The Daily Standing Prayer
KavanahLit. Intention Refers both to one’s intention when performing a mitzvah or when focusing for prayer. Kavanah also refers to specific readings to help focus one's attention prior to performing an act. (Presence)
We stand, take three steps back—out of the ordinary—and three steps forward—into the sacred, and as we become present in the moment we chant the following contemplatively:
Ani poteakh et sfatai lehitpalel (masculine)
Ani potakhat et sfatai lehitpalel (feminine)
I open my lips for prayer
1. Imot ve’Avot (“Ancestors”)
Let us remember those who have come before us, who have given us life, love, and our culture. Such is our remembrance of the kindness and merits of our mothers and fathers. Zikkaron hasdei imot ve’avot, SarahThe first matriarch, wife of Abraham, and mother of Isaac, whom she birthed at the age of 90. Sarah, in Rabbinic tradition, is considered holy, beautiful, and hospitable. Many prayers, particularly the Amidah (the central silent prayer), refer to God as Magen Avraham – protector of Abraham. Many Jews now add: pokehd or ezrat Sarah – guardian or helper of Sarah., RachelLavan's younger daughter and Jacob's beloved wife second wife (after he is initially tricked into marrying her older sister, Leah). Rachel grieves throughout her life that she is barren while Leah is so fertile. Ultimately, Rachel gives birth to Joseph and dies in childbirth with Benjamin. Rachel is remembered as compassionate (she is said to still weep for her children), and infertile women often invoke Rachel as a kind of intercessor and visit her tomb on the road to Bethlehem., Rivkah ve’LeahThe third of the Jewish matriarchs, Lead is the eldest of Lavan's daughters and one of the wives of Jacob. She is the daughter whom Lavan tricks Jacob into marrying instead of his younger daughter Rachel, whom Jacob has requested to marry. Leah is mother to six of the the twelve tribes and to one daughter, Dinah., AvrahamAbraham is the first patriarch and the father of the Jewish people. He is the husband of Sarah and the father of Isaac and Ishmael. God's covenant - that we will be a great people and inherit the land of Israel - begins with Abraham and is marked by his circumcision, the first in Jewish history. His Hebrew name is Avraham., Itzchak ve’Ya’akov
2. Kedushat haYom (“The Sanctification of the Day”)
(rising on the toes with each utterance of kadosh)
Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh kol yom, barukh eyn ha-hayyim bekhol yom
Holy, Holy, Holy is every day, blessed is the source of life in every day
3. Binah (“Understanding”)
May we have knowledge and understanding, for a mind of understanding and intellect is favorable. Berukhah ha-da’at – Blessed is Knowledge
4. Teshuvah (“Return”)
Shavim le’torat hayyim –We return to the torahThe Five Books of Moses, and the foundation of all of Jewish life and lore. The Torah is considered the heart and soul of the Jewish people, and study of the Torah is a high mitzvah. The Torah itself a scroll that is hand lettered on parchment, elaborately dressed and decorated, and stored in a decorative ark. It is chanted aloud on Mondays, Thursdays, and Shabbat, according to a yearly cycle. Sometimes "Torah" is used as a colloquial term for Jewish learning and narrative in general. of life and will be present in our actions. Blessed are they who return.
5. Selikhah (“Forgiveness”)
We seek forgiveness, for we have done wrong, and may we forgive abundantly and graciously those who have wronged us.
6. Geulah (“Redemption”)
Lema’an shalom ba’olam – for the sake of peace in the world, may we be redeemed speedily and let this be a geulah hazakah – a strong and sound redemption. Berukhah ha-geulah ha-hazakah – Blessed is the strong redemption.
7. Refuah (“Healing”)
(all present may say aloud or silently the name of someone who is sick)
Havah na’avod: l’rappe holim u’lekhalkel bri’ut, latet la’ayef ko’akh v’hayyim mekhudashim, lismokh noflim, lizkof k’fufim, l’hatir kol asurim, l’vattel gam betsa v’gam oni, l’taken et ha’olam.
Let us work: to heal the sick and sustain health, to give to the weary strength and life renewed, to support those who have fallen, to uplift those bowed down, to free all in bondage, to abolish both greed and poverty, to repair and improve the world.
8. Birkat Ha-shanim (“Blessing for good years and produce of the earth”)
Barukh ha-shanah hazot ve’kol tevuatah – Blessed is this year and its crops. May we be satisfied and have bounty, and may the year be like other good years.
(during the winter) Berukhim ha-ruakh va’gashem – Blessed is the wind and the rain
Berukhim ha-mevareikhim ha-shanim – Blessed are those who bless the years.
9. Galuyot (“Diasporas”) – solidarity and unity
Sound the great shofarA ram's horn that is blown on the High Holidays to "wake us up" and call Jews to repentance. It is also said that its blast will herald the coming of the messiah. for our freedom and raise a banner to unite our exiles and gather us together in solidarity wherever we may be in the four corners of the Earth. Blessed are those who unite the scattered peoples of IsraelLit. ''the one who struggles with God.'' Israel means many things. It is first used with reference to Jacob, whose name is changed to Israel (Genesis 32:29), the one who struggles with God. Jacob's children, the Jewish people, become B'nai Israel, the children of Israel. The name also refers to the land of Israel and the State of Israel..
