The Amidah

... The Amidah...

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The Amidah is the central prayer of all four services: shacharit (morning), mincha (afternoon), maariv (evening), and mussaf (additional). The word Amidah literally means standing, because it is recited while standing. It is also known as Shemoneh Esrei, meaning eighteen, because it originally consisted of eighteen blessings, and maybe second to The Shema in importance. The obligation to pray three times a day, which was established by Ezra and codified in the Talmud (Berakhot 26b), is fulfilled by reciting the Amidah.

In the 5th century B.C.E., the 120 men of the Great Assembly composed the basic text of the Amidah. The exact form and order of the blessings were codified after the destruction of the Second Temple in the first century C.E. The Amidah was expanded from eighteen to nineteen blessings in the 2nd century C.E., under the leadership of Rabbi Gamliel the Elder in Yavneh. The additional blessing (against heretics) was initially meant to combat the threats posed by the Samaritan and Sadducee sects, and was permanently added to the liturgy when Jewish converts to Christianity began to inform on Jews to the Roman authorities.

One should stand with one's feet together while reciting the Amidah as a show of respect for G-d. The rabbis add that this pose mirrors the vision of angels that Ezekiel had in which the feet of the angels appeared as one (Ezekiel 1:7). The custom is to face the direction of Israel, and if one is in Israel, to turn to Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. This shows respect for the Temples, which were central to Jewish life, and reminds one that the synagogue was established to try to fill the gap in Jewish life left by the Temples' destruction. In many synagogues in the west, the ark is on the eastern wall of the synagogue for this reason.

The Amidah is a person's opportunity to approach G-d in private prayer, and should therefore be said quietly. The words must be audible to oneself, but one should be careful to pray softly enough not to disturb others. If one is alone, it is permissible to raise one's voice slightly if it helps concentration. It is forbidden to interrupt the Amidah even to greet an important person. One should not even acknowledge a greeting. Only a grave emergency justifies interrupting the Amidah, since it is considered a conversation with G-d.

1. G-D OF HISTORY:

Blessed are you, Oh L-rd our G-d and G-d of our
fathers, the G-d of Abraham, the G-d of Isaac and the G-d of Jacob, the
great, mighty and revered G-d, the Most High G-d who bestows
lovingkindnesses, the creator of all things, who remembers the good deeds
of the patriarchs and in love will bring a redeemer to their children's
children for his name's sake. Oh king, helper, savior and shield.
Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, the shield of Abraham.

2. THE G-D OF NATURE:

You, Oh L-rd, are mighty forever, you revive the
dead, you have the power to save. [From the end of Sukkot until the eve
of Passover, insert: You cause the wind to blow and the rain to fall.]
You sustain the living with lovingkindness, you revive the dead with great
mercy, you support the falling, heal the sick, set free the bound and keep
faith with those who sleep in the dust. Who is like you, Oh doer of mighty
acts? Who resembles you, a king who puts to death and restores to life,
and causes salvation to flourish? And you are certain to revive the dead.
Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, who revives the dead.

3. SANCTIFICATION OF G-D:
Reader ... We will sanctify your name in this world just as it is sanctified in the highest heavens, as it is written by your prophet: And they call out to one another and say:
Cong. ... Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory. [Isa. 6:3]
Reader ... Those facing them praise G-d saying:
Cong. ... Blessed be the Presence of the LORD in his place. [Ezek. 3:12]
Reader ... And in your Holy Words it is written, saying,
Cong. ... The LORD reigns forever, your G-d, Oh Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah. [Ps. 146:10]
Reader ... Throughout all generations we will declare your greatness, and to all eternity we will proclaim your holiness. Your praise, Our G-d, shall never depart from our mouth, for you are a great and holy G-d and King. Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, the holy G-d. You are holy, and your name is holy, and holy beings praise you daily. (Selah.) Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, the holy G-d.

4. PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING:

You favor men with knowledge, and teach mortals understanding.
Oh favor us with the knowledge,
the understanding and the insight that come from you.
Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, the gracious giver of knowledge.

5. FOR REPENTANCE:

Bring us back, Our father, to your Instruction;
draw us near, Our King, to your service;
and cause us to return to you in perfect repentance.
Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, who delights in repentance.

6. FOR FORGIVENESS:

Forgive us, Our Father, for we have sinned;
pardon us, Our King, for we have transgressed; for you pardon and forgive.
Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, who is merciful and always ready to forgive.

7. FOR DELIVERANCE FROM AFFLICTION:

Look upon our affliction and plead our cause,
and redeem us speedily for your name's sake,
for you are a mighty redeemer.
Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, the redeemer of Israel.

