List of Jewish prayers and blessings
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- See also: Jewish services
Listed below are some Hebrew prayers and blessings that are part of Judaism that are recited by many Jews. There are two categories of Jewish phrases that are called blessings; one group is informal blessings one wishes another (like "Mazel tov!") and the other are formal blessings, which alway begin with the formula:
ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם...
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam...
Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe..."
Both types are listed here.
Contents
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[edit] Prayers with their own articles
| Aleinu | עלינו | The Aleinu praises God for allowing the Jewish people to serve him, and expresses their hope that the whole world will recognize God and abandon idolatry. |
| Amidah | עמידה | The "standing [prayer]", also known as the Shemoneh Esreh ("The Eighteen") prayer, said three times a day (four times on holidays, and five times on Yom Kipur) |
| Ein Keloheinu | אין כאלהינו | A synagogue prayer |
| Kaddish | קדיש | The central theme of the Kaddish is the magnification and sanctification of God's name. It is usually associated as a prayer said for the dead but several versions exist. The mourners Kadish doesn't even mention death but rather reafirms a Jew's faith in G'd. |
| Kol Nidre | כל‑נדרי | A prayer recited in the synagogue at the beginning of the evening service on Yom Kippur (יום כיפור), the Day of Atonement. Its name is taken from the opening words, meaning "All vows". |
| Hallel | הלל | Prayers which are used for praise and thanksgiving that are recited on Jewish holidays. Hallel is said in one of two forms: Full Hallel and Partial Hallel. |
| Shema Yisrael | שמע ישראל | The first two words of a section of the Hebrew Bible that is used as a centerpiece of all Jewish prayer services and closely echoes the monotheistic message of Judaism. |
| Ma Tovu | מה טובו | Prayer of reverence for the synagogue. |
| Birkat Cohanim | The "Priestly Blessing" recited by the Cohanim on Shabbat and Festivals. | |
| Tefilat HaDerech | The traveler's prayer for a safe journey. | |
| Birkat HaBayit | The blessing for the home often found inside on wall plaques or hamsas. | |
| Birkat HaMazon | The blessing after meals |
[edit] Holidays
[edit] Shabbat
The Jewish Sabbath is known as Shabbat in Hebrew.
[edit] Candle lighting blessings before Shabbat
Note: The Shabbat candles should be lit not later than eighteen minutes before sunset on Friday at dusk. In Judaism, a "day" begins with the previous night's onset. Thus Shabbat starts Friday evening and ends Saturday night.
ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו להדליק נר של שבת.
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel shabbat.
Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Shabbat candle[s]."
[edit] Havdalah ("Separation" ceremony)
(Havdalah is recited Saturday night, usually an hour after sunset, measured as the time when three stars appear in the sky, when Shabbat is over.)
Havdalah is a ceremony consisting of four blessings.
First, since havdalah is recited over a cup of wine, the blessing on wine is said:
- Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, bo're p'ri hagafen.
- Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine."
Then, spices are smelled, preceded by the blessing on smelling spices:
- Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, bo're minei b'samim.
- Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who creates varieties of spices."
The spices are then passed around and smelled by those present.
Next, a multi‑wicked candle, which has already been lit, is viewed, preceded by the blessing:
- Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, bo're m'orei ha‑esh.
- Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who creates the lights of the fire."
The candle is held up in the air and those present look at the reflection of the light on their fingernails.
Last is a blessing of praise for God's separating the holy from the every‑day:
- ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, המבדיל בין קודש לחול, בין אור לחושך, בין ישראל לעמים, בין יום השביעי לששת ימי המעשה. ברוך אתה ה', המבדיל בין קודש לחול.
- Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, ha‑mavdil bein kodesh l'hol, bein or l'hoshekh, bein yisra'el la‑amim, bein yom ha‑sh'vi'i l'sheshet y'mei ha‑ma'a'se. Barukh ata Adonai, ha‑mavdil bein kodesh l'hol.
- Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who distinguishes between the sacred and the secular, between light and dark, between Israel and the nations, between the seventh day and the six days of labor. Blessed are You, LORD, who distinguishes between the sacred and the secular."
[edit] Hanukkah
Two blessings are recited as the Hanukkah candles are lit.
[edit] Blessing for lighting the candles
ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו להדליק נר (של) חנוכה.
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav vetzivanu l'hadlik ner (shel) hanuka.
Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Hanukkah candle[s]."
[edit] Blessing for the miracles of Hanukkah
ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, שעשה נסים לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה.
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, she‑asa nisim la‑avoteinu ba‑yamim ha‑heim ba‑z'man ha‑ze.
Translation: "Blessed are you, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time."
[edit] Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (The High Holy Days)
[edit] Candle lighting
ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו להדליק נר של יום טוב.
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel yom tov.
Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the holiday candle[s]."
[edit] Over apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah
On Rosh Hashanah eve, at the start of the festive meal, it is customary to dip some cut raw apples into some honey as symbolic of asking God to grant a sweet new year.
