Appendix B

A Sampler of Jewish Prayers and Blessings

Prayer is a way of expanding your awareness, allowing a deeper appreciation of life. Blessings remind you of the sanctity contained even in the rather ordinary moments of each day. This appendix includes a few central prayer texts and some blessings you might find useful to help you focus through the day.

All these prayers and blessings are taken from a traditional siddur, or prayerbook, though several of them are selections from much longer texts. If you’re not familiar with the prayers, practice with these, then later you can move up to a full siddur. Many different siddur versions are available today, and you can find them at any Jewish bookstore or on the Internet.

You can say the prayers in English until you feel more comfortable trying the Hebrew. When you get ready for the Hebrew, remember that the kh transliteration is pronounced like the guttural, clearing-the-throat sound in “loch ness.” When you see the letter i, it is to be pronounced “ee,” and where you see e, it sounds like “eh.” The o is meant to be a long “o.”

Jews usually recite their prayers and blessings out loud; for instance, at a Jewish home, the blessing over the food is said before anyone eats (either by each person or by one person who does it for everyone). You don’t have to say the words loudly; Jews often mutter them quietly, but with intention.

The Central Focus: Sh’ma and V’ahavta

What might be called the basic affirmation of Jewish faith is taken from the Book of Deuteronomy. When Moses retells the journey of the Children of Israel, he calls upon the people to awaken to the deeper love and compassion of their beings and hear the deeper message that all is One.

Sh’ma Yisrael: Adonai Eloheynu Adonai Ekhad.

Listen, Israel: The Eternal is our God, the Eternal is One. (Deuteronomy 6:4)

The Sh’ma is like a “mantra” that can be said anytime throughout the day (see Chapter 4 for more on the Sh’ma). These are the last words a Jew is to speak before dying, and these are the words contained in daily prayers and included (see the following sections) in the prayer upon retiring for the night. They are the most famous of all Jewish prayer words; they are the “watchwords” of this faith.

The words that follow the Sh’ma in the Torah are called the V’ahavta. You hear these chanted at any synagogue service. David found all the “weird” mixtures of syllables overwhelming at first; fear not, after 20 or 30 times it’ll roll trippingly off your tongue.

V’ahavta et Adonai Elohekha, b’khol l’vav’kha, uv’khol naf’sh’kha, uv’khol m’odekha. V’hayu had’varim ha-eleh, asher Anokhi m’tzav’kha ha-yom, ahl l’va-vekha. V’she-nan-tam l’vanekha, v’debarta bahm, b’shiv-t’kha b’vay-tekha, uv’lekh-t’kha va-derekh, uv’shokh-b’kha uv’kumekha. Uk’shartam l’ot ahl ya-dekha, v’hayu l’to-tafot bayn aynekha. Ukh’tavtam ahl v’zuzot baytekha, u-vish-arekha.

Then you will love The Eternal One your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your energy. Let these words, which I command you today, be upon your heart. Repeat them to your children, and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the way, when you lie down and when you rise up. Bind them as a sign upon your arm and let them be for frontlets between your eyes. Write them on the doorposts of your house and upon your gates.

While some people read these words as commands (“you will do these things, or else”), others — like us — see them more as the logical outgrowth of the Sh’ma: awakening to Oneness always leads to the expanded capacity for love and compassion.

First Thing in the Morning

The first words a traditional Jew recites upon awakening each morning express gratitude, setting a tone for whatever is to be that day.

[Men:] Modeh [Women:] Modah ani l’fanekha, Melekh khai v’kayam, sheh-heh-kheh-zarta bee nishma-ti b’khemlah — rabah emunatekha.

In Your Presence I give thanks, Living and Sustaining Ruler, for You have returned my soul within me with Compassion — abundant is Your faithfulness.

Last Thing at Night

The Jewish day is framed with prayer. Here is one of our favorites, a prayer of forgiveness that precedes the bedtime recitation of the Sh’ma. Repeating this prayer not only helps you sleep but puts you in a good mood when you once again awaken.

Ribono shel olam ha-rayni mo-khail l’khol mi sheh-hikh-is v’hik-nit oh-ti, oh she-khatah k’neg-di – bayn b’gufi, bayn b’ma-moni, bayn bikh’vodi, bayn b’khol asher li; bayn b’o-ness, bayn b’ratzon, bayn b’sho-gaig, bayn b’ma-zir; bayn b’di-bur, bayn b’ma-aseh, bayn b’mah-khah-shah-vah, bayn b’hir’hur; bayn b’gilgul zeh, bayn b’gilgul a-kher – l’khol adam, v’lo yai-anais shum adam b’sibati. Y’hi ratzon mil’fanekha Adonai Elohai vai-lo-hai avotai v’imotai, sheh-lo eh-kheh-tah od. U’mah sheh-khah-tah-ti l’fanekha m’khok b’ra-khameh-khah ha-rabim, ah-vahl lo ahl y’dai yisurim vah-khah-lah-yim rah-im. Ye’h’yu l’ratzon imrai fi v’heg’yon libi l’fanekha, Adonai Tzu-ri v’Go-ah-li.

