercies, God,
Zechor rachamecha, Adonai,
and your kindnesses, vachasadecha,
for they have existed forever. ki meolam hemah.
m
Ps. 68:35-36 2
Grant that God is mighty,
Tenu oz lElohim;
whose majesty is over Israel al Yisrael gaavato,
and whose power is in the clouds; veuzo bashchakim.
God, no building can match your splendor.3
pl

Nora Elohim mimikdashecha;
e
1
And-God who is merciful will-pay-off wrongdoing/offense/sin and-not will-destroy and-has-acted-repeatedly
to-turn-back Gods-anger and-not will-awaken all Gods-anger. Even if we suffer, we say that we deserve
worse, and so our suffering shows Gods mercy. The word is in Yom Kippur; the concept we translate as
atonement also carries the idea of paying off required compensation for a misdeedpaying a fine, or ransom
money. If life were Monopoly, God would be our Get Out of Jail Free card.
2
Grant might to God.
3
God is (or God: you are) more awesome than your holy places or God is awesome from your holy places.
I prefer the first interpretation, where the psalmist says that the sense of awe we feel where we hold religious

105 Poems and Songs
Its Israels God, El Yisrael hu,

who grants power and strength to the people. noten oz vetaatzumot laam.
Blessed is God!
Baruch Elohim!
Ps. 94:1-2
God is a God of revenge: El nekamot Adonai:
God of revenge, show yourself!
El nekamot, hofia!
Rise, judge of the earth, Hinaseh shofet haaretz,
Give the proud what they deserve! hashev gemul al geim.
SP
Ps. 3:9
To God belongs salvation, while lAdonai hayeshuah,
1
Your blessings on your nation. Selah. al amcha virchatecha. Selah.
Ps. 46:8
The God of hosts is on our side; Adonai tzevaot imanu;
Jacobs God is our defense. Selah. misgav lanu Elohei Yaakov. Selah.
S
Ps. 84:13
God of hosts, Adonai tzevaot,
Happy is the person who relies on you. ashrei adam boteach bach.
Ps. 20:10
God, save us: for at our demand,
Adonai hoshia
2
Oh Ruler, youll give answer true. hamelech yaaneinu veyom koreinu.
Sa
Ps. 28:9
Save your people
Hoshia et amecha
and bless your heritage, uvarech et nachalatecha,
3
care for them and carry them forever. urem venasem ad haolam.
Ps. 33:20-22
Our soul longed for God, Nafshenu chikta lAdonai,
m
who is our help and our protection, ezrenu umaginenu hu,
in whom our heart will find delight, ki vo yismach libenu,
in whose holy name we trust. ki veshem kodsho vatachnu.
pl
May your kindness, God, touch us4
Yehi chasdecha Adonai aleinu,
because we put our trust in you. kaasher yichalnu lach.
e
services is a poor shadow of the awe that God deserves. The second interpretation implies that holy places are
the source of Gods awesomeness.
1
Salvation belongs to God; your blessing is on your people, Selah.
2
Lord, bring salvation! The king will answer us on the day when we call.
3
Care forthe Hebrew is used for a shepherds work; carrythe Hebrew can mean lift up or bear
with.
4
Or be upon us.
Ps. 85:8
God, show us your kindness Hareinu, Adonai, chasdecha,
and grant us your salvation. veyeshacha titen lanu.
Ps. 44:27
Get up and help us,
Kumah, ezratah lanu,
1
and save us to show your kindness.
ufedeinu lemaan chasdecha.
Ps. 81:11
I am the ruler, your God, Anochi Adonai Elohecha,
who lifts you from the Land of Egypt: hamaalcha meeretz Mitzrayim:
open your mouth and I will fill it!
harchev picha vaamalehu.
SP
Ps. 144:15
Happy is the nation like this, Ashrei haam shekacha lo,
Happy is the nation that worships God. ashrei haam sheAdonai Elohav.
Ps. 13:6
And me, I trusted in your kindness, Vaani bechasdecha vatachti
that my heart will enjoy your salvation: yagel libi bishuatecha:
S
I will sing to God, who gave me my reward.
ashira lAdonai ki gamal alai.
____________________________________ Psalm 100 ___________________________________

Add on the intermediate days of Sukkot, including Hoshanah Rabbah. Many communities stand for this psalm.
1
A psalm of thanks.2 Mizmor letodah.

Sa
Shout out to God, O every land,3 Hariu lAdonai, kol haaretz.
2
Worship God with happiness, Ivdu et Adonai besimchah,
4
Gladly before God to stand. bou lefanav betodah.
3 5
Know this is the God we bless.
Deu ki Adonai, hu Elohim.
m
6
God made us; now God owns us, and Hu asanu, velo anachnu;
Gods peoplewe graze Gods lush land.1 amo, vetzon marito.
pl
1
Save is redeemto get someone out of trouble, pay off an obligation or take notice of someone. To
show your kindness can also mean for the sake of your kindness.
2
Or, A psalm as a Thanksgiving Offering, as if saying this psalm is like bringing the offering; thats why
e
many people stand for this psalm, and thats why we skip this psalm on days when there was no thanksgiving
offering: Shabbat, festivals, the eve of Passover and its middle days, and the day before Yom Kippur.
3
Cry out joyfully to God, all the earth.
4
Serve God with happiness, come before God with delight.
5
Know that God is God.
6
The written text reads but we read instead (a difference between text as written and as read is not unu-
sual in Hebrew scriptures). In this case, the pronunciation is the same. The written text means, God made us,
we did not make ourselves; the text as read means God made us, and to God we belong.

107 Poems and Songs
4
With thanks approach the entry ways;2
Bou shearav betodah,
To Temple courtyards bring your praise; chatzerotav bithilah.
With thanks Gods reputation raise! Hodu lo, barchu shemo!
5
For God is good and always kind; Ki tov Adonai, leolam chasdo,
3
Age after age Gods truth will find! vead dor vador emunato.
On festival intermediate days (except Hoshanah Rabbah), skip to Yehi Chevod, page 124.
SP
____________________________________ Psalm 19 ____________________________________
1
For the Conductor: a psalm of David. LaMenatzeach: mizmor leDavid.
2
The skies declare Gods glory, Hashamayim mesaprim kevod El,
4
their expanse tells Gods handiwork. umaaseh yadav magid harakiah.
S
3 5
Day shares speech with day, Yom leyom yabia omer
6
and night communicates with night;
velaylah lelaylah yechaveh daat.
4
without speech, without a word: Ein omer, veein devarim
their voice cannot be heard. beli nishma kolam.
Sa
5
Their voice crossed the world, Bechol haaretz yatza kavam
their words reached Lands End;
uviktzei tevel mileihem;
7
In them God pitched the suns tent. lashemesh sam ohel bahem
6
And like a bridegroom, Vehu kechatan
m
the sun leaves its canopy, yotzei mechupato,
rejoices like an athlete to run a race. yasis kegibor larutz orach.
pl
1
We are Gods people, and the flock of Gods pasturing (i.e., God is our shepherd.)
2
Approach Gods gates with thanks, Gods courtyards with praise; acknowledge (or thank) God, bless Gods
e
name.
3
For God is good; Gods kindness lasts forever; from generation to generation Gods truthfulness endures.
4
The skies (or heavens) declare (or count) the glory of God, and the work of Gods hands recites/tells the ex-
panse of the sky.
5
from pour out, gush forth, express.
6
from state, make known, relate; knowledge.
7
voice;
For the sun, God set a tent in them. Some place this half-line with verse 6, not verse 5. The suns
tent could be among the silent words, or somewhere in the lands of day and night.
7
It starts at the end of the sky Miktzei hashamayim motzao,
1
and comes to its other edge,
utekufato al ketzotam,
and nothing is hidden from its heat. veein nistar mechamato.
8
Gods law is perfect,
Torat Adonai temimah,
restoring the soul. meshivat nafesh;
2
Gods testimony is faithful, edut Adonai neemanah,
SP
making bright the dimwit. machkimat peti;
9
Gods commands are right
Pikudei Adonai yesharim,
and gladden the heart. mesamchei lev.
Gods rule is clean; Mitzvat Adonai barah,
it brightens the eyes.
meirat einayim;
S
10
Gods fear is pure,
Yirat Adonai tehorah,
lasting forever. omedet laad;
Gods decrees are truth, mishpetei Adonai emet,
Sa
all of them right. tzadku yachdav.
11
Lovelier than gold, Hanechemadim mizahav,
lots of gold;
umipaz rav,
sweeter than honey,
umetukim midvash
the oozing comb.
venofet tzufim;
m
12 3
Even I am bright with them; Gam avdecha nizhar bahem
its well worth keeping them. beshomram ekev rav.
pl
13
Mistakeswho understands them? Shegiot mi yavin,
Cleanse me from hidden faults. ministarot nakeni.
e
1
Its ( circuit) is up to the skies other edge.
2
is really a synonym for Torah.
3
Your servant, a humble way in which the poet refers to himself or herself.

109 Poems and Songs
14
Keep your servant from the proud;1 Gam mizeidim chasoch avdecha:
dont let them boss me.
al yimshelu vi;
Then Ill be perfect az eitam,
and cleared of the great crime.
venikeiti mipesha rav.
15
Let my words match your will,
Yiheyu leratzon imrei fi
my thoughts come to you,2 vehegyon libi lefanecha,
God, my rock and redeemer.
Adonai tzuri vegoali.
SP
____________________________________ Psalm 34 ____________________________________
1
Of David: LeDavid:
when he changed his behavior beshanoto et tamo
3
to seem mad in front of Avimelech, lifnei Avimelech,
S
who sent him away. vaygarshehu vayelach.
2
I will bless God at all times;
Avarcha et-Adonai bechol et;
Gods praise will be always in my mouth. tamid tehilato befi.
3
In God my soul will find praise; BAdonai tithalel nafshi;
Sa
the poor will hear and rejoice. yishmeu anavim veyismachu.
4
Make God great with me Gadlu lAdonai iti,
4
and together well exalt Gods name.
uneromamah shemo yachdav.
5
I sought God; God answered me Darashti et Adonai veanani,
m
and saved me from all my fears.

umikol megurotai hitzilani.
6
They who looked to God shone with joy; Hibitu elav venaharu,
5
their faces were never downcast.
ufeneihem al yechparu.
pl
7
This beggar cried, and God heard Zeh oni kara vAdonai shameah,
and saved him from all his troubles.

umikol tzarotav hoshio.
e
1
Or from faults of pride; / dont let them control me.
2
Let the words of my mouth be to your liking, and the thought of my heart be in your presence.
3
See I Sam 21:11-16, where David escapes from Achish, the king of Gath. Maybe Achish also had the royal
name Avimelech.
4
The Hebrew word means make high, from the root , and so does exalt.
5
Or They looked to God and were radiant, and their faces were never downcast. Or Look to God and be
radiant; their faces (i.e., those of other people who did this) were never downcast.
8
Gods angel1 camps
Choneh malach Adonai
around those who fear God, to save them.
saviv lireav, vayechaltzem.
9
Taste, and see how good is God; Taamu ureu ki tov Adonai;
2
lucky is the hero who flees to God. ashrei hagever yecheseh bo.
10
Stand in awe of God, you holy ones; Yru et Adonai kedoshav,
Those who fear God never lack.
ki ein machsor lireav.
11
Even lion cubs go poor and hungry, Kefirim rashu veraevu,
SP
but those who seek God vedorshei Adonai
will lack nothing thats good. lo yachseru chol tov.
12
Come on, children; listen to me:
Lechu vanim, shimu li:
the fear of God will teach you. yirat Adonai alamedchem.
S
13
Who is it that enjoys life, Mi haish hechafetz chayim,
Loves each day to see what good it holds? ohev yamim lirot tov.
14
Keep bad words from your tongue Netsor leshoncha merah
and lies from your lips.3
usefatecha midaber mirmah.
Sa
15
Turn from bad and do good, Sur merah vaaseh tov,
look for peace and go after it. bakesh shalom verodfehu.
16
Gods eyes are on the righteous Einei Adonai el tzadikim,
and Gods ears are tuned to their cry. veoznav el shavatam.
m
17
God is watching those who do wrong, Penei Adonai beosei ra,
4
to wipe all traces of them from the earth. lehachrit meeretz zichram.
18
They cried; God listened Tzaaku, vAdonai shameah,
pl
and saved them from all their trouble.
umikol tzarotam hitzilam.
19 1
God is close when your heart is broken Karov Adonai lenishberei lev,
and saves you when your spirit is crushed.

veet dakei ruach yoshiah.
e
1
What is an angel? A messenger, perhapsor the method by which a message comes from God. The term an-
gel could be a symbol of what happens when we perceive Gods influence in the world.
2
Lucky/happy is the strong person who finds shelter in God. Even the most powerful or accomplished people
are sometimes on the run, and they find shelter in God.
3
Lock up your tongue from speaking bad, and your lips from speaking deceit.
4
To root out their memory from the earth.

111 Poems and Songs
20
The good suffer many evils, Rabot raot tzadik,
and God saves them from every one.
umikulam yatzilenu Adonai.
21
God guards every bone in their body;
Shomer kol atzmotav;
not one of them is broken. achat mehenah lo nishbarah.
22
But evil brings death to the wicked, Temotet rashah raah,
and enemies of the good are condemned. vesonei tzadik yeshamu.
23
God is watching out for Gods servants;
Podeh Adonai nefesh avadav,
SP
all who take shelter in God will survive.2 velo yeshemu kol hachosim bo.
____________________________________ Psalm 90 ____________________________________

1
A prayer of Moses, Gods agent:3
Tefilah leMosheh, ish haElohim.
God, you have been our shelter
Adonai, maon atah hayita lanu
S
from generation to generation. bedor vador
2
Before the hills were born, Beterem harim yuladu
before you made the earth and the livable world, vatcholel eretz vetevel:
Sa
from forever to forever you are God. umeolam ad olam atah El.
3 4
You turn a person back into pulp,
Tashev enosh ad dacah,
saying, Return, humanity. vatomer, Shuvu, venei adam!
4
For a thousand years to you Ki elef shanim beeinecha
are like yesterdaygone keyom etmolki yaavor
m
like one nights work.
veashmurah valaylah.
5 5
They rush past like sleep: Zeramtam shenah yiheyu,
6
in the morning they wither like grass. baboker kechatzir yachalof.
pl
e
1
To those whose heart is broken.
2
God takes note of the person/soul of those who serve God, and they will not be destroyed, all who take shel-
ter in God.
3
The man of God. But what is a man of God? Someone who carries out Gods will, as Moses did when
God sent him to save Jacobs descendants.
4
Picture a decomposing body returning to primeval mush, or picture the soft embryo.
5
flow, pour down, sweep away, flood.
6
change, vanish, pass away; or come anew, shoot forth.
6
In the morning, it blossoms and sprouts, Baboker yatzitz vechalaf,
but in the evening it wilts and shrivels. laerev yemolel veyavesh.
7
For we are destroyed by your fury Ki chalinu veapecha,
and scared by your anger. uvachamatcha nivhalnu.
8
You have set down our sins before you, Shata avonoteinu lenegdecha,
our dark faults in the light of your presence. alumeinu limor panecha.
9 1
All our days we faced your anger; Ki chol yameinu panu veevratecha,
SP
we finished our years like a sigh. kilinu shaneinu chemo hegeh.
10
Our years of life
Yemei shenoteinu
have seventy years vahem shivim shanah,
and eighty years for extra strength: veim bigvurot shemonim shanah.
2
S
their pride is pain and trouble, Verohbam amal vaaven,
for life hurries by, and we are gone.3 ki gaz chish venaufah.
11
Who knows your angers power
Mi yodeah oz apecha
4
or how much to dread your disfavor?
ucheyiratcha evratecha?
Sa
12
Teach us to use each day,
Limnot yameinu ken hoda,
to bring our hearts to wisdom. venavi levav chochmah.
13
Come back, Godhow long will it be? Shuvah Adonaiad matai?
and take pity on us, your servants. vehinachem al avadecha.
m
14
Fill us at dawn with your kindness; Sabeinu vaboker chasdecha,
well rejoice and be happy uneranenah venismechah
every day. bechol-yameinu.
pl
15
Give us joy to equal our days of pain, Samcheinu kimot initanu
the years we have seen trouble. shenot rainu raah.
e
1
For all our days turned towards your , anger.
2
boast; what
they boast about, their pride.
3
Tough Hebrew. is shear, clip, cut short; is quickly. is from the same root as wing. Maybe the image
is like sheep shearing, A hurried shearing, and we are blown away (by the wind, like little bits of clipped
hair). Maybe we can imagine the barbers shop: A quick trim, and were tossed in the air.
4
Oras it should be fearedyour opposition.

113 Poems and Songs
16
So your work will be shown to your Yeareh el avadecha foolecha
servants, your splendor to their children.
vahadarcha al beneihem.
17
May we feel Gods tenderness;

Vihi noam Adonai Eloheinu aleinu,
may God confirm our efforts; umaasei yadeinu konenah aleinu,
1
God, confirm our efforts. umaasei yadeinu koneneihu.
____________________________________ Psalm 91 ____________________________________

SP
The psalm asks how God protects those who truly love and trust God. The answer is among Gods secrets,
understood from the perspective of heaven. Can the faithful step on a rattlesnake? (Dont try this at home.)
These promises become true for those who reach spiritual heights and dwell among divine mysteries.2
1
Whoever dwells with God on high Yoshev beseter elyon,
In sacred shelter will find ease.3 betzel Shadai yitlonan.
2
My God, my home, my castle, I

Omar lAdonai, Machsi umtzudati,
S
4
Tell God, upon you I rely. Elohai; evtach bo.
3
From fowlers snare God will release
Ki hu yatzilcha
You, saving you from dread disease.5 mipach yakush, midever havot.
Sa
4
You hide beneath Gods sheltering wing; Beevrato yasech lach,
Your shield and armor gainst all harm
vetachat kenafav techse
6
Is Gods own trusty arm. tzina vesochera amito.
m
1
A tough passage, yielding the traditional translation: yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. Literally,
and the work of our hands (i.e., whatever we manage to achieve in our lifetime), God, make it last for our
sake, and the work of our hands, make it last.
2
The psalm has 16 verses. In the translation, four Hebrew verses make up each stanza. The rhyme scheme is
pl
ABAABBCDD (except for the second line of Stanza Four), and C becomes A in the next stanza. This interwo-
ven rhyme ties the stanzas together. Each stanza ends with a shorter line. The psalm has many voicesthe
Psalmist, God, the audienceand it switches from first to second to third person. The translation follows those
e
changes of voice except in the final stanza.
3
Whoever dwells in the High Ones secret place will/can sleep in the Almightys shade.
4
I say to God, My shelter! My fortress! My God in whom I trust or I say: To God belongs my shelter, my
fortress/strongholdmy God whom I trust.
5
For God will deliver you from the bird trap ( snare or trap; or fowler, someone who catches
birds for a living), from the ruinous plague ( trouble, destruction).
6
God will cover you under Gods wing; beneath Gods pinions you will hide; shield and armor are Gods
truth/forearm. comes from ( truth) and/or ( forearm/cubit and other meanings).
5
For you, dread nights no terror bring

Lo tira mipachad laylah;
1
Nor arrows shot in light of day, mechetz yauf yomam.
6
Nor, through the gloom, the sickening Midever baofel yahaloch,
2
Nor noontime torment lingering. miketev yashud tzohorayim.
7
Though pestilence fells the array Yipol mitzidcha elef,
Of myriads at your sidewhile they
urevavah miminecha
Succumb, you are untouched, secure.3 elecha lo yigash.
SP
8
But look, and see within your view Rak beeinecha tabit,
4
The wicked get their due. veshilumat reshaim tireh.
9
Say, God, you are my sheltering shore! Ki atah Adonai machsi;
Youve made on high your dwelling, and 5 elyon samta meonecha.
S

10
Youll host no evil visitor,
Lo tuneh elecha raah,
6
No sickness dares approach your door. venega lo yikrav beoholecha.
11
Heavens messengers by Gods command Ki malachav yetzaveh lach,
Sa
7
Will guard your step whereer you stand;
lishmorcha bechol derachecha.
12
Theyll bear you in their hands, to ride Al kapayim yisauncha,
High above the path rough-hewn,
pen tigof baeven raglecha.
With jagged boulders strewn.8
m
1
You shall not be afraid of the terror of night, or of the arrow that will fly in the day.
2
Of the plague that will walk around in the gloom or the sickness/epidemic that torments (acts like a demon
pl
in) the noon.
3
A thousand will fall at your side, and a myriad at your right handthe sickness wont touch you.
4
Only glimpse with your eyes, and youll see wicked people get whats coming to them. is the
e
payment or recompense of the wicked.
5
For if you say, God, you are my refuge, you have made the High One your dwelling (or made your dwelling
on high). As we get to the second half of the psalm, we take up the idea introduced at the beginning: Whoever
dwells on high is protected by God. Now the Psalmist says, if you declare that you rely on God, youll be in
that position. In the verse translation, shore is added for the rhyme; means my shelter.
6
Evil will not come upon you, and sickness will not approach your tent.
7
For God will tell the angels for you to guard you in all your ways (wherever you go).
8
They will bear you on their hands lest your foot should strike a stone.

115 Poems and Songs
13
On lion and cub youll boldly stride Al shachal vafeten tidroch,
1
And trample on the poisonous snake. tirmos kefir vetanin.
14
Says God: You sought me: I replied Ki vi chashak vaafaltehu,
2
To guard youin my name you cried. asagvehu ki yada shemi.
15
I wipe your tears; in all your grief Yikraeini veeeneihu
Im at your side to bring relief imo anochi vetzarah,
And honor, and to grant your wish3 achaltzeihu vaachabdeihu.
SP
16
Long life and full. Youll live to see Orech yamim asbieihu
4
The hour I set all free! veareihu bishuati.
Long life and full. Youll live to see Orech yamim asbieihu
The hour I set all free! veareihu bishuati.
S
____________________________________ Psalm 135 ___________________________________
1
Hail God! Haleluyah!
Hail Gods name, Halelu et shem Adonai,
Hail it, Gods servants, Halelu avdei Adonai,
Sa
2
Who stand in Gods house Sheomdim beveit Adonai,
in the courtyards of our Gods house. bechatzrot beit Eloheinu.
3
Hail God, for God is good; Haleluyah ki tov Adonai;
sing to Gods nameits pleasant to do. zamru lishmo, ki naim.
m
4
For Jacob, God chose him; Ki Yaakov bachar lo Yah,
God took Israel as a treasure. Yisrael lisgulato.
5
I know God is great, Ki ani yadati ki gadol Adonai,
pl
our ruler is above all other gods.

vaadoneinu mikol Elohim.
e
1
Youll step on lion and snake, trample on lions cub and serpent. Important: do not try this at home.
2
God speaks in the rest of this psalm, speaking in the third person (he). The verse translation changes this to
the second person (you). Because he longed for me, and Ill save him, Ill protect him because he knew my
name (i.e., called for my help).
3
He will call me; I, God, will answer him. I am with him in trouble. I will release him and make him hon-
ored.
4
Ill satisfy him with long life, and show him my salvation. We repeat the last verse of the psalm.
6
God does whatever God wants Kol asher chafetz Adonai, asah
in heaven and earth, bashamayim uvaaretz,
on the sea and in the deep.
bayamim vechol tehomot.
7
God lifts clouds from lands end, Maaleh nesiim miktzei haaretz,
makes lightning for the rain, berakim lamatar asah,
brings wind from the storehouses.
motzei ruach meotzrotav.
8
God struck Egypts firstborn,
Shehikah bechorei Mitzrayim,
SP
both human and animal,
meadam ad behemah.
9
sent signs and wonders Shalach otot umoftim
right inside your land, O Egyptians, betochechi Mitzrayim,
among Pharaoh and his servants.
beFaroh uvechol avadav.
S
10
God struck many peoples Shehikah goyim rabim,
and killed mighty kings
veharag melachim atzumim.
11
Sihon the Amorites king LeSichon, melech haEmori,
and Og king of Bashan
uleOg, melech haBashan,
Sa
and all the states of Canaan,
ulechol mamlechot Kenaan.
12
And gave their land as an inheritance, Venatan artzam nachalah,
an inheritance to Gods people Israel. nachalah leYisrael amo.
13
God, your fame is forever, Adonai, shimcha leolam;
m
your memory passes from parent to child. Adonai, zichrecha ledor vador.
14
For God will judge Gods people Ki yadin Adonai amo,
and be kind to Gods servants. veal avadav yitnecham.
pl
15
Other peoples worship silver and gold, Atzabei hagoyim kesef vezahav,
idols made by people. maasei yedei adam.
16
They have mouths but cant speak, Peh lahem, velo yedabeiru,
e
they have eyes but cant see, einayim lahem velo yiru.
17
ears but cant hear, Oznayim lahem velo yaazinu,
a nose but no breath. af ein yesh ruach befihem.

117 Poems and Songs
18
People become like the idols they make,1 Kemohem yiheyu oseihem,
anyone who places trust in them. kol asher boteach bahem.
19
Israels people bless God, not idols, Beit Yisrael barchu et Adonai,
Aarons family bless God.
beit Aharon barchu et Adonai.
20 2
Levis family bless God, Beit haLevi barchu et Adonai,
Those who fear God, bless God. yirei Adonai barchu et Adonai.
21
God is blessed from Zion, Baruch Adonai miTziyon,
SP
God who dwells in Jerusalem shochen Yerushalayim.
Hail God! Haleluyah.
____________________________________ Psalm 136 ___________________________________

We stand for this psalm of praise and gratitude.
S
1
Thank God for being good, u uHodu lAdonai ki tov
(Gods kindness lasts forever); (ki leolam chasdo);
2
Thank the God of gods
Hodu lElohei haelohim
Sa
3
Thank the Ruler of rulers
Hodu lAdonei haadonim
4
Who has done great wonders alone Leoseh niflaot gedolot levado
(Gods kindness lasts forever). (ki leolam chasdo).
m
5
Who made heaven with insight Leoseh hashamayim bitvunah
(Gods kindness lasts forever) (ki leolam chasdo)
6
And spread earth on water Leroka haaretz al hamayim
pl
(Gods kindness lasts forever), (ki leolam chasdo),
7
Who made great lights
Leoseh orim gdolim
e
8
The sun to rule by day Et hashemesh lememshelet bayom
1
Like them (the idols) will become their makers: those who make idols will become like the idols; they will
lose their humanity, their ability to see and speak and breathe.
2
The house of Levi includes the house of Aaron, since Aaron (like Moses) was a Levite.
9
The moon and stars Et hayareach vechochavim
to rule at night lememshelot balayla
10
Who struck Egypt through their first-born
Lemakeh Mitzrayim bivchoreihem
11
And led Israel from their midst Vayotze Yisrael mitocham
SP
12
With a strong hand and outstretched arm

Beyad chazaka uvizroah netuya
13
Who cut the Reed Sea in parts Legozer yam suf ligzarim
S
14
And brought Israel through the middle Veheevir Yisrael betocho
15
And tumbled Pharaoh and his forces Venier Paroh vecheilo
into the Reed Sea veyam suf
Sa
16
Who guided our people in the desert
Lemolich amo bamidbar
17
Who struck down great kings Lemakeh melachim gedolim
m
18
And killed mighty kings
Vayaharog melachim adirim
pl
19
Sihon, the Amorites king LeSichon melech haEmori
20
And Og, king of Bashan
UleOg melech haBashan
e
21
And gave their land as an inheritance, Venatan artzam lenachalah,
22
Inheritance to Gods servant Israel Nachalah leYisrael avdo

119 Poems and Songs
23
Who remembered us when we were down Shebshiflenu zachar lanu
24
And got us out of trouble Vayifrekenu mitzarenu
25
God gives food to every creature Noten lechem lechol basar
26
Thank the God of heaven Hodu leEl hashamayim
SP
We are seated x
____________________________________ Psalm 33 ____________________________________
1
You righteous, rejoice in God; Ranenu, tzadikim, bAdonai,
S
for upright people, giving praise feels right. laysharim nava tehilah.
2
Give thanks to God with the harp, Hodu lAdonai bechinor,
play for God on the ten-stringed lyre. benevel asor zamru lo.
3
Sing to God a new song; Shiru lo shir chadash,
Sa
add shouts to make the music better!
hetivu nagen bitruah.
4
For Gods word is direct Ki yashar devar Adonai,
and all Gods works are made with truth. vechol maasehu beemunah.
5
God loves justice and judgement;
Ohev tzedakah umishpat,
m
Gods kindness fills the earth. chesed Adonai malah haaretz.
6
Heaven was made by Gods word Bidvar Adonai shamayim naasu
and all its hosts by Gods breath.

uveruach piv kol tzevaam.
pl
7 1
God masses seas in heaping waves
Koness kaned mei hayam
and stores in vaults the surging deeps. noten beotzarot tehomot.
8
All the earth stands in fear of God, Yiru meAdonai kol haaretz,
e
all those who dwell on earth. mimenu kol yoshvei tevel.
1
isnt in many dictionaries; translators say mound or heap or jar. The idea is that God has complete
control of this slippery, surging stuff; it goes wherever God wants to put it, whether into mountainous waves or
into currents far below the surface. Literally, God gathers in a heap (or places in a jar) the waters of the sea,
places into storehouses the deeps.
9
For God spoke, and so it was; Ki hu amar, vayehi:
1
Gave the order, and it was done.
hu tziva, vayaamod.
10
God has upset the nations evil plots, Adonai hefir atzat goyim,
thwarted the peoples wicked plans, heni machshevot amim.
11
But Gods plan stands forever, Atzat Adonai leolam taamod,
Gods strategy lasts from age to age. machshevot libo ledor vador.
12
Lucky the people who worship God, Ashrei hagoy asher Adonai Elohav,
SP
the people God chose to possess. haam bachar lenachalah lo.
13
From heaven, God looked down Mishamayim hibit Adonai,
and saw all of humanity.
raah et-kol-benei haadam.
14
From where God sits, God watched
Mimchon shivto hishgiach,
S
all those who dwell on earth el kol yoshvei haaretz.
15
God forms their hearts as one Hayotzer yachad libam,
and understands all they do. hamechin el kol maaseihem.
16
No king is saved by a great army, Ein hamelech nosha berov chayil,
Sa
no hero rescued by great strength. gibor lo yinatzel berov koach.
17
A horse cant save you, Sheker hasus litshuah,
2
nor can its great power rescue you.
uverov cheilo lo yimalet.
18
See, Gods eye is on those who fear God, Hineh, ein Adonai el yereav,
m
those who hope for Gods kindness, lamyachalim lechasdo.
19
hoping God will save their souls from death Lehatzil mimavet nafsham,
and keep them alive in famine.
ulechayotam beraav.
pl
20
Our souls wait for God Nafsheinu chiktah lAdonai,
who helps and protects us. ezreinu umagineinu hu.
e
1
is from the root for stand; God gave the command, andone might sayit became a standing or-
der.
2
vaina horse is useless for saving; rescue.

121 Poems and Songs
21
We find delight in God Ki vo yismach libeinu,
in whose holy name we place our trust. ki veshem kodsho vatachnu.
22
God, let your kindness be with us
Yehi chasdecha Adonai aleinu,
just as we have hoped for you. kaasher yichalnu lach.
____________________________________ Psalm 92 ____________________________________

1
A psalm, a song for Shabbat:1 Mizmor shir leyom haShabbat:
SP
2
O God, to you our thanks are due, Tov lehodot lAdonai
To sing on high your praise,
Ulezamer leshimcha elyon
3
Each day to express your gentleness; Lehagid baboker chasdecha
Each night your faithful ways, Veemunatcha baleilot.
4
With song tuned to the lyre, each hears Aley asor vaaley nahvel,
S
2
The ten-stringed music of the spheres. Aley higayon bechinor
5
Your deeds, O Sovereign, bring me cheer, Ki simachtani Adonai befoolecha,
Joy in your works Ive found; Bemaasei yadecha aranen.
Sa
6
How grand, O God, your deeds appear, Mah gadlu maasecha Adonai,
How deep your thoughts profound. Meod amku machshevotecha.
7
The ignoramus does not know; Ish baar lo yeda
For fools its too sublime:
Uchesil lo yavin et zot:
8
When evildoers spread and grow Bifroach reshaim kemo esev
m
Like grassabloom in crime Vayatzitzu kol poalei aven
Those wicked people all shall go Lehishamdam adei ad.
To ruin beyond time.
pl
9
And you Supremacy Veatah marom
3
Eternally Divinity. Leolam Adonai.
e
1
This is the only psalm thats associated with a day, and our tradition understands this association surprisingly.
This psalm is for the day of Shabbat / / leyom haShabbat: When a psalm is for David / / le-
David, we assume David wrote it. So our tradition holds that Shabbat itself wrote this psalm!
2
Midrash on Psalm 81 explains that the seven-stringed harp was for our time, an eighth string would be added
for Messianic times, and in the perfect time to come, there would be 10 strings.
3
This elliptical verse of four words is the center of the psalm. If you skip the first verse, A psalm, a song for
Shabbat, there are seven verses and 52 words before this short verse, and the same number after. These four
10
For see! O God, your enemies Ki hineh oyvecha, Adonai,
Your enemies shall be lost;
Ki hineh oyvecha yovedu
All sunk in their iniquities, Yitpardu kol poalei aven.
From place to place theyre tossed.
11
Like proud-horned ox Ill stand upright Vatarem kireim karni
With flowing oil anointed,
Baloti beshemen raanan
12
And slandering foes will in my sight
Vatabet eini beshurai
SP
1
Be put to rout, disjointed. Bakamim alay mereim.
2
This saying in my heart is sealed: Tishmana oznai:
13
The righteous flourish like the palm, Tzaddik katamar yifrach
Laden with its yield, Keerez baLvanon yisgeh,
3
Soaring like cedars of the North,
S
14
Planted in Gods own field,
Shetulim beveit Adonai
Where they their bounteous fruit give forth. Bechatzrot Eloheinu yafrichu.
15
Age does not wither them. They stay Od yenuvun besevah
Sa
Both lush and green when they are gray. Deshenim veraananim yiheyu.
16
In other words:4 Gods true and sound, Lehagid, ki yashar Adonai
A rock in whom no fault is found.
Tzuri velo avlata bo.
m
wordsYou Height Forever Godperhaps help the mind light on the immanent and the transcendent,
pl
the immediate (You) and the remote (the essence of height, the farthest reaches of time, and that which is di-
vine), and intuitively apprehend their connection. Shabbat is the time for such contemplation. For these insights
I am indebted to Benjamin Segal, the Detroit Conservative communitys Scholar-in-Residence in October,
e
1999.
1
And my horn will rise like the Ox when I am doused with flowing oil, and my eyes will see those who were
stalking me, when they come to do me harm.
2
Listen, O my ears. The poet tells himself something hes willing to listen to, a favorite saying.
3
Cedars of the North: The Hebrew says cedars of Lebanonto the north of Israel.
4
In other words, or to say: some would understand that the righteous, who stay fresh and green despite
their age, declare the praise of God. I take it as a summary of the poets favorite saying, but of course both
meanings can be in the poem.

123 Poems and Songs
____________________________________ Psalm 93 ____________________________________

1
God reigns, enrobed in regal grace, Adonai malach: geut lavesh,
Robed in grace and cloaked in power; lavesh Adonai, oz hitazar.
Earth cannot slip in Gods embrace;

Af tikon tevel bal timot.
2
Firm is your throne from the first hour; Nachon kisacha meaz,
Eternal is your place. meolam atah.
SP
3
God, streams have raised, Nasu neharot, Adonai,
yes raised their voice; nasu neharot kolam,
The rivers crash and roar: yisu neharot dochyam.
4
Let mighty waters make their noise, Mikolot mayim rabim
The breakers on the shore: adirim mishberei yam,
S
Gods strength is more, much more! adir bamarom Adonai.
5
Your promises will be fulfilled: Edotecha neemnu meod
Sa
Your sacred house you shall rebuild,
levetcha naavah kodesh,
Sovereign, for evermore. Adonai, leorech yamim.
m
pl
e
______________________ Let Gods Glory Yehi Chevod______________________

This is a collection of verses from different psalms (and one verse from Exodus).
The theme is that God has the power and the glory, and that we rely on God to rescue us in mercy.
Ps. 104:31
May Gods glory last forever;
Yehi chevod Adonai leolam;
may God enjoy what God has made. yismach Adonai bemaasav.
Ps. 113:2-4
Let Gods name be blessed
Yehi shem Adonai mevorach
from now to eternity; meatah vead olam.
SP
from sunrise to sunset
Mimizrach shemesh ad mevoo
may Gods name be praised; mehulal shem Adonai.
God is high above all nations; Ram al kol goyim Adonai,
Gods glory is higher than the sky! al hashamayim kevodo.
Ps. 135:13
God, your fame is forever, Adonai, shimcha leolam;
S
your memory passes from parent to child. Adonai, zichrecha ledor vador.
Ps. 103:19 1
Gods throne is set in the sky Adonai bashamayim hechin kiso,
and Gods government rules all. umalchuto bakol mashalah.
Sa
I Chron. 16:31
Let the sky be happy Yismechu hashamayim
and the earth rejoice, vetagel haaretz,
and let the nations admit2
veyomru vagoyim,
God is the ruler! Adonai malach.
Ps 10:16 Ps 93:1
God reigns; our God has ever reigned; Adonai melech, Adonai malach,
m
Ex. 15:18 3
Gods reign eternal will not cease. Adonai yimloch leolam vaed.
Ps. 10:16
God is the eternal ruler; Adonai melech olam vaed;
other peoples disappeared from Gods land. avdu goyim meartzo.
pl
Ps. 33:10
God upset the nations evil plots, Adonai hefir atzat goyim,
thwarted the peoples wicked plans, heni machshevot amim.
Prov. 19:21
The human heart is full of schemes,
Rabot machashavot belev ish,
e
but Gods plan is the one that stands. vaatzat Adonai hi takum.
1
God set Gods throne in the sky/heavens.
2
Or Let them say among the other nations; i.e., let everyone accept Gods power.
3
God reigns; God has reigned; God will reign forever and ever.

125 Poems and Songs
Ps. 33:11
Gods plan stands for ever, Atzat Adonai leolam taamod,
Gods strategy lasts from age to age. machshevot libo ledor vador.
Ps. 33:9
For God spoke, and so it was; Ki hu amar, vayehi:
1
gave the order, and it was done.
hu tziva, vayaamod.
Ps. 132:13
God chose Zion, Ki vachar Adonai beTziyon,
God wanted it as a place to stay. iva lemoshav lo.
Ps. 135:4
For Jacob, God chose him; Ki Yaakov bachar lo Yah,
SP
God took Israel as a treasure. Yisrael lisgulato.
Ps. 94:14
God wont desert the chosen people Ki lo yitosh Adonai amo,
2
or abandon Gods own inheritance. venachalato lo yaazov.
Ps. 73:38
S
and does not arouse Gods rage.3 velo yair kol chamato.
Ps. 20:10
Adonai hoshia
Sa
4
m
pl
1
is from the root for stand; God gave the command, andone might sayit became a standing or-
der.
e
2
For will-not-desert God Gods-people and Gods-inheritance not God/it will-leavei.e., God wont aban-
don the people, and/or The people wont abandon God.
3
Psalm 78:38. And-God who is merciful will-pay-off wrongdoing/offense/sin and-not will-destroy and-has-
acted-repeatedly to-turn-back Gods-anger and-not will-awaken all Gods-anger. Even if we suffer, we say that
we deserve worse, and so our suffering shows Gods mercy. The word is in Yom Kippur; the concept we
translate as atonement also carries the idea of paying off required compensation for a misdeedpaying a
fine, or ransom money. If life were Monopoly, God would be our Get Out of Jail Free card.
4
The service continues with several psalms: Ashrei, psalm 145, preceded and followed by verses from other
psalm, and psalms 146 to 150, which conclude the Book of Psalms,.
_____________________________Psalm 145 Ashrei ____________________________

Ps 84:5
Ps 144:15
SP
1
2
S
3
1
Sa
4
5

Hadar kevod hodecha
6
m
7
pl
8
e
9
To all creatures God is good,
Tov Adonai lakol,
10
1

127 Poems and Songs
11

12
13
14
SP
15
16
S
17 2 3
18
Sa
19
4
God hears your cry and saves you,
20
m
21
pl
Ps 115:18
e
1
2
3
In all Gods ways.
4
____________________________________ Psalm 146 ___________________________________

1
My soul, hail God! Haleli nafshi et-Adonai.
2
I will hail God while I live, Ahalelah Adonai bechayay,
Ill sing to God as long as I last.
azamrah lElohay beodi.
3
Dont put your trust in prophets,

Al tivtechu vindivim
in someone with no power to save, beven adam sheein lo teshuah.
SP
4
who turns to dirt when breath is gone, Tetzei rucho, yashuv leadmato:
whose thoughts vanish on that day!
bayom hahu avdu eshtonotav.
5
Lucky is one helped by Jacobs God, Ashrei sheEl Yaakov beezro;
whose hope is in the Ruler, God, shivro al Adonai Elohav,
6
S
Who makes sky and earth, Oseh shamayim vaaretz,
the sea and all its contents, et hayam veet kol asher bam,
who keeps faith forever, hashomer emet leolam,
7
Makes justice for the wronged,
Oseh mishpat laashukim,
Sa
gives food to the starving notein lechem lareivim.
God frees the constrained;
Adonai, matir asurim;
8
God gives sight to the blind; Adonai, pokeiach ivrim;
God straightens those who are bent over;
Adonai, zokeif kefufim;
m
God loves the righteous; Adonai, ohev tzadikim;
9
God protects the alien, Adonai, shomer et gerim,
supports the mourner and the widow,
yatom vealmanah yeoded,
pl
and twists the path of the wicked. vederech reshaim yeavet.
10
God will rule forever Yimloch Adonai leolam,
Zion, your God will rule from age to age: Elohayich, Tziyon, ledor vador:
e
hail God! Haleluyah!

129 Poems and Songs
____________________________________ Psalm 147 ___________________________________

1
Its good to make music to our God Ki tov zamrah Eloheinu,
pleasant and pretty is praise! ki naim nava tehilah.
2
God rebuilds Jerusalem, Boneh Yerushalayim Adonai,
gathers Israels scattered people. nidchei Yisrael yechanes.
3
Healing shattered hearts,
Harofeh lishvurei lev
SP
God bandages their pain.
umechabesh leatzvotam.
4
God alone can number the stars, Moneh mispar lekochavim,
giving all of them their names. lechulam shemot yikra.
5
Our God is great and very powerful, Gadol Adoneinu verav koach,
with infinite understanding. litvunato ein mispar.
S
6
God sustains the oppressed
Meoded anavim Adonai,
and knocks the wicked to the ground. mashpil reshaim adei aretz.
7
Respond to God with thanks,
Enu lAdonai betodah,
Sa
with the harp make music to our God zamru lEloheinu bechinor,
8
Who covers the sky with clouds Hamchaseh shamayim beavim,
prepares rain for the ground hamechin laaretz matar,
and makes the hills grow grass, hamatzmiach harim chatzir.
m
9
Who gives the animal its food, Noten livhemah lachmah,
answers the call of the ravens brood. livnei orev asher yikrau.
10
God cares not for the horses might,
Lo vigvurat hasus yechpatz,
pl
admires no-one for strong legs,
lo beshokei haish yirtzeh;
11
But cares for those who fear God, Rotzeh Adonai et yereiav,
those who hope for Gods kindness. et hamyachalim lechasdo.
e
12
Jerusalem, praise your ruler; Shabchi, Yerushalayim, et Adonai!
Zion, hail your God: haleli Elohayich, Tziyon!
13
God fortified the bars of your gates,
Ki chizak berichei shearayich,
blessed your children in your midst, berach banayich bekirbech.
14
God grants your borders peace, Hasam gevulech shalom,
1
to fill you with the cream of wheat, chelev chitim yasbiech,
15
Sends to earth divine command Hasholeach imrato aretz,
2
Gods word runs fast to take effect!
ad meherah yarutz devaro,
16
God brings snowits like wool Hanoten sheleg katzamer,
and scatters frost, like ashes, kefor kaefer yefazer,
17 3
Sows haillike crumbs: Mashlich karcho kefitim
SP
who can stand up to its cold? lifnei karato mi yaamod?
18
God sends the word, and they melt; Yishlach devaro veyamsem,
brings divine breath, and water flows, yashev ruchoyizlu mayim.
19
Telling divine words to Jacob, Magid devarav leYaakov,
S
statutes and judgments to Israel.
chukav umishpatav leYisrael.
20
God did not do this for every nation, Lo asah chen lechol goy,
so they did not know such judgements:
umishpatim bal yedaum:
Sa
m
pl
e
1
I.e., a peaceful land yields good harvests, since the residents dont have to feed the army.
2
Dahood interprets this verse in terms of weatherthe swiftly moving noise from the sky is thunder, and it
comes between a verse about harvest and another about winterbut he notes that many translators follow Isai-
ah 55:10-11 and connect the weather with Gods commandment. To me, the psalm suggests that weather, hu-
man power and divine justice all spring from one source.
3
The Old English poem The Seafarer calls hail the coldest of grains (line 33); the ancients felt the weather
more keenly than we with our warm clothes and insulated houses.