The blessings for the apples and honey:
ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, בורא פרי העץ.
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha‑olam, bo're p'ri ha‑etz.
Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the tree."
A bite of apple dipped in honey is eaten, which is followed by:
יהי רצון מלפניך, ה׳ א‑לוהינו וא‑לוהי אבותינו, שתחדש עלינו שנה טובה ומתוקה.
Transliteration: Y'hi ratzon mil'fanekha, Adonai Eloheinu velohei avoteinu, shet'hadesh aleinu shana tova um'tuka.
Translation: "May it be Your will, LORD our God and God of our ancestors, that you renew for us a good and sweet year."
[edit] Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)
ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו לישב בסכה.
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu leishev ba‑sukah.
Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to dwell in the sukkah."
[edit] Mezuzah
The following blessing is said when attaching a mezuzah to the doorpost:
ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו לקבוע מזוזה.
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu likbo'a m'zuza.
Translation: "Blessed are you, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to affix the mezuzah."
[edit] Shehehiyanu ("Who has kept us alive")
The blessing said whenever anything that has not happened for a while is performed. This includes all holidays except Shabbat. It is said on the first night of Hanukkah, but not for the other nights of that holiday. The blessing is also recited upon such occasions as affixing a mezuzah, buying a new dress clothes, or eating a rare fruit.
ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, שהחינו וקימנו והגענו לזמן הזה.
Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, she‑hehiyanu v'kiy'manu v'higi'anu la‑z'man ha‑zeh.
Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season."
[edit] Everyday prayers and blessings
[edit] Upon waking up
מודה אני לפניך מלך חי וקיים שהחזרת בי נשמתי בחמלה, רבה אמונתך.
Transliteration: Modeh ani lifanekha melekh hai v'kayam shehehezarta bi nishmahti b'hemla, raba emunatekha.
Translation: "I give thanks before You, Living and Eternal King, that You have returned within me my soul with compassion; [how] abundant is Your faithfulness!"
[edit] For putting on tzitzit
ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו על מצות ציצת.
Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu al mitzvat tzitzit.
Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us regarding the commandment of fringes."
Some add:
יהי רצון מלפניך ה׳ א‑להי וא‑להי אבותי, שתהי חשובה מצות ציצת לפניך כאלו קימתיה בכל פרטיה ודקדוקי וכונותיה ותריג מצות התלוים בה, אמן סלה.
Transliteration: Y'hi ratzon mil'fanekha, Adonai Elohai velohei avotai, shet'hei hashuva mitzvat tzitzit l'fanekha, k'ilu kiyam'tieah b'khol p'rateyah v'deek'dukeyah v'khahu'noteyeh, v'tar'yag mitzvot hat'luyim ba. Amen, Selah.
Translation: "May it be the will before you, LORD, my God and the God of my forefathers, that it should be considered the commandment of fringes before You as if I had fulfilled it in all its aspects, its details and its intentions, as well as the 613 commandments that are dependent on it. Amen, Selah."
[edit] For putting on a tallit
[edit] When examining the tzitzit
Psalms 104:1–2 is traditionally read:
ברכי נפשי את ה׳. ה׳ א‑להי, גדלת מאד; הוד והדר לבשת – עטה אור כשלמה, נוטה שמים כיריעה.
Transliteration: Barkhi nafshi et Adonai. Adonai Elohai, gadalta m'od; hod v'hadar lavashta – Oteh or kasalma, no'te shamayim ka‑y'ri'ah.
Translation: "Bless, (O) my soul, the LORD. LORD my God, You are very great; glory and majesty have You worn – Who dons light as a garment, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain."
[edit] Before putting on the tallit
ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו להתעטף בציצת.
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hit'atef batzitzit.
Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to wrap ourselves with fringes."
[edit] After wrapping the tallit around the body
Psalms 36:8–11 is traditionally recited:
מה יקר חסדך א‑להים, ובני אדם בצל כנפיך יחסיון. ירוין מדשן ביתך, ונחל עדניך תשקם. כי עמך מקור חיים, באורך נראה אור. משך חסדך לידעיך, וצדקתך לישרי לב.
Transliteration: Ma yakar hasd'kha Elohim, uvnei adam b'tzel k'nafekha yehesayun. Yirv'yun mideshen beitekha, v'nahal adanekha tashkem. Ki im'kha m'kor hayim, b'or'kha nir'e or. M'shokh hasd'kha l'yod'ekha, v'tzidkat'kha l'yish'rei lev.
Translation: "How precious is your kindness, [O] God! People take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They will be abundantly satisfied from the abundance of Your house, and from the stream of Your delights You will give them to drink. For with You is the source of life; by Your light shall we see light. Extend Your kindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright of heart."
[edit] For putting on tefillin
[edit] On placement of the tefillin for the hand
ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותו וצונו להניח תפילין.
Transliteraion: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hani'ah t'filin.
Translation: "Blessed are you, LORD, our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to put on tefillin."