Ribono shel olam, Ruling Presence of the Universe, I hereby forgive anyone who angered or antagonized me or who sinned against me, whether against my body, my property, my honor or against anything of mine; whether done accidentally, willfully, carelessly, or purposely, whether through speech, deed, thought, or intention, whether in this incarnation or in any other. I forgive everyone. May no one be punished on my account. May it be Your will, Eternal One, my God and the God of my ancestors, that I sin no more. May You blot out whatever sins I have committed before You in the abundance of your Mercy, that they may not manifest through suffering and illness. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be for good before you, Eternal One, my Source and my Redeemer.

You can recite the Sh’ma (see above) after this nighttime prayer, just before going to sleep.

Various, Sundry, and Otherwise Useful Blessings

Saying a blessing offers the opportunity to celebrate the moments of your life. Tradition teaches that each Jew should say a minimum of 100 blessings each day. That’s a lot of celebrating! While reaching this goal really is no problem if you worship three times a day, reciting the entire liturgy at each service, it does present a challenge for those who don’t observe in that way.

The blessings in this section will help you work toward your daily 100. But remember that tradition also teaches that you can find your own words for blessing things and events, too.

When you hear another person recite a blessing, you should say, “Amen” at the end. Doing so allows the blessings you hear to count toward your own 100! You usually don’t say “Amen” to your own blessing.

Blessings for food

Like saying “grace” before meals, these blessings encourage us to be aware throughout the day instead of just shoveling food into our mouths.

Before drinking grape juice or grape wine

Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh ha-olam, boray p’ree ha-gafen.

Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Universal Ruling Presence, Who creates the fruit of the vine.

Before eating bread

Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh ha-olam, ha-motzee lekhem min ha-aretz.

Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Universal Ruling Presence, Who brings forth bread from the earth.

Before eating other products of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt, or rice

Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh ha-olam, boray minay m’zonot.

Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Universal Ruling Presence, Who creates various kinds (grains) of nourishment.

Before eating fruit that grows on trees

Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh ha-olam, boray p’ree ha-etz.

Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Universal Ruling Presence, Who creates the fruit of the tree.

Before eating produce that grows directly from the earth

Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh ha-olam, boray p’ree ha-adamah.

Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Universal Ruling Presence, Who creates the fruit of the earth.

Before eating or drinking other foods

Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh ha-olam, sheh-ha-kol nih’yeh bid’varo.

Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Universal Ruling Presence, through Whose Word everything comes to be.

After the meal

The traditional blessing after the meal is called the Birkat Ha-Mazon (“The Blessing for Nourishment”), though some people refer to it simply as “the Birkat.” This blessing is much longer than those that precede meals (the following blessing is the central paragraph of the traditional version).

The Birkat talks about the experience of being filled, nourished, and supported by food and by the Universe in which the food grows and seeks to universalize this experience and affirm that it might finally be available to all.

A side effect of the Birkat is that it encourages families or communities to end the meal together, instead of just drifting away as soon as people finish.

Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh ha-olam, ha-zan et ha-olam kulo, b’tuvo, b’kheyn b’khesed uv’rakhamim, hu notayn lekhem l’khol basar, ki l’olam khas’do. Uv’tuvo ha-gadol, tamid lo khasar lanu, v’al yekhsar lanu mazon l’olam va-ed. Ba-avur sh’mo ha-gadol, ki hu ayl zahn um’farnes la-kol, u-may-khin mazon l’khol b’ree-yo-tav asher bara. Barukh Atah Adonai, ha-zahn et ha-kol.

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Universal Ruling Presence, Who nourishes the entire universe in Goodness; Who with Grace, with Lovingkindness, and with Mercy, provides nourishment for all flesh, with everlasting Lovingkindness. In that Great Goodness we have not lacked and may we never lack nourishment evermore. For the sake of God’s great Name, because God nourishes and sustains all, and prepares food for all creatures which God created. Blessed are You, Eternal One, Who nourishes all.

Blessings making moments special

To bless is to affirm the beauty and the rightness of a moment, even if that moment is less than joyful. To bless opens you to a fuller awareness, and with that awareness, a greater freedom. Here are some blessings to brighten your day.