131 Poems and Songs
____________________________________ Psalm 148 ___________________________________

1
Hail God from the sky; Halelu et Adonai min hashamayim
hail God in the heights.
haleluhu bamromim.
2
Hail God, all Gods angels, Haleluhu chol malachav,
1
Hail God, all Gods armies, haleluhu kol tzevaav,
3
Hail God, you sun and moon, Haleluhu shemesh veyareach,
SP
Hail God, all you bright stars.
haleluhu kol kochvei or
4 2
Hail God, the highest heavens, Haleluhu shemei hashamayim,
3
and the water that lies even higher! vehamayim asher meal hashamayim.
5
Hail Gods name, Yehalelu et shem Adonai,
for God gave the order, and it was done. ki hu tzivah venivrau.
S
6
God made the order stand forever;
Vayaamidem laad leolam,
God gave a statute, never to lapse. chok natan velo yaavor.
7
Praise God from the earth, Halelu et Adonai min haaretz,
Sa
sea monsters and all the deep seas.
taninim vechol tehomot.
8
Fire and thunder, snow and mist, Esh uvarad, sheleg vekitor,
stormy winds follow Gods orders. ruach searah osah devaro.
9
The mountains and all the hills, Heharim vechol gevaot,
m
the fruit tree and every cedar tree, etz peri vechol arazim.
10
The beast and all the cattle,
Hachayah vechol behemah,
the insect and the winged bird remes vetzipor kanaf.
pl
11
Rulers on earth and all their folk,
Malchei eretz vechol leumim,
chiefs and every earthly judge, sarim vechol shoftei aretz.
12
Young men and young women too,

Bachurim vegam betulot,
e
the elderly with the young zekenim im nearim.
1
Today we think of as an army, but it could mean something less militarya group of people engaged in
public service.
2
The heavens of the heavens or the skies of the skies.
3
And the water that is higher than the skies.
13
Let them all praise Gods name, Yehalelu et shem Adonai,
for Gods name alone is exalted: ki nisgav shemo levado:
Gods glory surpasses earth and sky. hodo al eretz veshamayim.
14
And God will bring us greatness, Vayarem keren leamo,
1
glory for all who feel Gods kindness
tehila lechol chasidav
Israels children, the people close to God.
livnei Yisrael, am kerovo:
SP
S
Sa
m
pl
e
1
And God will raise a horn for Gods people (possibly raising their heads so they can be proud); this idiom
seems to imply greatness. Glory for those who feel Gods kindness can mean those who love God
or those who are gracious toward God; or it can mean those who experience Gods love/kindness. We usu-
ally translate the word as righteous, referring to the most devout and religious people.

133 Poems and Songs
____________________________________ Psalm 149 ___________________________________

1
Sing God a new song Shiru lAdonai shir chadash,
Gods praiseamong the righteous. tehilato bikhal chasidim.
2
Let Israel rejoice in Gods works, Yismach Yisrael beosav,
Zions children celebrate Gods rule
benei Tziyon yagilu vemalkam.
3
Hail Gods name with dance, Yehalelu shemo vemachol,
SP
cymbals and harp; make music for God.
betof vechinor yezamru lo.
4
For God takes delight in Gods people Ki rotzeh Adonai beamo,
and will honor the humble with salvation. yefaer anavim bishuah.
5
The righteous will exult in glory; Yalzu chasidim bechavod,
theyll chuckle in bed,

yeranenu al mishkevotam.
S
6
With high praise of God in their throat
Romemot El bigronam,
and the sharpened sword in their hands
vecherev pifiyot beyadam.
7
To take revenge on the nations Laasot nekamah bagoyim,
Sa
and bring punishment to the peoples, tochechot balumim,
8
To put their chiefs in chains Lesor malcheihem bezikim,
and their leaders in iron fetters, venichbedeihem bechavlei varzel,
9
To make them suffer the written sentence laasot bahem mishpat katuv,
m
God is magnificent for the righteous:
hadar hu lechol chasidav:
pl
e
____________________________________ Psalm 150 ___________________________________

1
Hail God for holiness, Halelu El bekodsho,
Hail God for far-reaching power, Haleluhu birkiah uzo.
2 1
Hail God as a role model, Haleluhu vigvurotav,
Hail God according to Gods greatness, haleluhu kerov gudlo.
3
Hail God with the trumpet blast, Haleluhu beteka shofar,
SP
Hail God with harp and lyre, haleluhu benevel vechinor.
4
Hail God with cymbals and dance, Haleluhu betof umachol,
Hail God with strings and song, haleluhu beminim veugav.
5
Hail God with loud music, Haleluhu vetziltzelei shama,
Hail God with loud voices!2 haleluhu betziltzelei teruah.
S
6
Let every living thing hail God Kol hanshamah tehalel Yah,
Let every living thing hail GodHail God! Kol hanshamah tehalel Yah, Haleluyah!
Sa
To complete the section of psalms, we add these verses:
Ps. 89:53
May God be blessed forever Baruch Adonai leolam:
this is really true! amen veamen.
Ps. 135:21
May God be blessed from Zion, Baruch Adonai miTziyon,
God who lives in Jerusalem: Halleluyah! shochen Yerushalayim: Halleluyah!
m
Ps.72:18-19
May God, God, be blessed
Baruch Adonai Elohim,
Israels God, Elohei Yisrael,
who alone makes miracles; oseh niflaot levado;
pl
and Gods famous name be blessed forever, uvaruch shem kevodo leolam,
and may Gods glory fill the whole world: veyimaleh chevodo et kol haaretz:
e
Let it really be so! amen veamen.
1
Role model? Yes! is the name we give to the second blessing of the amidah; it means power or hero-
ic acts, but that blessing shows God as healer, liberator and supporter, not as some kind of military hero or
sports figure.
2
The last psalm of all reminds us of the music of the Temple; in sad memory of its loss, Jewish services were
for centuries (and still are in most cases) without instrumental accompaniment.

135 Poems and Songs
This section of the service, with its poetic language, concludes with three famous examples of praise: Davids
final praise and prayer; the Levites song of praise as the Jewish people returned to Torah in Ezras time; and
the Song of the Sea, the ancient poem sung when the Israelites escaped from Egypt.
We stand until the end of the Song of the Sea, page 141.
_________________________________ I Chron. 29:10-13_________________________________
u uVayevarech David et Adonai
10
And David blessed God
in sight of the whole congregation. leeinei kol hakahal,
SP
David said, vayomer David:
Blessed are you, God, Baruch ata Adonai
God of Israel our ancestor, Elohei Yisrael avinu,
from eternity to eternity. meolam vead olam.
11
Yours, God, are greatness, Lecha Adonai hagdulah
S
power, splendor,
vehagvurah vehatiferet
success and glory vehanetzach vehahod
yes, everything in heaven and earth. ki chol bashamayim uvaaretz
Yours, God, is all power of governing lecha Adonai hamamlacha
Sa
and the appointment of every leader. vehamitnaseh lechol lerosh.
12
Wealth and honor come from you, Vehaosher vehakavod milfanecha,
and you govern everything; veatah moshel bakol,
strength and might are in your hand,

uveyadcha koach ugevurah,
m
and you hold the power
uveyadcha
to make anything great or strong.
legadel ulechazek lakol.
13
So now, our God, we thank you
Veata Eloheinu, modim anachnu lach
pl
and acclaim your splendid reputation.1
umehalelim leshem tifartecha.
e
1
The Hebrew says the name (reputation) of your splendor.
_________________________________ Nehemiah 9:6-11 _________________________________

6
You alone are God; Atah hu Adonai levadecha;
you made the heavens, atah asita et hashamayim,
the skies above and all their hosts,
shemei hashamayim vechol tzevaam,
earth and everything on it, haaretz vechol asher aleha,
the seas and everything in them, hayamim vechol asher bahem,
and you give life to them all; veatah mechayeh et kulam
SP
and the hosts of heaven
utzeva hashamayim
bow to you. lecha mishtachavim.
7
You are God, the divinity,
Atah hu Adonai haElohim
who chose Abram asher bacharta beAvram
and brought him from Ur of the Chaldees vehotzeto meUr Kasdim
S
and made his name Abraham; vesamta shemo Avraham;
8
and you found his heart
umatzata et levavo
1
faithful to you. neeman lefanecha.
Sa
You gave him your promise Vecharot imo habrit
to give the land of the Canaanites, latet et eretz haKenaani
Hittites, Amorites, Perizites haChiti, haEmori, vehaPerizi,
Jebusites and Girgashites
vehaYevusi vehaGirgashi
m
to give that land to his descendants. latet lezaro.
And you kept your promise
Vatakem et devarecha
because you are just. ki tzadik atah.
pl
9
You saw our parents pain in Egypt, Vatereh et oni avoteinu beMitzrayim
2
heard their screaming at the Reed Sea, veet zaakatam shamata al Yam Suf.
e
1
Many siddurim break the paragraph here, in the middle of verse 8.
2
Cries of terror when they saw the Egyptian army after them!

137 Poems and Songs
10
You placed signs and wonders Vatiten otot umoftim
in front of Pharaoh and his servants,
beFaroh uvechol avadav
all the people of his land.
uvechol am artzo;
You knew they bossed the Israelites around. ki yadata ki hezidu aleihem,
So you made yourself famous that very day. vataas lecha shem kehayom hazeh.
11
You split the sea before them; Vehayam bakata lifneihem,
they crossed through the sea on dry land, vayaavru vetoch hayam bayabashah,
SP
while the pursuing soldiers veet rodfeihem
you plunged into the depths hishlachta vimtzolot,
like a stone into stormy seas. kemo even bemayim azim.
S
Sa
m
pl
e
___________________ The Song of the Sea1 Shirat Hayam __________________

Exodus 14:30-31
On that day, God rescued Vayosha Adonai bayom hahu
the Israelites from the Egyptians. et Yisrael miyad Mitzrayim,
The Israelites saw the Egyptians
vayar Yisrael et Mitzrayim
dead on the seashore.
met al sefat hayam.
31 2
The Israelites saw the great power
Vayar Yisrael et hayad hagdolah
God used on Egypt;
asher asah Adonai beMitzrayim
SP
the people perceived God, vayiru haam et Adonai
and they believed in God vayaaminu bAdonai
and in Gods servant Moses.
uveMoshe avdo.
Ex 15:1-18
Then Moses sang with the Israelites
Az yashir Moshe uvenei Yisrael
S
this song to God et hashirah hazot lAdonai
3
these are the words:

vayomru lemor:
I will sing to God,
Ashira lAdonai
Sa
who is higher than the proud4 ki gao gaah,
5
and tossed horse and rider into the sea. sus verochvo ramah vayam.
2
My strength and song are God,
Ozi vezimrat Yah,
who is my salvation:

vayehi li lishuah.
this is my God whom I praise, Zeh Eli veanvehu,
m
my ancestors God, whom I exalt.
Elohei avi, vaarommenhu.
3
God is a warrior Adonai ish milchamah,
whom you call God. Adonai shemo.
pl
e
1
Also known as the Song of Moses.
2
The great hand.
3
Literally, the Hebrew idiom says and they spoke, saying.
4
The root of means proud or high. The phrase implies that God is intensely exalted, and that God
is higher than the arrogant enemies who have now been humbled.
5
The Hebrew root means high, so this is ironic: God raised the enemy, then tossed them down.

139 Poems and Songs
4
Pharaohs chariots and army,
Markevot Paroh vecheilo
God threw them into the sea,
yarah vayam,
and the pick of Pharaohs captains

umivchar shalishav
drowned in the Reed Sea.
tubu veYam Suf.
5
Deep water covered them;
Tehomot yechasyumu;
they fell in the depths like a stone.

yardu vimtzolot kemo aven.
6
God, your right hand is awesome in power.
Yemincha, Adonai, nedari bakoach:
SP
God, your right hand shatters the foe.
Yemincha, Adonai, tiratz oyev.
7
In your great majesty

Uverov geoncha
you crush those who resist you;

taharos kamecha.
you send your anger

Teshalach charoncha,
to devour them like straw.1 yochlemo kakash.
S

8 2
You snorted,
Uveruach apecha
and the waters piled up, neermu mayim,
the streams stood like a wall, nitzvu chemo ned nozlim,
Sa
deep water congealed in the seas heart.

kafu tehomot belev yam.
9
The enemy said, Amar oyev,
I will chase and catch them,
Erdof, asig,
Ill split the spoil achalek shalal;
m
to gorge my greed. timlaemo nafshi;
I will draw my sword; arik charbi,
my hand will beggar them.3

torisheimo yadi!
10
pl
You breathed your wind,
Nashafta veruchacha
and the sea covered them. kisamo yam;
They sank like lead
tzalelu kaoferet
e
in the towering waters.
bemayim adirim.
1
The image could be of a beast eating straw, or a fire burning up dried grass and stubble.
2
And in the breath of your nostril/anger.
3
treasure, plunder, spoil. poor, beggar. The enemy seems motivated by greed.
11
God, who of all the gods is like you?
Mi chamocha baelim, Adonai?
Who is like you, magnificent in holiness,
Mi kamocha nedar bakodesh,
1
praised in awe, working wonders?
nora tehilot, oseh feleh?
12
You stretched out your right hand:
Natita yemincha
the earth swallowed them. tivlaemo aretz.
13
With your love you led us,
Nachita vechasdecha;
you saved this people, am zu gaalta.
SP
with your power you guided us
Nehalta veozcha
2
to your holy center. el nevei kodshecha.
14
Other nations heard and were upset: Shamu amim, yirgazun:
panic seized the Philistines.
chil achaz yoshvei Pelashet.
S
15
Edoms chiefs were downcast;

Az nivhalu alufei Edom,
trembling gripped Moabs leaders;

eilei Moav yochazemo raad;
all the Canaanites melted in dismay.

namogu kol yoshvei Chenaan.
16
Fear and trembling fall on them,
Tipol aleihem eimatah vafachad.
Sa
before your great power
Bigdol zeroacha
they are silent as stone yidmu kaaven
until your people pass, God,
ad yaavor amcha, Adonai,
until we pass, the people you have taken.
ad yaavor am zu kanita.
m
17
Lead them, plant them Teviemo vetitaemo
in the mountain you inherit
behar nachalatcha.
God, the place you made as your home, Machon leshivtecha paalta, Adonai.
pl
Adonais sanctuary that you fixed yourself. Mikdash Adonai konenu yadecha.
18
God will rule forever and ever.
Adonai yimloch leolam vaed.
18 3
God will rule forever and ever.
Adonai yimloch leolam vaed.
e
1
Awesome of praises.
2
has two meanings: resting place/dwelling/pasture, and beauty. You could translate this phrase as the
dwelling place of your holiness, referring to the Temple (perhaps as prophecy). However, as the Children of
Israel stood on the shore after their rescue, they might well feel they were at the very center of Gods power.
3
We repeat the last verse, verse 18, so as to mark the end of the poem.

141 Poems and Songs
The prayer leader concludes this part of the service with more scriptural verses.
Psalm 22:29
God has the power to rule Ki lAdonai hamlucha
and governs the other nations. umoshel bagoyim
Obadiah 1:21
The rescuers will climb Mount Zion
Vealu moshiim beHar Tziyon
to judge Mount Esau lishpot et Har Esav,
and God will be the governor. vehayta lAdonai hamluchah.
Zech. 14:9
SP
ushemo echad.
We are seated x
S
On festival intermediate days, skip to May Your Name Be Praised / Yishtabach Shimcha, page 147.
Sa
m
pl
e
__________________________ The Life Force Nishmat _________________________

The life force of every living thing - x {Nishmat kol chai
will bless your name, - tevarech et shimcha
our sovereign God, Adonai Eloheinu,
and every creatures spirit - veruach kol basar
will praise and exalt tefaer utromem
the thought of you, our ruler, forever. zichrecha malkenu tamid.
SP
From eternity to eternity - - Min haolam vead haolam
you are God; ata El,
and but for you we have no ruler, umibaladecha ein lanu melech,
redeemer, and savior, goel umoshia,
who notices, brings success, podeh umatzil,
S
sustains, and takes pity umfarnes umrachem
in every time of trouble and distress. - bechol et tzara vetzuka.
We have no ruler but you: - Ein lanu melech ela ata
Sa
God of the first and last, Elohei harishonim vehaacharonim
God of all creatures, - Eloah kol briyot
ruler of all generations, - adon kol toladot
hailed with a multitude of praises, hamhulal berov hatishbachot
guiding the world with kindness hamnaheg olamo bechesed
m
and its creatures with compassion. uvriyotav berachamim.
God neither slumbers nor sleeps;
- - VAdonai lo yanum velo yishan,
waking the sleepers hamorer yshenim
pl
and rousing the slumberers, vehamekitz nirdamim
giving speech to the mute, vehamesiach ilmim
and freeing the bound, vehamatir asurim
e
supporting those who fall, vehasomech noflim
and lifting up those who are bent over; vehazokef kefufim;
to you alone do we give thanks. lecha levadcha anachnu modim.

143 Poems and Songs
Even if our mouths were Ilu finu

filled with song like the sea, maleh shirah chayam
our tongues with joy ulshonenu rinah
like the multitude of waves, kahamon galav
our lips with praise vesiftoteinu shevach
like the expanse of the heavens, kemerchavei rakiah
our eyes bright veeneinu meirot
SP
like the sun and moon, kashemesh vechayareach
our hands spread out veyadenu ferusot
like eagles in the sky, kenishrei shamayim
and our legs swift as gazelles veragleinu kalot kaayalot
we wouldnt be adequate ein anachnu maspikim
S
to thank you, our ruling God lehodot lecha Adonai Eloheinu
and God of our ancestors, vElohei avoteinu
and to bless your name - ulevarech et shemecha
Sa
for even one of the millions - al achat mealef elef
and billions and trillions1 alfei alafim veribei revavot
of favors you have done
peamim hatovot sheasita
for our ancestors and for us. - im avoteinu veimanu.
You saved us from Egypt, MiMitzrayim gealtanu
m
and took us from the house of slavery.
umibeit avadim peditanu;
You fed us when we were hungry beraav zantanu
pl
and sustained us when we had plenty; uvsava kilkaltanu
and you rescued us from the sword umecherev hitzaltanu
and saved us from the plague, umidever milattanu
e
and you guarded us umecholayim raim
from severe and lasting diseases. veneemanim dilitanu.
1
What are these numbers? The thousand thousand of thousands of thousands and many myriads. I take a
myriad to be 10,000; but at any rate the numbers are huge.
Until now your mercy has helped us - Ad hena azarunu rachamecha

and your kindness has not left us; - velo azavunu chasadecha
and dont abandon us, - veal titshenu
ruling God, forever. Adonai Eloheinu lanetzach.
And so the limbs you formed for us - Al ken evarim shepilagta banu
and the spirit and soul veruach unshama
you breathed in our nostrils, shenafachta veapeinu
SP
the tongue you put in our mouths, velashon asher samta befinu,
they will thank, bless, hen hem yodu vivarchu
praise, laud, exalt, vishabchu vifaaru virommu
worship, sanctify veyaaritzu veyakdishu
and pay homage to your name, O our ruler. - veyamlichu et shimcha, malkenu.
S
For every mouth will thank you, - Ki chol pel lecha yodeh
and every tongue will promise you, - vechol lashon lecha tishava
and every knee will kneel to you, - vechol berech lecha tichra
Sa
and everything which stands - vechol koma
will bow down to you, lefanecha tishtachaveh,
and every heart will fear you, - vechol levavot yiraucha
and all their innards and kidneys - vechol kerev uchlayot
will sing to your name. yezamru lishmecha.
m
As it is said, Kadavar shekatuv,
Psalms 35:10
All my bones shall say, Kol atzmotai tomarna:
God, who is like you? Adonai, mi chamocha?
pl
1
You save the poor person from the mugger, Matzil ani mechazak mimenu,
the pauper and beggar from the thief. veani veevyon migozlo.
Who is like you, who can equal you, - - Mi yidmeh lach umi yishveh lach
e
and who can compare to you? -
umi yaaroch lach?
O Godgreat, mighty, and awesome HaEl hagadol hagibor vehanorah
Gen 14:22
God on high, who owns sky and land. El elyon, koneh shamayim vaaretz.
1
From one who is too strong for him.

145 Poems and Songs
Well hail you and praise you Nehalelcha uneshabechcha

and laud you unefaercha
and bless your holy name, - unevarech et shem kodshecha
as it is said: kaamur:
Psalm 103:1
A psalm of David: LeDavid:
Bless God, O my soul; Barchi nafshi et Adonai
and all my innards, Gods holy name. vechol keravai et shem kodsho.

SP
On a festival holy day, the leader begins here.
God, in the power of your strength, HaEl betaatzumot uzecha
great in the glory of your name, hagadol bichvod shemecha
mighty forever, hagibor lanetzach
awesome for your fearsome deeds vehanorah benorotecha
S
The ruler who sits hamelech hayoshev
on a high and lofty throne, - al kiseh ram venisah,
Sa
who occupies eternity, shochen ad
1
is called high and sacred. marom vekadosh shemo.
And its written, Vechatuv:
Ps. 33:1
You righteous, rejoice in God; Ranenu, tzadikim, bAdonai,
for upright people, giving praise feels right. laysharim nava tehilah.
m
Youll be hailed by honest mouths, Befi yesharim tithalal
blessed by words of the righteous, uvdivrei tzadikim titbarach
honored by tongues of the devoted uvilshon chasidim titromam
pl
2
and made holy among holy ones. uvkerev kedoshim titkadash.
e
1
Or, exalted and holy is Gods name.
2
Look at the first Hebrew letter of the second word in the last four lines of this section. The letters spell ,
Isaac, perhaps a reference to the person who composed the prayer. The four words of this acrostic mean upright,
righteous, devout and holy, perhaps showing a progression towards God.
And in the gatherings of myriads Uvemakhalot rivvot

of your people Israel, amcha beit Yisrael
joyfully will your name be glorified, ruler, berina yitpaar shimcha malkenu
in every generation; - bechol dor vador;
for this is the duty of all creatures - sheken chovat kol haytzurim
before you, ruling God lefanecha, Adonai Eloheinu
SP
to thank, hail, praise, lehodot lehalel leshabeach
glorify, honor, adorn, lefaer leromem lehader
bless, exalt, and sing praises, levarech lealeh ulkales
more than words of song and praise - - al kol divrei shirot vetishbechot
by David the child of Jesse, - David ben Yishai
S
your servant, your anointed. avdcha meshichecha.
Sa
m
pl
e

147 Poems and Songs
We stand u
____________ May Your Name Be Praised Yishtabach Shimcha____________

May your name be praised for ever, u uYishtabach shimcha laad
our ruler malkenu,
God, the ruler who is great and holy haEl hamelech hagadol vehakadosh
in sky and on earth. bashamayim uvaaretz;

SP
Because to you, ruling God - ki lecha naeh, Adonai Eloheinu
we should give song and praise, shir ushvacha,
acclamation and music, hallel vezimrah,
power and government, oz umemshalah,
S
victory, greatness, and strength, netzach gedulah ugvurah,
praise and glory, tehilah vetiferet,
holiness and royalty, kedushah umalchut,
blessing and thanks, berachot vehodaot
Sa
from now to eternity. - meatah vead olam.
Blessed are you, God, Baruch ata Adonai,
God and ruler great in praises, El melech, gadol batishbachot,
God of thanks, ruler of wonders, El hahodaot, Adon haniflaot,
m
who favors musical songs, habocher beshirei zimrah:
sovereign and God, life of all worlds. melech El, chei haolamim. Amen

pl
e

___________________________ Call to Prayer Barchu___________________________
We remain standing as the leader begins the call to prayer.
The congregation responds, and the leader repeats:
SP
We are seated x
S
God is the one who gives light to the world
Hameir laaretz
and those who live there, in mercy, veladarim aleha berachamim,
who in goodness renews every day, - uvetuvo mechadesh bechol yom
forever, the work of Creation. tamid maaseh vereshit.
Sa
How great are your works, God; Mah rabu maasecha, Adonai;
you made them all with wisdom; kulam bechochmah asita,
the earth is full of belonging to you! malah haaretz kinyanecha!
the Ruler on high Hamelech hamromam,
m
peerless1 since ancient times levado meaz,
who is praised and glorified, hamshubach vehamfoar,
exalted since the world began. vehamitnaseh mimot olam.
pl
Eternal God, in your great mercy, Elohei olam, berachamecha harabim
have mercy on us, rachem aleinu,
Ruler of our strength, Rock of our refuge, adon uzeinu, tzur misgabeinu,
e
Shield of our salvation, magen yisheinu,
where we take shelter.2 misgav baadeinu.
1
means alonei.e., God has no companion; no being can compare.
2
Shelter for us.

Blessed God, with vast design, El baruch, gadol deah,

Planned and made the sunshine bright. hechin ufaal zohorei chamah.
Created good for great renown, Tov yatzar, kevod lishmo;
1
Placed lights around Gods regal might. meorot natan sevivot uzo.
The chiefs2 of Gods host are holy ones, Pinot tzevaav kedoshim
who exalt the Almighty, romemei Shaddai;
ever relating Gods glory tamid mesaprim kevod El
SP
and Gods holiness.
ukedushato.
Be blessed, O Ruler, our God, Titbarach, Adonai Eloheinu,

beyond the praise of your handiwork, al shevach maasei yadecha,
above the luminaries you created veal meorei or sheasita,

S
let them praise you. yefaarucha. Selah.
______________________ Be Blessed, Our Rock Titbarach, Tzureinu ______________________
Be blessed, Titbarach,
Sa
our rock, ruler, redeemer, tzureinu, malkeinu vegoaleinu,
maker of the holy ones. borei kedoshim.
May your name be ever praised, our ruler Yishtabach shimcha laad, malkeinu,
3
who forms the ministering angels, yotzer meshartim,
m
whose ministering angels all vaasher meshartav kulam
stand at the peak of the universe omdim berum olam
and declare in awe, umashmiim beyirah,
together, aloud, the words of yachad bekol divrei
pl
Jer 10:10
the living God who rules the world.
Elohim chayim umelech olam.
e
1
The acrostic poem seems terse, and the rhyme ends after sixteen words. The translation is similarly brief. The
sunshine bright is the splendors of the sun; created good implies that the whole world is good; for great
renown is for the glory of Gods name, i.e., Gods reputation.
2
means corner, so it refers to the chief part.
3
Ministering angel is from the root for service or utility. These are the angels who dont only stand and
wait, in John Miltons words.
They are all loved, they are all pure, Kulam ahuvim, kulam berurim,
they are all powerful, kulam giborim,
and they all perform in fear and awe vechulam osim beeimah uveyirah
the will of their owner. retzon konam.
And they all open their mouths - Vechulam potchim et pihem
in holiness and purity, bikdushah uvetohorah,
in song and chant, beshirah uvezimrah,
SP
and they bless and praise, umevarchim umeshabchim
honor and adore, umefaarim umaaritzim
grant holiness and government umakdishim umamlichim

Congregation and leader recite the next three lines aloud.
to the name of the ruling God - et shem haEl hamelech
S
great, mighty and awesome hagadol, hagibor vehanorah,
it is holy!1 kadosh hu.
And they all accept Vechulam mekablim aleihem
Sa
the yoke of heavens rule, ol malchut shamayim,
one from the other; zeh mizeh,
they grant permission, each to the other, venotnim reshut, zeh lazeh,
to sanctify their maker lehakdish leyotzram
2
with serene spirit, with pure speech benachat ruach, besafah verurah,
m
and holy melody, all as one; uvinimah kedoshah, kulam keechad
they respond and declare in awe:3 onim veomrim beyirah:

Congregation and prayer leader say the next three lines (the angels part) aloud:
pl
Isaiah 6:3
Holy, holy, holy Kadosh kadosh kadosh
is God of hosts; Adonai tzevaot;
e
1
Or God is holy. Psalm 99:3 says Let them give thanks to your name, great and awesomeit is holy!
2
With quietness of spirit, with equanimity, unperturbed (because they know they have the right to engage in
praising their maker).
3
The chorus of angels is pictured as responsiveone group begins and the others respond.

And the ofanim and the holy beings, Vehaofanim vechayot hakodesh
with great noise beraash gadol
rise to the level of the seraphs mitnasim leumat serafim;
across from them, give praise and say: leumatam meshabchim veomrim:

Congregation and prayer leader say the next two lines (the angels part) aloud:
Ezek 3:12
SP
They bring melodies to blessed God, LeEl baruch neimot yitenu,
to the ruling, living, abiding God lamelech El chay vekayam
they pronounce songs zemirot yomeru
and declare praises, vetishbachot yashmiu,
for God alone works mighty deeds, Ki hu levado poel gevurot,
S
creates innovations, oseh chadashot,
prevails in wars, baal milchamot,
sows righteousness, zoreah tzedakot,
Sa
grows salvation, matzmiach yeshuot
and creates cures; borei refuot,
awesome in praises, norah tehilot,
God is the ruler of miracles adon haniflaot,
who renews in goodness hamchadesh betuvo
m
every day, forever, - bechol yom tamid
the work of creation, as the Psalm says: maasei vereshit, kaamur:
Ps 136:7
To the one who makes great lights,
Leoseh orim gedolim,
pl
whose kindness lasts forever. ki leolam chasdo.
O, make a new light shine on Zion, Or chadash al Tziyon tair,
and let us all be worthy of its lightsoon! venizkeh chulanu meherah leoro.
e
We bless you, God Baruch atah Adonai,
who creates the lights. yotzeir hamorot. Amen

With great love have you loved us, Ahavah raba ahavtanu
O Ruler, our God; Adonai Eloheinu,
with great compassionand more chemlah gedolah viteirah
have you pitied us, chamalta aleinu,
source of life and power, avinu malkeinu,
for the sake of our ancestors baavur avoteinu
SP
who trusted you shebatchu vecha
and you taught them laws of life vatlamdeim chukei chayim
so be kind to us and teach us! ken techoneinu utelamdeinu.
Merciful source of life, Avinu, haav harachaman,
the Kind One, pity us hamrachem, rachem aleinu,
S
and let our hearts grasp and understand, veten belibenu lehavin ulehaskil,
listen, learn, and teach, lishmoa, lilmod, ulelamed,
observe, perform, and fulfill lishmor velaasot ulekayem
Sa
every word of the study of your Torah - - et kol divrei talmud Toratecha
with love. beahava.
Brighten our eyes in your Torah, Vehaer eineinu beToratecha,
and fasten our hearts to your rules, vedabek libeinu bemitzvotecha,
and unite our hearts veyached levavenu
m
to love and revere your name, - leahavah uleyirah et shemecha,
and we shall never be ashamed. velo nevosh leolam vaed.
Because in your holy name, Ki veshem kodshecha
pl
great and awesome, we place our trust, hagadol vehanorah, batachnu,
we shall gladly enjoy your salvation. nagilah venismecha bishuatecha.
e

Gather the four tzitziyot on the tallit and hold them1

Bring us in peace Vahavienu leshalom
from the four corners of the earth, mearbah kanfot haaretz,
and walk us proudly to our land,
vetolichenu komemiyut leartzenu,
for the God who works salvation is you. ki eil poel yeshuot atah
You chose us uvanu vacharta
from all peoples and languages - mikol am velashon,
SP
and brought us close to your great name vekeravtanu leshimcha hagadol
in truth (selah), selah beemet,
to thank you lehodot lecha
and to declare your unity in love. uleyachedcha beahavah.
S
who chooses your people Israel habocher beamo Yisrael
in love. beahavah. Amen
Sa
m
pl
e
1
We gather the tzitziyot in the left hand, opposite the heart, between the ring finger and little finger.

Add this shaded line when praying without a minyan.
Deut. 6:4
The Ruler is our God; the Ruler is one. 1 Adonai Eloheinu; Adonai echad.
Say the next two lines silently.
SP
Deut. 6:5-9
bechol levavcha,
your whole self
uvechol nafshecha,

uvechol meodecha.
S
6
on your heart.
al levavecha.
7
Sa

m
8
9

pl
and on your gates.
uvisharecha.
e
1
2

_________________________ Shema (Second Paragraph) ____________________________

Deut 11:13-21


SP
uvechol nafshechem.
14
veasafta deganecha,
and wine and oil.
S
15
Sa
16
1
and worship them.
17 2
Then God will be angry at you Vecharah af Adonai bachem,
m

pl
from the good land
e
1
2
18
Set these words
between your eyes.
bein eineichem.
19

SP

20

and on your gates.
uvisharecha.
S
21
1
long time, on the land

that God promised
Sa
2
m
pl
e
1
2
Like the days of.

______________________________ Shema (Third Pragraph)1 _____________________________

In many communities, people hold the tzitziyot in both hands; kiss them when saying tzitzit
and when saying the last word in this section, emet; and pass them over the eyes when saying uritem oto.
Numbers 15:37
38
and tell them
veamarta aleihem,

veasu lahem tzitzit
SP
al kanfei vigdeihem
2
ledorotam.
39
S
You will look at it

uritem oto,
vaasitem otam,
you should not follow your heart velo taturu acharei levavchem
Sa
nor your eyes
veacharei eineichem
40

m

pl
1
The word tzitzit occurs three times in this paragraph. By tradition, the tzitzit remind us of 613 mitzvot.
e
Tzitzit have eight strands and five knots, making 13. As for the 600, add the numerical value of the Hebrew
letters in tzitzit (you have to spell it a little strangely: ).
Tradition holds that techelet was blue, dyed with the secretion of a little creature which we can no longer
identify, though some believe they can now make the blue thread by the original method.
Ellen Bernstein explains the logical order of the three paragraphs of Shema: the first paragraph affirms God
exists; the second paragraph affirms that God is just and cares; the third teaches us that appropriate action is to
perform the mitzvot.
2
41
who brought you

to be your God.
I am Ani
Adonai Eloheichem.
Its true Emet
SP
The leader says the last three words aloud1
The last word isnt part of Shema; its the first word of the next section.2
_______________________________ Blessing after Shema _______________________________
For us, your word will ever be veyatziv venachon vekayam
True, sure and lasting certainty, veyashar veneeman veahuv vechaviv
S
Beloved and liked, pleasant and sweet, venechmad venaim venorah veadir
Inspiring, noble, ready, meet umetukan umekubal vetov veyafeh
3
And good, in beauteous harmony. hadavar hazeh aleinu leolam vaed.
Sa
Its true: the eternal God is our ruler, Emet Elohei olam malkenu
Jacobs rock is our protecting savior. tzur Yaakov magen yishenu.
From age to age, God endures, Ledor vador hu kayam
Gods name endures, Gods throne is secure, ushemo kayam vechiso nachon,
m
Gods rule and truth umalchuto veemunato
endure forever. laad kayamet.
pl
e
1
Adding three words raises the word-count of Shema to 248, traditionally the number of limbs in the human
body (Mishnah Ohalot 1:8 lists them), so a prayer with 248 words symbolically involves our entire body.
2
The last word, emet/its true, is really part of the next paragraphthe blessing after Shemanot part of this
paragraph. Adding this word allows us to say as Jeremiah said (10:10): Adonai Eloheichem emet. Yet running
this together with the next paragraph makes for confusion: are we repeating what God said? Are we reacting to
what God says? Are we quoting Jeremiah?
3
True (from the last word of Shema), sure, correct, enduring, right, certain, belived, liked, pleasant, sweet,
inspiring, noble, good, and lovely is this, our duty (this thing, upon us), forever and ever.

We continue to hold the tzitziyot, kissing and releasing them after laad (though customs differ).
And Gods words live and endure, Udevarav chayim vekayamim,
true and pleasant, neemanim venechemadim
forever and ever and ever, laad leolmei olamim
for our ancestors and for us, al avoteinu vealeinu,
for our children, our descendants al baneinu veal doroteinu
for every generation - veal kol dorot
SP
born to your servant Israel. zera Yisrael avadecha.
For the first and last generations, Al harishonim veal haacharonim,

its something good and enduring davar tov vekayam,
forever and ever, leolam vaed.
S
true and reliable, Emet veemunah,
a rule that will never pass away. chok, velo yaavor.
Its true: you are Emet shaatah hu
O Ruler, our God, Adonai Eloheinu
Sa
our ruler, malkenu
ruler of our ancestors, melech avoteinu ,
our redeemer, goalenu,
m
redeemer of our ancestors, goeil avoteinu ,
our maker, yotzrenu,
rock of our salvation, tzur yeshuatenu,
pl
who cares for us and saves us; podenu umatzilenu,
your reputation is eternal; meolam shemecha;
there is no god but you. ein elohim zulatecha.
e
_____________________________ Our Help Ezrat Avoteinu _____________________________

You have helped our ancestors Ezrat avoteinu
since the beginning, atah hu meolam,
shield and savior magen umoshia
for their children after them livneihem achareihem
in every generation. - bechol dor vador.
You dwell at the top of the world, Berum olam moshavecha,
SP
and your judgments and righteousness umishpatecha vetzidkatcha
reach to the end of the earth. ad afsei aretz.
Happy is someone Ashrei ish
who listens to your rules sheyishma lemitzvotecha,
and takes to heart your law and your veToratcha udvarcha
S
commands. yasim al libo.
Its true, you are your peoples ruler, Emet ata hu adon leamecha
a powerful sovereign to fight for them.1 umelech gibor lariv rivam.
Sa
Its true, you are the first Emet ata hu rishon
and you are the last veata hu acharon,
and but for you we have no umibaladecha ein lanu
2
ruler, redeemer or savior. melech goel umoshia.
You rescued us from Egypt, MiMitzrayim gealtanu,
m
ruling God, Adonai Eloheinu,
3
and freed us from slavery.
umibeit avadim peditanu.
pl
e
1
To dispute their dispute.
2
Isaiah 44:6 says: I am first and last, and except for me there is no God.
3
And from the house of slavery you freed us.

You killed all their first-born, - Kol bechoreihem haragta

but saved your own peoples first-born; uvechorcha gaalta,
you split the Reed Sea veYam Suf bakata
and drowned the wicked, vezedim tibata,
but you brought your favorites across vididim heevarta,
while the waters covered their foes vayechasu mayim tzareihem
not one of them was saved. echad mehem lo notar.
SP
For this your beloved gave praise Al zot shibchu ahuvim
and exalted God, veromemu El
and your favorites offered venatnu yedidim
chants, songs and praises, zemirot, shirot vetishbachot,
blessings and thanks berachot vehodaot
S
to ruling God who lives and lasts, lamelech El chay vekayam
high and exalted, ram venisa,
great and awesome, gadol venora,
Sa
who humbles the proud mashpil geim
and exalts the humble, umagbiah shefalim,
sets prisoners free motzi asirim
and rescues the oppressed, ufodeh anavim,
helps the poor veozer dalim
m
and answers Gods people veoneh leamo
when they cry out! beet shavam elav.
We rise, to prepare for the amidah.
pl
Bring praises to God on high, u u Tehilot leEl elyon,
the Blessed One, who is blessed. baruch hu, umevorach.

Moses and the Children of Israel
Moshe uvenei Yisrael
e
sang you a song in great joy, lecha anu shira besimchah rabah,
and they all said: veamru chulam:
Congregation and prayer leader recite the next three lines aloud.
Ex 15:11
Who is like you among gods, Ruler? Mi chamochah baelim Adonai?

The prayer leader continues.

With a new song, Shira chadasha
the rescued ones praised your name shibchu geulim leshimcha
on the sea shore; al sefat hayam;
together they all gave thanks, yachad kulam hodu
acclaimed your sovereignty and declared: vehimlichu veamru.
Ex. 15:18
SP
Take three steps back, ready for the amidah1.
Congregation, then prayer leader:
Rock of Israel, Tzur Yisrael
rise to help Israel, kumah beezrat Yisrael,
and deliveras you promised ufedeh chinumecha
S
Judah and Israel.
Yehudah veYisrael.
Our savior is called God of Armies, Goaleinu, Adonai Tzevaot shemo,
the Holy One of Israel! kedosh Yisrael.
We bless you, sovereign, Baruch atah Adonai,
Sa
2
who saves Israel. gaal Yisrael.
On Pesach, instead of the previous two lines, some congregations add a poem to introduce the Morning
Amidah: First day, page 346; second day, page 348; seventh day, page 349.
m
pl
e
1
The Amidah is an audience with God. To prepare for this audience, a widespread practice is to take three steps
back to remove ourselves from the distractions of this world. When we begin the Amidah, we take three steps
forward, as if to enter Gods presence.
2
We do not make an interruption between the blessings after Shema and the amidah, even to say Amen, so (in
many congregations) we conclude the blessing with the leader.

163 Festival Morning Amidah
Festival Morning Amidah

Morning Amidah for Festival Intermediate Days
On festival holy days, continue on page 181.

SP
Ps 51:17
Opening Blessings
S
___________________________ 1. Ancestors Avot ___________________________
We bless you, God, u v w z Baruch yata uAdonai
our God Eloheinu
Sa
m
pl
e
1

SP
Abrahams protector . magen Avraham . Amen
____________________________________ 2. Might Gevurot ____________________________________

S
Some add the next line::
Sa
3
who revives the dead. mechayeh hametim. Amen
m
pl
e
1
3

165 Morning Amidah for Festival Intermediate Days
____________________________ 3a. Holiness

Responsive Kedushah ____________________________
Many communities say Kedushah with feet together, rising on the toes for each of the following words:
SP

Isaiah 6:3
Isaiah 6:3
S
Sa
Ezek 3:12
m
Ps 146:10
pl
e

SP
S
Individual Kedushah ____________________________
____________________________ 3b. Holiness
Sa
m
pl
e
1


Central Blessings
SP
S
Sa

6. Pardon our sins.
m
pl
e

SP
S
-

Sa
1
m
____ child of _____, _____ /_____ _____ ben/bat_____,
pl
e
1
2


SP
S
Sa

m
pl
e
1
atchilah /
beginning.

SP
S
Sa
m
pl
e


SP

S
Sa
m
pl
e
Closing Blessings
to the sanctuary of your house;
lidvir beitecha,
1
SP

2
and may you always enjoy utehi leratzon tamid
Our God Eloheinu
S
Sa
m
pl
e
life and peace, on this day, lechayim ulshalom, beyom
1
2

On the middle days of Pesach:

this festival of matzah, chag hamatzot hazeh,
time of our freedom
zeman cherutenu
On the middle days of Sukkot:
Continue here:
SP
on this day for good; Amen bo letovah; Amen
think of us for blessing; Amen ufokdenu vo livracha; Amen
and save us for life. Amen vehoshienu vo lechayim. Amen
S
Sa

m
pl
e
SP
___________________ 2b. Teachers Thanksgiving Modim
Derabbanan ___________________
S
Sa
God of all flesh, - Elohei chol basar,
m
pl
e


SP
_____________________________________ 3. Peace Shalom _____________________________________
S
Grant peace on earth,1 Sim shalom baolam
goodness and blessing, tovah uvrachah
grace, kindness and mercy chen vachesed verachamim
Sa
for us and all Israel, your people. - aleinu veal kol Yisrael amecha.
Bless us all, O source of life, Barchenu avinu kulanu
as one, in the light of your presence. keechad beor panecha,
For in the light of your presence ki veor panecha
you gave us, Ruling God, natata lanu, Adonai Eloheinu,
m
the Torah of life, the love of kindness, Torat chayim veahavat chesed
righteousness and blessing, utzedaka uveracha
mercy, life and peace. verachamim vechayim veshalom.
pl
to bless your people Israel - levarech et amcha Yisrael,
at every time and in every hour - - bechol et uvechol shaah
e
1
On earth is added in the Conservative liturgy.