10. Birkat Ha-din (“Justice”)
May just judgment be restored to us, as it was in better times, and pure and good advice be bountiful. May sorrows and troubles be removed from us. We want to be governed with kindness compassion and to be justified in justice. Blessed are those who love Goodness and Justice.
11. Birkat HaMinim (“the Heretics”)
For racists let there be no hope. Let arrogant governments be speedily uprooted in our days. Let slander be destroyed in a moment. And let those who slander be not considered righteous. Blessed are those who humble the arrogant.
12. TzedakahCharity. In Hebrew, the word tzedakah derives from the word for justice. Tzedakah is not seen as emanating from the kindness of one’s heart but, rather, as a communal obligation. (“Righteousness”)
Upon the righteous, upon the elders of the People of Israel, upon the scholars, upon the Jews by Choice, and upon ourselves, may compassion arise. and may those who are sincerely faithful be rewarded. May we be included in their presence forever, and let us never be ashamed, for we also are faithful. Blessed are those who are strongholds of assurance and righteousness.
13. Boneh Yerushalayim (“Builder of Jerusalem”)
Return compassion to the city of JerusalemLit. City of peace From the time of David to the Roman destruction, Jerusalem was the capital of Israel and the spiritual and governmental center of the Jewish people. During the long exile, Jews longed to return to Jerusalem and wrote poems, prayers, and songs about the beloved city. In 1967, with the capture of the Old City, Jerusalem was reunited, becoming "the eternal capital of Israel." Still, the longing for peace is unfulfilled., and may there be rest therein. May peace there be present, in our days, may this endure forever. May just government be established speedily. Blessed are the cities of peace.
14. Birkat David (“Blessing of David”)
May the peoples of the world have just rule, may that come speedily and let the people flourish, therein find salvation. This we hope all our days. Blessed are they who bring forth our salvation.
15. TefillahLit. Prayer (“Prayer”)
May our voices be heard, and may our words be received with pity and mercy, may our words find favor. May we not be turned away and left empty, but in mercy may our petitions be heard. Blessed are they who hear our wishes.
16. Avodah (“Service”)
May our people be accepted and received wherever we go, just as all peoples must be accepted. Let us restore the most blessed of services, our labors for love be received wherever we offer it. May our presence be as a service, pleasing to all. Blessed are those whose presence is a mercy.
17. Hoda’ah (“Thanksgiving”)
We are thankful forever and ever, from generation to generation. With thanks we sing and praise for our lives, and are trusting of each other. Every day is a miracle, wonderful and favorable at all times, in the evening, morning and afternoon. Goodness and compassion is never exhausted, and kindness is continual. In this we put our hope.
Ve’al kulam nitbarakh ve’nitromam tamid le’olam va’ed. We bless and exalt all these things, forever and ever more, and all the living shall confess this forever and praise this. In this let our salvation and help forever be!
18. Berukhim ha’tovim – Blessed are the good.
(stand and then bow) Modim anakhnu. We thankfully acknowledge this as we recite blessings of gratitude for having life and maintaining our existence. May our lives and our existence continue and be maintained, and may we dwell in safety. We will return to keep our covenant to repair the world, wholeheartedly. For this privilege we are grateful. Blessed are they who give thanks.
19. Hagah (“Meditation”) – time for private meditation
20. Sim Shalom – for peace, goodness, blessings, kindness and compassion
Sim shalom tova uvrakha, hen ve’hesedLit. Kindness It is said in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) that the world stands on three things: Torah (learning), Avodah (worship), and Gemilut Hasidim (acts of kindness). ve’rakhamim aleinuPrayer proclaiming God’s kingship, said near the conclusion of the prayer service. ve’al kol ha’amim berukhim kulanu ke’ekhad be’or ki ve’or yesh lanu torat hayyim ve’ahavat hesed u’tzedakah u’verakhah ve’rakhamim ve’hayyim ve’shalom. Ve’tov be’eyneynu levarekh ha’amim bekhol eit u’vekhol sha’ah bishalom. Berukhim hamevarkhim amim bashalom.
Grant peace, goodness and blessing, grace, kindness and compassion upon us and upon all the peoples, we bless all of us as one with light, as we have the torah of life and the love of kindness and righteousness and blessing and mercy, and life and peace. May it be good in our eyes to bless the people at every time an every hour with peace. Blessed are they who bless all people with peace.
(bow to the left) Na’aseh shalom ba’olam,
(bow to the right) na’aseh shalom aleinu,
(straighten up) ve’al kol Yisra’el, ve’al kol ha’olam, ve’imru amen.
Let us make peace in the world. Peace is our responsibility, the responsibility of all Yisra’el, and the responsibility of all peoples in the world. And let us say Amen.
May I guard my tongue from bad words, and my lips from speaking deceit.
And with those that curse me, let me be silent.
May all that rise against me be quickly nullified in their counsel.