8. FOR HEALING:

Heal us, Oh L-rd, and we will be healed;
save us and we will be saved, for you are our praise.
Oh grant a perfect healing to all our ailments,
for you, almighty King, are a faithful and merciful healer.
Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, the healer of the sick of his people Israel.

9. FOR DELIVERANCE FROM WANT:

Bless this year for us, Oh L-rd our G-d,
together with all the varieties of its produce, for our welfare.
Bestow ([from the 15th of Nissan insert:] dew and rain for) a blessing upon the
face of the earth. Oh satisfy us with your goodness, and bless our year
like the best of years.
Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, who blesses the years.

10. FOR GATHERING OF EXILES:

Sound the great shofar for our freedom,
raise the ensign to gather our exiles,
and gather us from the four corners of the earth.
Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, who gathers the dispersed of his people Israel.

11. FOR THE RIGHTEOUS REIGN OF G-D:

Restore our judges as in former times,
and our counselors as at the beginning; and remove from us sorrow and
sighing. Reign over us, you alone, Oh L-rd, with lovingkindness and
compassion, and clear us in judgment. Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, the King
who loves righteousness and justice.

12. FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF APOSTATES AND ENEMIES OF G-D:

Let there be no hope for slanderers,
and let all wickedness perish in an instant.
May all your enemies quickly be cut down,
and may you soon in our day uproot, crush, cast down
and humble the dominion of arrogance.
Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, who smashes enemies and humbles the arrogant.

13. FOR THE RIGHTEOUS AND PROSELYTES:

May your compassion be stirred, Oh L-rd our G-d,
towards the righteous, the pious, the elders of your people
the house of Israel, the remnant of their scholars, towards proselytes,
and towards us also. Grant a good reward to all who truly trust in your
name. Set our lot with them forever so that we may never be put to shame,
for we have put our trust in you.
Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, the support and stay of the righteous.

14. FOR THE REBUILDING OF JERUSALEM:

Return in mercy to Jerusalem your city, and dwell in it as you have promised.
Rebuild it soon in our day as an eternal structure,
and quickly set up in it the throne of David.
Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, who rebuilds Jerusalem.

15. FOR THE MESSIANIC KING:

Speedily cause the offspring of your servant David to flourish,
and let him be exalted by your saving power,
for we wait all day long for your salvation.
Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, who causes salvation to flourish.

16. FOR THE ANSWERING OF PRAYER:

Hear our voice, Oh L-rd our G-d; spare us and have pity on us.
Accept our prayer in mercy and with favor,
for you are a G-d who hears prayers and supplications.
Our King, do not turn us away from your presence empty-handed,
for you hear the prayers of your people Israel with compassion.
Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, who hears prayer.

17. FOR RESTORATION OF TEMPLE SERVICE:

Be pleased, Oh L-rd our G-d, with your people Israel and with their prayers.
Restore the service to the inner sanctuary of your Temple,
and receive in love and with favor both the fire-offerings of Israel and their prayers.
May the worship of your people Israel always be acceptable to you.
And let our eyes behold your return in mercy to Zion.
Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, who restores his divine presence to Zion.

18. THANKSGIVING FOR G-D'S UNFAILING MERCIES:

We give thanks to you that you are the Lord our G-d
and the G-d of our fathers forever and ever.
Through every generation you have been the rock of our lives, the shield
of our salvation. We will give you thanks and declare your praise for our
lives that are committed into your hands, for our souls that are entrusted
to you, for your miracles that are daily with us, and for your wonders and
your benefits that are with us at all times, evening, morning and noon.
Oh beneficent one, your mercies never fail; Oh merciful one,
your lovingkindnesses never cease. We have always put our hope in you.
For all these acts may your name be blessed and exalted continually,
Our King, forever and ever. Let every living thing give thanks to you and
praise your name in truth, Oh G-d, our salvation and our help. (Selah.)
Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, whose Name is the Beneficent One,
and to whom it is fitting to give thanks.

19. FOR PEACE:

Grant peace, welfare, blessing, grace, lovingkindness and mercy to us
and to all Israel your people. Bless us, Our Father, one and
all, with the light of your countenance; for by the light of your
countenance you have given us, Oh L-rd our G-d, a Torah of life,
lovingkindness and salvation, blessing, mercy, life and peace.
May it please you to bless your people Israel at all times
and in every hour with your peace.
Blessed are you, Oh L-rd, who blesses his people Israel with peace.

Comments, questions, suggestions, and criticisms are always welcomed.

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