SP
_________________________________________ Personal Prayer _________________________________________
S
Sa
m
Ps 60:7
pl
Psalm 19:15

e


SP
Mal 3:4
Mal. 3:4
S
Take three steps forward. The leader says Full Kaddish, page 369.
Sa
m
pl
e
_____________________________________Our Duty Aleinu1 ____________________________________

SP
But chose for us a different lot. 2 - vegoralenu kechol hamonam.
S
Is 45:20

v yumishtachavim umodim
Sa
and bow the head gratefully,
m
pl
e
1
2


Whose power dwells
ushechinat uzo
1
SP
Deut 4:39
Veyadata hayom,
that God is God
S
Sa
m
pl
e
1

SP
S
Ex. 15:18
Zech. 14:9
Sa
ushemo echad.
Mourners and those observing yahrzeit remain standing to lead Mourners Kaddish, page 371.
m
Continue with Hallel (page 193), Torah Service for Intermediate Days (page 228) , and Musaf (page 248).
On Sukkot, take the lulav and etrog before Hallel.

pl
e

181 Morning Amidah for Festival Holy Days
Morning Amidah for Festival Holy Days

Ps 51:17
____________________ 1. Ancestors Avot ____________________

SP

our God Eloheinu
S
Sa
1
To show your love and honesty. lemaan shemo beahavah.
m
pl
e
1
____________________________ 2. Might Gevurot ____________________________


SP
2
S
lishenei afar.
Sa
m
pl
The third blessing has responsive and individual versions.
3a is the responsive version; 3b (page 184) is for individual silent prayer.
e
1
2
3

____________________ 3a. Holiness

Responsive Kedushah ____________________
SP

Bow left, then right for zeh el zeh.
Isaiah 6:3
Congregation and leader:
Isaiah 6:3
S
Then with a great, loud voice, Az bekol raash gadol,
Sa
awesome and strong, adir vechazak
they make their voices heard, mashmiim kol,
rising to face the seraphim mitnasim leumat serafim
who face them and say, Blessed. leumatam Baruch yomeru.
m
Ezek 3:12
pl
Ruler, appear from your source Mimkomcha, malkeinu, tofia,
and rule over us, vetimloch aleinu,
for we are waiting for you. ki mechakim anachnu lach.
e
When will you rule Zion? Matai timloch beTziyon,
Soon, in our lifetime, bekarov beyameinu
you will establish your eternal rule. leolam vaed tishkon.
Be acclaimed and sanctified Titgadal vetitkadash

in your city Jerusalem
betoch Yerushalayim ircha
from age to age, in great triumph. ledor vador ulenetzach netzachim.
May our eyes witness your rule
Veeineinu tirena malchutecha
in the words spoken kadavar haamur
in the songs about your power beshirei uzecha
composed by David, al yedei David
SP
your righteous, anointed king: meshiach tzidkecha.
Ps 146:10
S
Sa
m
_____________________ 3c. Holiness

Individual Kedushah_____________________
pl
e
1
should recite the short Holiness blessing and then continue the Amidah.

_______________ 4. Holiness of This Day Kedushat Hayom

______________
SP
your great and holy reputation.
aleinu karata.
with festivals for rejoicing beahavah moadim lesimchah,
this day - et yom
S
For Pesach:
time of our freedom
zeman cherutenu
For Shavuot:
Sa
For Sukkot:
m

pl
e
1
Our God Eloheinu

SP
S
Sa
For Pesach:
For Shavuot:
m
For Sukkot:
pl
e


SP
S
Sa
m
pl
e
1
and our festive times. vehazmanim. Amen
1
your service in truth. And let us inherit, Sovereign God, with love and delight, with joy and glee, Shabbat and
________________________ 5. Temple Service Avodah ________________________

1
SP
2
S
_________________________ 6a. Thanksgiving Modim _________________________

Sa
m
pl
e
your holy assemblies. And let Israel rejoice in you, they who make your name holy. Blessed are you, who make
Shabbat, Israel and the seasons holy.
1
2


____________ 6b. Teachers Thanksgiving Modim Derabbanan ___________

SP
God of all flesh,
S
- Elohei chol basar,
Sa
m
pl


e

_____________________________ 7. Peace Shalom ____________________________
SP
S
Sa
m
pl
e
1

_________________________________ Personal Prayer _________________________________

SP
S
Ps 60:7
Sa
Psalm 19:15


m
pl

e
Mal 3:4
Mal. 3:4
SP
S
Sa
m
pl
e

193 Hallel
Hallel1
On Sukkot, take the lulav and etrog, saying the following blessing (some people add a meditation first):
We bless you, ruling God u uBaruch atah Adonai
Your rule is everywhere; Eloheinu melech haolam,
You made us holy with your rules asher kidshanu bemitzvotav
To lift our lulav in the air. vetzivanu al netilat lulav.

The first time you take the lulav and etrog, add this blessing:
SP
Who rules eternal time and space; Eloheinu melech haolam,
You raised us and sustained us, Shehecheyanu vekimanu
2
And you brought us to this place. Vehigianu lazman hazeh.
S
Prayer leader begins; congregation responds Amen and repeats:
We bless you, ruling God u uBaruch atah Adonai
Eternal is your might; Eloheinu melech haolam,
You made us holy with your rules asher kidshanu bemitzvotav
Sa
This Hallel to recite. - vetzivanu likro et haHallel. Amen
____________________________________ Psalm 113 ___________________________________

1
Halleluyah, Halleluyah
Gods servants, give praise! Hallelu avdei Adonai
m
Praise Gods reputation! hallelu et shem Adonai,
2
Now and forevermore
yehi shem Adonai mevorach
Gods name be blessed. meata vead olam;
pl
3
From where the sun begins its course,
mimizrach shemesh ad mevoo
Until at last it comes to rest, mehulal shem Adonai.
Gods name be praised.
e
1
We add Hallel, psalms 113-118, on Rosh Chodesh, festivals and Chanukah; some add Hallel on Israels Inde-
pendence Day and Yom Yerushalayim. Hallel was part of the Temple ritual; for example, the Levites would
recite Hallel as the Jews slaughtered their lambs for the Passover sacrifice (Mishnah Pesachim 5:7).
2
Place is literally time; but are not time and space a continuum?
4
Above all peoples God is high, Ram al kol goyim Adonai,
Gods glory soars above the sky. al hashamayim kevodo;
5
Who is like our sovereign God, mi kAdonai Eloheinu,
whose throne is high above the sky,
hamagbihi lashavet,
6
who deigns to peer
hamashpili lirot
1
on us down here? bashamayim uvaaretz.
7
God lifts the pauper from the dust,
Mekimi meafar dal,
SP
from ashes brings the mourner, meashpot yarim evyon
8
to seat him with the upper crust,

lehoshivi im nedivim,
2
in the big givers corner. im nedivei amo.
9
God makes the childless woman

Moshivi akeret habayit
S
3
a joyful mother of children; Halleluyah! em habanim semecha: Halleluyah!
____________________________________Psalm 1144 ___________________________________

1
When Jacobs house left Egypt land Betzeit Yisrael miMitzrayim,
Sa
(They had been there too long!) beit Yaakov meam loez,
They left behind a place where people
Spoke in foreign tongue.5
2
Judah was Gods holy place
hayta Yehudah lekodshoh,
A place God found among em. Yisrael mamshelotav;
m
Israel was in Gods own grasp,
And to their home God brung em.
pl
1
Literally, Who becomes lower in order to look on heaven and earthGod is so very high that even the
heights of barely deserve Gods lofty attention.
e
2
It would be more literal to translate verses 7 and 8, The pauper in the dust, God stands him upright. The
mourner in ashes, God lifts him up, to seat him with the big givers in the community. A is a magnanimous
person as well as brand of cheap Israeli cigarettes.
3
A pre-feminist way of saying that God grants our dearest wishes.
4
You can sing the English to the same tune as the Hebrew, but the English verses also work with Let My Peo-
ple Go (if you add your own chorus, though). For the rest of Psalm 114, you can sing the English to the same
tune as the Hebrew.
5
When Israel came out of Egypt, when Jacobs descendants left a people with a foreign language

195 Hallel
3
The sea saw it and tried to split, hayam raah vayanos,
Upstream the Jordan ran. haYarden yisov leachor;
4
Like lusty rams the mountains pranced,
heharim rakdu cheeilim
1
Hills skipped around like lambs. gevaot kivnei tzon.
5
Whats got you on the run,
Mah lecha hayam
What is your problem, ocean? ki tanoos,
Whats got you cringing, Jordan, haYarden
SP
That backward is your motion? tisov leachor?
6
Whats put you all a-jitter Heharim
You mountains jump like rams!
tirkedu cheeilim
Whats put you all a-skitter, gevaot
Hills gambolling like lambs?2 kivnei tzon?
S

7 3
At the presence of the Boss Milifnei Adon
The fearful earth will shiver
chuli aretz,
At the presence of the Boss, milifnei
Sa
God of Jacob, it will quiver. Eloah Yaakov
8
God made a pool of water Hahofchi hatzur
From rock that flanked a mountain; agam mayim,
That brittle flinty stone Chalamish
m
4
Became a running fountain. lemayno mayim.
pl
e
1
Literally, When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob out of a people who spoke a strange language,
Judah became Gods holy thing, Israel Gods possession. The sea saw it and fled; the Jordan ran backwards. The
mountains danced like rams, the hills like lambs.
2
Whats wrong, sea, that you run away? / Jordan, that you turn back? / Mountains, that you dance like rams? /
Hills, like lambs?
3
Adon in Hebrew is for someone in charge; in our society, thats the Boss.
4
Before God, dance, O earth, / Before the God of Jacob, / Who turned the rock into a pool of water, / The
flinty rock into a fountain.
_________________________________ Psalm 115: 1-11 _________________________________

Omit on the last six days of Pesach.
1
Not for us, God, not for us, Lo lanu, Adonai, lo lanu
but for the sake of your name give glory,
ki leshimcha ten kavod
for the sake of your kindness and truth. al chasdcha al amitecha
2
Why should the other nations say of us,
lama yomru hagoyim,
Where is their God? Ayeh na eloheihem?
SP
3
When our God is in heaven vEloheinu vashamayim,
doing whatever God wishes? kol asher chafetz asah.
4
Their idols are silver and gold, Atzabayhem kesef vezahav,
work of human hands.1 Maaseh yedei adam.
5
They have a mouth but cannot speak; Peh lahem velo yedaberu,
S
eyes, but they cannot see. einayim lahem velo yiru.
6
They have ears, but they cant hear; Oznayim lahem velo yishmau,
a nose, but they cant smell af lahem velo yerichun.
Sa
7
hands, but they cant feel;
Yedeihem velo yemishun,
feet, but they cant walk; ragleihem velo yehalechu,
they cant make a sound with their throat. lo yehgu bigronam.
8
Their makers are like the idols they make, Kemohem yihyu oseihem,
and so are all who rely on them. kol asher boteach bahem.
m
9
But Israel relies on God. Yisrael btach bAdonai,
God is their help and their shield. ezram umaginam hu.
10
Aarons house trusts in God;
Beit Aharon bitchu bAdonai,
pl
11
Those who fear God trust in God; Yirei Adonai bitchu vAdonai,
e
1
This psalm brings to mind the Midrashic story of young Abram, later Abraham. His father (the story goes)
made a living selling idols. One day, Abram smashed most of the idols in the shop, leaving one statue to hold
the hammer. Dad was angry; Abram blamed the idol. Thats ridiculous, said Dad, theyre just stone. In
that case, says Abram, how can you sell them and let people pray to them?

197 Hallel
_________________________________ Psalm 115: 12-181 ________________________________

12
God has remembered us and will bless Adonai zecharanu; yevarech
will bless the house of Israel, yevarech et beit Yisrael,
will bless the house of Aaron,
yevarech et beit Aharon,
13
God will bless those who fear God, yevarech yirei Adonai,
both small and great. haktanim im hagdolim.
14
God will give you more, Yosef Adonai aleichem,
SP
you and your children.
aleichem veal beneichem.
15
Youll be blessed by God,
Beruchim atem lAdonai,
the maker of heaven and earth. oseh shamayim vaaretz.
16
Heaven is for God, Hashamayim shamayim lAdonai,
who gave the earth to people.2 vehaaretz natan livnei adam.
S
17
Dead people dont hail God, Lo hametim yehallu Yah,
nor do those who have gone down to silence. velo kol yordei dumah.
18
But we will bless God Vaanachnu nevarech Yah
Sa
from now on and forever. meatah vead olam
Halleluyah! Halleluyah.
__________________________________Psalm 116: 1-11 _________________________________

Omit on the last six days of Pesach.
m
1
I love it when God hears Ahavti ki yishma Adonai
my voice, my prayers.
et koli tachanunai,
2
For God bent an ear to me,
ki hita ozno li
pl
so Ill call on God all my days.
uvyamai ekra.
3
The bonds of death had tied me, Afafuni chevlei mavet,
the narrow grave had found me;
umtzarei Sheol mtzauni.
e
I had come to grief and trouble. tzara veyagon emtza.
1
How is this related to the beginning of Psalm 115? The first part speaks of our trust in God; this part speaks of
God fulfilling that trust. The first part contrasts inanimate idols with the living God; this part contrasts the dead,
who cannot praise God, with us, who live and praise God.
2
The heavens are the heavens of God, and God gave the earth to the children of Adam.
4
So I called in the name of God,
Uvshem Adonai ekra,
God, please! Save my soul! Ana Adonai, malta nafshi!
5
God is gentle and righteous, Chanun Adonai vetzadik,
and our God acts kindly. vEloheinu merachem;
6
God guards the simple; shomer petaim Adonai,
I was down, but God saved me.

daloti veli yehoshia.
7
O my soul, return and rest,
Shuvi nafshi limnuchaychi
SP
because God has been kind to you ki Adonai gamal alaychi,
8
and has saved my soul from death, ki chilatzta nafshi mimavet,
my eyes from weeping,
et eini min dima,
and my legs from failing.
et ragli midechi.
S
9
Ill walk before God Ethalech lifnei Adonai
in the lands of the living. beartzot hachayim.
10
I kept my faith even when I said, Heemanti ki adaber,
Im really suffering.
Ani aniti meod.
Sa
11
I said in my haste, Ani amarti vechofzi,
1
All people are liars.
Kol haadam kozev.
_________________________________ Psalm 116: 12-192 ________________________________

12
What can I do for God, in return Mah ashiv lAdonai
m
for all that God has done for me?
kol tagmulohi alay?
13
Ill raise the cup of salvation, Kos yeshuot esah
and Ill call on the name of God.
uvshem Adonai ekra.
pl
14
Ill pay off my pledges to God Nedarai lAdonai ashalem
in front of all Gods people.
negda na lechol amo.
15
God sets a high price on Yakar beeinei Adonai
e
the death of those God loves.
hamavtah lachasidav.
1
The sense could be: Even when I was suffering, and God seemed to have abandoned me, I trusted God. But
as for people, I could see pretty quickly that theyre not reliable.
2
How does this follow from the first part of the psalm? The psalmist resolves to be as reliable toward God as
God has been toward him or her.

199 Hallel
16
God, I am your servant, Ana Adonai ki ani avdecha,
your servant, the child of your handmaid ani avdcha, ben amatecha
so you have unshackled me. pitachta lemoseray.
17
Ill bring you thank-offerings
Lecha ezbach zevach todah
and Ill call on the name of God.
uvshem Adonai ekra.
18
Ill pay off my pledges to God Nedarai lAdonai ashalem
in front of all Gods people,
negda na lechol amo.
SP
19
in the courts of Gods Temple, Bechatzrot beit Adonai,
in your center, O Jerusalem. betochechi Yerushalayim,
Halleluyah! Halleluyah!
____________________________________ Psalm 117 ___________________________________

S
1
Hail God, all you nations; Halelu et Adonai kol goyim,
praise God, all you peoples. shabchuhu kol haumim;
2
For Gods kindness has overwhelmed us, ki gavar aleinu chasdo,
and Gods truth, forever. Halleluyah. veemet Adonai leolam. Halleluyah!
Sa
__________________________________ Psalm 118: 1-4__________________________________
The prayer leader recites the verses in black, and the congregation responds with the grey verses
1
God is good, so we give thanks; Hodu lAdonai ki tov;
Gods kindness is unlimited. Ki leolam chasdo.
m
2
Let this be sung by Israels ranks; Yomar nah Yisrael,
pl
e
3
Let Aarons children join the chorus:

Yomru nah veit Aharon:
4
Revere and praise what God does for us,
Yomru nah yirei Adonai
_________________________________ Psalm 118: 5-20 _________________________________

5
Bound in chains, I called on God;
Min hametzar karati Yah
SP
God answered me with liberty. anani vamerchav Yah
6
God is on my side, so I wont worry;
Adonai li lo ira;
what can a person do to me? mah yaaseh li adam?
7
God is on my side, with my friends, Adonai li beozrai,
so I can face my enemies. vaani ereh vsonai.
S
8
Its better to trust God Tov lachasot bAdonai
than rely on people. mibtoach baadam.
9
Its better to trust God Tov lachasot bAdonai
Sa
than rely on princes.
mibtoach bindivim.
10
All the nations surrounded me; Kol goyim svavuni;
in the name of God I cut them down. beshem Adonai ki amilam.
11
They were all around me, hordes of them;
Sabuni gam svavuni;
m
12
They swarmed like bees;
Sabuni chidvorim;
they are quenched like a fire of thorns;

doachu keesh kotzim;
pl
13
You pushed and pushed me to make me fall, Dacho dchitani linpol,
but God helped me. vAdonai azarani.
14
e
God is my strength and my song,
Ozi vezimrat Yah,
and this has been my salvation.

vayhi li lishuah.
15
Theres a cry of joy and salvation Kol rina viyshuah
in the tents of the righteous: beoholei tzadikim:
Gods right hand is valiant
Yemin Adonai osah chayil,
16
Gods right hand is lifted up,
yemin Adonai romemah,
Gods right hand is valiant.
yemin Adonai osah chayil.
201 Hallel
17
Im not going to die, but live Lo amut ki echyeh
and tell what God has done. vaasaper maasei Yah;
18
God punished me severely, Yasor yisrani Yah
but didnt give me over to death. velamavet lo netanani.
19
Open the gates of righteousness;
Pitchu li shaarey tzedek,
I will enter and thank God.
avo vam odeh Yah.
20
This is the gate to God; Zeh hashaar lAdonai
SP
the righteous will enter it. tzadikim yavou vo.
_________________________________ Psalm 118: 21-24 ________________________________

21
I thank you for answering me
Odcha ki anitani
and being my salvation. vathi li lishuah.
S
I thank you for answering me
Odcha ki anitani
and being my salvation.
vathi li lishuah.
22
That blockits now the keystone Even maasu habonim
was rejected by the mason. haytah lerosh pinah.
Sa
That blockits now the keystone Even maasu habonim
was rejected by the mason. haytah lerosh pinah.
23
This success has come from God; Meet Adonai haytah zot;
to us, it seems miraculous. hi niflat beeineinu.
m
This success has come from God; Meet Adonai haytah zot;
to us, it seems miraculous. hi niflat beeineinu.
24
This is the day that God has made, Zeh hayom asah Adonai;
pl
a day of joy and happiness! nagilah venismechah vo.
This is the day that God has made, Zeh hayom asah Adonai;
a day of joy and happiness! nagilah venismechah vo.
e
__________________________________ Psalm 118: 25 __________________________________

The prayer leader recites the verses in black, and the congregation responds with the grey verses.
25
Please, God, save us;
Ana Adonai hoshiah na;
Please, God, save us;
Ana Adonai hoshiah na;
Please, God, save us.
Ana Adonai hoshiah na.
Please, God, save us.
Ana Adonai hoshiah na.
Please, God, grant us success; Ana Adonai hatzlichah na;
SP
Please, God, grant us success; Ana Adonai hatzlichah na;
Please, God, grant us success; Ana Adonai hatzlichah na.
Please, God, grant us success. Ana Adonai hatzlichah na.
_________________________________ Psalm 118: 26-29_________________________________

26
Welcome,1 in Gods name; Baruch haba beshem Adonay;
S
we bless you from Gods temple. berachnuchem mibeit Adonay.
Welcome, in Gods name; Baruch haba beshem Adonay;
we bless you from Gods temple. berachnuchem mibeit Adonay.
Sa
27
God is the ruler who shines light upon us; El Adonay vayaer lanu;
2
bind the festive sacrifice with ropes isru chag baavotim
to the horns of the altar. ad karnot hamizbeach.
God is the ruler who shines light upon us; El Adonay vayaer lanu;
m
bind the festive sacrifice with ropes isru chag baavotim
to the horns of the altar. ad karnot hamizbeach.
28
You are my God and I will thank you,
Eli ata veodekah,
my ruler and I will exalt you.
Elohai arommekah.
pl
You are my God and I will thank you,
Eli ata veodekah,
my ruler and I will exalt you.
Elohai arommekah.
e
1
means welcome today, but literally it means Blessed is the one who comes.
2
It doesnt sound like a festive occasion for the sacrifice, does it?

203 Hallel
29
Thank God, for God is good, Hodu lAdonai ki tov,
for Gods kindness lasts forever. ki leolam chasdo.
Thank God, for God is good, Hodu lAdonai ki tov,
for Gods kindness lasts forever. ki leolam chasdo.
__________________________________ Final Blessing __________________________________

To finish Hallel, we say this blessing silently; the leader concludes it aloud.
Let all your works praise you, ruling God, Yehalelucha Adonai Eloheinu
SP
with your devoted ones, - kol maasecha, vachasidecha,
the righteous people who do your will; tzadikim, osei retzonecha,
and let all your people, the house of Israel, - vechol amcha beit Yisrael
joyfully thank and bless, berinah yodu vivarchu
S
praise and glorify,
vishabchu vifaaru
exalt and revere, viromemu veyaaritzu
sanctify and empower veyakdishu veyamlichu
your name, O our ruler, - et shimcha malkenu,
Sa
for it is good to thank you ki lecha tov lehodot,
and fitting to sing to your name, uleshimcha naeh lezamer,
because forever and ever ki meolam ad olam
you are God. atah El.

m
sovereign hailed with praises. melech mehulal batishbachot. Amen
The leader leads Full Kaddish, page 369.

pl
Continue with the Torah service,
page 206 on holy days and on Hoshanah Rabbah, page 228 on intermediate days.
e
e
pl
m
Sa
S
SP

Torah Service for Festival Holy Days
SP
Tor ah Ser vice for Festival Holy D ay s
For festival intermediate days (except Hoshanah Rabbah), the Torah service is on page 228.
S
Jewish scripture is public and available for all to read and study. We read our entire Torah aloud, for all the
congregation to hear. This takes a one-year cycle in some communities, a three-year cycle in others. On festival
holy days and intermediate days, our Torah readings are relevant to the festival. After reading from the Torah,
we hold up the scroll and declare that this is the scripture Moses brought us.
The scroll is written without vowels, punctuation or cantillation marks (that indicate melody), so chanting
Sa
from the scroll takes careful preparation. However, nothing is secret: we honor members of the congregation by
inviting them to observe the reading.
The Torah service begins and ends with a procession, and with two contiguous verses from Torah (Numbers
10:35-36) that summarize the way in which the Israelites traveled through the wilderness. Our Torah service
takes us back to that time when we had most reason to trust Godfor our miraculous rescue from slavery, for
supplying our daily needs with manna and water. Could anyone seek more convincing proof that God keeps
m
Gods promise and is our reliable savior? Lets recover those days symbolically as we study our Torah!
The service has many quotations from psalms and other sources, with pageantry and song as we bring the
beautifully decorated scroll through the congregation.
We stand from the time the ark is opened until the scroll is placed on its reading desk. When the ark is
pl
opened, some raise their little finger or tallit, then kiss it. As the scroll comes through the congregation, some
touch its cover with hand or tallit or siddur, then kiss it. These are ways to show devotion to the book that
guides our way of life.
As we remove the scroll from the ark, we bow to the empty cabinet to glorify God, and thus we make it clear
e
that the Torah is not God, that God is incorporeal, that we have no visible object of worship.
In addition to reading from the Torah, we read a section from the Prophets. Two reasons are given for this
custom, one related to history, the other to theology. At a time when Jews were forbidden to read Torah, we read
from the Prophets instead; at a time when some sects would limit our scripture to the Torah only, we decided to
read from the Prophets just to show they were wrong.
While the Torah is out of the ark, we take the opportunity to offer prayers for the government, the New
Moon, those in need of healing, and more.
Torah Service for Festival Holy Days 206
Taking out the Scroll Hotzaat Sefer HaTorah

The leader and congregation sing together.1
Ps. 86:8
O God, there is no god like you, Ein kamocha vaelohim Adonai

And none can do what you do. veein kemaasecha.
Ps. 145:13
Your rule guides every distant space,
Your government guides every age. umemshaltecha bechol dor vador.
Ps 10:16 Ps 93:1
SP
Ex. 15:18 2
Ps 29:11
God chose us and will give us strength; Adonai oz leamo yiten;
3
Gods people will be blessed in peace Adonai yevarech et amo vashalom.
God, who are compassions store,4 Av harachamim

S
Ps. 51:20
With your favor Zion mend,

heitivah virtzoncha et Tziyon.
Jerusalems ruined walls restore: Tivneh chomot Yerushalayim.
For on you only we depend, Ki vecha levad batachnu,
Sa
Sovereign God, exalted high, Melech El, ram venisah:
ruler of worlds. Adon olamim.

We rise as the ark is opened; the leader sings:
u uVayehi binsoah haaron,
Num 10:35
And when the Ark moved out,

Moses would say: vayomer Moshe:
m
God, rise and scatter your enemies,
Kuma Adonai, veyafutzu oyvecha,
and those who hate you will run from you. veyanusu mesanecha mipanecha.
pl
1
Practice varies from one congregation to another. When I was growing up, the chazan sang the first four lines
e
(from psalms 86 and 145) while the congregation waited to join in the restexcept for one man with a very
loud voice, who drowned out the chazan. It bothered me at the time, but now I see this was one persons way of
praising God, and I was fortunate to witness it. Many congregations stand for this part, even though the ark isnt
opened until the next page.
2
3
Psalm 29:11.
4
Compassions store is literally, Father (or parent) of mercy (or mercies). God is the source of compassion
or mercy; the kindnesses which we experience in this world are (perhaps) sparks of divine goodness.

207 Taking out the Scroll Hotzaat Sefer HaTorah
We sing together:
Isaiah 2:3
For Torah will spread from Zion,
Ki miTziyon tetzeh Torah
Gods word from Jerusalem. udvar Adonai mirushalaim.
Blessed is the one who gave the Torah Baruch shenatan Torah
to Israels people, in holiness. leamo Yisrael bikdushato.
Sing together, three times:
Ex 34:6-7
God, God, Adonai, Adonai,
SP
is a God both merciful and gracious, El rachum vechanun
patient, and great in kindness and truth,
erech apayim, verav chesed veemet
ensuring mercy for thousands of generations,
notzer chesed laalafim
tolerating sin, transgression and wrong,
noseh avon vafesha vechataah
and cleansing people of their guilt venakeh.
S
Sing together, three times:
Ps. 69:14
God, may my prayer to you
Vaani tefilati lecha Adonai
arrive at a welcome time; et ratzon;
Sovereign, in kindness plentiful,
Elohim berov chasdecha,
Sa
1
answer me with salvation sure. aneni beemet yishecha.
____________________________ Berich Shemei ____________________________

Many congregations add this section, from the Zohar commentary on Vayakhel, silently.
Blessed be the reputation Berich shemei
m
of the worlds ruler, demarei almah,
blessed be your crown and your place.
berich kitrach veatrach.
May your goodwill be Yehei reutach
pl
with your people Israel forever; im amach Yisrael lealam,
the salvation of your right hand ufurkan yeminach
reveal to your people achazei leamach
e
in your holy Temple, beveit mikdeshach,
to give us benefit uleamtoyei lanah
from the goodness of your light mituv nehorach,
1
The Hebrew is rather elliptical; lit., And as for me, my prayer to you, Sovereign, may it be at an acceptable
time; Sovereign, in the abundance of your kindness, answer me in the truth of your salvation.
and to accept our prayers with mercy. ulekabel tzelotanah berachamin.

May your will be Yehei raavah kodamach
to grant us a life of goodness
ditorich lan chayim betivutah
and that I may be appointed velehevei anah pekidah
among the righteous bego tzadikayah
to grant me mercy and protect me lemircham alai ulemintar yati
and all that belongs to me - veyat kol di li
SP
and to your people Israel. vedi leamach Yisrael.
Its God who feeds everything Ant hu zan lecholah
and sustains everything. umefarnes lecholah.
Its God who rules over all. Ant hu shalit al kolah.
Its God who rules over sovereigns, Ant hu dishalit al malchayah,
S
and sovereignty is yours. - umalchutah di lach hi.
I am a servant Anah avdah
of the holy one, who is blessed, dikudshah berich hu,
Sa
before whom I bow down disageidnah kamei
and before whose dear Torah I bow umikamah dikar Oraytei
at all times. bechol idan veidan.
I do not place my trust in people, Lah al enash rachetznah,
nor on angels velah al bar elahin
m
do I rely, samechnah,
but on the God of heaven, elah beElahah dishmayah,
who is the real God, dehu Elahah keshot,
pl
whose Torah is true veOraitei keshot,
whose prophets are accurate, uneviohi keshot.
and who is generous with acts Umasgei lemebad
e
of goodness and truth. tavvan ukeshot.

God is the one I trust, Bei anah rachetz

and to whose holy and precious velishmei kadishah yakirah
name I voice praises. anah emar tushbechan.
God, wont you Yehei raavah kodamach
open my heart to your Torah, detiftach libai beOraitah,
and fulfill my innermost longings, vetashlim mishalin delibai,
and those of all Israel, - veliba dechol amach Yisrael
SP
for good, for life and for peace. Amen. letav, ulechayin velishlam. Amen.
________________________________ Removing the Scroll _______________________________

The Torah scroll is taken from the ark and handed to the leader.
Leader, then congregation:
Deut. 6:4
S

Leader, then congregation; add the shaded word on Hoshanah Rabbah.
One is our God, great is our ruler: Echad Eloheinu, gadol Adoneinu:
holy and awesome is Gods name. kadosh venorah shemo.
Sa
The prayer leader turns to face the ark, bows and raises the Torah.
Ps 34:4
Glorify God with me, Gadlu lAdonai iti,
and let us exalt2 Gods name together.
unerommah shemo yachdav.
m
pl
e
1
2
The Hebrew word from the root means make high and so does exalt.
The Torah is marched through the congregation.1

I Chron. 29:11
Yours, God, are the greatness, Lecha Adonai hagdulah
the strength, the splendor,
the victory and the majesty vehanetzach vehahod,
everything in heaven and earth. ki chol bashamayim uvaaretz.
Its for you, God, to govern Lecha Adonai hamamlachah
and to be raised above all as the head. vehamitnaseh lechol lerosh.
SP
Ps. 99:5
Ps. 99:9
S
As the Torah scroll is taken to the bimah, the congregation says this short prayer:
May the source of mercy Av harachamim,
Sa
take pity on our people (Gods burden),
hu yerachem am amusim,
recall the contract with our mighty ancestors,
veyizkor berit eitanim,
save our souls veyatzil nafshoteinu
from the bad times, min hashaot haraot,
drive out the bad impulse veyigar beyetzer hara
m
from those who are sustained by God,
min hansuim,
graciously let us survive forever, veyachon otanu lifleitat olamim,
and fulfill our longings viymaleh mishaloteinu
pl
with goodness, salvation and mercy. bemidah tovah yeshua verachamim.
e
1
The Torah is always marched to the north when taken out, and to the south when returned. It is appropriate to
move to the front of the congregation to touch the Torah mantle with tzitziyot or a siddur, which we then kiss to
show our affection for the pre-eminent symbol of our faith. We are seated when the Torah is placed on the table.
The general rule is that we stand while the Torah is raised and bow as it passes before us.

The Torah scroll is placed on the Shulchan (reading desk), and we are seated.
A gabbai (one who supervises the reading) or the Torah reader
recites the next passage and names the first person called to the Torah.1
May God help, protect and save Veyaazor, veyagen veyoshia
all who seek shelter in God, lechol hachosim bo.
and lets all say, Amen! Venomar, Amen. Amen
Everyone, give greatness to our God Hakol havu godel lEloheinu
SP
and glory to the Torah. utenu chavod laTorah.
Kohen, come close. Stand up Kohen kerav: yaamod
So-and-so, child of So-and-so 2
Ploni ben bat Ploni
the kohen. Hakohen.
Blessed is God, who gave the Torah Baruch shenatan Torah

S

Congregation, then gabbai (or Torah reader):
Deut 4:4
And you who hold fast Veatem hadvekim
Sa
to God, your Ruler,
bAdonai Eloheichem,
all of you are alive today. chayim kulchem hayom.
m
pl
e
1
We call several adults for an aliyah, the honor of observing the reading : seven people on Shabbat morning,
six on Yom Kippur, five on Rosh Hashanah, four on Rosh Chodesh and festivals, and three for afternoon Torah
readings. Traditionally, we call a Kohen (one of the priestly family descended from Aaron), a Levi (Levites
were ministers in the Temple), and the rest from other tribes. We may add extras (hosafot) and conclude with
acharon, a final honoree; a Kohen or Levi may be given the acharon honor. The last aliyah is maftir, for
the person who reads the Haftarah. We call people by their Hebrew namesso-and-so son/daughter of so-and-
so.
2
/Ploni ben Ploni means so-and-so, child of so-and-so; you insert the honorees Hebrew name.
Torah Blessings Birchot HaTorah

Each honoree recites the call to prayer1; we respond, and the honoree repeats our response.
SP
The honoree continues:
We bless you, God; Baruch ata Adonai
You rule for endless days. Eloheinu melech haolam,
You chose us from all other folk, - asher bachar banu mikol haamim
And showed us Torah ways.2 - venatan lanu et Torato.
S
Blessed be God, blessed be God's name! Baruch hu uvaruch shemo
who gives the Torah. noten haTorah. Amen

Sa
After the Torah portion is read, the honoree concludes with this blessing:
We bless you, God, Baruch ata Adonai
Your rule does time transcend; Eloheinu, melech haolam,
Your Torah true you gave us, asher natan lanu Torat emet
3
Planted life that has no end. vechayei olam nata betocheinu.
m
pl
e
1
Some say the honoree should hold the Torah scroll handles (atzei chayim); some advise that the honoree
should keep the Torah unrolled so the reader wont have to look for the place, but the honoree should look away
from the scroll so as not to imply that the words of the Call to Prayer are written in the scroll; some touch the
beginning of the passage to be read with a tallit, then kiss the tallit; some touch the outside of the scroll instead,
so as not to rub the writing, risking damage to the scroll.
2
We bless you, God, our God, ruler of time/world/eternity, who chose us from all other peoples and gave us
the Torah.
3
Who gave us the Torah of truth and planted eternal life in our midst.

213 Torah Blessings Birchot HaTorah
_______________ Blessings for Torah Honorees Mi Sheberach _______________

Blessings may be added for those called to the Torahfor one who has recovered from a serious illness or
returned from a risky journey; for naming a baby; for the general well-being of one called to the Torah, for one
who is sick, and so on. This format is for Torah honorees:
May God who blessed our fathers Mi sheberach avoteinu
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Avraham, Yitzchak, veYaakov
SP
Bless hu yevarech et
Ploni ben/bat Ploni
/
The blessing for Torah honorees continues; use the shaded words for women.
The formula for those honored with Hagbahah and Gelilah is on page 215.
who came up for an aliyah today shealah shealtah hayom
S
to honor Gods presence, the Torah lichvod haMakom velichvod haTorah
and this festival foot-journey. velichvod haregel.
Sa
May the Holy One (whom we bless) Hakadosh baruch hu
protect him her yishmerehu yishmereha
and save him her veyatzilehu veyatzileha
from all trouble and sorrow, mikol tzarah vetzukah
affliction and sickness, umikol negah umachalah,
m
and send blessing and success veyishlach berachah vehatzlachah
to all his her work, bechol maasei yadav yadeha,
Let him her merit the festival foot-journey veyizkeh vetizkeh laalot leregel
pl
with all his her fellow Jews, Im kol Yisrael echav acheha
and lets say, Amen. venomar, Amen. Amen
e
1
________________________________ Prayer for Healing ________________________________

Some congregations include a prayer for healing.
bless and heal hu yevarech virapeh

SP
those in need of healing et hacholim

We pause for the names of people in need of healing.
May the holy, blessed one Hakadosh baruch hu
be altogether merciful to them, yemaleh rachamim aleihem,
granting them strength and health, lehachazikam ulerapotam,
S
and quickly bestow upon them veyishlach lahem meherah
a complete recovery, refuah shelemah
a blessing from above, min hashamayim,
healing the spirit refuat hanefesh
Sa
and healing the body, urefuat haguf
with all the sick in our community.1 betoch shear cholei Yisrael
now, to arrive soon hashta baagalah
and quickly. uvizman kariv,
m
And let us say, Amen. : venomar: Amen. Amen
pl
e
1
Among the rest of the sick people of the community of Israel.

__________________ Thanks after Peril Birkat HaGomel _________________

our God, ruler of the universe, Eloheinu Melech haolam,
who grants goodness to the undeserving hagomel lechayavim tovot,
and granted me every goodness. shegemalani kol tov. Amen
-
The congregation responds to the blessing:
SP
For men.
May God, who granted you every goodness, - Mi shegmalcha kol tov,
continue to grant you every goodness. Selah. - hu yigmolcha kol tov. Selah.
For women.
May God, who granted you every goodness, - Mi shegmalech kol tov,
S
continue to grant you every goodness. Selah. - hu yigmalech kol tov. Selah.
After reading Torah, the gabbai, Torah reader or prayer leader recites Half Kaddish, page 368; we respond.
________________________ Raising the Scroll Hagbah ________________________

Sa
When the Torah reading is finished, two people are called to the bimah..
One will raise the scroll for all to see, the other will wrap the scroll in its coverings.
Some congregations bless them with this formula.
m
____ child of _____, _____ _____ _____ ben bat _____,
who will come up baavur sheyaaleh shetaaleh
pl
to raise the Torah, and lehagbahat haTorah veet
____ child of _____, _____ _____ _____ ben bat _____,
who will come up baavur sheyaaleh shetaaleh
e
to wrap the Torah. liglilat haTorah
As a result, Bischar zeh

may the Holy One (whom we bless) Hakadosh baruch hu
protect and save them yishmerem veyatzilem
to all their work, bechol maasei yedeihem,
SP
with all their fellow Jews, Im kol Yisrael acheihem

When the scroll is raised, the congregation sings:
Deut. 4:44
This is the Torah Moses set

Vezot haTorah asher sam Moshe
before the children of Israel. lifnei bnei Yisrael.
S
Num 9:23
God spoke it: Moses wrote it down.1

Al pi Adonai: beyad Moshe.
On Hoshanah Rabbah, skip to Returning the Torah, page 224.

Once the Torah scroll is dressed and at rest, the congregation is seated x and we continue with the haftarah.
Sa
____________________________ Blessing Before the Haftarah2 ___________________________
This blessing introduces the haftarah
our God, ruler of the universe, Eloheinu melech haolam,
m
who chose asher bachar
good prophets, binviim tovim
and accepted their words, veratzah vedivreihem
pl
which were spoken in truth. haneemarim beemet.
e
1
Tradition holds that God dictated the Torah and Moses wrote the entire five books by hand; the end of it, the
part about his death, with his tears (BT Menachot 30a). However, in its original context, the phrase Moses
wrote it down really means, Moses saw Gods orders carried out; it refers not to the writing of the Torah, but
to the peoples travels in the wilderness: God gave the order to move on or rest; Moses saw that it was carried
out.
2
The Haftarah is a reading from the Prophets; its origin is uncertain, but many agree that it was added at a time
when the civil authorities forbade the reading of the Torah. The Hebrew word has connotations of both
start and stop!


who chooses Torah, habocher baTorah
your servant Moses, uveMoshe avdo
and your people Israel, uveYisrael amo
and prophets of truth and justice. uvinviei haemet vatzedek. Amen
____________________________ Blessings after the Haftarah ____________________________

SP
1. Confidence of Gods Promise
our God who rules forever, Eloheinu melech haolam,
rock of all worlds, - tzur kol haolamim
S
righteous in every age, - tzadik bechol hadorot
the faithful God, haEl haneeman,
who says and who does, haomer veoseh
who speaks and fulfills, hamdaber umkayem
Sa
whose every word is true and just. - shekol devarav emet vatzedek.
Faithful are you, Neeman atah hu
and faithful are your words; veneemanim devarecha
m
and no single word of yours vedavar echad midvarecha
will come back unfulfilled 1 achor lo yashuv reikam
for you are the ruling God, ki El melech
pl
faithful and merciful: neeman verachaman atah:
blessed are you, God, baruch atah Adonai
e
the God who is faithful in every word. - haElhaneemanbecholdevarav.Amen
1
And not one word of your words will come back empty.
_____________________________________________ 2. Zion _____________________________________________

Take pity on Zion Rachem al Tziyon
for that is the foundation of our life; ki hi beit chayeinu
1
and for the humiliated spirit velaaluvat nefesh
bring salvation quickly, in our days. toshia bimherah veyameinu.
We bless you, ruler Baruch atah Adonai
SP
who makes Zion happy with her children. mesameach Tziyon bevaneha. Amen
_______________________________________ 3. The Messianic Era _______________________________________
Make us happy, ruling God, Samchenu Adonai Eloheinu
through Elijah the prophet, your servant, BeEliyahu Hanavi avdecha
and with the rule of Davids line, uvemalchut beit David
S
your anointed king2 meshichecha
let it come soon and delight our hearts. bimherah yavoh veyagel libeinu
May no stranger sit on his throne, - - al kiso lo yeshev zar
Sa
and let no others inherit his glory. - velo yinchalu od acherim et kevodo
For in your holy name you promised him ki veshem kodshecha nishbata lo
that his light would not be snuffed out shelo yichbeh nero
m
who protects David. magen David. Amen
pl
e
1
The humiliated spirit is Zion and by extension the Jewish people, humiliated time and again by the blows of
history; yet this also gives voice to the personal anguish of those of us who face trouble and sorrow in our daily
lives.
2
By Jewish tradition, Elijah will herald the approach of the Messiah, and the Messiah will be descended from
Davids royal line.