[edit] On placement of the tefillin for the head
ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, אשר קדשנו במצותו וצונו על מצות תפילין.
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al mitzvat t'filin.
Translation: "Blessed are you, LORD, our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us regarding the commandment of tefillin."
[edit] After tightening the head tefillin
ברוך שם כבוד מלכותו לעולם ועד.
Transliteration: Barukh shem k'vod malkhuto l'olam va'ed.
Translation: "Blessed is the Name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever."
[edit] Blessings during a meal
[edit] N'tilat Yadayim (Ritual washing of hands)
The hands are ritually washed before eating bread, at which time this blessing is said:
ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו על נטילת ידים.
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al n'tilat yadayim.
Translation: "Blessed are you, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning washing of hands."
[edit] Before eating bread
This blessing is made only for bread made from one or all of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt.
ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, המוציא לחם מן הארץ.
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, ha‑motzi lehem min ha‑aretz.
Translation: "Blessed are you, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth."
[edit] Before drinking wine
This blessing is made for kosher wine made from any kind of grapes only. Wine made from other fruits or other alcohols require a different blessing (known as the Shehakol blessing).
ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, בורא פרי הגפן.
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, bo're p'ri ha‑gafen.
Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine."
[edit] After the meal
The combined blessing of Birkat Hamazon is made only after eating a meal containing bread (including matza) made from one or all of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt.
[edit] Blessings Over Food
There are blessing that are said on food when not having a full meal. There are four halachik food groups all items of food fall under one category.
Before eating products of wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt (and rice, according to many opinions): Baruch attah adony eloheinu melech ha’olam, borea minea mizanot (Blessed are you, Hashem, our god, king of the universe, who creates species of nourishment).
Before eating tree-grown fruit: Baruch attah adony eloheinu melech ha’olam, borea pree ha’aytz (Blessed are you, Hashem, our god, king of the universe, who creates the fruit of the tree).
Before eating produce that grew directly from the earth: Baruch attah adony eloheinu melech ha’olam, borea pree ha’adamah (Blessed are you, Hashem, our god, king of the universe, who creates fruit of the ground).
Before eating or drinking any other foods: Baruch attah adony eloheinu melech ha’olam, she’hakol nihiyeh b’dvaroh (Blessed are you, Hashem, our god, king of the universe, through whose word everything came to be).
[edit] On immersion in a Mikvah
This blessing is made on immersion in a mikvah (ritual bath), e.g. by a woman following menstruation or when kashering utensils.
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al ha‑t'vila.
Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning immersion."
[edit] Blessing for surviving illness or danger
The Birkhat Ha‑Gomel blessing is said after surviving illness, childbirth, or danger.
Transliteration:
- Blessing: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, ha‑gomel lahayavim tovot sheg'malani kol tov.
- Congregational Response: Amen. Mi sheg'malkha (for a woman: sheg'malayikh) kol tov hu yigmalkha (yigmalayikh) kol tov. Selah.
Translation:
- Blessing: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the Universe, who bestows good things on the unworthy, and has bestowed on me every goodness."
- Congregational Response: "Amen. He Who has bestowed on you every goodness, may He continue to bestow on you every goodness. Selah."
Note: Most halakhic authorities hold that the Ha‑Gomel blessing must be said publicly, in front of a minyan of 10. It is customary for men to say it after being called to the Torah. Many Orthodox authorities [1] hold that women are also obligated to say the Birchat Hagomel blessing. The blessing is not time‑dependent, and it substitutes in part for the todah (Thanksgiving) offering, one of the classes of korbanot (sacrifices) which women were obligated to offer (e.g. after childbirth) in the days of the Temple in Jerusalem. Accordingly, these authorities say that women are eligible to be counted in the minyan of 10 equally with men for the special purpose of the mitzvah of saying the HaGomel blessing and its congregational response publicly.
[edit] See also
- Jewish services
- Siddur
- Birkat HaHammah (blessings for when the Sun aligns with the Earth at certain times)
- Berakhah
[edit] External links
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| Birth | Shalom Zachor · Brit milah · Zeved habat · Hebrew name · Pidyon HaBen |
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| Coming of age | Upsherin · Wimpel · B'nai Mitzvah · Yeshiva | |
| Daily life | Ritual washing · Prayers and blessings · Grace after Meals | |
| Marriage | Bashert · Matchmaking · Role of women · Niddah · Mikvah · Tzniut · Divorce | |
| Religious practice | 613 commandments · Customs · Torah study (Weekly portion • Daf Yomi) · Jewish holidays · Tzedakah | |
| Religious items | Sefer Torah · Tzitzit · Tallit · Tefillin · Mezuzah · Kippah · Chanukkiyah · Shofar | |
| Culture | Diaspora · Israel · Immigration into Israel · The Holocaust | |
| Death | Chevra Kadisha · Shiva · Kaddish · Tehillim · Yahrzeit · Yizkor · Honorifics in Judaism | |