Celebrating first-time experiences

The following blessing, usually just called the Sheh-heh-khi-yanu, is probably our favorite blessing. You can say this anytime you acquire or use something new, or when you do something for the first time.

Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh ha-olam, sheh-heh-khi-yanu v’key’manu v’hee-gee-anu laz’man ha-zeh.

Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Universal Ruling Presence, Who keeps us in Life always, Who supports the unfolding of our uniqueness, and Who brings us to this very moment for blessing.

Experiencing the awe of nature

Tradition says this is the prayer to say when you experience an earthquake, or see lightning, a lofty mountain, or a large river. But honestly, it works with any awesome natural event.

Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh ha-olam, oseh ma-asay v’rayshit.

Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Universal Ruling Presence, Who makes the works of Creation.

Going to the bathroom

Jews have a blessing for every moment, including using the toilet. While this sounds silly to some folks, it’s actually a wonderful opportunity to bring your awareness to the amazing fact that your body actually works so well. This blessing is usually recited after the event. (Don’t forget to wash your hands!)

Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh ha-olam, asher yatzar et ha-adam b’khokhmah, u-vara bo n’kavim n’kavim, khalulim khalulim. Galu-i v’yadu-a lifney khisay kh’vodekha, sheh-im yipa-tay-akh ekhad may-hem, oh yi-sa-taym ekhad may-hem, ee ef-shar l’hit-ka-yaym v’la-amod l’fanekha afilu sha-ah akhat. Barukh Atah Adonai, Rofey khol basar u-maf-lee la-asot.

Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Universal Ruling Presence, Who fashioned people with wisdom and created within them many openings and many cavities. It is clear and known before Your Throne of Glory that if only one of them were to be open [when it’s supposed to be closed] or only one of them be closed [when it’s supposed to be open] it would be impossible to survive and to stand before You even for a moment. Blessed are You, Eternal One, Who heals all flesh and acts wondrously.

Blessings for ritual acts

Performance of traditional mitzvot (“commandments,” or “acts that allow us to connect to God”) require special focus, and these blessings provide that focus. They help transform what in some cases might just be an automatic act into a moment of holiness.

Lighting candles on Shabbat or a festival

Jews light candles at the beginning of every yom tov (“good day” or “holiday”), including Shabbat on Friday night (see Chapter 18). The light of the candles on Shabbat evokes the first act of Creation, which was light. On Shabbat as well as on festivals, the lights speak to the specialness of the moment.

Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel shabbat (or shel yom tov)

Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Universal Ruling Presence, Who sanctifies us with mitzvot [paths of holiness] and gives us the mitzvah of kindling Shabbat (or festival) lights.

Note that the final words of this blessing change slightly depending on what’s being celebrated. For example, if it’s Chanukkah, you say “. . . l’hadlik ner shel Chanukkah . . .” (see Chapter 22). Or, if it’s Yom Kippur and Shabbat, then you say “. . . l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat v’shel Yom ha-Kippurim . . .” (see Chapter 20).

Before the study of Torah

Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu la-asok b’div’ray Torah.

Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Universal Ruling Presence, Who sanctifies us with mitzvot and gives us the mitzvah of engaging ourselves in words of Torah.

Putting on a tallit (prayer shawl)

Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hit-atef ba-tzi-tzit.

Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Universal Ruling Presence, Who sanctifies us with mitzvot and gives us the mitzvah of enwrapping ourselves with the fringed garment.

Upon affixing a mezuzah

The mezuzah is attached to the doorpost on the right side of the door as entering, with the top tilted slightly toward the room entered. (See Chapter 4 for more information.)

Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu lik’bo-ah mezuzah.

Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Universal Ruling Presence, Who sanctifies us with mitzvot and gives us the mitzvah of affixing a mezuzah.

Blessings as reminders and as teachers

The following blessings help celebrate moments not only of joy but of difficulty and of grief as well.

Upon hearing unusually good news

Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh ha-olam, ha-tov v’ha-may-tiv.

Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Universal Ruling Presence, Who is Good and bestows Goodness.

Upon hearing unusually bad news, such as a death

Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh ha-olam, dayan ha-emet.

Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Universal Ruling Presence, the True Judge.

Upon seeing exceptionally beautiful people, trees, or fields

Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh ha-Olam, sheh-kakha lo b’olamo.

Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Universal Ruling Presence, Who has this in the Universe.

Seeing a person or animal that is disturbing to you

Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh ha-olam, m’shaneh ha-b’ri-ot.

Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Universal Ruling Presence, Who creates variety among living beings.