____________________________________________ 4. Thanks ____________________________________________

For the Torah, and the service, - - Al haTorah, veal haavodah,
and the prophets
veal hanviim
Add the appropriate lines below:
and for this day, - veal yom
the Matzah festival chag hamatzot hazeh
the Feast of Weeks chag hashavuot hazeh
SP
the Sukkot festival chag hasukot hazeh,
the eighth day of assembly hashmini chag haatzeret hazeh
that you gave us, sovereign God, - shenatata lanu, Adonai Eloheinu,
joy and happiness lesason ulesimcha,
S
for glory and splendor lechavod uletifaret.
for all of these, sovereign God, - Al hakol Adonai Eloheinu

we thank you anachnu modim lach
Sa
and bless you umevarchim otach
(may your name be blessed in every - yitbarach shimcha befi chol chai
mouth always and for ever) tamid leolam vaed.
Blessed are you, ruler Baruch atah Adonai
m
who hallows Israel, mekadesh Yisrael
and the festivals. vehazmanim. Amen
pl
On the last day of a festival, we add the Memorial Service, page 368.
e
______________________________ Prayer for Our Country ______________________________

We rise.
May God, who grants saving power u uHanoten teshuah
to earthly rulers, lamlachim
and whose sovereignty malchuto
is eternal sovereignty, malchut kol olamim
bless and protect our country, - hu yevarech veyishmor et artzenu

SP
bestow wisdom on its leaders, veyishlach chochmah lerasheha,

and grant understanding to its inhabitants, veyiten binah leyoshveha,
to establish peace and freedom lekayem shalom vecherut
in our country, beartzenu,

and let us say, Amen. venomar, Amen. Amen
S
____________________________ Prayer for U.S. Armed Forces ___________________________
Divine source of life, we ask you to bless and sustain the brave men and women of our countrys armed forces,
the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and National Guard.
Sa
Grant them the courage and resources to serve their country with pride and dignity. May their cause be just,
bringing peace instead of conflict.
Bring them victory in combat, and defend them in danger. Bestow comfort and strength on their spouses and
loved ones, and when their duty is done, bring them home with honor, whole in heart and limb.
m
And let us say, Amen!
_________________________________ Prayer for Israel _________________________________
Divine source of life, u uAvinu shebashamayim,
pl
rock and redeemer of Israel, tzur Yisrael vegoalo,
bless the State of Israel, barech et Medinat Yisrael,
the first flowering of our redemption. reshit tzemichat geulatenu.
e
Protect her with your loving wing, Hagen aleha beevrat chasdecha,
spread over her your sheltering peace, uferos aleha sukat shelomecha,
and grant your light and your truth ushelach orcha vaamitcha
to her leaders, ministers and advisors; lerasheha, sareha veyoatzeha,
guide them vetaknem
with your good counsel. beetzah tovah milfanecha.

Strengthen Chazek et yedei

those who defend our holy land, meginei eretz kodshenu,
bring them redemption, vehanchilem Eloheinu yeshuah,
crown them with victory, vaateret nitzachon teatrem,
grant peace in the land venatata shalom baaretz
and eternal joy to its inhabitants. vesimchat olam leyoshveha.
And lets say, Amen. Venomar, Amen. Amen
SP
__________________________ Prayer for Israels Defence Forces _________________________
May God who blessed our ancestors Mi sheberach avoteinu
bless and protect the fighters hu yevarech vayagen et chayalei
S
of the Israel Defense Force, Tzeva Haganah LeYisrael,
who stand guard over our land
haomdim al mishmar artzenu
from the border of Lebanon migvul haLevanon
to the Egyptian desert, vead midbar Mitzrayim,
Sa
from the Great Sea umin Hayam Hagadol
to the approach of the Aravah, ad levo haAravah,
on land, in the air, and on the sea. bayabashah, baavir uvayam.
m
guard and protect our soldiers yishmor veyatzil et chayaleinu
affliction and infirmity, umikol negah umachalah,
pl
to all their endeavors, bechol maasei yedeihem,
and may the scriptural text vikuyam bahem hakatuv:
e
be fulfilled through them:
Deut. 20:4
For the Ruler your God is the one
Ki Adonai eloheichem
who goes with you
haholech imachem
to fight for you against your enemies,

lehilachem lachem im oyveichem,
to save you!
lehoshiah etchem.
And let us say, Amen. Venomar, Amen. Amen
We are seated x
_____________________________Ashrei (Psalm 145) ____________________________

Ps 84:5
Ps 144:15
1
SP
2
3
S
1
4
Sa
5

Hadar kevod hodecha
6
m
7
8
pl
9
e
10
11

1

12
13
14
15
SP
16
17 2 3
S
18
19
Sa
20
21
m
pl
Ps 115:18
e
1
2
3
In all Gods ways.
4
Returning the Torah Hachnasat Sefer HaTorah

The Torah scroll is handed to the prayer leader, and we stand.
u uYehalelu et shem Adonai,
Ps. 148: 13
Let them all praise Gods name,
The prayer leader begins the procession to return the scroll.1
Ps. 148: 13-14
And God will bring us greatness,2 Vayarem keren leamo,
SP
3
____________________________________ Psalm 24 ____________________________________

S
1
4
2
Sa
5
Spread land oer mighty oceans swell. veal neharot yechonneha.
3
4
m
Their vow is their intent.6 velo nishbah lemirmah.
pl
1
The scroll usually leads the procession. In some congregations, the leader doesnt carry the scroll; someone
else gets that honor. In that case, the leader follows the person with the scroll.
e
2
And God will raise a horn for Gods people.
3
; Glory for those who feel Gods kindness can mean those who love God or those who are gra-
cious toward God; or it can mean those who experience Gods love/kindness. We usually translate the word
as righteous, referring to the most devout and religious people.
4
5
6

225 Returning the Torah Hachnasat Sefer HaTorah
5
1
Defending them in every trial.
6
2
7
The glorious sovereign is nigh!3 veyavo melech hakavod.
SP
8
4
9
S
useu pitchei olam,
10
Sa
5
The Torah scroll is placed in the ark.

m
pl
e
1
2
3
4
5
_______________ When The Ark Rested1 Uvenucho Yomar _______________

Num 10:36
When the ark rested, Moses would say,

Uvenucho yomar:
Return, God,
Shuva, Adonai,
to the myriad thousands of Israel. rivvot alfei Yisrael.
Ps 132:8-10
Go up, God, to your resting place, Kuma, Adonai, limnuchatecha,
you and the ark of your power. ata vaaron uzecha.
Let your priests wear righteousness,

Kohanecha yilbeshu tzedek,
SP
and your pious ones will sing with joy.
vachasidecha yeranenu.
For the sake of your servant David, Baavur David avdecha,
do not turn away the face of your anointed. al tashev penei meshichecha.
Prov 4:2
For I gave you good guidance; Ki lekach tov natati lachem
S
dont abandon my Torah!
Torati al taazovu.
Prov 3:18
Cling to it, and its a tree of life;
Etz chayim hi lamachazikim bah,
those who grasp it are happy.2 vetomcheha meushar.
Prov 3:17
Torah ways are pleasant ways; Deracheha darchei noam
Sa
Peaceful are its paths always. vechol netivoteha shalom.
Lam 5:21
God, take us back; well stray no more. Hashivenu, Adonai, elecha, venashuva;
Take us back to days of yore!3 chadesh yameinu kekedem.
m
The ark is closed; on festival holy days, many congregations continue with a sermon.
On Hoshanah Rabbah, continue with Ashrei, page 240.
On other days, continue with the musaf amidah, page 248.
pl
e
1
The Torah service begins with Numbers 10:35 and ends with Numbers 10:36, so the whole Torah service re-
calls the progress of the Ark when the Israelites wandered through the wilderness.
2
Its a tree of life to those who cling to it, and those who hold it up are happy. A wonderful thought: Torah is
like a spiritual bank: it gives strength to the needy and happiness to those who give their strength to it.
3
Bring us back to you, God, and we shall come back; renew our days as of olda plea to return to the merit
we enjoyed before we suffered the disaster grieved in the book of Lamentations.

Torah Service for Festival Intermediate Days
SP
Tor ah Ser vice for Festival Inter mediate Day s
This service is for the intermediate days of Pesach and for the third, fourth, fifth and sixth days of Sukkot (on
Shabbat, the service is in our Shabbat book). On Hoshanah Rabbah, use the service for Festival Holy Days,
S
page 206.
Sa
m
pl
e
Torah Service for Festival Intermediate Days 228
Taking out the Scroll Hotzaat Sefer HaTorah

We rise as the ark is opened, and we all say:
u uVayehi binsoah haaron,
Num 10:35
And when the Ark moved out,

Isaiah 2:3
SP
Blessed is the one who gave the Torah Baruch shenatan Torah
____________________________________ Berich Shemei ___________________________________
Many congregations add this section, from the Zohar commentary on Vayakhel, silently.
S
Blessed be the reputation Berich shemei
of the worlds ruler, demarei almah,
blessed be your crown and your place. berich kitrach veatrach.
Sa
May your goodwill be
Yehei reutach
with your people Israel forever; im amach Yisrael lealam,
the salvation of your right hand ufurkan yeminach
reveal to your people achazei leamach
in your holy Temple, beveit mikdeshach,
m
to give us benefit uleamtoyei lanah
from the goodness of your light mituv nehorach,
and to accept our prayers with mercy. ulekabel tzelotanah berachamin.
pl
May your will be Yehei raavah kodamach
to grant us a life of goodness
ditorich lan chayim betivutah
and that I may be appointed velehevei anah pekidah
e
among the righteous bego tzadikayah
to grant me mercy and protect me lemircham alai ulemintar yati
and all that belongs to me - veyat kol di li
and to your people Israel. vedi leamach Yisrael.
Its God who feeds everything Ant hu zan lecholah
and sustains everything. umefarnes lecholah.

229 Torah Service for Festival Intermediate Days
Its God who rules over all. Ant hu shalit al kolah.

Its God who rules over sovereigns, Ant hu dishalit al malchayah,
and sovereignty is yours. - umalchutah di lach hi.
I am a servant Anah avdah
of the holy one, who is blessed, dikudshah berich hu,
before whom I bow down disageidnah kamei
and before whose dear Torah I bow umikamah dikar Oraytei
SP
at all times. bechol idan veidan.
I do not place my trust in people, Lah al enash rachetznah,
nor on angels velah al bar elahin
do I rely, samechnah,
but on the God of heaven, elah beElahah dishmayah,
S
who is the real God, dehu Elahah keshot,
whose Torah is true veOraitei keshot,
whose prophets are accurate, uneviohi keshot.
Sa
and who is generous with acts Umasgei lemebad
of goodness and truth. tavvan ukeshot.
God is the one I trust, Bei anah rachetz
and to whose holy and precious velishmei kadishah yakirah
name I voice praises. anah emar tushbechan.
m
God, wont you Yehei raavah kodamach
open my heart to your Torah, detiftach libai beOraitah,
and fulfill my innermost longings, vetashlim mishalin delibai,
pl
and those of all Israel, - veliba dechol amach Yisrael
for good, for life and for peace. Amen. letav, ulechayin velishlam. Amen.
e
_______________________________________ Removing the Scroll _______________________________________

The prayer leader takes the scroll, turns to face the ark, bows and raises the Torah.
Ps 34:4
Glorify God with me, Gadlu lAdonai iti,
and let us exalt1 Gods name together. unerommah shemo yachdav.

The Ark is closed, the leader takes the Torah to the reading desk, and the congregation say:
I Chron. 29:11
SP
Ps. 99:5
S
Ps. 99:9
Sa
May the source of mercy Av harachamim,

take pity on our people (Gods burden),
hu yerachem am amusim,
m
recall the contract with our mighty ancestors, veyizkor berit eitanim,
save our souls veyatzil nafshoteinu
from the bad times, min hashaot haraot,
drive out the bad impulse veyigar beyetzer hara
pl
from those who are sustained by God,
min hansuim,
graciously let us survive forever, veyachon otanu lifleitat olamim,
e
and fulfill our longings viymaleh mishaloteinu
with goodness, salvation and mercy. bemidah tovah yeshua verachamim.
1
The Hebrew word from the root means make high and so does exalt.

The Torah scroll is placed on the reading desk, and we are seated.
A gabbai (one who supervises the reading) or the Torah reader
recites the next passage and names the first person called to the Torah.1
May Gods rule be revealed and seen Vetigaleh, veteraeh malchuto
among us soon, aleinu bizman karov,
may God be kind to us who remain veyachon peleitatenu,
of Gods nation, the Jewish people, ufeleitat amo, Beit Yisrael,
SP
with grace and kindness lechen ulechesed,
mercy and favor. lerachamim uleratzon,
Let us say, Its true! venomar, Amen. Amen
Everyone, give greatness to our God Hakol havu godel lEloheinu

S
and glory to the Torah. utenu chavod laTorah.
Kohen, come close. Stand up Kohen kerav: yaamod
Ploni ben bat Ploni
the kohen. Hakohen.
Sa
Blessed is God, who gave the Torah Baruch shenatan Torah

Congregation, then gabbai (or Torah reader):
Deut 4:4
And you who hold fast Veatem hadvekim
m
to God, your Ruler, bAdonai Eloheichem,
all of you are alive today. chayim kulchem hayom.
pl
e
1
We call several adults for an aliyah, the honor of observing the reading : seven people on Shabbat morning,
six on Yom Kippur, five on Rosh Hashanah, four on Rosh Chodesh and festivals, and three for afternoon Torah
readings. Traditionally, we call a Kohen (one of the priestly family descended from Aaron), a Levi (Levites
were ministers in the Temple), and the rest from other tribes. We may add extras (hosafot) and conclude with
acharon, a final honoree; a Kohen or Levi may be given the acharon honor. The last aliyah is maftir, for
the person who reads the Haftarah. We call people by their Hebrew namesso-and-so son/daughter of so-and-
so.
2
_________________ Torah Blessings Birchot HaTorah _________________

1
Each honoree recites the call to prayer ; we respond, and the honoree repeats our response.
SP
The honoree continues:
We bless you, God; Baruch ata Adonai
You rule for endless days. Eloheinu melech haolam,
You chose us from all other folk, - asher bachar banu mikol haamim
And showed us Torah ways.2 - venatan lanu et Torato.
S

Sa
After the Torah portion is read, the honoree concludes with this blessing:
Your rule does time transcend; Eloheinu, melech haolam,
Your Torah true you gave us, asher natan lanu Torat emet
Planted life that has no end.3 vechayei olam nata betocheinu.
m
pl
e
1
Some say the honoree should hold the Torah scroll handles (atzei chayim); some advise that the honoree
should keep the Torah unrolled so the reader wont have to look for the place, but the honoree should look away
from the scroll so as not to imply that the words of the Call to Prayer are written in the scroll; some touch the
beginning of the passage to be read with a tallit, then kiss the tallit; some touch the outside of the scroll instead,
so as not to rub the writing, risking damage to the scroll.
2
We bless you, God, our God, ruler of time/world/eternity, who chose us from all other peoples and gave us
the Torah.
3
Who gave us the Torah of truth and planted eternal life in our midst.

_______________________ Blessings for Torah Honorees Mi Sheberach _______________________

Blessings may be added for those called to the Torahfor one who has recovered from a serious illness or
returned from a risky journey; for naming a baby; for the general well-being of one called to the Torah, for one
who is sick, and so on. This format is for Torah honorees:
SP
Ploni ben/bat Ploni
/
The blessing for Torah honorees continues; use the shaded words for women.
The formula for those honored with Hagbahah and Gelilah is on page 215.
who came up for an aliyah today shealah shealtah hayom
S
to honor Gods presence, the Torah
lichvod haMakom velichvod haTorah
and this festival foot-journey. velichvod haregel.
Sa
protect him her yishmerehu yishmereha
and save him her veyatzilehu veyatzileha
m
to all his her work, bechol maasei yadav yadeha,
with all his her fellow Jews, Im kol Yisrael echav acheha
pl
e
1
________________________________________ Prayer for Healing ________________________________________

Some congregations include a prayer for healing.
bless and heal hu yevarech virapeh

SP
those in need of healing et hacholim

We pause for the names of people in need of healing.
May the holy, blessed one Hakadosh baruch hu
be altogether merciful to them, yemaleh rachamim aleihem,
granting them strength and health, lehachazikam ulerapotam,
S
and quickly bestow upon them veyishlach lahem meherah
a complete recovery, refuah shelemah
a blessing from above, min hashamayim,
healing the spirit refuat hanefesh
Sa
and healing the body, urefuat haguf
with all the sick in our community.1 betoch shear cholei Yisrael
now, to arrive soon hashta baagalah
and quickly. uvizman kariv,
m
And let us say, Amen. : venomar: Amen. Amen
pl
e
1
Among the rest of the sick people of the community of Israel.

__________________________ Thanks after Peril Birkat HaGomel __________________________

our God, ruler of the universe, Eloheinu Melech haolam,
who grants goodness to the undeserving hagomel lechayavim tovot,
and granted me every goodness. - shegemalani kol tov. Amen
The congregation responds to the blessing:
SP
For men.
May God, who granted you every goodness, - Mi shegmalcha kol tov,
continue to grant you every goodness. Selah. - hu yigmolcha kol tov. Selah.
For women.
May God, who granted you every goodness, - Mi shegmalech kol tov,
S
continue to grant you every goodness. Selah. - hu yigmalech kol tov. Selah.
Sa
m
pl
e
Raising the Scroll Hagbah

When the Torah reading is finished, two people are called to the bimah.
One will raise the scroll for all to see, the other will wrap the scroll in its coverings.
When the scroll is raised, the congregation sings:
Deut. 4:44
This is the Torah Moses set
Vezot haTorah asher sam Moshe

before the children of Israel. lifnei bnei Yisrael.
Num 9:23 1
God spoke it: Moses wrote it down. Al pi Adonai: beyad Moshe.

SP
Once the Torah scroll is dressed and at rest, the congregation is seated x. Some say a prayer for Israel.
_________________________________________ Prayer for Israel _________________________________________
Divine source of life, u uAvinu shebashamayim,
rock and redeemer of Israel, tzur Yisrael vegoalo,
bless the State of Israel, barech et Medinat Yisrael,
S
the first flowering of our redemption. reshit tzemichat geulatenu.
Protect her with your loving wing, Hagen aleha beevrat chasdecha,
spread over her your sheltering peace, uferos aleha sukat shelomecha,
and grant your light and your truth ushelach orcha vaamitcha
Sa
to her leaders, ministers and advisors; lerasheha, sareha veyoatzeha,
guide them vetaknem
with your good counsel. beetzah tovah milfanecha.
Strengthen Chazek et yedei
m
those who defend our holy land, meginei eretz kodshenu,
bring them redemption, vehanchilem Eloheinu yeshuah,
crown them with victory, vaateret nitzachon teatrem,
pl
grant peace in the land venatata shalom baaretz
and eternal joy to its inhabitants. vesimchat olam leyoshveha.
And lets say, Amen. Venomar, Amen. Amen
e
1
Tradition holds that God dictated the Torah and Moses wrote the entire five books by hand; the end of it, the
part about his death, with his tears (BT Menachot 30a). However, in its original context, the phrase Moses
wrote it down really means, Moses saw Gods orders carried out; it refers not to the writing of the Torah, but
to the peoples travels in the wilderness: God gave the order to move on or rest; Moses saw that it was carried
out.

_________________ Returning the Torah Hachnasat Sefer HaTorah _________________

The Torah scroll is handed to the prayer leader, and we stand.
u uYehalelu et shem Adonai,
Ps. 148: 13
Let them all praise Gods name,
The prayer leader begins the procession to return the scroll.1
Ps. 148: 13-14
And God will bring us greatness,2 Vayarem keren leamo,
SP
3
_____________________________________________ Psalm 24 _____________________________________________
1
S
4
2
Sa
Spread land oer mighty oceans swell.5 veal neharot yechonneha.
3
4
m
6
Their vow is their intent. velo nishbah lemirmah.
pl
1
The scroll usually leads the procession. In some congregations, the leader doesnt carry the scroll; someone
else gets that honor. In that case, the leader follows the person with the scroll.
e
2
And he will raise a horn for his people.
3
; Glory for those who feel Gods kindness can mean those who love him or those who are gra-
cious toward him; or it can mean those who experience his love/kindness. We usually translate the word as
righteous, referring to the most devout and religious people.
4
5
6
5
1
Defending them in every trial.
6
2
7
The glorious sovereign is nigh!3 veyavo melech hakavod.
SP
8
4
9
S
useu pitchei olam,
10
Sa
5
The Torah scroll is placed in the ark.

m
pl
e
1
2
3
4
5

_______________________ When The Ark Rested1 Uvenucho Yomar _______________________

Num 10:36
When the ark rested, Moses would say,

Uvenucho yomar:
Return, God,
Shuva, Adonai,
to the myriad thousands of Israel. rivvot alfei Yisrael.
Ps 132:8-10

SP
Prov 4:2
For I gave you good guidance; Ki lekach tov natati lachem
dont abandon my Torah!
Torati al taazovu.
S
Sa
m
pl
e
1
The Torah service begins with Numbers 10:35 and ends with Numbers 10:36, so the whole Torah service re-
calls the progress of the Ark when the Israelites wandered through the wilderness.
_____________________________Ashrei (Psalm 145) ____________________________

Ps 84:5
Ps 144:15
1
SP
2
3
S
1
4
Sa
5

Hadar kevod hodecha
6
m
7
8
pl
9
e
10
11

1

12
13
14
15
SP
16
17 2 3
S
18
19
Sa
20
21
m
pl
Ps 115:18
e
1
2
3
In all Gods ways.
4
_______________ Help Is Coming!1 Uva LeTziyon Goel _______________

Isaiah 59:20-21
God says, For Zion Uva leTziyon goel
and for Jacobs kin,
uleshavei fesha beYaakov,
Comes one to save those neum Adonai
who return from sin.
21
This is my pact:
Vaani zot beriti otam,
my spirit on you lain, amar Adonai,
SP
And words set in your mouth,
ruchi asher alecha
they shall remain udevarai asher samti beficha
With you, your children, lo yamushu mipicha
and their children too.

umipi zaracha umipi zera zaracha,
From now until time ends, amar Adonai,
S
theyll be with you. meata vead olam.
P.s 22:4
Holy are you, Veata kadosh
our praise serves for your seat;2 yoshev tehilot Yisrael
Sa
Is. 6:3
While angels call each other to repeat: Vekara zeh el zeh veamar:
The congregation responds.
The God of hosts is Holy, Holy, Holy; Kadosh kadosh kadosh
Gods glory fills the universe entirely. Adonai tzevaot;
melo chol haaretz kevodo.
m
pl
e
1
Uva LeTziyon Goel (A Redeemer is Coming for Zion) offers comfort. We read it together, quietly.
2
This passage introduces the angels praise of God, which we recite in the Kedushah section of the Amidah.
The angels praise comes from various sources, which are given in Hebrew and in the Aramaic paraphrase, the
Targum.

We continue silently.
They receive permission from each other
Umekablin den min den
and say,
veamrin:
Holy in highest heavens Kadish bishmei meroma ilaah
dwells Gods presence, bet shechintei,
Holy on earth, kadish al arah
which serves Gods power,
oved gevurtei,
SP
Holy forever and ever and ever, kadish lealam ulalmei almayah,
is the Ruler of Hosts; Adonai tzevaot;
The whole earth is filled malya chol arah
1
with Gods shining glory. ziv yekareh.
Ezek. 3:12
A wind swept me up; Vatisaeni ruach,
S
behind me I heard a voice, a loud noise: vaeshma acharai kol, raash gadol:
Blessed is Gods glory, flowing from its source. Baruch kevod Adonai mimkomo.
Sa
A wind picked me up, Unetalatni rucha,
and I heard behind me veshimet batrai
a voice, resounding on high, kal zia sagi
of those who praised, saying: dimeshabchin veamrin:
m
Blessed is the honor of God Berich yekara dAdonai
2
from the place where dwells Gods presence. meatar bet shechintei.
Ex. 15:18
pl
Godwhose kingdom is firm Adonaimalchuteh kaem
forever and ever and ever.3 lealam ulalmei almayah.
e
1
The Aramaic paraphrase (Targum Yonatan) for the preceding section, Isaiah 6:3.
2
Aramaic paraphrase for Ezekiel 3:12.
3
Aramaic paraphrase (Targum Onkelos) for Exodus 15:18.
I Chron. 29:18
Sovereign God of Abraham, Adonai Elohei Avraham
Isaac, and Israel our ancestors, Yitzchak veYisrael avotenu,
guard this forever shomrah zot leolam,
as a concept in the thoughts of leyetser machshevot
your peoples heart, levav amecha,
and make their hearts ready for you.1 vehachen levavam elecha.
Ps. 73:38
SP
Ps. 86:5
For you, Ruler, are good and forgiving,
Ki ata Adonai tov vesalach,
and very kind to all those who call on you. verav chesed lechol korecha.
S
Ps. 119:142
Your righteousness is righteous forever, Tzidkatcha tzedek leolam,
and your Torah is truth.
vetoratcha emet.
Micah 7:20
Youll give truth to Jacob Titen emet leYaakov,
Sa
kindness to Abraham chesed leAvraham,
as you promised our ancestors asher nishbata laavoteinu
3
long ago. mimei kedem.
m
1
From Davids address to the people when he appointed Solomon as his successor. David had gathered all the
materials for the Temple and prayed they would be used as he intended and people would continue to give what
pl
was needed.
This passage and those that follow form a patchwork of quotations from different parts of scripture. In formal
prayer, we often rely on words crafted by others. Here, the prayers perhaps go deeper still, for even the com-
e
poser relies on the words of others. Its a sort of meditation using the vocabulary of faith and petition derived
from our scriptures.
2
3
Micah 7:20 is the last verse of his book.

Ps. 68:20
Blessed is the Sovereign,
Baruch Adonai
who sustains us each day, yom yom yaamos lanu
1
the God of our salvation, Selah. haEl yeshuatenu selah.
Ps. 46:8
Ps. 84:13
Oh God, with hosts at your command, Adonai tzevaot,
2
SP
Happy are they who trust in you. ashrei adam boteach bach.
Ps. 20:10
O God, bring rescue for us all,
Adonai hoshiah, hamelech
O Ruler, answer when we call! yaanenu beyom koreinu.
Blessed is our God Baruch hu Elohenu
who created us for Gods glory, shebraanu lichvodo,
S
separated us from those who stray, vehivdilanu min hatoim,
gave us the Torah of truth, venatan lanu torat emet,
and planted in us everlasting life. vechayey olam nata betochenu.
May God open our heart in Torah, Hu yiftach libenu beTorato,
Sa
and set in our heart veyasem belibenu
love and respect for God, ahavato veyirato,
doing Gods will velaasot retzono
and serving God wholeheartedly, uleovdo belevav shalem,
m
so that we do not labor in vain lemaan lo niga larik,
3
nor give birth to panic. velo neled labehalah.
pl
e
1
Sustain could also be burden, as if to say God loads us [with blessings]. Or, Blessed be God every day.
If someone burdens us, God is our salvation.
2
The Lord of Hosts, happy is the person who trusts in you.
3
Compare this with Isaiah 65:23.
May it be your will, Yehi ratzon milfanecha

Sovereign God Adonai Elohenu
and God of our ancestors, vElohei avotenu ,
that we observe your laws shenishmor chukecha
in this world, baolam hazeh,
and that we merit and live and see venizkeh venichyeh venireh
and inherit goodness and blessing venirash tovah uvrachah
SP
in the time of the Messiah
lishnei yemot hamashiach
and in the life of the world to come. ulechayey haolam habah.
Ps. 30:13
So that glory may sing to you Lemaan yezamercha chavod
and not be silent, velo yidom,
My Sovereign God, forever I will thank you.
Adonai Elohai leolam odeka.
S
Jeremiah 17:7
Blessed is the person Baruch hagever
who places trust in God, asher yivtach bAdonai
who has trusted God. vehayah Adonai mivtacho.
Sa
Isaiah 26:4
Trust in God forever, Bitchu vAdonai adei ad,
for in the Ruling God is the rock of ages. ki beYah Adonai tzur olamim.
Psalm 9:11
They will trust in you, Veyivtechu vecha
those who know your reputation
yodei shemecha,
m
for you have not abandoned ki lo azavta
those who seek you, God. dorshecha lamnatze'achAdonai.
Isaiah 42:21
God wanted Adonai chafetz
pl
for the sake of Gods righteousness lemaan tzidko,
that the Torah should be made great and glorious.

yagdil Torah veyadir.
e
The leader leads Half Kaddish, page 368, and we continue with the musaf amidah.

SP
Festival Musaf Service
Festival Musaf Service

S
In Temple times special days were marked by an extra sacrifice in addition to the morning and afternoon daily
sacrifices. This was the Musaf sacrifice.
In some ways, our prayers compensate for our inability to offer the sacrifices of ancient times. We can no
longer recover the feeling of union with God brought by the bloody system of animal sacrifices, and if verbal
Sa
prayer is a poor substitute, its all we have.
Accordingly, on Shabbat, Festivals, and Rosh Chodesh we add a musaf amidah after the Torah service. The
musaf amidah begins and ends with the blessings familiar from other amidahs, and the middle blessing recalls
the musaf sacrifices of the day.
Why we had a sacrificial system, why we added sacrifices on special days, and why we lost our Temple, are
all questions worth exploring as we meditate on the significance of this prayer. Some people say the Temple is
m
gone, never to return, so we should skip the musaf amidah. Others treasure the memory of ancient methods of
worship and mourn the loss of something we can no longer experience or understand.
The musaf amidah is the same for holy days and intermediate days. After the amidah, we conclude the ser-
vice with Aleinu and hymns.
pl
e
Festival Musaf Service 248
To prepare for the musaf amidah, we rise as the leader says Half Kaddish, page 368; we respond.
Musaf Amidah1
We take three steps back as if to create sacred space and three forward as if to enter it.
With feet together, we say the amidah (standing prayer) quietly.
When the prayer leader chants aloud, we respond with the words in gray.2
On Shemini Atzeret and the first day of Pesach,
we open the ark for the repetition of the amidah as the prayer leader chants prayers for rain and dew.
SP
The two lines below introduce the silent amidah.
Ps 51:17
____________________ 1. Ancestors Avot ____________________

S
our God Eloheinu
Sa

m
pl
1
The amidah (standing prayer) consists of seven blessings. The first and last three are basically the same as for
every other amidah, while the middle blessing is about the extra sacrifices of the day.
e
2

249 Musaf Amidah

SP
____________________________ 2. Might Gevurot ____________________________

S

When repeating the amidah, the leader adds the prayer for dew (page 362) on the first day of Pesach
and the prayer for rain (page 359) on Shemini Atzeret.
Sa
On Simchat Torah, add:
After the prayers for rain and dew, continue here:
m
pl
lishenei afar.
e
1
2
3

Ruler, both death and life you bring;
melech memit umchayeh
SP
3. Holiness
The third blessing has three versions. Two are responsive, led by the prayer leader, one (3a, below) for festival
holy days and Hoshanah Rabbah, and the other (3b, page 253) for intermediate days.
S
The third version (3c, page 254) is for individual silent prayer,.
Responsive Kedushah for Holy Days______________________
______________________ 3a. Holiness
The congregation begins, and the prayer leader repeats. Recite the Kedushah with feet together, rising on the
Sa
toes for each of these words: Kadosh, kadosh kadosh, Baruch (Kevod), and Yimloch.
We respect and hallow you u uNaaritzcha venakdishcha

as in the secret speech of holy seraphs kesod siach sarfei kodesh
who make your name holy in holiness; hamakdishim shimcha bakodesh,
m

Bow left, then right for zeh el zeh.
Isaiah 6:3
pl
Isaiah 6:3
e
1

251 Musaf Amidah

Gods glory fills the world; Kevodo malei olam,
Gods ministers ask each other, meshartav shoalim zeh lazeh:
Where is the source of Gods glory? Ayei mekom kevodo?
They respond Blessed! Leumatam Baruch yomeru.
Ezek 3:12
SP
May God turn in mercy Mimkomo hu yifen berachamim,
and be gracious to the people veyachon am
who declare the unity of Gods name hamyachadim shemo,
evening and morning every single day - erev vavoker, bechol yom tamid,
S
twice a daywith love paamayim beahava
1
saying Shema. Shema omrim.
Deut. 6:4
Sa
God is our God, source of our life, Hu Eloheinu, hu avinu,
our sovereign, our savior, hu malkeinu, hu moshieinu,
who will mercifully declare to us vehu yashmieinu berachamav
m
again, for all the world to see, - shenit, leeinei kol chai,
Num 15:41
To be your God.
Lihyot lachem lElohim.
Congregation and leader:.
pl
Num 15:41
I am the Ruler, your God.
Ani Adonai Eloheichem.
e
1
Shema declares the unity of Gods name, and we say it each day in our evening and morning services.
2
The truly mighty one is our champion Adir adirenu

Ps. 8:2
How mighty is your name Mah adir shimcha
through all the earth! bechol haaretz.
Zech. 14:9
ushemo echad.
SP
Ps 146:10
S
Sa
m
pl
e
1
should recite the short Holiness blessing and then continue the Amidah.

253 Musaf Amidah
___________________ 3b. Holiness

Responsive Kedushah for Intermediate Days___________________

Isaiah 6:3
SP
Isaiah 6:3
S
Ezek 3:12
Sa
And in your holy writings, this is written:
Uvedivrei kodshecha katuv lemor:
Ps 146:10
m
pl
e
1

_____________________________3c. Holiness Individual Kedushah ____________________________
SP
S
_______________ 4. Holiness of This Day Kedushat Hayom_______________

Sa
your great and holy reputation.
aleinu karata.
m
with love festivals for rejoicing beahavah moadim lesimchah,
pl
this day - et yom
For Pesach:
e
time of our freedom
zeman cherutenu
For Shavuot:
For Sukkot:

255 Musaf Amidah

SP
Because of our sins Umipnei chataeinu
2
we were displaced from our land galinu meartzenu,
and sent far away from our own ground.
venitrachaknu meal admatenu.
So we cannot Veein anachnu yecholim
go up to Jerusalem to be seen by you laa lot veleraot
S
worship before you, ulehishtachavot lefanecha,
or perform our sacrificial duty velaasot chovoteinu
in the dwelling you chose, beveit bechiratecha
the great and holy Temple babayit hagadol vehakadosh
Sa
that bears your reputation shenikrah shimchah alav,
because of the enemy power3 mipnei hayad
sent against your sanctuary. shenishtalcha bemikdashecha.
m
pl
e
1
2
Yes, we have suffered; yes, we have been victims; but yes, we have also brought trouble on ourselves. The
Talmud (Gittin 55b) blames the destruction of Jerusalem on a single incident of personal animosity in the Jew-
ish community. Apparently, mutual respect among Jews is the first requirement for our success.
3
The great and holy house (i.e. the Temple) upon which your name is called (i.e., that bears your reputation)
because of the enemy hand (i.e., power)
May this be your will Yehi ratzon milfanecha

merciful ruler melech rachaman,
who brings children home1 hameshiv banim ligvulam
to return and be merciful to us shetashuv uterachem aleinu
and to your Temple veal mikdashcha
SP
in your great mercy, berachamecha harabim,
to build it soon and make it famous.2
vetivnehu meherah utegadel kevodo.
Source of life, our Ruler, Avinu malkeinu,

reveal the glory of your rule
galeh kevod malchutcha
S
over usdo it soon! aleinu meherah,
and let it appear and be raised vehofa vehinasei aleinu
3
above us for all to see. - leeinei kol chay.
Sa
Gather our dispersed people Vekarev pezureinu
from among the other nations mibein hagoyim,
and bring them back, scattered unefutzoteinu kaness
all over the world. - miyarktei aretz.
Bring us to Zion your city, in joy Vahavienu leTziyon ircha berinah
m
4
and to Jerusalem your Temple veliYerushalayim beit mikdashcha
with lasting happiness, besimchat olam,
pl
e
1
This line is added in the Conservative liturgy to acknowledge the founding of the State of Israel.
2
And to make its glory great.
3
Our parent, our ruler, reveal/uncover the glory of your sovereignty upon us quickly, and let it appear and be
raised above us in the eyes of all living things. The root gives us words for roll and uncoverrolling
away the coveringand the word takes us back to on page 255. There we were rolled off our land;
here we pray to see Gods glory be rolled back to reestablish us in our land.
4
Dont be fooled. Zion isnt just a town, nor is Jerusalem just the Temple. These are all symbolic places; to be
in any of them is to have our prayers answered.

257 Musaf Amidah
Add this to recall the sacrificial system

where our ancestors brought you shesham asu avoteinu lefanecha
their required sacrifices, - et korbenot chovoteihem,
or this to pray for its restoration, literally or metaphorically
and we shall bring you vesham naaseh lefanecha
our required sacrifices, - et korbenot chovoteinu,2
the daily ones temidim kesidram
SP
and the extra ones, properly umusafim kehilchatam,
and the extra offering of - veet musaf yom
For Pesach
this matza festival chag hamatzot hazeh.
For Shavuot
this festival of Weeks chag hashavuot hazeh.
S
For Sukkot
this festival of Huts chag hasukkot hazeh.
For Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
the eighth day, this festival of assembly hashmini chag haatzeret hazeh.
Sa
Add this to recall the sacrificial system
our ancestors brought to you asu vehikrivu lefanecha
or this to pray for its restoration, literally or metaphorically
we shall perform and bring you naaseh venakriv lefanecha
m
Continue here.
lovingly, to observe your wishes, beahava kemitzvat retzonecha,
written in your Torah1 kakatuv beToratecha,
pl
by Moses hand,2 al yedei Moshe avdecha,
3
spoken by your glory: mipi chevodecha kaamur:
e
1
For this line, some siddurim read: As you wrote for us in your Torah / / kemo sheka-
tavta aleinu beToratecha.
2
By tradition, Moses wrote the Torah down in his own hand.
3
Through the mouth of your glory, as it is said; i.e., God spoke, Moses wrote.
___________________________________________ For Pesach ___________________________________________

On the first two days of Pesach, mention the offerings for the 14th and 15th of Nisan.
Num 28:16-18
And in the first month, Uvachodesh harishon

on the 14th day of the month
bearbaah asar yom lachodesh,
is the Passover offering to God; Pesach lAdonai;
th
on the 15 day

uvachamishah asar yom
of this month is a festival:
lachodesh hazehchag:
SP
matzot will be eaten seven days. shivat yamim matzot yeachel.
The first day is a holy assembly; Bayom harishon mikrah kodesh;
1
dont do any creative work.
kol melechet avodah lo taasu.
On every day of Pesach (including the first two), recall the festival offerings:
Num 28:19
Bring a fire-offering,2 Vehikravtem isheh,

S
a lifting-offering to God: olah lAdonai:
two young bulls, parim benei vakar shnayim,
one ram, veayil echad,
seven year-old lambs, veshivah chevasim benei shanah
Sa
perfect ones for you
temimim yiheyu lachem
Continue with uminchatam on page 262.
m
pl
e
1
The festival holy days are the first and last two days of Pesach and Sukkot and both days of Shavuot. Creative
worka term that fills reams of explanationis prohibited on Shabbat; but some (for example, cooking for the
festival) is allowed on these festive days.
2
So what are these offerings? The fire-offering and the lifting-offering are the same thing, described in Leviti-
cus 1; the lifting-offering was burned. Were not sure how the lifting-offering gets its name. Did the priest lift
up its parts? Was it so called because it was entirely burned up and went up in smoke? Does it have some spirit-
ually uplifting effect? Interpretations differ. Meal offerings are described in Leviticus 2. The wine-offerings are
mentioned in Numbers 15:1-10 and in Numbers 28.

259 Musaf Amidah
___________________________________________ For Shavuot ___________________________________________

Add for both days of Shavuot.
Num 28:26-27
And on the day of first fruits,
Uveyom habikurim,
when you bring
behakrivchem
a new meal-offering to God minchah chadashah lAdonai
in your festival of weeks,
beshavuoteichem,
its a holy assembly for you: mikrah kodesh yihyeh lachem,
SP

Bring a lifting-offering,
Vehikravtem olah
1
a delicious aroma for God:
lereach nichoach lAdonai:
two young bulls, parim benei vakar shnayim,
a ram ayil echad,
S
and seven year-old lambs shivah chevasim benei shanah
___________________________________________ For Sukkot2 ___________________________________________
On the first two days of Sukkot.
Sa
Num 29:12-13
And on the 15th day Uvachamisha asar yom
of the seventh month,
lachodesh hashvii,
you shall have a holy assembly: mikrah kodesh yihyeh lachem:
dont do any creative work,

kol melechet avodah lo taasu,
m
but celebrate a festival for God
vechagotem chag lAdonai
for seven days.
shivat yamim.
Bring a lifting-offering, a fire-offering,
vehikravtem olah isheh,
pl
reach nichoach lAdonai:
13 young bulls,
parim benei vakar sheloshah asar,
two rams,
elim shnayim,
e
14 year-old lambs, kevasim benei shanah arbaah asar
perfect ones
temimim yiheyu
1
Did God find the aroma delicious, or did we?
2
In Temple times, different offerings each day of Sukkot comprised a total of 70 bullsone for each nation of
the world, so that our prayers were for all humanity. The offerings are in Num. 29:12-38.
On the first day of Chol Hamoed Sukkot (the third day of the festival)1:
Num 29:17
On the second day, Uvayom hasheni,
12 young bulls parim benei vakar shneim asar,
two rams,
elim shnayim,
perfect ones
temimim
SP
Add uminchatam (page 262), then continue here:
Num 29:20
On the third day, Uvayom hashlishi,

11 bulls, two rams,
parim ashtei asar, elim shnayim,
perfect ones
temimim
S
On the second day of Chol Hamoed Sukkot (the third day of the festival)2:
Num 29:20
On the third day, Uvayom hashlishi,

Sa
11 bulls, two rams,
parim ashtei asar, elim shnayim,
perfect ones
temimim
Num 29:23
On the fourth day, Uvayom harvii,

m
10 bulls, two rams,
parim asarah, elim shnayim,
perfect ones
temimim
pl
e
1
On each day of Chol Hamoed Sukkotthe days between the festival days that begin and end the festival
we recall the sacrifices for two days. In the Diaspora, our tradition is to celebrate two days for each day of a
festival in Israel (except for Yom Kippur).
2
On each day of Chol Hamoed Sukkotthe days between the festival days that begin and end the festival
we recall the sacrifices for two days. In the Diaspora, our tradition is to celebrate two days for each day of a
festival in Israel (except for Yom Kippur).

261 Musaf Amidah
On the third day of Chol Hamoed Sukkot (the fifth day of the festival):
Num 29:23
On the fourth day, Uvayom harvii,

10 bulls, two rams,
parim asarah, elim shnayim,
perfect ones
temimim
Num 29:26
On the fifth day, Uvayom hachamishi,

SP
nine bulls, two rams,
parim tishah, elim shnayim,
perfect ones
temimim
On the fourth day of Chol Homoed Sukkot (the sixth day of the festival):
S
Num 29:26
On the fifth day, Uvayom hachamishi,

nine bulls, two rams,
parim tishah, elim shnayim,
Sa
perfect ones
temimim
Num 29:29
On the sixth day, Uvayom hashishi,
eight bulls, two rams,
parim shmonah, elim shnayim,
m
perfect ones
temimim
pl
e
On the fifth day of Chol Hamoed Sukkot, Hoshanah Rabbah:

Num 29:29
On the sixth day, Uvayom hashishi,
eight bulls, two rams,
parim shmonah, elim shnayim,
perfect ones
temimim
Num 29:32
On the seventh day, Uvayom hashvii,
SP
seven bulls, two rams,
parim shivah, elim shnayim,
perfect ones
temimim
On Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah:

S
Num 29:35-36
On the eighth day Bayom hashmini
you are to have an assembly: atzeret tihyeh lachem,

Sa
Bring a lifting-offering, a fire-offering,
Vehikravtem olah isheh,
reiach nichoach lAdonai:
a bull, a ram par echad, ayil echad,
and seven year-old lambs, kevasim benei shanah shivah,
perfect ones
temimim
m
Continue with uminchatam below.
On every festival, add this summary of the other festival sacrifices:

pl
uminchatam veniskehem kimdubar:
and their flour- and wine-offerings as stated:
12 pounds of flour for each bull, shloshah esronim lapar
eight for each ram, ushnei esronim laayil
e
four for each lamb, veisaron lakeves
wine as its wine-offering, a goat to atone veyayin kenisko vesair lechaper
and two continual offerings, by their rules. ushnei temidim kehilchatam.

263 Musaf Amidah
Our God, Eloheinu

merciful ruler, be kind to us; melech rachaman, rachem aleinu.
you are good, you do goodlet us find you; Tov umetiv hidaresh lanu;
return to us in your abundant mercy shuvah eleinu bahamon rachamecha
because of our ancestors biglal avot
who followed your wishes. sheasu retzonecha
SP
Build your house as it once was Beneh vetcha kevatchila
and establish your sanctuary on its place; vechonen mikdashcha al mechono,
let us see it rebuilt veharenu bevinyano
so we can rejoice as it is repaired. vesamchenu betikuno
Return the priests to their work, vehashev Kohanim laavodatam
S
the Levites to their song and music uLeviim leshiram ulezimram,
and Israel to their homes. vehashev Yisrael linvehem.
We shall go up to the Temple Vesham naaleh
Sa
and appear in prayer before you veneraeh venishtachaveh lefanecha
on our three walking festivals1 beshalosh paamei regaleinu,
as the Torah says: kakatuv beToratecha:
Deut 16:16-17
Three times a year Shalosh peamim bashanah
all your men must appear
yeraeh chol zechurcha
m
before the Ruler your God

et penei Adonai Elohecha
in the place of Gods choice, bamakom asher yivchar:
on the Matzah festival, bechag hamatzot
pl
the Feast of Weeks
uvechag hashavuot
and the Feast of Huts.
uvechag hasukot.
And dont let them show up before God
Velo yeraeh et penei Adonai
e
empty-handed!
rekam.
1
Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, the three festivals on which the Jews were expected at the Temple, making the
journey on foot: on the three times of our feet.
Each man should bring what he can Ish kematnat yado

according to the blessing of your ruling God,
kevirkat Adonai Elohecha,
1
that God has granted you.
asher natan lach.

SP
lesimcha ulesason,kaasher ratzita
S
Sa
m
pl
2
e
1
The first part of verse 17 is idiomatic, so here is a more literal translation: Each man (verse 16 specifies
males) should bring a gift according to the gift he is able to give (lit., the giving of his hand/power), according
to the blessing of your ruling God, which God has given you; i.e., the more you have, the more you give, and
you remember that all you have comes from God.
2

265 Musaf Amidah
________________________ 5. Temple Service Avodah ________________________

1
SP
2

When the leader repeats the amidah and Kohanim pronounce the Priests Blessing, skip to page 364.
S
Sa
_________________________ 6. We Give Thanks Modim ________________________
We bow at the waist for the word modim and straighten up at Adonai.
This blessing has two versions. We say the following in our individual silent prayer
and 6b, the shaded version, in response to the prayer leaders repetition.
m
pl
e
1
2
SP
The silent amidah continues on page 267.
___________________ 6b. Teachers Thanksgiving Modim Derabbanan ___________________
S
We read this silently when the prayer leader repeats the amidah.
Sa
our maker, who formed Creation.
yotzrenu, yotzer bereshit.
m
pl
e

267 Musaf Amidah
The Thanksgiving blessing continues here.

SP
In the silent amidah, continue with the blessing for peace, page 268.
S
During the repetition, the leader adds the Priestly Blessing.
________________________ The Priestly Blessing1 Bircat Kohanim ________________________
Our God Eloheinu
Sa
bless us with the triple blessing barcheinu vaberachah hamshuleshet
in the Torah, baTorah
written by your servant Moses, haktuvah al yedei Moshe avdecha,
spoken by Aaron and his children, haamurah mipi Aharon uvanav
m
the priestsyour holy people kohanimam kedoshecha
in these words: kaamur:
pl
e
1
God dictated the Priestly Blessing for Aaron to use when blessing the Children of Israel (Num. 6:22-23).
After each of the three verses of the Priestly Blessing, the congregation responds.
Num 6:24-26
May God bless you Yevarechecha Adonai
and protect you. veyishmerecha.
May this be your will! ken yehi ratzon
1
May God smile at you Yaer Adonai panav elecha
and show you favor. vichuneka.
May this be your will! ken yehi ratzon
SP
2
May God let you perceive Gods presence
Yisa Adonai panav elecha
and set you at peace.
veyasem lecha shalom.
May this be your will! Ken yehi ratzon
_____________________________ 7. Peace Shalom ____________________________

S
Sa
m
pl
e
1
May God send the light of Gods face/presence toward you
2
May God raise Gods face toward you
3

269 Musaf Amidah

guided by the next paragraphs.
SP
After the repetition, the leader says the Full Kaddish on page 369.
_________________________________ Personal Prayers ________________________________
S
Sa
m
Ps 60:7
pl
Psalm 19:15

e

SP
Mal 3:4
Mal. 3:4
S
On Sukkot, continue with Hoshanot, page 375, Full Kaddish, page 369, and the concluding prayers
page 271 on holy days, page 273 on intermediate days.
Sa
On other festivals, continue with the leaders Full Kaddish, page 369, and concluding prayers
on intermediate days Aleinu, page 273; on festival holy days, Ein Kelohenu, below.
m
pl
e

271 Concluding Prayers for Festival Holy Days
Concluding Prayers for Festival Holy Days

On festival intermediate days, continue with Aleinu, page 273.
___________________ No God Like You1 Ein Keloheinu __________________

Aint no God like you, Ein kEloheinu
Aint no ruler like you, Ein kAdoneinu
Aint no sovereign like you, Ein kemalkeinu
SP
Aint no savior like you. Ein kemoshieinu.
Who is like our God? Mi chEloheinu
Who is like our ruler? Mi chAdoneinu
Who is like our sovereign? Mi chemalkeinu
Who is like our savior? Mi chemoshieinu.
S
Lets thank our God; Nodeh lEloheinu
Lets thank our ruler; Nodeh lAdoneinu
Lets thank our sovereign; Nodeh lemalkeinu
Lets thank our savior. Nodeh lemoshieinu.
Sa
Blessed is our God, Baruch Eloheinu
Blessed is our ruler, Baruch Adoneinu
Blessed is our sovereign, Baruch malkeinu
Blessed is our savior. Baruch moshieinu.
m
You are our God, Atah hu Eloheinu
You are our Ruler, Atah hu Adoneinu
You are our Sovereign, Atah hu malkeinu
You are our Savior. Atah hu moshieinu.
pl
You are the One Atah hu shehiktiru
before whom our parents avoteinu lefanecha
e
burned the fragrant incense. - et ketoret hasamim.
1
The first two verses of this popular song seem reversed. First we declare no God is like ours, but in the second
verse we seem unsure. Maybe the second verse is a challenge to anyone in earshot, though nobody will take up
the challenge; its in Hebrew, and only Jews will understand! Or maybe someone was determined to have the
first three verses read ,ma (amen) and rearranged them accordingly.
__________________________________ Talmud Study __________________________________

Many congregations add this passage from the Talmud.
Rabbi Elazar said Amar Rabi Elazar,
that Rabbi Chaninah said, amar Rabi Chaninah,
Torah students Talmidei chachamim
increase peace in the world, marbim shalom baolam,
as the scripture verse says: sheneemar:
SP
Isaiah 54:13
If all your children are Vechol banayich
students of God,
limudei Adonai,
great will be the peace of your children! : verav shelom banayich.
Dont read your children, Al tikrei banayich,
1
but your builders! elah bonayich!
S
Ps 119:165
Abundant peace Shalom rav
is for those who love your Torah
leohavei Toratecha,
and for them there is no obstacle. veein lamo michshol.
Sa
Ps 122:7-9
May there be peace inside your walls,
Yehi shalom becheilech,
tranquility in your palaces. shalvah bearmenotayich.
For the sake of my family and friends Lemaan achai vereai
I will speak of peace among you. adabra nah shalom bach.
For the sake of the house of our ruling God Lemaan beit Adonai Eloheinu
m
I shall ask for good for you. avakshah tov lach.
Ps 29:11
2
Gods people will be blessed in peace Adonai yevarech et amo vashalom.
pl
Mourners and those observing Yahrzeit lead the Teachers Kaddish, page 373.
e
1
Four tractates of the Talmud end with this resonant passage. Rabbi Chaninah notes that the verse repeats the
word , wonders what this repetition adds to the verse, and discovers another level of meaningthat todays
children ( ) are the builders ( ) of the future. Some interpret Rabbi Chaninahs teaching a different way:
A teachers students are children in learning, and instead of builders (from , to build), perhaps Rabbi Cha-
ninah speaks of those who understand (from , to understand). In that case, Rabbi Chaninah is praising
the potential of Torah students, future moral, intellectual and spiritual leaders, to secure the future of our com-
munity, society and planet.
2
Psalm 29:11.

_____________________________ Our Duty Aleinu1 ____________________________

SP
2
S
Is 45:20

Sa
m
pl
e
1
2

Whose power dwells
ushechinat uzo
1
SP
Deut 4:39
Veyadata hayom,

that God is God
S
Sa
m
pl
e
1


SP
S
Ex. 15:18
Zech. 14:9
Sa
ushemo echad.
m
pl
e
_____________________ Eternal Sovereign Adon Olam ____________________

On festival holy days, finish the service with Adon Olam.
Eternal sovereign,1 who ruled Adon olam asher malach
Before creating anything, Beterem kol yetzir nivrah
When God formed all to Gods liking, Leet naasah vecheftzo kol,
Then God was known as Sovereign!2 Azai melech shemo nikrah.
And when an end to all will come Veacharei kichlot hakol
SP
Alone, revered, then God will reign. Levado yimloch norah:
And God has been, and God still is, Vehu hayah, vehu hoveh,
And God shall be in glorious fame. Vehu yihyeh betifarah.
God stands alone; no second can Vehu echad, veein sheni
Compare as fit companion; Lehamshil lo lehachbirah,
S
Before the first, beyond the last, Beli reshit, beli tachlit,
God has strength and dominion. Velo haoz vehamisrah.
My God, who lives and me redeems Vehu eli vechai goali
Sa
Rock of my pain in time of grief, Vetzur chevli beeit tzarah.
My banner and my refuge: when Vehu nisi umanos li,
I cry for help, God brings relief. Menat kosi beyom ekrah.
I place my soul into Gods care
Beyado afkid ruchi
Sure that Ill wake after this night; Beeit ishan veairah,
m
My soul shall with my body stay:
Veim ruchi geviyati,
God is with me: Ill not take fright!3 Adonai li, velo irah.
pl
e
1
In this, our favorite hymn, we acknowledge Gods eternal and awesome power, but we also trust that God
cares for each of us as individuals. The poem is sometimes attributed to the 11th-century poet Solomon Ibn
Gabirol. I like it best of all because (in Hebrew) it begins I dunno, and our ability to challenge each other in
discussion is an appealing characteristic of Judaism and a wonderful thing to celebrate as we end a service.
2
Then King was Gods name called: i.e., then God was called King, Ruler, Sovereign.
3
The main idea is that when we sleep, the soul slips away from the body; if it doesnt come back, we leave this
life. Confident in Gods help, we can go to sleep without worry.

SP
Festival Afternoon Service
Festival Afternoon Service

S
On festival afternoons, the service begins with Ashrei, continues with the amidah and concludes with Aleinu.
On holy days, the amidah is the same as the morning amidah, and its middle blessing celebrates the holy na-
ture of this day. On intermediate days, the amidah is almost the same as the weekday amidah.
The service ends with Aleinu.
Sa
m
pl
e
Festival Afternoon Service 278
_____________________________Psalm 145 Ashrei ____________________________

Ps 84:5
Ps 144:15
1
SP
2
3
S
1
4
Sa
5

Hadar kevod hodecha
6
m
7
8
pl
9
e
10
11

1

279 Festival Afternoon Service
12
13
14
15
SP
16
17 2 3
S
18
19
Sa
20
21
m
pl
Ps 115:18
On festival intermediate days, continue with Half Kaddish, page 368,

e
and the amidah for intermediate days, page 296.
1
2
3
In all Gods ways.
4
_______________ Help Is Coming!1 Uva LeTziyon Goel _______________

Isaiah 59:20-21
God says, For Zion Uva leTziyon goel
and for Jacobs kin,
uleshavei fesha beYaakov,
Comes one to save those neum Adonai
who return from sin.
21
This is my pact:
Vaani zot beriti otam,
my spirit on you lain, amar Adonai,
SP
And words set in your mouth,
ruchi asher alecha
they shall remain udevarai asher samti beficha
With you, your children, lo yamushu mipicha
and their children too.

umipi zaracha umipi zera zaracha,
From now until time ends, amar Adonai,
S
theyll be with you. meata vead olam.
P.s 22:4
Holy are you, Veata kadosh
our praise serves for your seat;2 yoshev tehilot Yisrael
Sa
Is. 6:3
While angels call each other to repeat: Vekara zeh el zeh veamar:
The God of hosts is Holy, Holy, Holy; Kadosh kadosh kadosh
Gods glory fills the universe entirely. Adonai tzevaot;
melo chol haaretz kevodo.
m
pl
e
1
Uva LeTziyon Goel (A Redeemer is Coming for Zion) offers comfort. We read it together, quietly.
2
This passage introduces the angels praise of God, which we recite in the Kedushah section of the Amidah.
The angels praise comes from various sources, which are given in Hebrew and in the Aramaic paraphrase, the
Targum.

They receive permission from each other
Umekablin den min den
and say,
veamrin:
Holy in highest heavens Kadish bishmei meroma ilaah
dwells Gods presence, bet shechintei,
Holy on earth, kadish al arah
which serves Gods power,
oved gevurtei,
SP
Holy forever and ever and ever, kadish lealam ulalmei almayah,
is the Ruler of Hosts; Adonai tzevaot;
The whole earth is filled malya chol arah
1
with Gods shining glory. ziv yekareh.
Ezek. 3:12
A wind swept me up; Vatisaeni ruach,
S
behind me I heard a voice, a loud noise: vaeshma acharai kol, raash gadol:
Blessed is Gods glory, flowing from its source. Baruch kevod Adonai mimkomo.
Sa
A wind picked me up, Unetalatni rucha,
and I heard behind me veshimet batrai
a voice, resounding on high, kal zia sagi
of those who praised, saying: dimeshabchin veamrin:
m
Blessed is the honor of God Berich yekara dAdonai
2
from the place where dwells Gods presence. meatar bet shechintei.
Ex. 15:18
pl
Godwhose kingdom is firm Adonaimalchuteh kaem
forever and ever and ever.3 lealam ulalmei almayah.
e
1
The Aramaic paraphrase (Targum Yonatan) for the preceding section, Isaiah 6:3.
2
Aramaic paraphrase for Ezekiel 3:12.
3
Aramaic paraphrase (Targum Onkelos) for Exodus 15:18.
I Chron. 29:18
Sovereign God of Abraham, Adonai Elohei Avraham
Isaac, and Israel our ancestors, Yitzchak veYisrael avotenu,
guard this forever shomrah zot leolam,
as a concept in the thoughts of leyetser machshevot
your peoples heart, levav amecha,
and make their hearts ready for you.1 vehachen levavam elecha.
Ps. 73:38
SP
Ps. 86:5
For you, Ruler, are good and forgiving,
Ki ata Adonai tov vesalach,
and very kind to all those who call on you. verav chesed lechol korecha.
S
Ps. 119:142
Your righteousness is righteous forever, Tzidkatcha tzedek leolam,
and your Torah is truth.
vetoratcha emet.
Micah 7:20
Sa
as you promised our ancestors asher nishbata laavoteinu
3
long ago. mimei kedem.
m
1
From Davids address to the people when he appointed Solomon as his successor. David had gathered all the
materials for the Temple and prayed they would be used as he intended and people would continue to give what
pl
was needed.
This passage and those that follow form a patchwork of quotations from different parts of scripture. In formal
prayer, we often rely on words crafted by others. Here, the prayers perhaps go deeper still, for even the com-
e
poser relies on the words of others. Its a sort of meditation using the vocabulary of faith and petition derived
from our scriptures.
2
3
Micah 7:20 is the last verse of his book.

Ps. 68:20
Blessed is the Sovereign,
Baruch Adonai
who sustains us each day, yom yom yaamos lanu
1
the God of our salvation, Selah. haEl yeshuatenu selah.
Ps. 46:8
Ps. 84:13
Oh God, with hosts at your command, Adonai tzevaot,
2
SP
Happy are they who trust in you. ashrei adam boteach bach.
Ps. 20:10
O God, bring rescue for us all,
Adonai hoshiah, hamelech
O Ruler, answer when we call! yaanenu beyom koreinu.
Blessed is our God Baruch hu Elohenu
who created us for Gods glory, shebraanu lichvodo,
S
separated us from those who stray, vehivdilanu min hatoim,
gave us the Torah of truth, venatan lanu torat emet,
and planted in us everlasting life. vechayey olam nata betochenu.
May God open our heart in Torah, Hu yiftach libenu beTorato,
Sa
and set in our heart veyasem belibenu
love and respect for God, ahavato veyirato,
doing Gods will velaasot retzono
and serving God wholeheartedly, uleovdo belevav shalem,
m
so that we do not labor in vain lemaan lo niga larik,
3
nor give birth to panic. velo neled labehalah.
pl
e
1
Sustain could also be burden, as if to say God loads us [with blessings]. Or, Blessed be God every day.
If someone burdens us, God is our salvation.
2
The Lord of Hosts, happy is the person who trusts in you.
3
Compare this with Isaiah 65:23.
May it be your will, Yehi ratzon milfanecha

Sovereign God Adonai Elohenu
and God of our ancestors, vElohei avotenu ,
that we observe your laws shenishmor chukecha
in this world, baolam hazeh,
and that we merit and live and see venizkeh venichyeh venireh
and inherit goodness and blessing venirash tovah uvrachah
SP
in the time of the Messiah
lishnei yemot hamashiach
and in the life of the world to come. ulechayey haolam habah.
Ps. 30:13
So that glory may sing to you Lemaan yezamercha chavod
and not be silent, velo yidom,
My Sovereign God, forever I will thank you.
Adonai Elohai leolam odeka.
S
Jeremiah 17:7
Blessed is the person Baruch hagever
who places trust in God, asher yivtach bAdonai
who has trusted God. vehayah Adonai mivtacho.
Sa
Isaiah 26:4
Trust in God forever, Bitchu vAdonai adei ad,
for in the Ruling God is the rock of ages. ki beYah Adonai tzur olamim.
Psalm 9:11
They will trust in you, Veyivtechu vecha
those who know your reputation
yodei shemecha,
m
for you have not abandoned ki lo azavta
those who seek you, God. dorshecha Adonai.
Isaiah 42:21
God wanted Adonai chafetz
pl
for the sake of Gods righteousness lemaan tzidko,
that the Torah should be made great and glorious.

yagdil Torah veyadir.
e

285 Afternoon Amidah for Festival Holy Days
Afternoon Amidah for Festival Holy Days

Ps 51:17
___________________________ 1. Ancestors Avot ___________________________

SP
our God Eloheinu
S
Sa
1
m
To show your love and honesty. lemaan shemo beahavah.
pl
e
1
____________________________________ 2. Might Gevurot ____________________________________


SP
2
S
lishenei afar.
Sa
m
3
who revives the dead. mechayeh hametim. Amen
pl
The third blessing has responsive and individual versions.
3a is the responsive version; 3b (page 288) is for individual silent prayer.
e
1
2
3

____________________________ 3a. Holiness

Responsive Kedushah ____________________________

SP
Isaiah 6:3
Isaiah 6:3
S
Ezek 3:12
Sa
And in your holy writings, this is written:
Uvedivrei kodshecha katuv lemor:
Ps 146:10
m
pl
e
1

____________________________ 3b. Holiness Individual Kedushah ____________________________
SP
______________________ 4. Holiness of This Day Kedushat Hayom ______________________
S
Sa
your great and holy reputation. aleinu karata.

m
with festivals for rejoicing beahavah moadim lesimchah,
this day - et yom
pl
For Pesach:
time of our freedom
zeman cherutenu
For Shavuot:
e
For Sukkot:


SP
Our God Eloheinu
S
Sa
m
For Pesach:
pl
For Shavuot:
e
For Sukkot:
1

SP
S

Sa
m
pl
e


1
SP
as for Israels fires2 and their prayer veishei Yisrael utefilatam
S
3
Sa
m
pl
e
1
2
3

SP
S
Sa
___________________ 6b. Teachers Thanksgiving Modim Derabbanan ___________________
m
pl
e



SP

S
u v w zBaruch yatah uAdonai,
Sa
Blessed are you, Ruler,
_____________________________________ 7. Peace Shalom _____________________________________
m
pl
e
After we finish the amidah, we remain standing to express our own thanks and the longings of our heart,
_________________________________________ Personal Prayer _________________________________________
SP
S
Sa

Ps 60:7
Psalm 19:15

m

pl
e



Mal 3:4
Mal. 3:4
SP
After the amidah, the leader leads Full Kaddish, page 369,
and we conclude the afternoon service with Aleinu, page 310.
S
Sa
m
pl
e
Afternoon Amidah for Intermediate Days


Ps 51:17
SP
Opening Blessings
__________________________ 1. Ancestors Avot __________________________
S
our God Eloheinu
Sa

m
pl
e
1

297 Afternoon Amidah for Intermediate Days

SP
Amen
____________________________________ 2. Might Gevurot ____________________________________
S
Sa
m
For people who sleep in the dust. lishenei afar.

pl

e
1
3

SP
____________________________ 3a. Holiness Responsive Kedushah ____________________________
S

Sa
Isaiah 6:3
Isaiah 6:3
m
pl
Ezek 3:12
e
1


Ps 146:10
SP
S
Sa
_____________________________ 3b. Holiness
m
pl
e
1

Central Blessings
SP
S
Sa

6. Pardon our sins.
m
pl
e


SP
S
-

Sa
1
m
____ child of _____, _____ /_____ _____ ben/bat_____,
pl
e
1
2

SP
S
Sa

m
pl
e
1
atchilah /
beginning.


SP
S
Sa
m
pl
e

SP

S
Sa
m
pl
e
Closing Blessings
1
SP

2
Our God Eloheinu

S
Sa
m
pl
e
life and peace, on this day, lechayim ulshalom, beyom
On the middle days of Pesach:
this festival of matzah chag hamatzot hazeh
1
2
On the middle days of Sukkot:

this festival of Huts chag hasukkot hazeh
Continue here:
SP
S

Sa
m
God of our ancestors,
pl
vElohei avoteinu ,
e


SP
____________________2b. Teachers Thanksgiving Modim
Derabbanan____________________
God of all flesh, Elohei chol basar,
S
-
Sa
m
pl

e

____________________________________ 3. Peace Shalom ____________________________________
SP
S
Sa
_________________________________ Personal Prayer _________________________________
m
pl
e


Ps 60:7
Psalm 19:15

SP

S

Sa
m
pl
Mal 3:4
Mal. 3:4
e
Take three steps forward. The leader says Full Kaddish, page 369.
_____________________________ Our Duty Aleinu1_____________________________

SP
2
S
Is 45:20

Sa
m
pl
e
1
2


Whose power dwells
ushechinat uzo
1
SP
Deut 4:39
Veyadata hayom,
that God is God
S
Sa
m
pl
e
1

SP
S
Ex. 15:18
Zech. 14:9
Sa
ushemo echad.
Mourners and those observing yahrzeit remain standing to lead Mourners Kaddish, page 371.
m
pl
e

SP
Evening Service After a Festival
Evening Service After a Festival

S
After a festival, the evening service is a weekday service, with some variations to ease the transition from the
day of rest to the week of work. (If the festival is on a Friday, the evening service after the festival is the Shab-
bat evening service, found in our Shabbat book.)
The service begins with the call to prayer and the Shema, with the blessings that precede and follow the
Sa
Shema. Next comes the amidahan ordinary weekday evening amidah, with one exception. The first of the
middle weekday blessings thanks God for our intellectual abilities, knowledge, understanding and common
sense. We expand that blessing to mark the fact that we can use these abilities to study Torah.
After the amidah we add psalms and readings that combine our confidence of Gods help with our worry that
well need it.
Many congregations say Havdalah together; with blessings and scripture quotations, we acknowledge the
m
distinction between the festival and the work week.
Like all other services, this evening service ends with Aleinu.
pl
e
Evening Service After a Festival 314

Usually, the leader chants the first line,
lets the congregation say all six lines, and repeats the last two lines.
Ps. 73:38
SP
Ps. 20:10
Adonai hoshia
2
___________________________ Call to Prayer Barchu___________________________

We rise as the prayer leader begins the call to prayer.
S
Sa
We are seated x
We respond Amen but not Baruch hu uvaruch shemo for the blessings before and after Shema.
We bless you, Sovereign, x xBaruch atah Adonai
m
our God, ruler of time and space, Eloheinu melech haolam,
who by your word brings evening, asher bidvaro maariv aravim,
pl
e
1
2

in wisdom opens the gates, bechochmah poteach shearim

with insight changes the times, uvitvunah meshaneh itim
varies the seasons, umachalif et hazmanim
and arranges the stars umesader et hakochavim
in their guardposts bemishmeroteihem
in the sky, by your will,1 barakiah kirtzono.
creating day and night, Borei yom valaylah,
SP
rolling away light before darkness golel or mipnei choshech
and darkness before light, vechoshech mipnei or,
making day pass and bringing night. umaavir yom umevi laylah,
Separating day from night, umavdil bein yom uvein laylah,
God is called the Ruler of Hosts. Adonai tzevaot shemo.
S
God who lives and prevails El chai vekayam
will rule us always, forever and ever. tamid yimloch aleinu leolam vaed.
Sa
who brings on evenings. hamaariv aravim. Amen

With lasting love for Israels family Ahavat olam beit Yisrael
have you loved your people. amcha ahavta.
m
Torah and commandments, Torah umitzvot
statutes and judgements, chukim umishpatim
you have taught us. otanu limadta.
Because of this, O Ruler, our God, Al ken Adonai Eloheinu
pl
when we lie down and when we get up, beshochbenu uvekumenu
we shall speak about your statutes, nasiach bechukecha,
e
and well rejoice in words of your Torah venismach bedivrei Toratecha
and commandments forever and ever. uvemitzvotecha leolam vaed.
1
Literally, your word and your will use the third person pronoun (Gods word Gods will).
For they are our life and our good old age, Ki hem chayeinu veorech yameinu
and well enjoy them day and night. uvahem nehgeh yomam valaylah.
And your love Veahavatcha
dont take it away from us, ever. al tasir mimenu leolamim.
who loves your people Israel. ohev amo Yisrael. Amen

SP
Add this shaded line when praying without a minyan.1
Many people cover the eyes with the right hand for the next two lines.
Deut. 6:4
S
Say the next two lines quietly.
Deut. 6:5-9
Sa
bechol levavcha,
your whole self
uvechol nafshecha,

uvechol meodecha.
6
m
on your heart.
al levavecha.
pl
1
Add three words to make up the number of words in Shema to 248, the number (tradition tells us) of parts in
the bodyso we declare our love for God with every part of our body. When praying with a congregation, we
add three words at the end of Shema.
e
2
3

7

8
SP
9

and on your gates.
uvisharecha.
_____________________________Shema (Second Paragraph) ____________________________

Deut 11:13-21
S

Sa

uvechol nafshechem.
14
m
veasafta deganecha,
and wine and oil.
15
pl
16
e
1
and worship them.
1
17
Then God will be angry1 at you Vecharah af Adonai bachem,

from the good land
SP
18
Set these words
between your eyes.
bein eineichem.
S
19

Sa

20

and on your gates.
uvisharecha.
21
m

long time,2 on the land

that God promised
pl
3
e
1
2
3
Like the days of.

______________________________Shema (Third Paragraph) _____________________________

Numbers 15:37
38
and tell them
veamarta aleihem,

veasu lahem tzitzit
al kanfei vigdeihem
1
ledorotam.
SP

39
You will look at it
uritem oto,
S
vaasitem otam,
you should not follow your heart
velo taturu acharei levavchem
nor your eyes
veacharei eineichem
Sa
40


41
m
who brought you

to be your God.
pl
I am Ani
Adonai Eloheichem.
Its true Emet
e
1
_____________________________ First Blessing After Shema ____________________________

All this is certainits our faith veemunah kol zot
and its proven for us, vekayam aleinu
that this is the Ruler our God, ki hu Adonai Eloheinu
1
and there is no other, veein zulato
and we are Israel, Gods people. vaanachnu Yisrael amo.
God rescues us from the hand of kings, Hapodenu miyad melachim
SP
our ruler, who redeems us malkeinu, hagoalenu
from the clutches of all tyrants; mikaf kol hearitzim;
God, who claims damages from our foes haEl hanifrah lanu mitzareinu
and who pays back in full vehamshalem gemul
all our mortal enemies; lechol oyvei nafshenu;
S
Job 9:10
Who does great things Ha- Oseh gedolot
too many to find out ad ein cheker
2
and miracles beyond counting; veniflaot ad ein mispar;
Sa
Ps 66:9
Who sets our souls in life Hasam nafshenu bachayim,
and has not let our foot falter; velo natan lamot raglenu;
who leads us to our enemies heights hamadrichenu al bamot oyveinu,
and has raised our glory vayarem karnenu
over all who hate us; al kol soneinu;
m
who works miracles for us haoseh lanu nisim
and revenge on Pharaoh, unekamah beFaroh,
signs and wonders otot umoftim
pl
on the land of Hams children; beadmat benei Cham;
who strikes in anger hamakeh veevrato
all the firstborn of Egypt, kol bechorei Mitzrayim,
e
1
Ein zulato (there is no other, or there is nothing except God) may mean that God has no rival, or perhaps
that God is all existence, all reality.
2
The first letter of the Hebrew, ( the one who), is added to the verse from Job.

and brings out Gods people Israel vayotzeh et amo Yisrael

from among them to eternal freedom; mitocham lecherut olam;
who guides the children hamaavir banav
between the parts of the Reed Sea bein gizrei Yam Suf,
their pursuers and enemies et rodfeihem veet soneihem
God sunk into the depths, bithomot tiba,.
while those children saw Gods strength,
verau vanav gevurato,
SP
gave praise and thanks to Gods name. shibchu vehodu lishmo
Willingly, they accepted Gods authority1 Umalchuto veratzon kiblu
over them. aleihem:
Moses and the children of Israel Moshe uvnei Yisrael
answered you with song lecha anu shirah
S
in great joy, and they all said: besimchah rabah,veamru chulam:
We say the next three lines aloud.
Ex 15:11
Who is like you among gods, Ruler?
Mi chamochah baelim Adonai?
Sa
Your children saw your ruling power
Malchutcha rau vanecha
split the sea before Moses.
bokeah yam lifnei Moshe.
Ex 15:2
This is my God, they responded, saying: Zeh Eli, anu, veamru:
m
We say the next line aloud.
Ex. 15:18
pl
Jer 31:10
For God has redeemed Jacob, Ki fadah Adonai et Yaakov
saved him from a hand too strong for him. ugealo miyad chazak mimenu.
e
who saves Israel. gaal Yisrael. Amen
1
And Gods-sovereignty willingly they-took upon-themselves.
___________________________ Second Blessing After Shema ___________________________

In peace, O God, lay us in bed, Hashkivenu Adonai Elohenu lshalom,
Wake us to life, O Sovereign. vehaamidenu malkenu lechayim,
Your peaceful shelter oer us spread, uferos aleinu sukat shelomecha
Guide us with good counseling. vetaknenu beetza tovah milfanecha
Save us for your reputation, vehoshienu lemaan shemecha
Shield us for our own salvation, vehagen baadenu
SP
Spare us these miseries: the foe, vehaser mealeinu oyev,
Pestilence, sword, famine and woe. dever vecherev veraav veyagon,
1
Keep Satan vehaser Satan
from our front and rear, milfaneineinu umeachareinu,
Hide us in shadow of your wing, uvetzel kenafecha tastirenu,
S
O God, our guard and rescuer, ki El shomrenu umatzilenu atah;
Gracious and kind, our sovereign. ki El melech chanun verachum atah.
Protect us as we leave and return Ushemor tzetenu uvoenu
Sa
in life and in peace lechayim uleshalom
from now for ever. meata vead olam.
who always guards your people Israel. shomer amo Yisrael laad. Amen
m
pl
e
1
Satan, the adversary in the book of Job, acts like a prosecuting attorney who probes human failings.

____________________________ Third Blessing After Shema ____________________________

Ps. 89:53
May God be blessed forever Baruch Adonai leolam:
this is really true! amen veamen.
Ps. 135:21
May God be blessed from Zion, Baruch Adonai miTziyon,
God who lives in Jerusalem: Halleluyah! shochen Yerushalayim: Halleluyah!
Ps.72:18-19
May God, God, be blessed
Baruch Adonai Elohim,
Israels God, Elohei Yisrael,
SP
who alone makes miracles; oseh niflaot levado;
and Gods famous name be blessed forever, uvaruch shem kevodo leolam,
and may Gods glory fill the whole world: veyimaleh chevodo et kol haaretz:
Let it really be so! amen veamen.
Ps. 104:31
S
Ps. 113:2
May Gods fame be blessed
from now on, forever and ever. meatah vead olam.
Sa
I Samuel 12:22 1
God will not disown Gods people, Ki lo yitosh Adonai et amo
and risk Gods great reputation,2 baavur shemo hagadol.
3
for God agreed
Ki hoil Adonai
to make you Gods people.4 laasot etchem lo leam.
m
I Kings 18:39
Then the whole nation saw Vayar kol haam,
and fell face-down and said:

vayiplu al peneihem, vayomru:
God is the Divinity!
Adonai, hu haElohim,
pl
5
God is the Divinity!
Adonai, hu haElohim.
1
From the root , abandon.
e
2
For the sake of Gods great namei.e., Gods reputation (name) depends on the fate of Gods people. The
basis of Gods reputation is truth, keeping promises. If God abandons the people God promised to protect,
people will wonder whether Gods reputation for keeping promises is deserved!
3
is from the root , consent; resolve; begin.
4
After scolding the people for wanting a king, Samuel reassures them with these words.
5
Said after Elijah routed the prophets of Baal. What is the difference between Adonai and Elohim? When I sit
in judgement on humanity, I am called Elohim. And when I treat the world with compassion, I am known as
Adonai (Exodus Rabbah 3:6, quoted by Ismar Schorsch in his commentary on sedrah Vaera, 5758).
Zech. 14:9
ushemo echad.
Ps. 33:22
Be kind to us, God,
Yehi chasdecha Adonai aleinu
for we have hoped for you.1 kaasher yichalnu lach.
I Chronicles 16:35
Save us, O saving God,
Hoshienu, Elohei yishenu,
SP
gather us vekabtzenu
and save us from the other nations, vehatzilenu min hagoyim
to thank your holy name lehodot leshem kodshecha,
2
and honor your praise. lehishtabeach bithilatecha.
S
Ps. 86:9-10
All the nations you made Kol goyim asher asita
will come and bring praises to you, yavou veyishtachavu lefanecha,
God, and honor your name,
Adonai, vichabdu lishmecha.
for you are great and work wonders, Ki gadol atah veoseh niflaot,
Sa
you, God, by yourself
atah, Elohim, levadecha.
Ps. 79:13
While we, your people Vaanachnu amcha
the flock you tend vetzon maritecha.
will thank you forever;
Nodeh lecha leolam,
m
from age to age we shall tell your praise. ledor vador nesaper tehilatecha.
May God be blessed in the daytime; Baruch Adonai bayom,

may God be blessed at night; baruch Adonai balayla;
pl
may God be blessed when we go to sleep; baruch Adonai beshochbenu,
may God be blessed when we wake up. baruch Adonai bekumenu.
e
1
May your kindness be upon us, God, as (or, according to the way that) we have hoped for you, a plea that
Gods mercy and salvation, when it finally comes, should compensate for all the long years of hoping, suffering
and waiting.
2
Some siddurim (Birnbaum, Scherman) use the very similar verse from Psalms 106:47 instead of I Chronicles
16:35 (found in Brodie, Davis, Silverman). These works are listed in the bibliography.

For in your power are Ki veyadcha

the souls of the living and the dead! nafshot hachayim vehametim.
Job 12:10
Who holds every creatures soul, Asher beyado nefesh kol chay,
and every persons spirit.

veruach kol bsar ish.
Ps. 31:6
I will entrust my spirit to you:
Beyadcha afkid ruchi,
you have set me free, ruling God of truth!1
pedita oti, Adonai, El emet.
SP
God in heaven, Eloheinu shebashamayim,
unify your reputation, yached shimcha.
And establish your eternal rule, Vekayem malchutcha tamid,
and rule over us forever. umeloch aleinu leolam vaed.
May our eyes see, our hearts rejoice Yiru eineinu, veyismach libenu,
S
and our spirits delight Vetagel nafshenu
in your true salvation, bishuatcha, beemet,
when Zion declares: beemor leTziyon:
Sa
Your God has become ruler! Malach Elohayich!
God reigns; our God has ever reigned; Adonai melech; Adonai malach;
2
Gods reign eternal will not cease; Adonai yimloch leolam vaed.
and forever and ever you will rule in glory. uleolmei ad timloch bechavod.
m
There is no true ruler except for you. Ki ein lanu melech elah atah.
the glorious ruler who hamelech bichvodo
pl
will constantly rule us forever and ever, tamid yimloch aleinu leolam vaed,
us and all Gods creatures. veal kol maasav. Amen
e
1
Into your hand (i.e., into your power) I commend my spirit; you have taken notice of me (so you know who I
am; or, you redeemed me), Ruler, God of truth.
2
Psalm 10:16; 93:1; Exodus 15:18.
Evening Silent Amidah

We stand to recite the amidah (standing prayer) quietly.
Those who wish may omit the references to the Matriarchs.
Ps 51:17
Opening Blessings
SP
___________________________1. Ancestors Avot __________________________
We bless you, God, our God u v w zBaruch yata uAdonai Eloheinu
S
Sa
m
pl
e
1

327 Evening Silent Amidah
____________________________________ 2. Might Gevurot ____________________________________

After Pesach and Shavuot some add:
During Sukkot and on the evening after Simchat Torah, add:
SP
2
S
lishenei afar.
Sa
m
3
who revives the dead. mechayeh hametim.
pl
e
1
2
3
_________________________________ 3. Holiness
Kedushah _________________________________
_________________________________ Central Blessings ________________________________

SP
4. We thank God for our intellectual abilities, knowledge and understanding;
on festival imtermediate evenings not following a festival day, skip to 4b.
You graciously granted us Atah chonantanu
S
knowledge of your Torah lemada Toratecha
and taught us to perform vatlamdenu laasot
the statutes of your will. chukei retzonecha
Sa
You distinguished, Sovereign God, vatavdel, Adonai Eloheinu,
between holy and seculary, bein kodesh lechol,
between light and dark, bein or lechoshech,
between Israel and other nations, bein Yisrael laamim,
between Day Seven
bein Yom Hashvii
m
and the six days of work. lesheshet yemei hamaaseh.
Parent and sovereign, Avinu malkeinu,
Let the coming days begin hachel aleinu hayamim habaim
pl
to bring us peace; likratenu leshalom,
may we be kept far from sin, chasuchim mikol chet
cleansed of iniquity, umenukim mikol avon
e
fixed in our reverence for you, umedubakim beyiratecha;
and grant us from yourself vechoneinu meitcha
who grants knowledge. chonein hadaat.

4b. We thank God for our intellect (for festival intermediate evenings not following a festival).
who grants knowledge. chonein hadaat.
SP
S
who cherishes repentance. harotzeh bitshuvah.
6. Pardon our sins.
Sa
m
gracious and liberal in forgiveness. chanun hamarbeh lisloach.
pl
Look on our misery Reei nah veonyenu
and plead our cause, verivah rivenu,
and save us soon ugealenu meherah
e
for your reputation, lemaan shemecha,
who saves Israel. goel Yisrael.

-
SP

S
____ child of _____,1 _____ /_____ _____ ben/bat_____,
Sa
healing the sick of your people Israel. rofeh cholei amo Yisrael.
m
pl
e
who blesses the years. mevarech hashanim.
1
2


gathering your dispersed people, Israel. mekabetz nidchei amo Yisrael.

SP
and our advisors as in the beginning, veyoatzeinu kevatchilah
and rule us, umeloch aleinu
S
Godyou alone atah Adonai levadcha
Sa
ruler who loves righteousness and justice.
melech ohev tzedakah umishpat.
may wickedness perish in an instant, - vechol harishah kerega toved,
m
pl
e
who destroys foes and humbles the proud. shover oyvim umachnia zedim.

for the remnant of their scholars veal pleitat sofreihem
SP
ruling God; Adonai Eloheinu;
and grant a good reward veten sachar tov
to all who truly trust your reputation, lechol habotchim beshimcha beemet
S
the support and trust of the righteous. mishan umivtach latzadikim.
Sa
m
and set Davids throne there soon. vechiseh David mehera letochah tachin.
who builds Jerusalem. boneh Yerushalayim.

pl
e
who makes the horn of salvation flourish. matzmiach keren yeshuah.


SP
S
who listens to prayer. shomeah tefilah.
Closing Blessings
Sa
m
1
2
pl
e
1
2
During Pesach or Sukkot, add Yaaleh Veyavo.

Our God Eloheinu
SP
S
Sa
For Pesach
m
For Sukkot
pl
e


you return your presence to Zion. hamachazir shechinato leTziyon.
_________________________________ 18. Thanksgiving Modim _________________________________
u shaatah huuAdonai Elohenu
SP
because you are the Ruler, our God,
S
Sa
m
pl
e
and to whom thanks are due. ulecha naeh lehodot.
____________________________________ 19. Peace Shalom ____________________________________

SP
with peace. bashalom.
S
The amidah ends here, but we remain standing to express our own thanks and the longings of our heart, guided by
the next paragraphs.
_________________________________________ Personal Prayer _________________________________________
Sa
m
pl
e
Ps 60:7

Psalm 19:15


SP

S
Sa
Mal 3:4
Mal. 3:4
m
The leader says Full Kaddish, page 369.

pl
From the second night of Pesach, count the omer, page 64.
e
On the evening after a festival holy day, say Havdalah, below.
_____________________ Farewell to the Festival Havdalah _____________________

Hold a cup of wine or grape juice for the first blessing.
Eternal space and time, Eloheinu melech haolam,
Creator of the grapevines fruit, Boreh peri hagafen. Amen
From which we make this wine.
SP
Say this blessing before drinking the wine (or grape juice).
Ruler of the universe, Eloheinu melech haolam,
who distinguishes holy from secular, hamavdil bein kodesh lechol,
darkness from light,
bein or lechoshech,
S
the seventh day
bein yom hashvii
Sa
Blessed are you, Ruler, Baruch ata Adonai,
who distinguishes holy from secular. hamavdil bein kodesh lechol.
Someone drinks the wine or grape juice.

m
pl
e

_____________________________ Our Duty Aleinu1 ____________________________

SP
2
S
Is 45:20

Sa
m
pl
e
1
2

Whose power dwells
ushechinat uzo
1
SP
Deut 4:39
Veyadata hayom,
that God is God
S
Sa
m
pl
e
1


SP
S
Ex. 15:18
Zech. 14:9
Sa
ushemo echad.
Mourners and those observing yahrzeit remain standing to lead Mourners kaddish, page 371.
m
pl
e
____________________________________ Psalm 27 ____________________________________

On Sukkot until Hoshanah Rabbah, add Psalm 27.
1
A psalm of David: LeDavid
God lights my way and saves me from alarm.
Adonai ori veyishi, mimi irah?
God is my life-force. Who can do me harm? Adonai maoz chayai, mimi efchad?
2
When evil people came Bikrov alai mereim
my flesh to eat,
leechol et besari
SP
My irksome foes slipped, tzarai veoyvai li
fell down at my feet.1 hemah kashlu venafalu.
3
Let armies camp!

Im tachaneh alai machaneh
my heart will not take fright.
lo yirah libi;
Let war come; im takum alai milchamah
S
still I know that this is right. bezot ani voteach.
4
One thing I asked of God, Achat shaalti meet Adonai,
for this I pray: otah avakesh:
Sa
To sit in Gods own house shivti beveit Adonai
living each day, kol yemei chayai,
To view Gods grace, lachazot benoam Adonai
and in Gods Temple stay.2
ulevaker beheichalo.
5
For God will keep me safe in evil days, Ki yitzpeneni besuko beyom raah,
m
Perch me in secret tent yastireni beseter oholo
on mountain raised.
betzur yeromemeni.
pl
e
1
A Psalm of David: God is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? God is the power of my life; of
whom shall I be afraid? When evil people came at me, to devour my fleshmy troubles, my enemiesthey
stumbled and fell!
2
If an army camps against me, my heart will not fear. If war rises against me, this is what Ill rely on. One
thing I asked from God, this is my request: to sit in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to view the
sweetness of God and to be a visitor in Gods Temple.

6
And now Im high above
Veatah yarum roshi
my enemies round; al oyvai sevivotai
Ill offer in Gods tent veezbechah veoholo
1
my joyful sound. zivchei teruah;
With song to God my music will resound.2
ashirah vaazamrah lAdonai.
7
God, hear my cry, Shema Adonai, koli ekrah;
and answer in your grace. vechoneni vaaneni.
SP
8
My heart implored you, God, O seek my face Lecha amar libi, Bakshu fanai.
As I seek yours. Et panecha Adonai avakesh.
9 Dont turn away from me, Al taster panecha mimeni,
3
Dont send away your servant angrily.
al tat beaf avdecha.
You helped me; Ezrati hayita:
S

4
dont spurn or abandon me.
al titsheni, veal taazveni.
O God, you save me, time and time again. Elohei yishi
10
My parents left me, Ki avi veimi azavuni,
Sa
5
God will take me in. vAdonai yaasfeni.
11
Show me your way, God, Horeni Adonai darkecha,
set me on level ground unecheni beorach mishor
6
To stand against those who can boss me around! lemaan shorerai.
m
1
Zivchei teruah, sacrifices of shouting, could imply lots of animals bellowing at their slaughter. On the other
pl
hand, it may imply that a voice raised in song and praise is itself an acceptable offering, perhaps even an alter-
native to the blood and guts of the sacrificial system.
2
For God will hide me in Gods shelter on a bad day, conceal me in the secrecy of Gods tent, lift me up on a
e
rock! And now my head is raised above my enemies all around, and Ill offer in Gods tent sacrifices of joyous
shouting, Ill sing and make music to God.
3
Listen, God; Ill call with my voice: take pity on me and answer me. My heart said to you, Seek my face.
Lord, I shall seek your face! Dont hide your face from me; Dont turn your servant away in anger.
4
You have been my help: Dont throw me off, dont abandon me.
5
O Lord, you are my savior. For my father and mother abandoned me, and God will take me in.
6
God, show me your path and lead me on a level road (no ups and downs!) because of those people who can
ruin my day!
12
Dont turn me over to my enemies,
Al titneni benefesh tzarai,
False witnesses,
ki kamu vi
1
who breathe brutality.
edei sheker vifeach chamas.
13
What had I been, had I not known Id spy Lulei heemanti lirot
Gods goodness here on earth before I die? betuv Adonai beeretz chayim.
14
Wait for God, wait and trust. Kaveh el Adonai:
Though God come late,
chazak veyaametz libecha:
SP
Be strong, take heart. vekaveh el Adonai.
2
And wait for God, just wait.
Mourners and those observing yahrzeit remain standing to lead Mourners kaddish, page 371.
S
Sa
m
pl
e
1
Dont turn me over to the will of my foes, for there have risen against me witnesses who lie, breathing vio-
lence. Shorerai means those who have power over me; they can ruin my day and put ups and downs in my
daily path.
2
If I had not trusted that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living what would have be-
come of me! Wait for the Lord: keep your heart strong and resolute, and wait for the Lord.

SP
Additional Material
S
Additional Material
Sa
m
pl
e
Additional Material 346
Pesach Poems
On Pesach, many communities add a poem before the Morning Amidah.
_________________________ First Day: Run, My Dear!1 Berach Dodi _________________________
Run, my dear, Berach dodi,
until the love we shared at our ad shetechpatz ahavat kelulenu;
betrothal pleases you again.2
Then return in mercy, shuv lerachem,
SP
3
for our captors, our tormentors have ki chilunu shoveinu, tolaleinu.
destroyed us.
Destroy and uproot their pile Haros vekaakiah beitzatam
4
from our hill. mitilenu;
Erect your wall,
hakem turach,
S
let our saplings, our children, sing: nagen shetilenu:
Song 2:9
Look, this one stands behind our wall! Hineh, zeh omed achar kotlenu!
Sa
m
1
The last verse of Song of Songs,
, (Berach dodi, udemeh lecha

litzvi, o leofer haayalim, al harei vesamim / Run, my dear, and appear like a deer, or a young stag, on the fra-
grant hills) is the starting point for these poems. The translation and interpretation allow much room for discus-
pl
sion. Jewish tradition sees the Song of Songs as a poem about the relationship between God and Israel, never
closer physically than at the Exodus, so we read this poem of physical love at Pesach, and in these Berach
Dodi poems the poet prays to recover the love of the beloved. The first Berach Dodi poem is attributed to
e
Shlomo HaBavli (10th century, Italy) and the second to his pupil Meshullam (of Lucca, later of Mainz); a third,
recited in some congregations on the intermediate Shabbat of Pesach, is attributed to Shimon HaGadol of
Mainz.
2
God, the beloved, is estranged from the poet. The poet encourages God to continue the estrangement until, one
happy day, God remembers their mutual love and wishes to revive it.
3
Many versions add a phrase the kings of evil Edom, or the kings of the arrogant.
4
Our enemies dumped their lumps (rubble) on our treasured hill when they destroyed the Temple. Over the
centuries, people constructed new buildings on the site. If those buildings are to go, let God take care of it!

347 Additional Material

1
until the end of vision wafts past. ad sheyafuach ketz machazeh;
2
Hurry: let the shadows flee from here. chish venasu hatzlalim mizeh.
Let the despised Messiah be raised, Yarum venisah vegavah nivzeh;
exalted and lifted up,
let him be brilliant in argument, yaskil veyochiach,
to sprinkle purification on many nations. vegoyim rabim yazeh;
SP
Stretch out your arm and cry out thus: chasof zeroacha, kero chazeh:
Song 2:8
See, this is the voice of my beloved.
Kol dodi hineh zeh.
Run, my dear, and appear like a gazelle; Berach dodi, udemeh lecha litzvi.
may the end of my appointed time of suffering Yigal, yigash ketz kitzvi;
S
be revealed and approach.
Raise me from my captivity deloti mishvi
to be a crown of glory; laateret tzevi;
Sa
the abhorred Jews crave the glorious hill teuvim, teevim har tzevi;
but there is no leader nor prophet, veein mevi venavi,
no Elijah the Tishbite, velo Tishbi
3
to settle disputes and reconcile generations. meshavi meshivi;
Fight my fight for me, Rivah rivi,
m
remove my guilt and my pain, haser chovi ucheevi
let my foe see and feel ashamed veyereh veyevosh oyvi
as I recover from my disgrace, saying:4 veashivah chorfi benivi;
pl
This is my darling, my savior, my close friend, Zeh dodi, goali, kerovi,
my dear friendGod, my parents God. rei vaahuvi, El, Elohai avi!
e
1
The end of vision, i.e., the end of time envisioned by the prophets.
2
of our present exile.
3
Elijahs traditional roles, settling disputes and reuniting families, are based on Mishnah Eduyot 8:7 and Mala-
chi 3:23-24.
4
is utterance; in my uttering or when I say.
For the sake of the ancestors Biglal avot

you will rescue their descendants toshiah banim
and bring salvation vetavi geulah
to their childrens children. livnei veneihem.
We bless you, sovereign, Baruch atah, Adonai,
who saves Israel. gaal Yisrael

Continue with the Morning Amidah, page 181.
SP
________________________ Second Day: Run, My Dear! Berach Dodi ________________________
return to the place where you should dwell, el machon leshivtach;
even if we have broken your contract. veim avarnu et beritach.
1
Please remember your love at our wedding. Anah, zechor ivui chupatach;
S
Uphold the truth of your promise to save us; hakem kosht milatach,
establish your city of delight, konen mesos kiryatach,
raise her above your greatest joy. haalotah al rosh simchatach.
Sa
Run, my dear, Berach dodi
return to your peaceful shelter, el shalem sukach,
even if we have strayed from your path. veim tainu midarkach.
Please, peep through your lattice anah hatzetz mecharakach
m
and save the humbled, rebuked people, vetoshia am ani umutkach;
calming your anger at them, chamatcha mehem leshakach
sheltering them with your wing. uveevratcha selah lehistokach
pl
e
1
The desire of your wedding canopy, i.e., the love you felt when we stood together (figuratively) under the
wedding canopy. Alternatively, the canopy could refer to Gods beloved Temple.


to the lofty abode of ancient times, el marom merishon,
even if we have lied and deceived you. veim bagadnu bechachashon,
Please, hear our silent outpouring of prayer, anah, sechot tzekon lachashon.
lift me from drowning in muck, Deloti mitibuah rifshon.
save us, who are guarded like the apple of the eye, Geal netzurei cheishon,
1
as you saved us in the first month. keaz bachodesh harishon.
SP
S

Sa
_________________________ Seventh Day: Dry Day Yom Leyabasha _________________________
This acrostic poem celebrates crossing the Reed Sea, which (our tradition holds) took place on the seventh day
of Pesach. The acrostic reads Judah Levi / / YeHUDaH HaLeVi. We repeat the first verse as a
chorus after each verse.
That day the watery deep turned dry, Yom leyabasha nehefchu metzulim,
Freed slaves sang new songs of praise. shira chadasha shibchu geulim
m

Cunningly, you submerged Hitbata betarmit
Egyptian girls feet in the sea raglei bat Anamit
pl
while the good girls measured paces ufaamei shulamit
2
were in unsoiled shoes yafu banalim.
e
1
The apple of the eye is an ancient phrase in English referring to a delicate part of the body, cherished and
protected. The Exodus from Egypt took place in the first month (Ex. 12).
2
You-sank/plunged through-deceit the-feet-of the-daughter-of the-Anamite-one (i.e., the one descended from
Anamim, son of Mitzrayim/Egypt, Gen 10:13) and-the-measures-of the-wholesome-girl were-beautiful in-
regard-to-shoes, i.e., the Egyptians sank in the Reed Sea while the Israelites walked across with dry shoes.
All who see Jeshurun (the Israelites) Vechol roei Yeshurun

will sing praise in my glorious sanctuary: beveit hodi yeshorerun:
Theres none like the God of Jeshurun, and Ein kaEl Yeshurun,
our enemies are on trial. veoyveinu pelilim.
Raise my flags Degalai ken tarim

for the survivors al hanisharim,
SP
And collect our scattered people,
utelaket nifzarim
as one binds sheaves of grain kimlaket shibolim.
Those who come with you Habaim imcha,

into the agreement confirmed by your seal, bivrit chotamcha
S
who are dedicated to you in the womb,
umibeten leshimcha,
they are circumcised. hemah nimolim.
Display their signs Hareh ototam

Sa
to all who see them lechol roei otam,
and on the corners of their clothes
veal kanfei chesutam
1
let them make fringes. yaasu gedilim.
Whose is this written Torah? Lemi zot nirshemet?

m
Identify this thing of truth; haker nah devar emet!
Whose is this seal Lemi hachotemet,
2
and whose are these threads? ulemi haptilim?
pl
e
1
The signs to display are the tzitziyot on garments (some wear these visibly, though some authorities deplore
this practice), not the sign of circumcision.
2
Recognize this seal and these threads, says Tamar in Gen 38. Judah acknowledges they are his and that he
made her pregnant, and he admits his own fault.

Take her to you again; Veshuv shenit lekadshah,

dont drive her away any more; veal tosif legorshah,
let the light of her sun rise vehaaleh or shimshah,
so the shadows flee. venasu hatzlalim.
Your much-loved people exalt you; Yedidim romemucha,

with song they come before you, singing: beshirah kidmucha:
SP
Who is like you, God, among the gods? Mi chamocha, Adonai, baelim?

S
Sa
m
pl
e
I Preface the Words Akdamut Millin

We read this poem before reading the Ten Commandments on Shavuot.
The poet begins in trepidation at the great power of the Creator.
As preface to the words of the Ten Commandments Akdamut millin
and as start of my speech, vesharayut shutah,
I begin by seeking Avlah shakelnah,
agreement and permission. harman ureshutah.
SP
With two or three points Bevavei terei utelat
that I begin to explain with trepidation,
deeftach benakshutah,
With permission of the worlds creator, Bevarei devarei vetarei
who bears the world to its old age. adei lekashshutah,
Eternal power is Gods, Gevuran almin lei,
S
which cannot be explained:
vela sefek perishutah:
Even if all the sky were paper Gevil ilu rekiei,
and all the trees were pens, kenei kol churshatah,
If the seas were ink, Deyo ilu yamei,
Sa
and all bodies of water,
vechol mei chenishutah,
All earths people writers, Dayrei arah safrei,
writing shorthand,1 we could not describe verashmei rashvatah,
The splendor of the skies ruler, Hadar marei shemayah
m
sovereign of the earth. veshalit beyabeshtah.
Alone, God founded the world Hakem almah yechidai
and governed its growth; vechabshei bechabshutah.
pl
God finished it without exhaustion, Uvelah leu shachlelei
without tiredness; uvelah teshashutah
with a letter, a little letter, Uveatah kalilah
e
something insubstantial,
deleit bah meshashutah
God began all the work Zamen kol avidtei
in those six days; behach yomei shitah
1
Recording the initialseven if people only tried to write down abbreviations, there would be so much to
say that they couldnt finish.

then Gods glorious radiance Zehor yekarei ali,

ascended to the throne of fire. alei charseyeh deeshatah,

After God has completed the work of creation, the poet envisions God
on a heavenly throne, praised by angels.
An army of ten thousand Chayal elef alfin,
a myriadstand to serve God, veribo leshamshutah.
with new ones emerging each morning Chadtin nevot letzafrin,
SP
great is Gods faithfulness! segiah terashutah,
The Serafim blaze more brightly; Tefei yekidin serafin,
adorned with six wings, kelol gapei shitah.
until they are given permission, Teem ad yityehev lehon,
they are silent and still. shetikin beadishtah,
S
When they receive permission from each other, Yekablun den min den,
in unison they cry at once, shavei delah veshashtah.
The whole world is filled with glory Yekar melei chol arah,
1
after three cries of Holy letalotei kedushtah,
Sa
The sound they make before the Almighty Kekal min kodam shadai,
is like the sound of rushing water. kekal mei nefishutah.
Cherubim answering the spinning Ofanim, Keruvin kovel galgelin,
2
raise their voices, joining the great sound. meromemin beavshatah.
m
Seeing them in a vision, Lemechezei beanpah ein
they are like arrows shot from a bow; kevat girei kashtah,
wherever they are sent on their mission Lechol atar demishtalchin,
pl
they make their way promptly. zerizin beashvatah.
They make a blessing: Blessed is Gods glory, Mevarchin berich yekarei
in every language that is spoken,
bechol leshan lechishutah,
e
from the source of Gods presence, Meatar bet shechinteh,
which needs no searching but is easily found. delah tzerich bechishutah.
1
Based on Isaiahs vision of the angels in Heaven, 6:3, which we recall in Kedushah.
2
The folklore of angels includes Serafim (the Hebrew root means burn), Cherubim (the Hebrew root can
mean cabbage, a winged vegetable), and Ofanim (the Hebrew root is wheel and gives us the modern He-
brew word for bicycle). These angels seem distinguished by their movement, flaming, flying and spinning.
Every heavenly soldier cries out, Nehim kol cheil meromah

praising God and trembling in fear, mekalsin bechashashtah,
May Gods sovereignty shine out Nehirah malchutei,
from age to age with victory. ledar vadar leafrashtah.
There is a time for their Kedushah hymn,
Sedirah vehon kedushtah
and if the time passes vechad chalfah shatah,
1
they perish forever, Siyumah dilalam,
SP
never to repeat it, even in a seven-year cycle. veof lah lishvuatah.
Precious is Israel, the share of Gods heritage, Adav yekar achasantei
more precious, for they regularly chavivin devikvatah,
serve God with praise, Avdin lei chativah
2
at sunrise and sunset. bidnach ushekatah.

S
The poet explores Gods relationship with the Jewish people.
Israel are separated as Gods portion, Perishan lemanatei

serving Gods will, lemebad lei reutah,
Sa
Gods wonders and praises Perishutei shevachei
they recount hourly. yechavon beshautah.
God desires, wishes, longs Tzevi vechamed verageg
for them to study Torah assiduously;
deyilun belautah,
that God may accept their prayers, Tzelothon bechen mekabel
m
taking pleasure in their prayer. vehanyah vautah.
They form a garland for the worlds life-source, Ketirah lechei almah
bound with an oath; betagah bishvuatah,
pl
next to Gods glorious tefillin Kovel yekar totaftah
this garland is fixed in place.
yetivah vikviutah.
Inscribed on it Reshimah hi gufah
e
with wisdom and knowledge is bechochmetah uvedatah,
1
Birnbaum explains (p. 650): The reference is to the midrashic statement to the effect that whenever the daily
angels do not chant their hymns at the exact moment, they disappear in the stream of fire known as Dinur.
Sources are cited by Louis Ginzberg, Legends of the Jews, including Zohar III, 64b.
2
In this type of midrashic lore, Israel is preferred to the angels because they can praise God more frequently.

Great is Israel,
Revuthon deYisrael
who recite the Shema. keraei bishmatah.

The poet notes that Jewish people maintain their traditions despite
danger and the appeal of assimilation.
Praise for the worlds ruler Shevach ribon almah
is speech of purity amirah dachvatah,
that I am pleased to declare Shefar alai lechavoyei
SP
in the presence of earthly rulers. beapei malkevatah.
They wander aimlessly, then congregate, Tain umitkanshin
rather like the surging sea, kechezu idvatah,
astonished, they wonder Temehin veshaylin lei
about the signs of Gods favor for Israel. beesek atvatah.
S
From where, and who is the one you yearn for Menan uman hu rechimach
O fair one shapirah berevatah,
1
for whom you risk death Arum beginei safit
in the den of lions. medor aryavatah.
Sa
Valued and gracious you would be Yekarah veyaah at,
if you would merge into our land. in teorvi lemarvatah,
We would do as you wish Reutech nabed lich
in every region. bechol atrevatah.
m
The Jewish people look to their reward.
Wisely, she answers them, Bechochmetah metivatah lehon
to explain to them a little, ketzat lehodautah
If your theologians could acknowledge Yedatun chakmin lei
pl
the greatness of his nature, beishtemodautah.
your leaders would seem unimportant2 Revutchon mah chashivah
e
next to the praise he deserves! kovel hahi shevachtah,
The great deeds he will do for me
Revutah diyabed li,
when salvation comes, kad matyah yeshuatah.
1
The meaning is rather difficult: That in a garden (delimited area) you give to eat (or, you risk becoming
food!)
2
Your great oneswhat would their greatness be, next to this degree of praiseworthiness!
when he bathes me in light Bemeitei li nehorah

and covers you in shame, vetachafei lechon bahatah
when his glory is revealed Yekarei kad itgelei
with power and greatness, betukfah uvegeivatah.
he will give their proper payment Yeshalem gemulayah
to his enemies and those in far-flung islands1 lesanei venagvatah,
with justice to his cherished people, Tzidkatah leam chaviv
SP
great in merit, vesagi zachvatah.
when he brings complete happiness
Chadu shelemah bemeitei
and counts off the pure ones, umanei dachyatah,
when to the city of Jerusalem Keritah dirushalem
he gathers in the exiles, kad yechanesh galvatah
S
sheltering it with the divine presence Yekarei matil alah
by day and by night; beyomei veleilvatah,
creating a canopy, Genunei lemebad bah
Sa
a wreath of praises, betushbechan kelilatah,
bright clouds Dezehor ananayah
to beautify the canopy. lemishpar kilatah.
According to ones deeds before Salvation Lefumei daavidtah
2
is the quality of each persons shelter. avidan metalaltah.

m
The poet describes the reward of the righteous in the afterlife.
A throne of pure gold, Betachtekei dehav pizah
with seven steps leading up to it; ushevah maalatah,
pl
1
the righteous are assembled Techimin tzadikei
before the one who is great in deeds, kodam rav poolatah.
e
1
may mean islands, or people who live by the sea; the idea may be that people isolated in distant islands
may lack knowledge of God and therefore have no respect for God.
2
Or succah. If peoples deeds determine their reward in an afterlife, some get a better sukkah shelter than
others. The consequences of this line of thinking can be rather unpleasant; once we start thinking in terms of
infinity and eternity, a place in the second row is infinitely distant from the center, and only those favored with
a front-row seat will escape an eternity of being second class. On the other hand, in an environment of infinity,
perhaps all points are equidistant from the center (and from each other), so there is no second class.

and they will resemble Vereiveihon damei

sevenfold joy leshavah chedvatah,
like the firmament in its splendor Rekiah bezehorei
and the sparkling stars vechochvei zivatah
beauty that cannot be Hadarah delah efshar
voiced with human lips, lemifrat besifvatah,
neither heard nor seen Velah ishtemah vechamei
SP
in prophetic visions, nevian chezvata,
which no eye has surveyed Belah shaltah vei ein
inside the Garden of Eden, bego Eden Gintah,
2
where they move in its dancing grove Metaylei vei chinga
with the divine presence levahadei dishchintah
S
pointing it outThere it is Alei ramzei, Dein hu,
but with trepidation, beram beemtanutah,
How we hoped for this during our captivity, Sabarnah lei beshivyan
Sa
with powerful faith. tekof hemanutah.
Now he guides us forever, Yadbar lan almin
3
and we will never change, alemin medamutah,
to our destined heritage in the afterlife, Menat dilan demilkadmin
set aside for our exaltation. paresh baaramutah.

m
Midrashic fantasy predicts that the righteous will feast on Behemoth and Leviathan,
washing down their meal with wine made from grapes stored away since Creationwhat a vintage!
Watery Leviathan, the great sea beast, Telulei deLivyatan
pl
and the Ox from the lofty mountains, vetor tur ramutah,
when one tangles with the other Vechad bechad ki savich
engaging in battle, veaved keravutah,
e
the Ox gores with its horns, Bekarnohi menagach
Behemoth, with great strength;
Behemot beravrevutah,
1
Jastrow offers the place assigned for scholars meetings as an alternative interpretation of

2
Stepping inside the Garden of Eden in the dancing place.
3
And we are eternally the same.
Leviathan leaps to counter him Yekartah nun lekivlei

with its fins, powerfully. betzitzoi bigvurtah.
Their creator approaches them Mekarev lei baryeh
with his powerful sword becharbei ravrevatah,
as breakfast1 for the righteous Ariston letzadikei
he will prepare and serve them.
yetaken vesherutah.
They are served on trays Mesacharin alei takei
SP
of jewels and gleaming gems, dechadkod vegumartah,
while flowing before them are Negidin kameihon
rivers of fragrant balsam. afarsemon naharatah.
They will enjoy and drink their fill Umitpankin veravo
from overflowing cups bechasei revayatah,
S
of sweet wine that since Creation
Chamar merat demibereshit
has been stored in vats. netir bei naavatah.

The poet concludes by exhorting us to merit the reward of the righteous.
Sa
O pure ones, as you have heard Zakain, kad shematun
the praise in this poem, shvach dah shiratah,
may you be selected Keviin ken tehevon
for that company, behanhu chavuratah.
and merit a seat Vetizkun di teitvun
m
in the front row, beeilah daratah,
for you listen to the words Arei tetzitun lemiloi
that come from the divine presence. denafkin behadratah.
pl
God is the highest Meromam hu Elahin
at first and last; bekadmah uvatraitah,
God chose and desired us Tzevi veitrei van
e
and taught us the Torah! umesar lan Oraytah.
1
Ariston is the Ancient Greek word for breakfast.

_______________________ Prayer for Rain1 Geshem ________________

Our God, God of our ancestors Eloheinu vElohei avoteinu
Remember our ancestor Abraham, drawn Zechor av nimshach

2
toward you like water. acharecha kamayim.
You blessed him Ps 1:3
like a tree Berachto keetz shatul
3
transplanted to streams of water. al palgei mayim.
SP
You guarded him and saved him Genanto, hitzalto
4
from fire and water.
meesh umimayim.
You sought him as he sowed his seed Derashto bezoro
5
wherever there is water. al kol mayim.
For his sake, dont hold back the water! Baavuro al timna mayim!
S
Remember Isaac, conceived when Abraham Zechor hanolad bivsorat:
6
said, Gen 18:4
Let some water be brought!
Yukach na meat mayim.
You told his father to slaughter him, Vesachta lehoro leshachato,
Sa
to spill his blood like water. lishpoch damo kamayim.
He carefully planned Ziher gam hu
to pour out his own heart like water:7 lishpoch lev kamayim;
he dug and discovered chafar umatza
wells of water. beerot mayim.
m
For his righteousness, grant lots of water! Betzidko chon chashrat mayim.
1
An alphabetical acrostic, this poem speaks of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron and the Twelve Tribes.
One can well imagine verses composed to honor great women of Jewish history and their water-miracles. (How
pl
about Hagar and her well, too?)
2
As if drawn from a well, attracted so strongly that it leaped from its depths to come close to God.
3
can be used for transplant; the usual word for planting trees is . Abraham was transplanted when God
e
brought him from Ur to Canaan.
4
Tradition says Abraham was thrown into the fiery furnace when he refused to acknowledge King Nimrods
gods, and that Satan put a river in his way as he went to sacrifice Isaac. See Artscroll Succos, 982 and Hebrew
Myths, 141.
5
Many interpretations are possible: You tested Abraham as he sowed the goodness of Torah all over the
world or You tested Abraham by scattering his descendants across all the seas.
6
To welcome the three angels in Genesis 18, Abraham ordered food and water for them.
7
By tradition, Isaac was willing to be sacrificed.
Remember Jacob, who carried his staff Zechor taan maklo

and crossed the Jordan stream. veavar Yarden mayim.
He focused his strength and rolled the stone Yichad lev vegal even
from the well of water. mipi veer mayim.
When an angel wrestled with him, Keneevak lo sar
mixed of fire and water, balul meesh umimayim,
then you promised lachen hivtachto
SP
to be with him through fire and water. heyot im baesh uvamayim.
For his sake, dont hold back the water! Baavuro al timna mayim!
Remember Moses, who was taken in the Zechor mashui betevat gomeh
basket of reeds from the water. min hamayim.
S
Jethros daughters said, Exo 2:19
He drew water Namu Dalo dala,
and watered the sheep. vehishkah tzon mayim.
The ones you treasure Segulecha
Sa
at the time when they thirsted for water, et tzamu lemayim,
Moses struck the rock al haselah hach,
and water came out. vayetzu mayim.
For his righteousness, grant lots of water. Betzidko chon chashrat mayim.
m
Remember Aaron the High Priest, the Zechor pekid shatot
minister of the Temple, who immersed tovel chamesh tevilot bemayim;
himself five times in water for the Yom Kippur ritual.
pl
He paced and washed his hands tzoeh umarchitz kapav
with the holiness of water, bekidush mayim.
he called out and sprinkled blood Koreh umazeh
e
to make us pure as water; tohorat mayim.
then he stood apart from the people, Ruchak meam
1
who were Gen 49:4
unsteady as water. pachaz kamayim.
For his sake, dont hold back the water! Baavuro al timna mayim.
1
Jacob blessed (or cursed?) Reuben by calling him unsteady as water in Genesis 49.

Remember the twelve tribes Zechor sheneim asar shevatim

whom you brought across the watery sheheevarta begizrat mayim,
divide, for whom you sweetened shehimtakta lamo
waters bitterness; merirut mayim;
their descendants blood was poured toldotam nishpach damam
out for you like water. alecha kamayim.
SP
Turn back to us, for the water of our Tefen ki nafshenu
tears drowns our souls. afefu mayim!
Because of their righteousness, grant lots Betzidkam chon chashrat mayim.
of water.
S
For you are God, our God, Sheatah hu Adonai Eloheinu,
bringing back the wind
mashiv haruach
and bringing down the rain! umorid hagashem!

We say each line and the leader repeats; we respond Amen
Sa
For blessing and not a curse, Livrachah velo liklalah,
for life and not death, lechayim velo lemavet,
1
for plenty and not scarcity! lesova velo lerazon!
Close the ark; continue with Mechalkel chayimon page 249.

m
pl
e
1
Let the rain come, but not with terrible weather that ruins the crops!
_________________ Prayer for Dew1 Tal __________________

Our God, God of our ancestors Eloheinu vElohei avoteinu
Grant dew to satisfy your land, Tal ten lirtzot artzach;

2
set us as a blessing in the earth you love; shiteinu verachah beditzach;
with grain and wine as you make us grow;3 rov dagan vetirosh behafritzach;
establish the city that contains your delight komem ir bah cheftzach
SP
with dew! betal.
Order dew for a good, splendid4 year, Tal tzaveh shana tova umuteret,
a harvest of joy and glory, peri haaretz legaon uletiferet;
5
with the town deserted like a harvest hut; ir kesukah noteret;
S
make it a crown, held in your hand simah beyadcha ateret
with dew! betal.
Let dew fall on the land as a blessing; Tal nofef alei eretz berucha;
Sa
fill us with heavens delight as a blessing mimeged shamayim sabenu veracha,
to light the way from darkness lehair mitoch chashecha:
for the shoot drawn to you kanah acharecha meshuchah
6
by dew. betal.
m
pl
1
A reverse alphabetical acrostic: ignore the word that begins each verse; note that is used for .
e
2
is something in which a person takes delight, his or her joy.
3
The root means burst out; seems to refer to God making us increase and spread out, extending
Gods influence.
4
Crowned.
5
Let the harvest be so good that everyone is in the fields, living in temporary huts as they bring in the harvest.
Meanwhile, the town is empty.
6
Dew wakens the seed beneath the earth, and it seeks the light of the sun; so we are led from our darkness by
our desire for God.

Let dew sweeten the mountain streams;1 Tal yaasis tzuf harim;
in your plenty let your chosen ones taste it; teem bimodecha muvcharim;
free your loved ones from their constraints, chanunecha chaletz mimasgerim;
moving with music and raising their voices zimrah nanim vekol narim
with dew! betal.
With dew and plenty fill our granaries; Tal vasova malei asamenu;
SP
wont you renew our days right now; hachaet techadesh yamenu!
darling, make our name as valued as yours; dod, keerkecha haamed shemenu;
make us a fertile garden gan raveh simeinu
with dew! betal!
S
Dewbless our food with it, Tal bo tevarech mazon,
let every one of our sheep be well fattened,2 bemashmaneinu al yehi razon;
this nation that you led like a flock, ayuma asher hisata katzon,
please carry out its wishes anah tafek lah ratzon
Sa
with dew! betal!
For you are God, our God, Sheatah hu Adonai Eloheinu,

bringing back the wind
mashiv haruach
m
and bringing down the dew! umorid hatal!

We say each line below, and the leader repeats; we respond Amen
For blessing and not a curse, Livrachah velo liklalah,
for life and not death, lechayim velo lemavet,
pl
3
for plenty and not scarcity! lesova velo lerazon!
Close the ark; continue with Mechalkel chayimon page 249.

e
1
sweet juice, like nectar or honey; I think it refers to the mountain streams.
2
Let there be no leanness among our fattened lambswe fatten our animals for slaughter, and we want them
all to be fat, with no tough and stringy meat! For vegetarians, translate: let nothing be withered among our
juicy produce.
3
Let the dew come, but not with terrible weather that ruins the crops!
Priests Blessing Bircat Kohanim

When repeating the musaf amidah on festival holy days, some congregations insert the Priests Blessing. (Some
congregations omit it on democratic grounds; others retain it for the sake of tradition). Although this ritual
looks unusual, the changes from standard liturgy are minor: we modify the end of the Temple Service blessing,
continue as usual with the Thanksgiving blessing; then, instead of the leader reciting the Priests Blessing as
usual during shacharit repetition, the leader and Kohanim recite the Priests Blessing responsively.
Leader and Congregation:

SP
May our prayer please you Veteerav alecha atirateinu
1
like the offerings of ascent and approach; keolah uchekorban;
please, merciful one, anah, rachum,
in your many mercies, berachamecha harabim
bring back your presence hashev shechinatcha
S
to your city, Zion, leTziyon ircha
and the system of worship to Jerusalem.
veseder haavodah lirushalayim.
Sa
There we shall serve you reverently Vesham naavodcha beyirah
Mal. 3:4
Blessed are you, ruler, Baruch atah Adonai,

m
the only one whom sheotcha levadcha
we reverently serve. beyirah naavod. Amen
pl
e
1
refers to a kind of sacrifice; it has something to do with going up and is sometimes translated as an ele-
vation offering. If the idea has any meaning today, perhaps it is a way for us to elevate our own spiritual level.
is a word for any sacrifice and has something to do with coming close; perhaps it symbolizes a way to
come close to God, to approach divinity.

365 Priests Blessing Bircat Kohanim
The leader chants the usual Thanksgiving blessing while we say the Teachers Thanksgiving, shaded below.

SP
S
Sa
m
We read the shaded passage silently as the leader chants the Thanksgiving blessing:
pl
e
because you have given us life
al shehecheyitanu

SP
The leader continues:
S
u v w zBaruch yatah uAdonai,
Sa
We bless you, Ruler,
m
God and God Eloheinu vElohei
of our ancestors, avoteinu
bless us with the triple blessing barcheinu vabrachah hamshuleshet
pl
in the Torah, baTorah
written by your servant Moses, haktuvah al yedei Moshe avdecha,
spoken by Aaron and his children, haamurah mipi Aharon uvanav
e

367 Priests Blessing Bircat Kohanim
The leader calls on the Kohanim

the priests kohanim
and we all respond
your holy peoplein these words: am kedoshecha kaamur:
The Kohanim recite this blessing, together
We bless you, ruling God; Baruch ata Adonai
your rule does time transcend, Eloheinu Melech haolam,
SP
who made us holy asher kidshanu
with Aarons holiness bikdushato shel Aharon
and told us to bless Gods people Israel vetzivanu levarech et amo Yisrael
with love. beahavah!
The leader chants each word of the Priests Blessing, and the Kohanim repeat it1:.
The congregation says Amen after each of the three sections
S
Num 6:24-26
May God bless and protect you. Yevarechecha Adonai veyishmerecha.
May God shine Gods presence on you, Yaer Adonai panav elecha
and show you favor. vichuneka.
Sa
2
May God let you perceive Gods presence
Yisa Adonai panav elecha,
and set you at peace.
veyasem lecha shalom.
Continue with the Blessing for Peace, page 268.

m
pl
e
1
Some people recite extensive prayers after each word and after each phrase. You will find those prayers in
other books.
2
May God raise Gods face toward you; its an idiom for becoming aware of someone. Deut 10:17 describes
God as a judge who doesnt raise a face / / lo yisa panim, who acknowledges neither plaintiff nor
defendant and who judges impartially. The priestly blessing is that we should become aware of God. For some,
this awareness is a rare treat.
Kaddish
There are four kaddish prayers in the service, used to conclude different sections: for the leader, the half and
full kaddish; for mourners or those observing yahrzeit, the teachers and mourners kaddish. Since these
prayers appear several times in our services, we have gathered them in this section to make them easy to find.
______________________ Half Kaddish Chatzi Kadish ______________________
Let it be great, let it be holy, Yitgadal veyitkadash
Gods great name(Amen) shemeh rabahAmen
SP
in the world created by Gods will,
bealmah di verah chiruteh
which God will rule in sovereignty, veyamlich malchuteh,
in your lifetime and in your days bechayechon uvyomechon
and in the lifetime of all Israel, uvechayei dechol beit Yisrael
quickly and soon. baagalah uvizman kariv.
S
Now you say, Amen. Veimru, Amen. Amen
May Gods great name be blessed Yehei shemei rabah mevarach
forever and ever and ever. lealam ulalmei almayah.
Sa
Blessed and praised Yitbarach veyishtabach

m
and glorified and exalted veyitpaar veyitromam
and elevated and honored veyitnaseh veyithadar
and raised and hailed veyitaleh veyithalal
pl
be Gods holy name, shemeh dekudshah,
blessed may it be Berich hu Berich hu.
above all Leelah min kol
e
blessing and song, birchatah veshiratah
praise and repentance tushbechatah venechematah,
that are spoken in this world. daamiran bealmah.

369 Kaddish
_____________________ Full Kaddish Kadish Shalem _____________________

SP
S
Sa
m

pl
e
May our prayers and pleas be accepted,

Titkabel tzelothon uvauthon
prayers of the entire Jewish community, dechol beit Yisrael
before the Source of Life in heaven. kodam avuhon di vishmayah,
Now you say, Amen. veimru, Amen. Amen
May there be great peace Yehei shelamah rabah

from heavenand life min shemayahvechayim
for us and the entire Jewish community. aleinu veal kol Yisrael,

SP
and to all who live on earth. veal kol yoshvei tevel
1
S
Sa
m
pl
e
1
This part is in Hebrew. We ask Gods blessing of peace for the congregation and the whole Jewish community.
Some congregations add the shaded line to pray for all of humanity.

371 Kaddish
___________________ Mourners Kaddish Kadish Yatom1 __________________

Mourners and those observing yahrzeit remain standing to lead this kaddish, and we respond.
SP
S
Sa
m
pl
e
1
Kaddish declares our faith in and our wish for Gods control of the world. Its in Aramaic, not Hebrew, which
makes it more of a tongue-twister. There are four Kaddish prayers in the siddur; this one is for mourners to say
in the eleven months of mourning and on the anniversary (yahrzeit) of a loved ones death.

from heavenand life min shemayahvechayim

SP
Now you say, Amen.1 veimru, Amen. Amen
S
Sa
m
pl
e
1

373 Kaddish
________________ Teachers Kaddish Kadish DeRabanan ________________

Mourners and those observing Yahrzeit rise to recite this Kaddish; the congregation responds.
SP
S
Sa
m
pl
e
For Israel and the teachers1 Al Yisrael veal rabanan

for the students veal talmideihon
and for all their students - veal kol talmidei talmideihon
and for all those - veal kol man
who engage in Torah study deaskin beOraytah
here di veatra hadein
and everywhere - vedi vechol atar veatar
SP
may you and they have great peace yehei lehon ulechon shelamah rabah
grace, kindness and mercy, chinah vechisdah verachamin
long life vechayin arichin
and ample portions and redemption
umezonah revichah ufurkanah
before our creator in heaven. min kodam avuhon di vishmayah
S
Now you say, Amen. veimru Amen. Amen

Sa
from heavenand good life min shemayahvechayim tovim

Take three steps back; bow left on oseh shalom, right on hu berachamav yaaseh, forward on aleinu.
m
may God mercifully bring peace hu berachamav yaaseh shalom
pl
2
e
1
The spirit of this Kaddish is to pray for the teachers and the students, those who transmit our tradition, recog-
nizing that our people are scattered over the face of the earthhere and everywhere. Teachers will heartily
approve of the practical phrase mezonah revichahample portions (of food) for the rewards of teaching
are notoriously spiritual!
2

375 Hoshanot

Hoshanot

Add these poems on Sukkot after Musaf; some add them after Hallel. We open the ark to say the days poems,
then close the ark and continue with the leaders full kaddish. Except on Shabbat we take our Four Species and
circle the bimah while saying the first poem; on Hoshanah Rabba, we circle the bimah for seven poems.
Although this book is not for Shabbat, we include the Shabbat poems to clarify the whole cycle of poems.
Day of Sukkot Days Poem Concluding Poem(s)
Shabbat 8 15
First two festival days (except Shabbat) 1 or 2 (see below) 12
SP
Intermediate days(except Shabbat) 3, 4, 9 or 10 (see below) 7, 12
Hoshana Rabba (seventh day) 1 to 7 12, 14
The first day of Sukkot determines the order of Hoshanot poems:1
First day on Daily Poem Concluding Poem(s)
Monday Mon. 1, Tue. 2, Wed. 9, Thu. 3, Fri. 10, Shabbat 8
Tuesday Tue. 1, Wed. 2, Thu. 9, Fri. 10, Shabbat 8, Sun. 4 Shabbat: 15
S
Thursday Thu. 1, Fri. 2, Shabbat 8, Sun. 9, Mon. 10, Tue. 4 Other days: 7, 12
Shabbat Shabbat 8, Sun. 1, Mon. 9, Tue. 2, Wed. 10, Thu. 4
We say Please save us / / Hosha na! before each phrase in each Hoshana poem2
We begin responsively
Sa
Please save us, Hosha na!
for your sake, O our God, save us. lemaancha Eloheinu, hosha na!
for your sake, O our God, save us. lemaancha Eloheinu, hosha na!
m
for your sake, creator, save us. lemaancha boreinu, hosha na!
pl
for your sake, creator, save us. lemaancha boreinu, hosha na!
for your sake, redeemer, save us. lemaancha goaleinu, hosha na!
e
for your sake, redeemer, save us. lemaancha goaleinu, hosha na!
1
Some siddurim have more poems, especially for Hoshana Rabba, but some (such as British siddurim) have
none at all, even for the days of Sukkot. Maybe the British had their fill of alephbetical acrostic petitions earlier
in the liturgical year. Some congregations vary the order of the poems.
2
Some congregations say it after each phrase, some say it both before and after each phrase.

for your sake, whom we seek, save us! lemaancha dorsheinu, hosha na!
for your sake, whom we seek, save us! lemaancha dorsheinu, hosha na!
_________________________ 1. Lemaan Amitach _________________________

For the sake of your truth, Lemaan amitach,
SP
for the sake of your agreement, lemaan beritach,
for the sake of your greatness and glory,
lemaan godlach vetifartach,
for the sake of your faith, lemaan datach,
for the sake of your splendor, lemaan hodach,
for the sake of your calling a meeting, lemaan viudach,
S
for the sake of your memory, lemaan zichrach,
for the sake of your kindness, lemaan chasdach,
for the sake of your goodness, lemaan tuvach,
for the sake of your unity, lemaan yichudach,
Sa
for the sake of your seriousness, lemaan kevodach,
for the sake of your teaching, lemaan limudach,
for the sake of your sovereignty,
lemaan malchutach,
for the sake of your triumph, lemaan nitzchach,
m
for the sake of your secret, lemaan sodach,
for the sake of your strength, lemaan uzach,
for the sake of your splendor, lemaan peerach,
pl
for the sake of your righteousness, lemaan tzidkatach,
for the sake of your holiness, lemaan kedushatach,
for the sake of your plentiful mercy, lemaan rachamecha harabim,
e
for the sake of your presence, lemaan shechinatach,
for the sake of your praise. lemaan tehilatach.

On Hoshana Rabba continue below; otherwise, continue with Kehoshata Elim on page 391
Ps. 89:3
I said, Kindness is built forever. Ki amarti, Olam chesed yibaneh.

377 Hoshanot

___________________________ 2. Even Shetiyah ___________________________

1
Foundation Stone, Even shetiyah,
Chosen building, Beit habechirah,
2
Arnans granary,
Goren Arnan,
The hidden sanctuary,
Devir hamutznah,
Mount Moriah, Har haMoriyah,
3
and Mount Appears, VeHar Yeraeh,
SP
abode of your splendor,
Zevul tifartecha,
Isa. 29:1
where David camped, Chanah David,
the goodness of Lebanon, Tov haLevanon,
Ps. 48:3
beautiful place, joy of the world, Yefeh nof, masos kol haaretz,
Lam. 2:15
the perfection of beauty, Kelilat yofi,
S
the lodge of righteousness, Linat hatzedek,
Ex. 15:17
the place for you, God, to dwell Machon leshivtecha,
Isa. 33:20
peaceful dwelling, Naveh shaanan,
Sa
tranquil hut, Sukat shalem,
4
ascent of the tribes of Israel Aliyat shevatim,
Isa. 28:16
valued cornerstone Pinat yikrat,
excellent Zion, Tziyon hamtzuyenet,
m
Holy of Holies, Kodesh hakodashim,
Song 3:10
paved with love Ratzuf ahavah,
the presence of your glory, Shechinat kevodecha,
pl
hill crowned with turrets. Tel talpiyot.

On Hoshana Rabba add the next two lines; otherwise, continue with Kehoshata Elim on page 391
e
11
The foundation stone symbolizes the holiest part of the Temple and the holiness of the Temples site. In
Solomons Temple, this stone was in the Holy of Holies. Tradition calls it the navel of the worldthe first
matter created and the link between Heaven and Earth. Many agree this is the rock in the Dome of the Rock.
2
II Chron 3:1 associates Arnans granary with Mount Moriah and the site of Solomons Temple.
3
On a mountain in the land of Moriah, Abraham slaughters a ram instead of Isaac; he gives the place a name,
and people still say On the mountain God appears / / behar Adonai yeraeh.
4
They used to climb up to Jerusalem for the three Pilgrimage Festivals.
Ps. 89:14
Your arm is powerful;
Lecha zeroah im gevurah;
brace your hand, raise your right arm! taoz yadcha, tarum yeminecha.
________________________ 3. Om Ani Chomah ________________________

People that say, I am a wall, who are Om Ani chomah,
Song 6:10
lovely as the sun barah kachamah,
Isaiah 49:21
yet exiled and uprooted;
golah vesurah,
SP
Song 7:8
compared to a palm tree damtah letamar,
yet killed for your sake; haharugah alecha,
Psalm 44:23
counted as sheep for slaughter, venecheshevet ketzon tivchah,
scattered among those who anger her, zeruyah bein machiseha,
yet embraced by and attached to you; havukah udevukah bach,
S
bearing your yoke toenet ulach,
yet alone in declaring your unity; yechidah leyachadach,
oppressed in exile kevushah bagolah,
yet studying your awesome nature; lomedet yiratach,
Sa

smooth-cheeked like a child, merutat lechi,
yet subjected to adult punishments, netunah lemakim,
enduring your burden; sovelet sivlach,
Isaiah 54:11
humiliated, tossed in the storm,
aniyah soarah,
m
1
saved by Moses, peduyat Toviah,
flock of holy sheep tzon kodashim,
assemblies of Jacob; kehilot Yaakov,
pl
inscribed with your name, reshumim bishmecha,
crying, Save us! shoagim Hoshanah,
relying on you! temuchum alecha.

e
Micah 7:20
1
BT Sotah 12a says Moses mother called him Toviah; she saw that he was ( Ex. 2:2). Otherwise, this
could mean saved from Toviah, who tried to hinder Ezras rebuilding the Temple (see, e.g., Nehemiah 2).

379 Hoshanot

________________________ 4. Adon Hamoshiah ________________________

Ruler who brings salvation, Adon hamoshiah,
without you there is no salvation, biltecha ein lehoshiah,
O powerful one, liberal in salvation, gibor verav lehoshiah,
Im poor, but youll save even me, daloti veli yehoshiah,
God of salvation, haEl hamoshiah,
who rescues and saves, umatzil umoshiah,
SP
O save those who cry out to you, zoakecha toshiah,
O save those who long for you, chochecha hoshiah,
satisfy your lambs telaecha tasbiah,
by making the harvest bountiful; yevul lehashpiah,
make every bush sprout, and save, kol siach tadsheh vetoshiah,
S
not making the low ground bad, legei bel tarshiah,
but make delicious fruits sweet, and save, megadim tamtik vetoshiah,
bringing clouds above, nesiim lehasiah,
Sa
making showers linger, seirim lehaniah,
not keeping clouds away, ananim milhamniah,
opening your hand and making sevenfold poteach yad umasbiah,
satisfy those who thirst for you, tzemeecha tasbiah,
save those who call on you, korecha toshiah,
m
save those who love you, rechumecha toshiah,
save those who search for you, shocharecha hoshiah,
save those who are simply yours! temimecha toshiah.

pl
Ps 16:11
Contentment at your right hand, forever. Neimot bimincha netzach.

e
_________________________ 5. Adam Uvehemah _________________________

Human being and animal. Adam uvehemah,
flesh, breath and spirit, basar veruach uneshamah,
sinew, bone and skin gid veetzem vekormah,
appearance, image and pattern, demut vetzelem verikmah,
all their glory is like futility hod lahevel damah,
and humans are comparable to beasts venimshal kabhemot nidmeh,
SP
they have a kind of glow, with form and stature. ziv vetoar vekomah,
Renewing the surface of the earth, chidush penei adamah,
planting trees in desolate lands1, tiat atzei neshamah,
winepress and standing grain, yekavim vekamah,
2
vineyards and sycamore-fig trees keramim veshikmah,
S
3
for the world where we live within limits letevel hamsuyamah,
strong rains to heal4 the world, mitrot oz lesammah,
to revive deserted land5, neshiyah lekaymah,
Sa
so it can support the plant growth sichim lekommah,
sustain sweet fruits adanim leatzmah,
invigorate flowers, perachim lehaatzimah,
and bring rain for budding plants, tzemachim legoshmah,
cool water for irrigation, karim lezimrah,
m
raindrops to ripen, revivim leshalmah
filling the thirsty land shtiyah leromemah,
which is suspended over empty space. teluyah al belimah.
pl
e
1
The word is related to the root .
2
Sycamore-fig trees were cultivated for fruit in Biblical times (cf. I Kings 10:27, I Chr. 27:28 and Amos 7:14).
3
often means livable land (not sea), but could imply Israelfor Jews, the ideal place to live. means
fenced off, limited (earth is finite) or restricted (land use is restricted, especially in Israel, in Sabbatical years).
4
From a root for drugs and spices, and possibly poisons too!
5
, forgotten land; from the root , standrebuilding, re-erecting.

381 Hoshanot

Ps. 8:2
God, our God, Adonai, Adoneinu,

you are so well known world-wide, mah adir shimcha bechol haaretz,
1
your glory could top the sky!
asher tenah hodcha al hashamayim.
_________________________ 6. Adamah Meerer _________________________

Save the ground from a curse, Adamah meerer
SP
livestock from miscarriage, behemah mimshakelet
granary from maggots, goren migazam
grain from scorching heat, dagan midaleket
wealth from disaster, hon mimerah
and food from terror, veochel mimhumah
S
olive from falling unripe from the tree, zayit mineshel
wheat from grasshopper, chitah mechagav
food from insects, teref migovai
2
wine-press from beetles , yekev miyelek
Sa
vineyard from worms, kerem mitolaat
autumn crops from locusts, lekesh mearbeh
fruit from chirping crickets, meged mitzlatzal
people from panic, nefesh mibehalah
plenty from bald locust, sovah misalam
m

flocks from scrawniness, adarim midalut
fruits from fungus, perot mishidafon
3
flocks from irrevocable ruin, tzon mitzmitut
pl
harvest from curse, katzir miklalah
plenty from scarcity rov merazon
wheat stalks from withering, shibolet mitzinamon
e

1
How great is your reputation in the whole world, in that you should/could place your glory above the
sky/heaven.
2
In the dictionary, all these maggots, locusts, worms and pests are hard to distinguish, especially for the urban
dweller who recoils from ants and roaches and has little interest in the difference between one pest and another.
3
usually means perpetuity (see Lev. 25:23); here we understand it as irrecoverable ruin.
produce from pests. tevuah mechasil

Ps. 145:17
True1 is God in every way2 Tzadik Adonai bechol derachav,

___________________________ 7. Lemaan Eitan

___________________________
For the sake of the mighty Abraham, Lemaan eitan,
SP
3
tossed into the flames, hanizrak belahav esh,
for the sake of the child, Isaac, who was tied up lemaan ben haneekad
on wood and fire, al etzim vaesh,
for the sake of powerful Jacob, who got dusty lemaan gibor, haneevak
wrestling with a chief (or angel) of fire, im sar esh,
S
for the sake of the flags of the tribes you led
lemaan degalim, nachita
with light and a cloud of fire, beor vaanan esh,
for the sake of Moses, who was lifted on high lemaan hoalah lamarom,
and exalted like messengers (or angels) of fire, venitalah kemalachei esh,
Sa
for the sake of Aaron, who served as your deputy lemaan vehu lach kesegen
at the altars of fire, veerelei esh,
for the sake of the gift of the Ten Statements, lemaan zeved Dibrot,
given from the fire on the mountain, hanetunot meesh,
m
for the sake of the Tabernacle, covered by curtains lemaan chipui yeriot
and a cloud of fire, vaanan esh,
for the sake of the beautified mountain (Sinai) lemaan teches har,
onto which you descended, in the fire, yaradta alav baesh,
pl
for the sake of the dear Temple lemaan yedidut bayit
that you loved more than the skies of fire, asher ahavta mishmei esh,
e
for the sake of Moses, who prayed lemaan kamah
1
until the fire subsided, ad shakah haesh,
1
2
In all Gods ways.
3
Rashi explains that ( Gen. 15:7) isnt a place (Ur of the Chaldees) but Chaldean Firethe fire pit
used to execute a man like Abraham who refused to worship idols. Most translators disagree, perhaps wrongly.

383 Hoshanot

for the sake of Aaron with his fire-pan lemaan lakach machtat esh
2
when he averted raging fire vehesir charon esh,
for the sake of Pinchas who was inflamed lemaan mekaneh
3
with great ardor, with fervent fire, kinah gedolah baesh,
for the sake of Joshua, who raised his hand, lemaan naf yado
4
and rocks of fire came down, veyardu avnei esh,
for the sake of Samuel, who put a nursing ewe lemaan sam teleh chalav
SP
5
on the altar, an offering to be incinerated, kelil esh,
for the sake of David, who stopped at the threshing- lemaan amad bagoren
floor and won favor through fire-offerings,6 venitratzah baesh,
for the sake of Solomon, who prayed in the lemaan pilel baazarah,
7
courtyard, and fire descended, veyardah haesh,
S
for the sake of Elijah, your messenger, who ascended lemaan tzir alah
and was taken up to heaven venitalah
8
with a chariot and horses of fire, berechev vesusei esh,
Sa
for the sake of the holy ones, Chananiah, Mishael lemaan kedoshim,
and Azariah, who were sent into the fire, mushlachim baesh,
for the sake of Daniel, who saw myriads lemaan ribo rivevan chaz,
of angels, and streams of fire, venaharei esh,
for the sake of the ruins of your city, lemaan shimemot ircha,
m
which was destroyed by fire, hasrufah baesh,
pl
1
Num 11:1-2: the Israelites complained; God sent fire to consume them; Moses prayed, and the fire subsided.
2
Num 17:11-13: When God punished Korachs supporters with, Aaron took his fire-pan through the congrega-
e
tion and saved them from the fate of Korachs supporters.
3
Num 25:11: enraged by public adultery, Pinchas killed the culprits.
4
Josh 10:8-12: the text mentions hailstones without specifically mentioning fire.
5
I Samuel 7:9: Samuels sacrifice prompted God to thwart a Philistine attack.
6
II Samuel 24: David appeases Gods anger with sacrifices. Davids contrition and concern for his people are
evident as the incident is told.
7
II Chronicles 7: When Solomon dedicated the Temple, fire descended to consume the offerings.
8
II Kings 2 tells how Elijah left the world.
for the sake of the descendants lamaan toldot

of the leaders of Judah,
alufei Yehudah
whom you will use as a crucible of fire tasim kechiyor esh
to punish our enemies!
I Chron. 29:11
SP
S
Zech. 14:9
ushemo echad.
Sa
Deut. 6:4
m
pl
e
1
2

385 Hoshanot

____________________________ 8. Om Netzura
___________________________
studying the law that refreshes the soul bonenet bedat nefesh meshivat,
drawing conclusions about Shabbat laws, gomeret hilchot Shabbat,
explaining Shabbat obligations, doreshet masat Shabbat,
setting two thousand cubits hakovaat alpayim
as the limit for walking beyond the Shabbat eruv, techum Shabbat,
SP
avoiding long walks on Shabbat, umeshivat regel miShabbat,
fulfilling remember and guard1 zachor veshamor
on Shabbat, mekayemet baShabbat
hurrying to bring in Shabbat early, chashav lemaher biyat Shabbat
working really hard torachat kol
S
on six days for Shabbat, mishishah laShabbat
sitting and waiting yoshevet umamtenet
until Shabbat ends, ad kelot Shabbat,
Sa
calling Shabbat an honor and a delight, kavod vaoneg korah laShabbat,
changing clothes and garments levush uchesut

on Shabbat, mechalefet baShabbat,
preparing food and drink maachal umishteh
m
for Shabbat, mechinah laShabbat,
savoring sweetmeats noam megadim
for Shabbat, manemet laShabbat,
pl
enjoying three full meals seudot shalosh
on Shabbat, mekayemet baShabbat,
e
1
The Ten Commandments are given in Exodus and recalled in Deuteronomy; one time were told to remem-
ber Shabbat, the other time to guard it.
cutting into two whole loaves al shetei kikarot

on Shabbat, boatzat baShabbat,
distinguishing poretet
1
four domains on Shabbat , arba reshuyot baShabbat,
lighting candles for Shabbat tzivui hadlakat ner
according to the rule for lighting, madleket baShabbat,
saying the Kiddush of the day kidush hayom
SP
for Shabbat, mekadeshet baShabbat,
praying a seven-part prayer on renen sheva mefalelet baShabbat,

2
Shabbat, reading seven parts in the shiva badat
Law on Shabbat korah baShabbat,
S
let this people inherit the day tanchilena leyom
which is altogether Shabbat! shekulo Shabbat,
Please save us! Hosha na!
Sa
m
pl
e
1
Four domains are explained in the Mishnah for Shabbat: a private domain, a public domain, an exempt area
and a karmelit. The Mishnah discusses the laws of transferring things from one domain to another. See Art-
Scroll Mishnah: Moed 1(a), page 11.
2
The Shabbat amidah has seven blessings, and on Friday night we recite the sevenfold blessing that summa-
rizes the amidah.

387 Hoshanot

___________________________ 9. Eeroch Shui ___________________________

I shall organize my prayer
Eeroch shui
in the house of supplication; beveit shavi,
on the fast day, Yom Kippur, I confessed my sin, giliti vatzom pishi,
I asked you then to save me,
derashticha bo lehoshii,
now listen to the sound of my prayer, hakshivah lekol shavi,
SP
and rise up and save me! vekumah vehoshii!
Remember and be kind, O my rescuer; zechor verachem, moshii;
living God, delight me with this rescue; chai, ken teshashi,
O benefactor, pay attention to my distress, tov beenek shei,
O rescuer, be quick, yuchash moshii
S
put an end to the tempter kaleh marshii,
so he can never tempt me again. leval od tarshii,
Hurry, God of my salvation, maher, Elohei yishii,
save me for eternity! netzach lehoshii,
Sa
Please excuse my misbehavior, sah nah avon rishi,
overlook my sin, avor al pishi,
turn to me and save me, peneh nah lehoshii,
O rock who rescues me; tzur moshii,
m
please accept my prayer, kabel nah shavi,
rescue me for all to see,1 romem keren yishi,
O almighty one, who saves me; shadai, moshii,
pl
shine on me and save me. tofiah vetoshii!
Continue with Kehoshata Elim on page 391
e
1
Raise the horn of my rescue; raise the horn is presumably an idiom meaning lift up my head to make me
noticed, so that everyone can see its me who is being saved!
_________________________ 10. El Lemoshaot

_________________________
Ps. 68:21
God of liberation for those who use El lemoshaot
1
the four types of vows in the Mishnah bearba shevuot
and who approach with entreaties gashim beshavot
knock at the door with prayers prepared, dofkei erech shulot
thinking of the pleasures of Torah hogei shasheot
SP
even their conundrums bring delight vechidotam mishtasheot
they scream for your attention, zoakim lehashot
hoping for rescue, chochei yeshuot
2
their gaze fixed on you, tefulim becha shaot
3
knowing the importance of proper time for prayer, yodei bin shaot
S
kneeling to you with their entreaties that they may korecha beshavot
understand the teachings lehavin shemuot
which were heard from your mouth; mipicha nishmaot
O God who grants rescues noten teshuot
Sa
that have been recounted and retold sefurot mashmaot
as audible testimony, edut mashmiot
O worker of rescues, poel yeshuot
righteous in bringing salvation. tzadik noshaot
m
As for the city of salvation, Jerusalem, kiryat teshuot
with the noise of tumultuous crowds regesh teshuot
4
during the three hours, shalosh shaot
pl
hurry to bring rescue! tachish litshaot
Continue with Kehoshata Elim on page 391
e
1
Mishnah Shavuot opens by saying there are four types of vows; the Talmud explains that these are positive
and negative vows about past and future (I swear I did/didnt/will/wont).
2
Or they are attached to you for hours or they cling to you, to you they turn (ArtScroll), or they turn to
those who cling to you (Metsudah). I think this phrase means they being being fixed/attached ( ) to you
( )in respect of their gazes ().
turn toward and look at, or it may mean turn.
3
We prescribe morning, afternoon and evening daily prayer.
4
I dont know what these three hours are; the three hours are usually the early hours when lie-a-beds sleep in
(Mishnah: Berachot, 1:5).

389 Hoshanot

________________ 11. Titnenu Leshem Velithilah ________________

A reverse alphabetical acrostic, with Elazar, chazak / Elazar, be strong
Grant us fame and honor,1 Titnenu leshem velithilah,
bring us back to our share of the land teshivenu el hachevel
and to our inheritance, veel hanachalah,
raise us higher and higher, teromemenu lemalah lemalah
gather us to the Temple, tekabtzenu leveit hatfilah,
SP
stand uslike a tree tatzivenu keetz
planted Ps. 1:3
by streams of water, al palgei mayim shetulah,
protect us from every plague and illness, tifdenu mikol negah umachalah,
grace us with your absolute love, teatrenu beahavah chelulah,
cheer us in your Temple, tesamchenu beveit hatfilah,
S
lead us Ps. 23:2
to tranquil water; selah! tenahalenu al mei menuchot selah,
fill us with wisdom and insight, temalenu chochmah vesichlah,
clothe us with power and greatness, talbishenu oz ugedulah,
Sa
crown us with a crown of perfection, tachtirenu becheter kelulah,
guide us along an easy path, teyashrenu beorach selulah,
set us on a road toward righteousness, titaenu beyosher mesilah,
grace us with compassion and mercy, techonenu berachamim uvechemla
2
recall Song 8:5
Who is this, climbing? tazkirenu be-Mi zot olah?
m
save us at the final redemption, toshienu leketz hageulah,
honor us with radiance in turmoil,3 tehadrenu beziv hamulah,
fasten us to you like a sash, wrapped, tadbikenu keezor chatulah,
pl
make us great through your great power tegadlenu beyad hagdolah,
e
1
Give us a good name and praise.
2
Who is this, climbing from the desert? / / mi zot olah min hamidbar? In The Song of
Songs, this refers to the bride. Our tradition understands God as the groom and Israel as the bride, so God
would ask this question to draw attention to Israel. So this line asks God to remember Gods betrothal to the
people of Israel, to treat us with the same degree of love and consideration as a groom to his bride.
3
Make us honored with radiance/glow of turmoil; this is a difficult verse, and perhaps it asks for honor and
success in the turmoil of the final redemption, to which the previous verse refers.
bring us to your Temple

tevienu levetcha
with joy and cheer berina vetzoholah,
acclaim us with salvation and joy,t teadrenu beyesha vegilah,
strengthen us with liberty and success, teamtzenu berevach vehatzalah,
hearten us by rebuilding your city telabvenu bevinyan irchah
as at first, kevatchilah,
1
waken us to see Zion rebuilt, teorerenu leTziyon beshichlulah,
SP
give us merit to see tezakenu
the city rebuilt on its hill2 benivnetah hair al tilah,
let us relax with joy and gladness, tarbitzenu besason vegilah,
(please save us) hosha nah
strengthen us, God of Jacob, selah! techazkenu, Elohei Yaakov, selah!
S
(please save us!) hosha nah
Sa
m
pl
e
1
In her perfection, i.e., wake us from this horrible dream of exile and show us that Zion has been repaired
and reconstructed to perfection.
2
Almost quoted from Jeremiah 30:18, The city rebuilt on its hill /
/ venivnetah ir al tilah

________________________ 12. Kehoshata Elim
_______________________
God, please save us!1 Ani vaho hoshiah na!
As you saved the faithful in Lud with you2 Kehoshata elim beLud imach,
when you came out to rescue your people betzetcha leyesha amach
save us like that! ken hosha nah!
SP
3
As you saved the people and their God
Kehoshata goy vElohim
selected for Gods deliverance derushim leyeshah Elohim
As you saved the throng of troops Kehoshata hamon tzevaot,
and with them angels of hosts veimam malachei tzevaot
S
As you saved the pure Kehoshata zakim
from the slaves campO kind God mibeit avadim, chanun
so the slaves subdued their former masters4 beyadam maavidim
Sa
As you saved those plunged Kehoshata tevuim
into the divided depths of the Reed Sea betzul gezarim,
your glory was with them as they crossed yekarcha imam maavirim,
m
pl
1
doesnt really mean anything. It has the same numerical value as ( please) and the Tetragrammaton,
Gods name. Its a way of saying please, God without saying Godalmost like using an anagram such as
Egos plead! Thanks to the Birnbaum Siddur for this explanation.
e
2
The faithful is literally the mighty ones, presumably those who were mighty in their faith at the time of
the Exodus, since Lud alludes to Egyptthe Lud-ites were descendants of Mitzrayim (Gen. 10:13); with you
may refer to the idea that God suffers when Gods people suffer (Isaiah 63:9), so the Exodus was a relief for
God as well as for the people.
3
God suffers when the Israelites suffer, as we read in Isaiah 63:9 in all their troubles, God had trouble too /
/ bechol tzaratam lo tzar. The written text ( , a problem for him) means the opposite of
the pronounced text ( , not a problem), with no difference in pronunciation: a charming conundrum!
4
To their (the former slaves) power you subjugated the enslavers.
As you saved the shoot1 Kehoshata kanah

2
that sang, Ex. 14:30
God rescued, meshoreret, Vayosha,
3
Its saved is said for its grower legochah metzuyenet Vayivasha
As you saved them when you said, Kehoshata maamar,
Ex. 6:6
I will bring you out
Vehotzeti etchem
4
or say, Ill be brought out with you nakuv Vehutzeti itchem
SP
As you saved those who circled the altar Kehoshata sovevei mizbeach,
bearing willows, circling the altar omsei aravah lehakif mizbeach,
As you saved the wonder-working Ark, Kehoshata pilei Aron
S
which was captured because of our sin, kehufsha,
and struck the Philistines in anger tzier Peleshet bacharon af
so it was rescued venosha,
Sa
5
As you saved the communities Kehoshata kehilot
you sent to exile in Babylon Bavelah shalachta,
kind God, for their sake rachum lemaanam,
m
pl
1
A reference to the Israelites, based on Psalm 80:15-16: Look down from the sky, see and note this vine, and
the shoot that your right hand has planted / / habet mishama-
e
yim ureh, ufekod gefen zot, vechanah asher natah yeminecha.
2
At the Song of the Sea, which the Israelites sang after their deliverance from the pursuing Egyptian army.
3
For-the-one-who-draws-it-(the shoot)-out (or, who makes the shoot grow) is-mentioned, and-it-is-
saved. Perhaps this means that the Messiah will make the shoot flourish, and on his (or her) account one
will declare that salvation has arrived.
4
If you change the vowels on I will bring you out you can read the words as I will be brought out with you.
5
As-you-saved the-wonders-of the-Ark when-there-was-sin, afflicted Philistia in-the-anger-of your-nostril
(remember, nostrils flare in anger!) and-it-was-rescued; the capture of the Ark is recounted in 1 Samuel 4-6.

393 Hoshanot

As you saved and returned Kehoshata

Jacobs tribes at the Exodus, shevut shivtei Yaakov,
you will certainly bring Jacobs tashuv vetashiv
1
descendants back home shevut oholei Yaakov,
please save us! vehoshiah nah!
As you saved those who keep the rules Kehoshata shomrei mitzvot
and hope to be saved, vechochei yeshuot,
SP
Ps. 68:21
God who saves, El lemoshaot:
please save us vehoshiah nah!
please, God, save us! Ani vaho, hoshiah nah!

Except on Hoshana Rabba, add this
Ps. 28:9
Save your people
Hoshia et amecha
S
care for them and carry them forever.2 urem venasem ad haolam.
I Kings 8:59-60
And let these my words
Veyiheyu devaray eleh
Sa
which I have prayed before God asher hitchananti lifnei Adonai
be close to the ruler, our God, kerovim el Adonai Eloheinu
day and night, yomam valayla,
to ensure justice for Gods servant laasot mishpat avdo
and justice for Gods people Israel,
umishpat amo Yisrael,
m
3
dealing with matters as they arise devar yom beyomo,
so as to teach all peoples of the world lemaan daat kol amei haaretz
that God is God, and nothing else is.4 ki Adonai hu haElohim, ein od.
pl
On Hoshana Rabba, say this instead
God, save; save us, please! Hosha nah, El nah; ana hoshia nah!
e
1
You will return and cause to return the return/captivity of Jacobs tents.
2
with.
3
Each days matter in its dayi.e., same-day service in court!
4
From Solomons words, I Kings 8:59-60, at the dedication of the Temple.
Save and forgive us, please, Hosha nah, selach nah

and grant us success, vehatzlicha nah,
and save us, God, our refuge! vehoshienu, El mauzenu!

On Hoshana Rabba, we set aside our Four Species and take willow twigs
________________________ 13. Taaneh Emunim _______________________

Answer Taaneh
the faithful as they spill out emunim shofchim
SP
their hearts to youlike waterin prayer lecha lev kamayim,
and Ps. 118:25
please save us,
vehoshiah nah
for the sake of lemaan
Abraham who came through fire and water bah vaesh uvamayim,
(and Ps. 118:25 please give us success) vehatzlicha nah
S

who decided and said, gazar venam,
1
Gen. 18:4
Let some water be brought. yukach nah meat mayim.
And save us, God, our stronghold! Vehoshienu, El mauzenu!
Sa
Answer Taaneh
the flags that passed through parted waters degalim gazu gizrei mayim
and Ps. 118:25
please save us,
vehoshiah nah
m
Isaac, bound at Ge.n 28:17
heavens gate, haneekad beshaar hashamayim
(and Ps. 118:25 please give us success) vehatzlicha nah
2
who returned to dig water wells. veshav vechafar beerot mayim.
pl
e
1
Abraham (according to Midrash, Genesis Rabbah) survived the Chaldean fire into which powerful Nimrod
cast him, when Abraham refused to worship either fire or water (or Nimrod himself). Later, after his circumci-
sion, he greeted three visitors by ordering water to wash their feet (Gen. 18:4).
2
The flags represent the tribes of Israel, who crossed through the Reed Sea at the Exodus. Isaac was bound
as a sacrifice; tradition says the Altar Abraham used was the Foundation Stone on which Jacob rested his head
and which he declared the gate of Heaven (Gen. 28:17).

395 Hoshanot

Answer Taaneh
the pure Israelites who camped next to water zakim chonim alei mayim
and Ps. 118:25 please save us,
vehoshiah nah
smooth Jacob, who peeled rods chalak mefatzel maklot
at the water-troughs, beshikatot hamayim
Ps. 118:25
(and please give us success) vehatzlicha nah
SP
1
who lifted and rolled a rock from a well. taan vegal even miber mayim.
Answer Taaneh
your dear people, heirs of the wisdom of Torah yedidim nochalei dat
S
which is compared to water meshulat mayim
and Ps. 118:25
please save us,
vehoshiah nah
Sa
those who dug for water with their sticks karu bemishanotam mayim
Ps. 118:25
to providefor them and their offspring lehachin lamo uletzeetzaeimo
water.2 mayim.
m
pl
e
1
On the way from Egypt, the Israelites camped by twelve springs of water (Ex. 15:27); Jacob was smooth-
skinned whereas Esau was hairy (Gen. 27:11); he augmented his flock by peeling sticks to influence their
breeding (Gen. 30:37); he rolled a rock off the well to help Rachel water her flock (Gen. 29:10).
2
BT Baba Kama 82a compares Torah to water; the Israelites sang of a well to which God brought them (Num.
21:18).
Answer Taaneh
those who pleadas if in a desert mitchanenim kevishimon
for water alei mayim
and Ps. 118:25
please save us, vehoshiah nah
the reliable servant neeman bayit
who supplied the people with water; maspik laam mayim
SP
Ps. 118:25
1
he struck the rock and water oozed out. selah hach veyazuvu mayim
Answer Taaneh
S
those who said, Rise, O water well!
Num. 21:17
onim ali beer mayim
and Ps. 118:25
please save us,
vehoshiah nah
Sa
Moses, assigned at the waters of strife pukad bemei merivat mayim
Ps. 118:25
2
to give drinking water to the thirsty. tzemeim lehashkotam mayim.
m
pl
e
1
Reliable servant is trusted member of the household, a compliment for Moses; he struck the rock in Num
20:11 and got into serious trouble with the Boss.
2
Numbers 20 tells how Miriam dies, the Israelites complain of a shortage of water, God tells Moses to speak to
the rock; he strikes it instead and draws water, but now hes in trouble. The waters of strife could be the
waters of the strife about water or the waters of the place Merivah associated with water, but the name
Merivah is associated with the Hebrew word for strife.

397 Hoshanot

Answer Taaneh
1
holy people who pour out water to you kedoshim menaschim lecha mayim
and Ps. 118:25
please save us,
vehoshiah nah
the chief poet, King David, rosh meshorerim
who longed to drink water ketaav shetot mayim
2
but exclaimed, No way! Chalilah patz,
SP
Ps. 118:25
and poured out the water to you as an offering. shav venasach lecha mayim
Answer Taaneh
S
us who ask you, shoalim
with the four species that are planted by water beribua eshlei mayim
and Ps. 118:25 please save us,
vehoshiah nah
Sa
3
the Temple hill from which came water tel talpiyot motza mayim
Ps. 118:25
open4 the earth; let the sky drip rain. tiftach eretz vetarif shamayim
And save us, God, our stronghold!
Vehoshienu, El mauzenu!
m
Please have mercy on Rachem nah
this gathering of the community of Jeshurun; kehal adat Yeshurun;
forgive and pardon their sin
selach umechal avonam,
pl
and save us, God of our salvation! vehoshienu, Elohei yisheinu!
e
1
In the Temple, a joyous ceremony of pouring water on the altar (water libation) took place during Sukkot.
2
This line, found in Metzudah but not ArtScroll, makes sense of the stanza. In II Samuel 23:13-17, David need-
ed water; three of his warriors risked their lives to bring him some; he would not drink water procured at such a
cost but poured it out as a sacrifice to God.
3
is the hill of Talpiyot; the word Talpiyot may mean the hill of mouths, the hill to which every
mouth turns in prayer (Metzudah siddur, p. 881); or it may mean armorythe place where the edges
(mouths) of armaments are hung up for storage (Gesenius Lexicon).
4
Either to let water well up from subterranean sources, or to let parched land absorb the rain without runoff.
_________________________ 14. Ometz Yeshacha _________________________

This poem conveys excitement, as if the Messianic Era is imminent.
A voice announces, announces and says:1
Kol mevaser, mevaser veomer:
A voice announces, announces and says: Kol mevaser, mevaser veomer:
The power of your rescue is coming Ometz yeshacha ba;

Song 2:8
I hear my lover; here he comes!
Kol dodi hineh zeh ba.
SP
a voice announces and says mevaser veomer:
Hes coming with myriad troops of angels Ba berivevot kitim,
to stand Zech 14:4
on the Mount of Olives.
laamod al Har Hazeitim.
Hes coming to blow the shofar; Gishto bashofar litkah;
S
beneath him the mountain will split. tachtav har yibakah.
Hes knocking, flourishing, glowing Dafak vehetzitz vezarach,
Sa
half the mountain moves from the east.2 umash chatzi hahar mimizrach.
3
He has kept his word; Hekim milul naomo,
hes coming with his holy ones. uvah hu vechol kedoshav imo.
m
And for all earth-dwellers Ulechol baei haolam,
4
an echo from above is heard: bat kol yishamah baolam.
pl
She labored and gave birth: Who is this? Chalah veyaldah mi zot
Isa 66:8
Who has ever heard of such a thing? mi shamah kazot.
e
1
The voice is of the prophet Elijah, herald of the Messiah; we imagine we can hear him coming right now!
2
From Zechariahs messianic prophecythe mountain will split and move, half from the East.
3
the speaking of Gods utterance.
4
, the daughter of a voice/sound, usually refers to a communication from God, more indirect than the
way God spoke to Moses, like a mysterious echo with no source.

399 Hoshanot

The pure one has done all this: Tahor paal kol eileh,
Isa 66:8
who has seen anything like it? umi raah kaeileh.
The great rescue and its sudden timing were set: Yeshah uzeman huhad,
Isa 66:8
could the earth do all this in one day? hayuchal eretz beyom echad.
By one mightier than high and low Kabir rom vatachat,
SP
Isa 66:8
could a nation be born in one go? im yivaled goi paam echat.
When radiant God saves the people, Leet yigal amo naor,
Zech. 14:7
there will be light in the evening. vehayah leet erev yiheyeh or.
S
The saved will ascent Mount Zion Moshiim yaalu lehar Tziyon,
Isa. 66:8
for Zion has labored and given birth! ki chalah gam yaldah Tziyon.
Sa
Its heard within all your borders: Nishmah bechol gevulech
Isa. 54:2
Spread out your campsite!
harchivi mekom oholech.
1
Move as far away as Damascus, Simi ad Damesek mishkenotayich,
collect from there your sons and daughters. kabli vanayich uvenotayich.
m
Rejoice, Rose2 of Sharon, Izli chavatzelet haSharon,
for those sleeping in Hebron have risen. ki kamu yeshenei Chevron.
pl
e
1
Place as far as Damascus your dwellings; some would see this as a call for a landgrab, but with the next line
it seems to call for going far and staying only long enough to collect the scattered exiles.
2
, translated as rose of Sharon (Song of Songs 2:1) could refer to a lily or daffodil.
Turn to me and be rescued Penu elai vehivashu,

1
today, if you only listen to me! hayom in bekoli tishmau.
Someone has grown up; his name is Bud; Tzamach ish tzemach shemo,
hes really David himself! hu David beatzmo.
Rise, O people trampled in the dust;
Kumu kefushei afar,
SP
Isa. 26:19
wake up and sing, you dust-dwellers. hakitzu veranenu shochnei afar.
When God rules the city crowded with people, Rabati am behamlicho,
2 Sam 22:51
Gods king will be a tower of rescue! migdol yeshuot malko.
S
Blotting out the memory of the wicked, Shem reshaim lehaavid,
2 Sam. 22:51
God is kind to Gods anointed, oseh chesed limshicho
to David. leDavid.
Sa
Bring rescue for the long-lasting people, Tenah yeshuot leam olam,

2 Sam. 22:51
for David and his progeny, always! leDavid ulezaro ad olam.

m
Leader and congregation:
A voice announces, announces and says Kol mevaser, mevaser veomer
pl
e
1
Cf. Psalm 95:7, we can return to God right now if only we listen: Today if you listen to Gods voice /
/ hayom im bekolo tishmau.

401 Hoshanot


Beat your willows so that leaves come off
Ps. 28:9
Save your people
Hoshia et amecha
1
I Kings 8:59-60
SP
2
S
that God is God, and nothing else is.3
ki Adonai hu haElohim, ein od.
May this be your will, Yehi ratzon milfanecha,

Sa
and God of our parents, vElohei avoteinu ,
to accept with kindness and favor shetekabel berachamim uveratzon
our prayer and circling the bimah, et tefilatenu vehakafatenu,
m
to remove the iron barrier vetasir mechitzat habarzel
that separates us from you, hamafseket beineinu uveinecha,
listen to our cries vetaazin shavateinu,
pl
and seal us in the book of a good life. vechotmeinu besefer chayim tovim.

This is the end of the Hoshanot service for Hoshana Rabba
e
1
with.
2
3
________________________ 15. Kehoshata Adam _______________________

1
God, please save us! Ani vaho hoshiah na!
As you saved Adam2, Kehoshata Adam,

formed by your hands, to protect him, yetzir kapecha, legonenah,
on Shabbat (the holy day) you created beShabbat kodesh himtzeto
redemption and grace for him kofer vachaninah,
SP
As you saved the exceptional people Kehoshata goy metzuyan
who hoped for freedom mekavim chofesh,
wisely they foresaw deah kivnu
the choice of the seventh day for rest lavur shevii lenofesh
S
As you saved the people Kehoshata haam
you led like a flock to rest, nihagta katzon lehanchot
Sa
you set a statute at Marah where Moses vechok samta beMara
struck the rock, by the still waters al mei menuchot,
As you saved your gift Kehoshata zevudecha
in the Sinai Wilderness camp beMidbar Sin bamachaneh
m
on the sixth day, wisely, they gathered chochmu velaktu bashishi
a double portion of bread lechem mishneh
pl
e
1
doesnt really mean anything. It has the same numerical value as ( please) and the Tetragrammaton,
Gods name. Its a way of saying please, God without saying Godalmost like using an anagram such as
Egos plead! Thanks to the Birnbaum Siddur for this explanation.
2
Adambegins the alphabetical acrostic. To follow the acrostic, note that each stanza begins
and covers two letters of the Alephbet. After the Alephbet, the author has worked his name into the poem.

403 Hoshanot

As you saved your dependents, Kehoshata tefulecha

who in their wisdom explained how to horu hachanah bemadaam
prepare for Shabbat, their shepherd yishar kocham
congratulated them and thanked them vehodam lamo roam,
As you saved those you fed with the Kehoshata kulkelu
delight of stored mannah beoneg man hamshumar
SP
it didnt look bad lo hafach eino
or smell rotten vereicho lo namar,
As you saved those who studied the Kehoshata mishpetei
laws of Shabbat observance, who masot Shabbat gamaru,
S
rested and reposed and observed the nachu veshavtu
domains and limits reshuyot utechumim shamaru,
Sa
As you saved those who heard the Kehoshata Sinai hoshmeu
Fourth Commandment at Sinai, bedibur revii
about remember and observe inyan zachor veshamor
to keep the seventh day holy lekadesh shevii
m
As you saved those chosen to circle Kehoshata pukdu Yericho
Jericho seven timesthey kept up the sheva lehakef
1
attack on Shabbat until it fell tzaru ad ridtah
pl
save us like that! baShabbat letakef
ken hosha nah!
e
1
Joshua 6:15.
As you saved Solomon, the author of Kehoshata Kohelet veamo

Kohelet, and his people in the eternal beveit olamim,
Temple, they pleased you when they ritzucha bechogegam
kept the festival for seven and another shivah veshivah yamim
seven days1save us like that! ken hosha nah!
As you saved captives Kehoshata shavim,
who rise from exile to redemption, olei golah, lefidyom,
SP
when they read your Torah Toratcha bekoram
every day of the festival bechag yom yom
As you saved those who brought you Kehoshata mesamchecha
2
joy with the restored Second Temple, bevinyan sheni hamchudash
S
who waved the lulav all seven days in notlin lulav
the Sanctuary3 - kol shivah baMikdash,
Sa
As you saved those who beat the Kehoshata chibut
willows even on Shabbat,4 aravah Shabbat madchim,
and stood branches from Motza at the murbiyot motza lisod
5
base of the altar mizbeach manichim,
m
pl
1
I Kings 8:65.
e
2
those who brought you joybegins an acrostic on (presumably) the authors name:
, etc.
3
Possibly a reference to Ezra 3:4 and/or Nehemia 8:18.
4
Mishna Sukka 4:6 says in Temple days the willow ceremony was performed even on Shabbat. Today, we dont
beat the Hoshana Rabba willows on Shabbat; our calendar prevents this seventh day of Sukkot from falling on
Shabbat.
5
Mishna Sukka 4:5 says Motza was a place below Jerusalem; people went there to gather willow branches and
stood them at the sides of the altar, their tops bowed over the top of the altar.

405 Hoshanot

As you saved those who rejoiced1 Kehoshata berakot

with flexible, long, tall boughs and as vaaruchot ugevohot mealsim
they left gave words of praise: biftiratan yofi lecha
Beauty is yours, O altar! mizbeach mekalsim,
As you saved those who thanked and
Kehoshata modim umeyachalim
hoped constantly, like them we all velo meshanim,
SP
cry We turn to God, and our eyes kulanu anu leYah,
turn to God! veeineinu leYah shonim,
As you saved those who circled your Kehoshata yekev machatzavecha

S
wine cellar, dug in the ground, with sovevim beraananah
branches, praying: ronenim,
God, please save us! Ani vaho, hoshia na,
Sa
2
As you saved the diligent soldiers Kehoshata cheil zerizim,
who serve on the day of rest, meshartim bimnuchah
with the double Shabbat sacrifice of korban Shabbat,
burnt offering and meal offering kaful olah umenuchah,
m
As you saved your Levites who Kehoshata leviecha
gathered on their stand, saying: al duchanam leharbat omrim
pl
Ps. 92:1
A psalm: a song of Shabbat Mizmor shir leyom haShabbat,
e
1
rejoice; praise.
2
I.e., the priests who served in the Temple.
As you saved Kehoshata

those you calmed with your rules nichumecha bemitzvotecha,
which always bring delight, tamid yishtasheun,
so you may favor them and bring uretzem vehachalitzem
them rest, peacefully let them be beshuvah vanachat yivasheun,
savedsave us like that! ken hosha nah!
As you saved and returned Kehoshata
SP
Jacobs tribes at the Exodus, shevut shivtei Yaakov,
you will certainly bring Jacobs tashuv vetashiv
1
descendants back home shevut oholei Yaakov,
please save us! vehoshiah nah!
As you saved those who keep the rules Kehoshata shomrei mitzvot
S
and hope to be saved, vechochei yeshuot,
Ps. 68:21
God who saves, El lemoshaot:
please save us vehoshiah nah!
Sa
please, God, save us! Ani vaho, hoshiah nah!
Ps. 28:9
Save your people
Hoshia et amecha
2
m
pl
e
1
You will return and cause to return the return/captivity of Jacobs tents.
2
with.

407 Hoshanot

I Kings 8:59-60
1
SP
that God is God, and nothing else is.2
ki Adonai hu haElohim, ein od.
S
Sa
m
pl
e
1
2
The Torah Party Simchat Torah

On this day, when we celebrate our guide to good living, we add material to the Torah service and add poetry
to honor those called to observe the last Torah reading of one year and the first of the next.
__________________Opening the Ark Petichat HaAron _________________

Before opening the ark, we say these verses responsively. Some bid for the honor of leading a verse.
Deut.4:35
You have been shown Atah horeita ladaat
that God is God;
ki Adonai, hu haElohim:
SP
there is nothing except God.1 ein od milvado.
Ps 136:4
Who has done great wonders alone, Leoseh niflaot gedolot levado,
whose kindness lasts forever. ki leolam chasdo.
Ps. 86:8
O God, there is no god like you,

Ein kamocha vaelohim Adonai
And none can do what you do. veein kemaasecha.
S
Ps. 104:31
Ps. 113:2
May Gods fame be blessed
Sa
from now on, forever and ever. meatah vead olam.
I Kings 8:57
May our ruling God be with us
Yehi Adonai Eloheinu imanu
as God was with our ancestors; kaasher hayah im Avoteinu;
may God not leave us nor abandon us. al yaazveinu veal yitsheinu.
I Chronicles 16:35
m
Say: Veimru:
Save us, O saving God,
Hoshienu, Elohei yishenu,
gather us and save us from the other nations, vekabtzenu vehatzilenu min hagoyim
pl
to thank your holy name lehodot leshem kodshecha,
and honor your praise. lehishtabeach bithilatecha.
Ps 10:16 Ps 93:1
e
Ex. 15:18 2
1
You have been shown: to you was shown, to make you know Nothing except God: Okay, I know
what youre going to say: If there is nothing except for God, what about evil, eh? Because of your question,
its good to study this verse carefully and ponder its implications.
2

409 The Torah Party Simchat Torah
Ps 29:11
Gods people will be blessed in peace. Adonai yevarech et amo vashalom.
May our words be acceptable Veyiheyu nah amareinu leratzon
to the ruler of all! lifnei adon kol
We rise as the ark is opened.
Num 10:35
And when the Ark moved out, u
uVayehi binsoah haaron,
SP
Ps 132:8-10

S
Sa
Isaiah 25:9
On that day will people say, Veamar bayom hahu,
Look, this is our God: Hineh Eloheinu zeh;
we have waited for God and God will save us,
kiviinu lo veyoshienu;
this is God for whom we have waited; zeh Adonai, kivinu lo;
m
lets celebrate and rejoice in Gods salvation. nagilah venismecha bishuato.
Ps. 145:13
Your rule guides every distant space,
Your government guides every age. umemshaltecha bechol dor vador.
pl
Isaiah 2:3
e
God, who are compassions store,1 Av harachamim

Ps. 51:20
With your favor Zion mend,

heitivah virtzoncha et Tziyon.
Jerusalems ruined walls restore: Tivneh chomot Yerushalayim.
For on you only we depend, Ki vecha levad batachnu,
Sovereign God, exalted high, Melech El, ram venisah:
ruler of worlds. Adon olamim.
SP
The Torah service continues with Removing the Scroll on page 209.
S
Sa
m
pl
e
1
Compassions store is literally, Father (or parent) of mercy (or mercies). God is the source of compassion
or mercy; the kindnesses which we experience in this world are (perhaps) sparks of divine goodness.

_________________________ Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereshit _________________________

The Chatan Torah oversees the final reading from the entire Torah, and the Chatan Bereshit oversees the begin-
ning of the next years cycle (for congregations with an annual cycle). As you can see from the poems used (in
whole or on part) to call them up, these honors are a big deal. Some will say the honors go to leaders in the
congregation, role models in virtue and scholarship, dedicated to Jewish practice and to Jewish ideals and to
their congregation. Others will say the honors go to anyone willing to sponsor a fancy Kiddush.
Some communities want to share the honor of Chatan Torah and Bereshit, Bridegrooms of the Last and First
Torah Readings, equally among men and women. Torah is part of every healthy Jewish life and relationship, so
Jewish singles and couples are all in a sense wedded to the Torah.
SP
However, some will point out that these honors are about faking a marriage to Torah, and the Torah is femi-
ninethe Hebrew word Torah is of the feminine gender, the Torah is feminine in traditionally male-dominated
religious fantasy and certainly in these poems. (Thats not why she has those cute velvety dresses and the fancy
silver deely-boppers to wear; in olden times, guys used to wear skirts, like the High Priest on Yom Kippur with
bells and pomegranates a-jangling.) But Torah is often a she, and many people will understand if some shuls
hesitate to celebrate a relationship between two females or a threesome. Please stop sniggering.
S
Thats why we didnt provide versions of these poems for calling up a lady or a couple. If you think were
marrying off a girl-scroll, youll insist on calling up a guy. Otherwise, this could be a good time to ignore the
gender of the pronouns in these poems and use them for whoever gets the honor, a guy, a gal, a couple, a family,
or whatever you please.
These poems are not readily found in the authorized prayer books of the British Commonwealth, so there
Sa
may be good precedent for skipping these poems.
m
pl
e
_________________ Bridegroom of the Torah Chatan Torah _________________

With approval of God, Mershut haEl
great, mighty and revered, agadol hagibor vehanorah
and with approval of Torah, umershut
more precious than gold and pearls, mipaz umipeninim yekarah
and with approval of the Sanhedrin, umershut Sanhedrin
holy and purified, hakdoshah vehabrurah
SP
and with approval of the heads of colleges umershut rashei yeshivot
and leaders of Torah, vealufei Torah
and with the approval of old and young umershut zekenum unearim,
who sit in class,1 yoshvei shurah,
I open my mouth with song and melody Eftach pi beshirah uvezimrah
S
to give thanks and praise lehodot ulehalel
to God who dwells in light, ledar binhorah
who has kept us alive and sustained us shehechayanu vekimanu
Sa
in pure reverence for God beyirato hathorah
and brought us to rejoice vehigianu lismoach
at this party for the Torah beSimchat HaTorah,
that gladdens the heart hamsamachat lev
and brightens the eyes, veeinayim meirah,
m
gives life hanotenet chayim
and wealth and honor and respect, veosher vechavod vetifarah,
gratifies its followers hameasheret holcheha
pl
with a path both good and upright, baderech hatovah vehaysharah
2
brings long life and increases vigor
hamarechet yamim umosefet gevurah
for its devotees and observers leohaveha uleshomreha
e
for their demanding care, betzivui veazharah,
for its students and guardians leoskeha ulenotzreha
for their love and reverence. beahavah uvemorah.
1
Sit in a row; Students used to sit in rows, all gazing raptly at their teacher who imparted precious wisdom.
2
Makes days long, a common idiom to refer to long life.

And so, may the divine Power Uvechen yehi ratzon

1
be willing milifnei haGevurah
to grant life, grace, latet chayim vachesed
coronet and crown to vanezer vaatarah to

Insert the honorees Hebrew name, so-and-so, child of so-and-so
who has been chosen shenivchar
to finish reading the Torah; lehashlim haTorah
SP
The next sixteen lines form an acrostic poem.
to strengthen, bless leamtzo levorcho
and nurture him in Torah study, ulegadlo betalmud Torah,
to seek his welfare, honor him ledorsho lechayim, lehadro
2
and put him on committees, levaado bachavurah,
S
to award him merit, sustenance, lezakoto, lechayoto,
and Torah honors,3 letakso beteches orah,
to direct him, fulfill him leyashro, lechalelo,
and teach him lessons and logic, lelamdo lekach usevarah,
Sa
to save him, raise him up, lemalto, lenaso,
to feed him with fine food,
lesaado besaad berurah,
to delight him, sustain him, leadno, lefarneso,
vindicate him among the created people, letzadko beam nivrah,
m
to bring him close, be kind to him lekorvo, lerachamo uleshomro
and keep him from all trouble and sorrow, mikol tzukah vetzarah,
to support, bear him up and sustain him letokfo, lesomcho,
pl
when he suffers a Psa 51:19
broken spirit. letomcho beruach nishbarah.
Stand up, stand up, stand up Amod, amod, amod

e
Bridegroom of the Torah, Chatan haTorah,
ascribe glory to God, great and awesome! veten kavod leEl gadol venorah!
1
And so, may it be acceptable to the Power.
2
To seek him out for life (when God comes looking for you, you hope its for life instead of something else!),
honor him, make him a counsellor among the group.
3
To grant him ceremonial functions in the ceremony of Torah, which is light.
So may you merit from awesome God Uvischar zeh, tizkeh mEl norah
To see children and grandchildren lirot banim uvenei vanim
busy with Torah, oskim baTorah
Fulfilling its obligations
umekaymei mitzvot
among people lovely and pure betoch am yafah uvarah,
And so may you merit to rejoice Vetizkeh lismoach
1
with the joy of the Temple, besimchat Beit HaBechirah,
SP
May your face beam with righteousness, ufanecha lehair bitzdakah
with enlightening revelation2
beaspaklaryah hameirah
as Isaiah foretold, the Messiah will be filled with Kenibah Yeshayahu, malei
Isa 11:2
a spirit of wise counsel and conviction.
ruach etzah ugevurah.
Isa 66:11
Rejoice with Jerusalem, Simchu et Yerushalaim
S
find joy in her soon; vegilu vah meherah!
let them rejoice with delight, Sisu itah masos
all who mourn for her kol hamitablim aleha
Sa
in grief and distress! beevlah vetzarah!
Stand up, stand up, stand up Amod, amod, amod
Bridegroom of the Torah, Chatan HaTorah
with approval of all mershut kol
m
this holy congregation, hakahal hakadosh hazeh
and complete the reading of the Torah. vehashlem haTorah.
Stand up Yaamod
pl
Bridegroom of the Torah! Chatan HaTorah!
e
1
The chosen house.
2

/ aspaklaryah meirah is the phrase Rashi uses to describe the unique quality of Moses
prophetic gift. See Rashis comment to Numbers 12:6.

Bridegroom of the Creation Story

Chatan Bereshit
With approval of God, exalted Mershut meromam
above all blessing and song, al kol berachah veshirah,
revered above all prayer and hymn; norah al kol tehilah vezimrah,
wise chacham levav
and strong in power in might veamitz koach ugevurah
guiding the world, ruling all creation; umoshel olam, adon kol yetzirah;
SP
and with approval of the glorious Torah, umershut kevudah
1
a princess found only in the study hall, vat melech penimah atzurah,
Gods first possession, reshit kinyano
2
treasured for 2,000 years, alpayim atzurah,
the Torah is pure and perfect, barah temimah
S
restoring and refreshing a person, meshivat nefesh umachazirah
granted as a legacy to Jeshurun (i.e., Israel), Yeshurun nitnah morashah leovdah
to follow its rules and keep it, uleshomrah,
Sa
for its students, the scholars of Jacob (i.e., Israel) melumadeha geonei Yaakov,
to open and close it,3 lefotchah ulesograh,
the full glory of the Jewish communitys leader, kelil hod nasi
whose influence is extensive, marbeh hamisrah
those who sit in judgement, yoshvei al midin,
m
who bring the fight for truth to the court gate, meshivei milchamah sharah,
the heads of the academies, rashei yeshivot,
the heads of the scattered community of exile; rashei golah fezurah;
pl
and with the permission of the virtuous group, umershut chavurat tzedek, edah
the happy congregation, hamusharah,
e
1
And with approval of the glory (i.e., the Torah, grammatically a feminine noun), daughter of a king, held
inside (like any good princess in the sexist olden days).
2
Resh Lakish taught, the Torah preceded Creation by 2,000 years (Leviticus Rabbah, 19:1).
3
If I were a rabbi, Id take this to mean that the rabbis open the Torah by explaining what it means and
close the Torah by silencing disagreement (through irrefutable logic).
elderly and youngsters zekenim unearim

in every row of the classroom bechol shurah veshurah
gathered here today kevutzim poh hayom
for the Torah Party, leSimchat HaTorah
and who will stay to complete and begin it veneetzarim lesayem ulehachel
with joy and reverence begil uvemorah;
they love the Torah otah mechabvim
SP
as on the day it was given, in glory, keyom netinatah bahadarah,
they adorn themselves with it like a new thing mesalselim bah kachadashah
not like something old and outdated, velo chayshanah sheavrah,
thirsting to extract and enjoy tzemeim lamotz ulehitaneg
its precious radiance miziv yekarah,
S
that cheers the heart and removes misery; mesamachat lev veetzev mesirah
its comforts bring delight tanchumeha yeshasheu nafsham
with which they make their souls splendid bah lehitpaarah
Sa
and study the Torahs text and stories vehogim bemikrah vehagadah
Mishnah and Talmud; bemishnah ugemarah,
they willingly bring their children ratzim umeviim tapam
to the prayer house, leveit haatirah
and they too do good deeds carefully. veosim gam maasim beazharah.
m
May God grant them great reward,1 Lachen gadol scharam meet hagvurah;
lasting joy bound on their head al rosham simchat olam keshurah,
2
yearning to see the Temple built. teevim lirot binyan beit habechirah,
pl
3
Its plain to see we all agree uvechen niskamti daat kulam levarerah,
as I bring our honoree bachur harimoti meam
4
from the company; toch hachavurah;
e
1
And so, great may their reward be from the divine Power.
2
The chosen house.
3
So I agree with the conclusion of all, for clarity.
4
The chosen one have I elevated from the people, / in the middle of the company.

an understanding heart has he metzativ lev navon

to expound the Torahs intricacy; lehasbirah,
with righteousness and sympathy tzedek vachesed
he seeks the path of probity. rodef beorach yesharah,
Stirred to magnanimity, unesao libo venadvah rucho
moved to begin, the first to be, lehitorerah techilah, verishon heyot
opening the Torah reading. lehatchil haTorah;
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Now, stand up veatah, kum

Stand and get ready; Amod lehitazrah.
Come, stand on my right
Bo vehityatzev vaamod limini,
and read the Creation story ukerah maaseh vereshit
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to honor the Rock who created the world. lichvod tzur barah.
This is why we keep the beginning Al zot matkifin hatchalah
next to the ending, regularly:1 lehashlamah bitdirah
Sa
so nobody can malign our people ad shelo yeragel beam zu leshakrah;
by saying we neglect our duty.
Since you are first yaan naaseit rishom
for this great obligation, lemitzvah gemurah,
how great is your goodness, mah rav tuvcha
m
how lavish your reward. umaskurtcha yeterah,
Big-hearted2 friend, be blessed tov ayim tevorach
for your unstinting generosity. benidvatcha milatzrah
pl
Be blessed with your creators blessings, umibirchot borecha tevorach
to keep your power undiminished, yadcha milkatzrah,
for everyone who honors Torah baavur shekol hamechabed Torah
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with adornment bitzfirah,
may his body be honored yehi gufo mechubad
with energy to enjoy. bechoach lehitashrah.
1
For this reason we have the beginning follow close upon the ending, frequently.
2
Good of eye; i.e., someone with a kindly look.
Quickly stand up, stand up, stand up Maher, amod, amod, amod
Bridegroom of Gen 1:1 In the beginning, God created
Chatan Bereshit Barah!
with approval of this holy congregation, Mershut hakahal hakadosh hazeh
to bless great and awesome God levarech El gadol venorah;
Let everyone answer you Amen Amen yaanu acharecha hakol
without delay. meherah.
SP
Stand up Yaamod

Bridegroom of Gen 1:1 In the beginning, God created
Chatan Bereshit Barah!
S
Sa
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419 Memorial Service
Memorial Service
We begin with selections from scripture. Other responsive or solo readings may be added to help us
remember our dear ones and reflect on our own lives.
_____________________________ Selections from Scripture _____________________________
Ps. 144:3-4
God, what is a human being? Adonai, mah adam
Yet you notice us. vatedaehu,
What is a person? Yet you think of us. ben enosh vatchashvehu?
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Humanity is like a breath, Adam lahevel damah;
our days like a passing shadow. yamav ketzel over.
Ps. 90:6
In the morning, it blossoms and sprouts, Baboker yatzitz vechalaf,
but in the evening it wilts and shrivels. laerev yemolel veyavesh.
Ps. 90:12
Teach us to use each day,
Limnot yameinu ken hoda,
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to bring our hearts to wisdom. venavi levav chochmah.
Psalm 37:37
Guard the perfect, Shemor tam
and watch over the upright, ureeh yashar
Sa
for that persons end is peace. ki acharit leish shalom.
Ps. 49:16
Surely God will save my soul
Ach Elohim yifdeh nafshi
from the clutches of Sheol,
miyad Sheol,
for God will take me in. Selah. ki yikacheni. Selah.
Ps. 73:26
My own energy and courage failed,
Kalah sheeri ulevavi,
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but my hearts strength and my portion,
tzur levavi vechelki
is Godforever!
Elohim leolam.
Eccles. 12:7
Dust returns to the earth Veyashov heafar el haaretz
pl
as it was before, keshehayah,
while the spirit returns veharuach tashuv
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to God who gave it.
el haElohim asher netanah.
_________________________ May God Remember Yizkor_________________________

In memory of a man
May God remember
Yizkor Elohim nishmat
Father my father, my teacher avi mori
Husband my dear husband bali hayakar
Son my dear son beni hayakar
[name], [name]
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who has gone to his repose. shehalach leolamo.
May his soul Ana tehi nafsho
be bound with the bond of life, tzerurah bitzror hachayim,
and may his rest be honor, utehi menuchato kavod,
complete joy in your presence, sova semachot et panecha,
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eternal bliss at your right hand. neimot bimincha netzach.
Amen. Amen
In memory of a woman
May God remember
Yizkor Elohim nishmat
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Mother my mother, my teacher imi morati
Wife my dear wife ishti hayekarah
Daughter my dear daughter biti hayekarah
[name], [name]
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who has gone to her repose. shehalchah leolamah.
May her soul Ana tehi nafshah
be bound with the bond of life, tzerurah bitzror hachayim,
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and may her rest be honor, utehi menuchatah kavod,
complete joy in your presence, sova semachot et panecha,
eternal bliss at your right hand. neimot bimincha netzach.
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Amen. Amen

______________ Compassionate God El Malei Rachamim _____________

God, full of compassion, El malei rachamim
dwelling on high, shochein bamromim,
grant proper rest hamtzei menuchah nechonah
1
in the shelter of your presence tachat kanfei haShechinah,
in the ranks of the saintly and pure, bemaalot kedoshim utehorim,
radiant like the bright heavens, kezohar harakiah mazhirim,
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to the souls et nishmot
of the holy and pure, hakedoshim vehatehorim
our Jewish brothers and sisters, acheinu benei Yisrael,
who were murdered and slaughtered, shenehergu veshenishchatu
burned and butchered veshenisrefu vshenitbechu
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by the Nazis al yedei haNatziyim
in the lands of our persecution beartzot hashmad
2
their martyrdom declared your holiness! al kidush hashem,
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and the souls veet nishmot
of the men and women soldiers hachayalim vehachayalot
of the Israel Defense Force shel Tzeva Haganah leYisrael,
who gave their lives shemasru nafsham
at the battle front al sedei hakrav
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for the sake of their land and people, bead artzam veamam,
and for all those vechol eleh
whom we have remembered today. shehizkarnu hayom livrachah.
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As we pray Baavur sheanachnu mitpalelim
that their souls may ascend, bead aliyat nishmatam,
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1
Beneath the wings of Shechinah (Gods presence)
2
For the holiness of your name (reputation); martyrdom, in those rare cases when halacha requires it, is a
way to demonstrate the power and holiness of our God. Or, one could translate, for sanctifying Gods name
they were killed because they held to their belief.
so, compassionate ruler, lachein, Baal Harachamim,

shelter them beneath your wings hastirem beseter kenafecha
forever leolamim,
and gather their souls utzeror bitzror hachayim
in the bond of life - et nishmatam
may they rest in the Garden of Eden! beGan Eden tehei menuchatam!
God is their true inheritance, Adonai, hu nachalatam,
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and may they rest in peace veyanuchu veshalom
in their resting place, al mishkavam,
and let us say: Amen. venomar: Amen. Amen
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____________________________________ Psalm 23 ____________________________________

1
God is my shepherd; I have all I need, Mizmor leDavid.
2
Grazing in lush, soft mead Adonai roi lo echsar.
By waters still and clear, Binot deshe yarbitzeini,
3
From doubts and fears Im freed. Al mei menuchot yenahaleni:
You guide me right, Nafshi yeshovev
1
to show your power is near. Yancheni vemagelei tzedek
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lemaan shemo.
4
When I walk in the vale of gloom, I fear Gam ki elech begei tzalmavet,
No wrong, for you are here:

lo ira ra ki atah imadi.
Your staff wont let me stray;
Shivtecha umishantecha
Your rod will bring me cheer. hemah yenachamuni.
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5
To spite my foes, Taaroch lefanai shulchan
2
for me a feast you lay. neged tzorerai.
You made me royal: it is too much. I say
Dishanta vashemen roshi
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6
That good and love will stay
kosi revayah.
Close by me all my days, Ach tov vachesed yirdefuni
And in your house Ill pray kol yemei chayay,
Forever, when I end veshavti beveit Adonai
3
lifes winding ways. leorech yamim.
m
After the Memorial Service, many congregations continue with the prayer for our country on page 220.
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1
Davids psalm. God is my shepherd (I shall not lack), laying me in lush grass, leading me to placid waters,
reviving my soul, setting me in the circle of virtue for Gods reputation.
2
Though I walk in the vale of gloom, I fear no wrong for you are with me; your shepherds staff and walking
stick, they comfort me. You set the table before me, in front of my foes.
3
You poured oil on my head for a coronation ceremony; my cup overflows. Goodness and mercy will follow
me every day of my life, and I will sit in Gods house for a long time.
Notes
_____________________________________ Aleinu _____________________________________
Aleinu is revered for its antiquity, its universal theme, and its position in Jewish history.
Some traditions attribute this prayer to Joshua, perhaps because it speaks of Israels mission in the world;
others trace its origin to the period of the second Temple, and still others say its author was the third-century
Babylonian teacher Rav.
Aleinu speaks not only of Israels mission, but of our belief that Jewish values of truth and justice will one
day fix the problems of our world and that all humanity will recognize the one God. While we do not proselyt-
SP
ize members of other religions, we aspire for a day when all humans can together acknowledge the unity of
creation and our creator. It is a vision of true peace that concludes every one of our services and sends us from
the synagogue with a renewed sense of our purpose in the world.
Originally, Aleinu was part of the Rosh Hashanah musaf service, where it introduced the Malchuyot (Sov-
ereignty) section and prepared us to acknowledge Gods universal rule. Later, it was added to the end of every
service. This may have been in memory of the martyrs of Blois, who in 1171 went to their deaths with Aleinu
on their lips. In addition to memorializing Jewish martyrs, this prayer is a testament to non-Jewish censorship
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of Jewish prayer. At one time, it included an extra line about idolators, They worship vanity and pray to a god
who will not save them (see Isaiah 30:7, 45:20). In some communities, people would spit when they said this.
The Inquisitions censors took exception to the spitting lines, which dropped out of printed siddurim in the 16th
century, but have recently been restored by some editors.
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An old story tells us that the prayers gathered round the throne of God. Aleynu complained: How come
everyone spits when they recite me? How do you think I feel?
To make Aleinu feel better, God decreed that we should all bow when reciting this prayer.
With its links to our ancient sages and tragic history, Aleinus exalted theme of messianic hope for all hu-
manity justifies its prominence in our liturgy.
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425 Notes
________________________________ Prayer Responses ________________________________

Here are some straightforward rules to explain when we indicate the congregation should respond during pray-
er, but of course opinions and customs differ.
1. Its always good to say Amen to someone elses blessing. Say Amen when someone else says a
blessing, even if youre saying it too. For example, the congregation says the blessings for Shema with the
leader, so when the leader completes a blessing we all say Amen (except, ha ha, as noted below in point
4).
2. When someone else says a blessing, its good to respond Baruch hu uvaruch shemo as well as
Amen. When someone else says a blessing for himself or herself, not for you, say Baruch hu uvaruch
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shemo after he or she says Adonai. For example, after the congregation says the silent Amidah the
leader repeats it: the congregation responds to each blessing because these blessings are for the leader, not
the congregation.
3. When the other person says a blessing for me too (one that I too am obliged to say), its good to say
Amen but not Baruch hu uvaruch shemo. Some people say Baruch hu uvaruch shemo anyway;
thats their custom or their ignorance. You can give them the benefit of the doubt. As for teenage boys who
S
yell Schmo because they think its funny well, you can hope they live to regret their hijinks, as I
have.
4. One complication: we are careful to avoid interrupting the blessings for Shema; even the normal responses
are an interruption. We say Amen but not Baruch hu uvaruch shemo. One reason for this is that each
congregant needs to say these blessings; the leader doesnt repeat them. However, we conclude the bless-
Sa
ing after Shema and before the Amidah with the leader instead of saying Amen: this is because we dont
make any interruption between remembering how God saved us at the Red Sea (in the blessing before the
Amidah) and acknowledging Gods power (in the first blessing of the Amidah).
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____________________________ First Blessing of the Amidah ____________________________

The first blessing of the Amidahabout our ancestorsis composed of several scriptural quotations and allu-
sions. Dembitz, pp. 112-3, lists them.
1. 1 Chron. 29:10, Davids praise of God at the end of his reign.
2. Ex. 3:6God identifies Gods self at the Burning Bush.
3. Deut. 10:17 (or Nehemia 9:32), from one of Moses final talks to the community of Israel.
4. Genesis 14:19, from Abrahams encounter with Melchizedek.
5. Based on Isaiah 63:7.
6. Based on Genesis 14:19, from Abrahams encounter with Melchizedek.
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7. Based on Gods promise to remember the agreement between God and our ancestors (Leviticus 26:42
or Exodus 2:24).
8. Based on Isaiah 59:20.
9. Fulfilling the promise made to our ancestors, God secures Gods reputation, as mentioned in Ezekiel
36:23-24.
10. In Deuteronomy 7:7-8, we learn that God chooses Israel out of love and not for any other reason.
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11. Sovereign, helper, savior are applied to God throughout scripture.
12. Based on Genesis 15:1.
We bless you, Ruler, 1 Baruch ata Adonai
our God and God of our ancestors, Eloheinu vElohei avoteinu,
Sa
God of Abraham, God of Isaac, 2 Elohei Avraham, Elohei Yitzchak,
3
the God who is great, powerful & awesome,
haEl hagadol hagibor vehanorah,
God on high; 4 El elyon,
5
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you repay good acts of kindness, gomel chasadim tovim
possess everything, 6 vekoneh hakol,
remember our ancestors kind deeds, 7 vezocher chasdei avot,
and bring a savior 8 umevi goel
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for their descendants, livnei veneihem,
for the sake of your reputation, lovingly. 9
10
lemaan shemo beahavah.

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Sovereign, helper, savior, shield. 12 11 Melech ozer umoshia umagen.
We bless you, Ruler, Baruch ata Adonai,
the shield of Abraham. magen Avraham.

427 Notes
_________________________________ Dawn Blessings _________________________________

Most of us begin our spiritual day with the fifteen Dawn Blessings. Originally, a person would say these bless-
ings at home, but many congregations begin their communal prayer with these blessings. Theyre based on two
sources in the Talmud. Most of them are based on Berachot 60b, but blessings 2, 3 and 4 are based on
Menachot 43b. Traditional prayers books and Conservative prayerbooks have different versions of blessings 2,
3 and 4; neither version exactly follows the Talmud text. You can read the Talmud text below, study it in its
context, and then decide whats right for you.
In Berachot 60b, the blessings follow the steps of getting up and dressed, an early version of the Activities of
Daily Living:
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On hearing the rooster crow, say: Ki shama kol tarngola, leima:
Blessed who gave a brain1 the wit Baruch asher natan lasechvi vina
to distinguish between day and night. lehavchin bein yom uvein laila.
On opening the eyes, say: Ki fatach einei, leima:
Blessed who opens the eyes of the blind. Baruch pokeach ivrim.
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On sitting up, say: Ki taritz veyativ, leima:
Blessed who releases the imprisoned. Baruch matir asurim.
On dressing, say: Ki lavish, leima:
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Blessed who clothes the naked. Baruch malbish arumim.
On straightening up, say: Ki zakif, leima:
Blessed who straightens the bent. Baruch zokef kefufim.
When stepping on the floor, say: Ki nachit learah, leima:
Blessed who spreads land on water. Baruch rokah haaretz al hamayim.
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On walking, say: Ki masgei, leima:
Blessed who prepares a persons steps. Baruch hamechin mitzadei gaver.
On putting on shoes, say: Ki sayem mesanei, leima:
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Blessed who meets all my needs. Baruch sheasah li kol tzorki.
On fastening the belt, say: Ki asar hemyanei, leima:
Blessed who girds Israel with might. Baruch ozer Yisrael bigvurah.
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On donning a hat, say: Ki faris sudra al reishei, leima:
Blessed who crowns Israel Baruch oter Yisrael
with glory. betifarah.

Menachot 43b, on the other hand, seems to reflect on our identity as we start the day:
1
Some translate as rooster, but its a rare word (Job 38:36), and the meaning is uncertain.
Rabbi Meir says, One should

" Rabbi Meir omer, Chayav adam
say three blessings levarech shalosh berachot
every day; these are the ones: bechol yom. Elu hen:
Who made me Jewish, Sheasani Yisrael,
Who didnt make me a woman, Shelo asani ishah,
and Who didnt make me a fool. Shelo asani bor.

Rabbi Meirs blessings invite challenge.
SP
Why whould anyone thank God for not making him a woman? Is it better to be a man? Doesnt this feed
millennia of misogyny? How can you think God can want a blessing like this!
In our traditional prayer books, the fool became a slave/servant.
Ah, now we can say that Jewish men should thank God for their full slate of commandments. Women and
Jewish slaves need not observe time-bound commandments, so their obligations are ever so slightly less, leav-
ing men to take perverse pride in their own greater spiritual debt.
Or you can be thankful for not being a slave, so youre free to accept your obligations.
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Then you can be thankful for being Jewish, so you have the Jewish obligations.
Then you can be thankful for not being a woman, so you have more obligations.
This is out of order. Try again. Not-a-non-Jew; thanks for the monotheism. Not a woman; thanks for the full
slate of commandments. Not a slave; thanks for the what I just said.
Sa
In my humble opinion, theres no way to make sense of these blessings, in their order, even if youre willing
to insult women.
Somehow our prayer books turned Rabbi Meirs blessings into something worse. Who did not make me a
non-Jew; whats wrong with non-Jews? Who did not make me a woman, while women say, who created
me according to Gods will. Some think this means theres something inferior about being a woman, but one
can understand it to mean who made me as God really wanted humans to be, the crown and finishing touch of
m
creation. Who did not make me a slave/servant. Ha, ha, you havent talked to my boss lately!
Theres a story of a woman who said who didnt make me an animal, and another of a woman who said
who didnt make me a womanperhaps she didnt understand Hebrew, or perhaps she rejected the misogyn-
istic side of fundamental religious practice and determined that she would not be the kind of woman that a man
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would thank God for not being.
In the blessing thanking God for not making one a non-Jew, some books use and some use . ,
people, is often translated as non-Jew (as in late Hebrew), but the Torah uses this word for the Jewish peo-
ple , a holy nation (Ex. 19:6). So maybe its reasonable to translate who didnt make me a as
e
who didnt make me a whole people or even though you made me just one person. This is our translation,
and its designed to help us reflect on the limits of our influence as individuals.
Today, heres how I understand the traditional version of Rabbi Meirs blessings: who did not make me a
people, so that I realize Im only one person and shouldnt feel too bad that I cant do everything; even
though you didnt make me a woman, because Im just a guy and its obvious that God created women last as
the crown of creation (not that theres any point in trying to judge people); and who made me free instead of a
slave, so that I can make my own choices, which I hope are generally good rather than bad.

429 Notes
You too can be thankful for what you are thankful for, but in any case it seems like a good idea to take a
moment each day to think about who and what we are.
SP
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Afterword
Dear Reader:
This would have been the introduction, but you A Practical Book
wouldnt have read it at the beginning of the book, This is designed to be a practical book, one that
so I moved it to the back. people can use without training, so they can follow
This first version of this book came into being and participate in Jewish services.
because Rabbi Lenny Gordon, Jen Feldman and It includes just about everything a congregation
Rachel Gross of the Germantown Jewish Center needs for its Shabbat morning services, including
material for the festivals. The only festivals not
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asked me to prepare a Shabbat morning siddur. I
dont know how to thank themfor their encour- covered in full are Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kip-
agement and confidence, and for sending me on a pur, which can fall on Shabbat.
personal journey in which I have seen and learned Its hard to be complete in the Torah service; at
more than I can tell. that time we add prayers and thanks for different
To be invited to prepare this book was a great things, and its hard to cover all the possibilities;
honor. I wish that I had been more deeply versed in fact, its a time to be creativewe can celebrate
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in our profound tradition, more skilled as a transla- the teachings of the Torah by connecting them to
tor, page designer and publisherin short, that I societys immediate needs.
had been better prepared for the task and better Egalitarian, Non-Sexist
able to complete it. But in life we often find that I hope Im not being too chutzpadik in claiming
those who can do better than ourselves are busy
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this book is egalitarian and non-sexist. To avoid
with other things; and if we dont step in, the task sexism, the translation avoids male pronouns or
will be left undone. specifically male terms for God. To be egalitarian,
In that humble spirit I offer this book to the the Hebrew text adds the Mothers when the Fore-
Jewish world, hoping it will win me fame and fathers are mentioned. These are the principal
fortune. departures from other siddurim. For some people,
m
More Thanks this is too great a departure from tradition, for
I would be remiss if I did not thank my family, others its not going far enough, so everyone can
who inspire my daily life, and my rabbis and find cause for complaint. I only hope that some
teachers, Rabbi David Nelson, Rabbi Robert people will find this text opens the treasure-chest
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Gamer, and Shoshana Ben Ozer of Congregation of Jewish tradition, when they find other texts
Beth Shalom, the late and sorely missed Rabbi slam the lid on their fingers.
Eliezer Cohen of Congregation Or Chadash, and The translation does not assume that all chil-
the late Rev. Louis Klein of Congregation Bnai dren are sons, or that all parents are fathers, or that
e
Moshe. This book may not reflect what they wish I God is male. Dont most of us think that God
had learned, and they are in no way responsible transcends human ideas of male and female? He-
for my errors, but I thank them for the many things brew makes everythingtrees, tires and treats
they have taught me. either masculine or feminine; English has a third
option, the neuter it. So referring to God as he
in Hebrew does not mean the same as in English.
In fact, it could be misleading. As far as possible,

431 Afterword
then, we avoid referring to God with masculine types of translations. First, a single Hebrew phrase
pronouns. can be translated different ways in different parts
This book also avoids using lord as a word of the book. Second, since many of our prayers are
for God. Lord is not a great word. Go back in poetry, this book sometimes uses the most com-
time, and youll find its derived from the Old mon features of English poetry, especially rhythm
English words for warden of the loafhlaf- and rhyme. If the result departs too far from the
weard (loaf-warden)whereas lady comes plain sense of the Hebrew, a footnote provides an
from hlafdige (loaf-kneader). Think of it: the alternative translation.
lady did all the work, kneading the daily bread, Translations in bold text, like this, are Sing-
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and the lord hoarded the result and held the keys. lishsingable translations that fit the Hebrew
Should we address our prayers to such a word? tuneso you can sing the English as well as the
So instead of calling God Lord, I often use Hebrew. Many of our psalms and other prayers are
the term sovereign or ruler. I think Boss is acrostics; they follow each letter of the Hebrew
the most accurate term in contemporary U.S. soci- aleph-bet or spell a Hebrew word or name. The
ety for someone who has immediate power over a acrostic letters are bold.
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persons life; our government may be democratic, Pale characters, like this, show the congrega-
but our workplace is hierarchical. However, I also tions response to the leader. For an explanation of
think most people would find the colloquial im- the appropriate times to respond, see our note on
mediacy of Boss an impediment to prayer. page 425.
Italics in the translation are for words added to
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Why Is the Translation Like That? explain the literal meaning of the Hebrew. We
Most of the translation is contemporary English, avoid gender-specific pronouns for Godwe
choosing a simple word when a lofty one could dont want to imply that God is either male or
also be used. female, so we use italics (God) where the Hebrew
Some is in Singlish, singable English that fits uses a pronoun.
the common Hebrew tune. Singlish is in bold type. Our prayers often quote sources in the Torah or
m
Some is in verse. As soon as you see verse, you other parts of our scripture. This book marks the
may be tempted to think that it cant be close to sources with a distinct Hebrew font, and the curi-
the original. Dont jump to conclusions, though. In ous can easily chase the allusions to their source.
many cases, I think the verse translation is closer Torah quotations include the trop, the cantilla-
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to the meaning of the original than a prose translation marks. Words added to honor the Matriarchs
tion would be. After all, when Hebrew is artistic, as well as the Patriarchs are also in a distinct type-
shouldnt the translation somehow try to capture face so that those who wish may add the words,
that artistry? while others can easily skip them.
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If you dont like it, Im sorry. Its the best I could Prayer
do, and its time to get over your distrust of rhyme.
Much truth can be conveyed through artistry. Scripture
Torah
Translation and Typography
The meaning of our prayers is often subtle, and a
single translation cannot imply all the connota- Shaded words show variations in the text, either
tions. For that reason, this book uses different for Shabbat or for different versions of prayers.
Pronunciation Well now, when you think about it, theres not
ch is the guttural sound in loch much original in any language. In English, we use
u is oo as in good the same half-million or so words, just ringing the
e is sometimes pronounced as in get, changes on the combinations. In Hebrew prayer,
sometimes as in persnickety, and the vocabulary isnt wordsits phrases, quota-
sometimes to rhyme with may tions, verses from psalms and other sources, each
one rich with contextual connotations. Ive tried to
ei is usually pronounced to rhyme with
show some of those connotations in the footnotes.
may
SP
Jewish Prayer My Hope, My Fear
How long can a book like this last? While our
Well, you cant work on a book like this without
traditional prayers go back hundreds of years, the
developing some thoughts on Jewish prayer. Oy
way in which we present them can last only a
vay! Its so wrong in so many waysso obscure,
much shorter time. While Id like to think this is a
so long, so demanding, so boring. I wont try to
book that steel in strength and time in durance
defend many aspects of our prayers, but I will say
shall outwear (as Spenser said of his Shepherds
S
this. You can look on the Siddur as a sourcebook;
Calendar), I know better. A translation is useful if
read a little here, a little there. But wherever you
its contemporary; five or ten years from now, the
open it and whatever you read, youll find people
English language will have moved on, and this
talking to God. You may not want to say the same
will be out of date.
things in the same way, but you too want to join
Sa
In the meantime, I hope this book will help
their chorus: you want to talk to God. And if you
people find Jewish tradition easier to reach, taste
dont know how, the siddur offers all kinds of
and enjoy than before. How strange that my meta-
models.
phor should recall the Garden of Eden and (as
Anyway, you havent tasted true boredom until
Milton said) the fruit of that forbidden tree. For
youve heard the sermon delivered at our wedding.
deep beneath my sunny hope lives a dark fear: that
m
The Tissue of Quotations I should divert people from the true path of Jewish
Our prayers use quotation from here, a quotation prayer and undermine their bond with God, the
from there. The whole thing looks like a patch- very bond I aim to strengthen. Dear Reader, you
work of quotations; couldnt someone think up must be my judge until one will come to settle all
pl
something original for a change? our religious disputes.
e

Bibliography
Heres a list of the books I had on my desk while I worked on this book. It doesnt reflect the debts I owe to the
many writers and people who have made me think and brought me (some) understanding.
Adelsohn, A. Z. Jewish Liturgy and Its Development. New York: Henry Holt, 1932.
Alcalay, Reuben. The Complete Hebrew-English Dictionary. Jerusalem; Massadah Publishing, 1965.
Birnbaum, Philip, tr. and annot. Daily Prayer Book: Ha-Siddur Ha-Shalem. New York: Hebrew Publishing
Company, 1977.
SP
Braude, William G. The Midrash on Psalms. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1959.
Dahood, Mitchell, S. J. tr. Psalms (three volumes). New York: Doubleday, 1966-70.
Danziger, Rabbi Hillel. tr. and annot. The ArtScroll Tehillim. Brooklyn: Mesorah Publications, 1988.
Davis, Rabbi Avrohom. The Complete Metsudah Siddur. New York: Metsudah, 1990.
Dembitz, Lewis N. Jewish Services in Synagogue and Home. Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society,
1898.
S
Feuer, Rabbi Avrohom Chaim, tr. Tehillim: A New Translation with a Commentary Anthologized from Talmudic,
Midrashic and Rabbinic Sources. Brooklyn: Mesorah Publications, 1977.
Graves, Robert and Raphael Patai. Hebrew Myths: The Book of Genesis. New York: Greenwich House, 1983.
Gold, Avie. The Complete ArtScroll Machzor: Succos (Nusach Ashkenaz). New York: Mesorah, 1987.
Harlow, Rabbi Jules, ed. and tr. Siddur Sim Shalom: A Prayerbook for Shabbat, Festivals, and Weekdays. New
Sa
York: The Rabbinical Assembly, 1985.
Hertz, Joseph H. The Authorised Daily Prayer Book, Revised Edition: Hebrew Text, English Translation With
Commentary and Notes. New York: Bloch, 1963.
Klein, Isaac. A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice. New York: The Jewish Theological Seminary of America,
1979.
Milgrom, Abraham. Jewish Worship. Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society, 1971.
m
Sabbath and Festival Prayer Book. The Rabbinical Assembly of America and The United Synagogue of Ameri-
ca, 1946.
Scherman, Rabbi Nosson. The Complete Artscroll Siddur. Brooklyn: Mesorah Publications, 1984.
Scherman, Nosson and Meir Zlotowitz, General Editors. The Mishnah: Seder Moed vol 1(a): A New Transla-
pl
tion with a Commentary Anthologized from Talmudic, Midrashic and Rabbinic Sources. New York:
Mesorah, 1982.
Singer, Rev. S. The Authorized Daily Prayer Book of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Com-
monwealth of Nations. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1962
e
The Koren Classic Siddur: A Hebrew Prayerbook. Pocket size Ashkenaz (Hebrew Edition). Jerusalem: Koren
Publishers, 2008.
e
pl
m
Sa
S
SP

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based on traditional and contemporary liturgical sources

including services for festival eve, morning, and afternoon;

Afternoon Service Before a Festival

The two lines below introduce our silent prayer.

the God who is great, haEl hagadol

Prayer | Scripture | Torah |

Good deeds of kindness you reward gomel chasadim tovim

Who is like you, who can appear Mi chamocha baal gevurot,

Prayer | Scripture | Torah |

Congregation, then leader:

The leader continues here.

Prayer | Scripture | Torah |

7. Save us from our troubles.

9. Grant us a good year.

Prayer | Scripture | Torah |

ruler who loves melech ohev

14. And let Jerusalem be restored.

Your wonders and abundant boons, veal nifleotecha vetovotecha,

Prayer | Scripture | Torah |

Blessed are you, Ruler, u v w zBaruch yatah uAdonai,

Do it for the sake of your reputation; Aseh lemaan shemecha,

Prayer | Scripture | Torah |

_____________________________ Our Duty Aleinu1 ____________________________

Prayer | Scripture | Torah |

Before you, ruling God, Lefanecha Adonai Elohenu

Festival Evening Service

Blessed are you, Ruler, Baruch atah Adonai

___________________________ Second Blessing Before Shema __________________________

______________________________ Shema (First Paragraph) _____________________________

Prayer | Scripture | Torah |

_____________________________Shema (Second Paragraph) ____________________________

Prayer | Scripture | Torah |

______________________________ Shema (Third Pragraph)______________________________

_____________________________ First Blessing after Shema1 ____________________________

Prayer | Scripture | Torah |

and brings out Gods people Israel vayotzeh et amo Yisrael

___________________________ Second Blessing After Shema ___________________________

_________________________________ This Day in Torah ________________________________

The leader leads Half Kaddish, page 368.

Prayer | Scripture | Torah |

___________________________ 1. Ancestors Avot ___________________________

We bless you, God, our God u v w zBaruch yata uAdonai Eloheinu

____________________________________ 2. Might Gevurot ____________________________________

Prayer | Scripture | Torah |

Blessed are you, Ruler, Baruch atah Adonai,

Israel from other peoples, bein Yisrael laamim,

Prayer | Scripture | Torah |

Our God Eloheinu

And as for salvation and mercy Uvidvar yeshuah verachamim

Prayer | Scripture | Torah |

________________________________ 5. Temple Service Avodah ________________________________

Your mercies never end; the one Hatov ki lo chalu rachamecha,

Prayer | Scripture | Torah |

__________________________________________ Personal Prayer __________________________________________

The leader leads Full Kaddish, page 369.

Prayer | Scripture | Torah |

Kiddush for Festivals

For Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah:

Prayer | Scripture | Torah |

You distinguished and hallowed Hivdalta vekidashta

__________________________________ Shehecheyanu _________________________________

Our Duty1 Aleinu

_ Our Duty Aleinu1

_ Second Blessing Before Shema

__ Shema (First Paragraph) _

_Shema (Second Paragraph)

Shema (Third Pragraph)

_ First Blessing after Shema1

_ Second Blessing After Shema _

_ This Day in Torah

_ 1. Ancestors Avot _

2. Might Gevurot

5. Temple Service Avodah

Personal Prayer

__ Shehecheyanu _

_ Dawn Blessings Birchot HaShachar

_ May Your Wish Be Yehi Ratzon _

__ Ruler of Every World Ribon Kol Haolamim _

_ But We Are Your People Aval Anachnu Amcha _

_ Its You Atah Hu _

__Rabbinic Texts1 _

Babylonian Talmud, Sukkah, 49b

_ Babylonian Talmud, Sotah, 14a _

Interpreting Torah2

__ May This Be Yehi Ratzon _

__ May This Be Yehi Ratzon _

_ Daily Psalms

__ Psalm 100 _

Psalm 90

Psalm 91

__ Psalm 136 _

Psalm 92

Psalm 93

Let Gods Glory Yehi Chevod

_Psalm 145 Ashrei

__ Psalm 146 _