Machzor Lev Tov - Shalosh Regalim

שלוש רגלים

EVENING SERVICE FOR THE FESTIVALS

Candle Lighting

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּֽנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר (שֶׁל שַׁבָּת וְשֶׁל) יוֹם טוֹב.

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu l'hadlik neir (shel shabat veshel) yom tov.

We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, Ruler of All, for You have shown us the ways to holiness through Your mitzvot, directives, and have directed us to light the lights of (Shabbat and) our festival.

On Shabbat:

בשבת: מִזְמוֹר שִׁיר לְיוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת: טוֹב לְהֹדוֹת לַיְיָ וּלְזַמֵּר לְשִׁמְךָ עֶלְיוֹן: לְהַגִּיד בַּבֹּֽקֶר חַסְדֶּֽךָ וֶאֱמוּנָתְךָ בַּלֵּילוֹת:

Mizmor shir l'yom hashabat. Tov l'hodot l’Adonai, ul'zameir l'shimcha elyon. L'hagid baboker chasdecha, ve-emunat'cha baleilot.

Shabbat: A Psalm, a Song for the Sabbath day.
It is a good thing to give thanks to the Eternal,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High!
To declare Your loving-kindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night,
Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the harp,
And to the melody of the lyre.
For You, Dear God, have made me glad through Your work;
I will sing out the works of Your hands. (Psalm 92:1-5)

צַדִּיק כַּתָּמָר יִפְרָח כְּאֶֽרֶז בַּלְּבָנוֹן יִשְׂגֶּה: שְׁתוּלִים בְּבֵית יְיָ בְּחַצְרוֹת אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ יַפְרִֽיחוּ: עוֹד יְנוּבוּן בְּשֵׂיבָה דְּשֵׁנִים וְרַעֲנַנִּים יִהְיוּ: לְהַגִּיד כִּי יָשָׁר יְיָ צוּרִי וְלֹא עַוְלָֽתָה בּוֹ.

Tzadik katamar yifrach, k'erez bal'vanon yisgeh. Sh'tulim b'veit Adonai, b'chatzrot Eloheinu yafrichu. Od y'nuvun b'seivah, d'sheinim v'ra-ananim yihyu. L'hagid ki yashar Adonai, tzuri v'lo avlatah bo.

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree;
Growing mighty like a cedar in Lebanon.
Planted in the Eternal’s house,
They shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age.
They shall be full of strength and flourishing,
Declaring that the Eternal is upright;
That God is my rock,
The One in whom there is no deviousness. (Psalm 92: 13-16)

BAR'CHU

בָּרְכוּ אֶת יְיָ הַמְבוֹרָךְ:

Bar'chu et Adonai hamvorach.

בָּרוּךְ יְיָ הַמְבוֹרָךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:

Baruch Adonai ham'vorach l'olam va-ed.

Bless the Blessed Eternal God!
The Blessed Eternal God is blessed both now and forever!

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֶלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר בִּדְבָרוֹ מַעֲרִיב עֲרָבִים, בְּחָכְמָה פּוֹתֵֽחַ שְׁעָרִים, וּבִתְבוּנָה מְשַׁנֶּה עִתִּים, וּמַחֲלִיף אֶת הַזְּמַנִּים, וּמְסַדֵּר אֶת הַכּוֹכָבִים, בְּמִשְׁמְרוֹתֵיהֶם בָּרָקִֽיעַ כְּרְצוֹנוֹ. בּוֹרֵא יוֹם וָלָֽיְלָה, גּוֹלֵל אוֹר מִפְּנֵי חֽשֶׁךְ, וְחֽשֶׁךְ מִפְּנֵי אוֹר וּמַעֲבִיר יוֹם וּמֵֽבִיא לָֽיְלָה, וּמַבְדִּיל בֵּין יוֹם וּבֵין לָֽיְלָה, יְיָ צְבָאוֹת שְׁמוֹ. אֵל חַי וְקַיָּם, תָּמִיד יִמְלוֹךְ עָלֵֽינוּ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, הַמַעֲרִיב עֲרָבִים:

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher bidvaro ma-ariv aravim, b'choch'mah potei-ach sh'arim, uvitvunah m'shaneh itim, umachalif et haz'manim, um'sadeir et hakochavim b'mishm'roteihem baraki-a kirtzono. Borei yom valay'lah, goleil or mip'nei choshech, v'choshech mip'nei or. Uma-avir yom umeivi lay'lah, umavdil bein yom uvein lay'lah, Adonai tz'va-ot sh'mo. Eil chai v'kayam, tamid yimloch aleinu l'olam va-ed. Baruch atah Adonai, hama-ariv aravim.

We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, Ruler of All, who, by speaking, brings on the evening. With wisdom, You open the gates of night. With understanding, You cause time to pass, changing the hours in succession and ordering the paths of the stars through heaven’s abyss according to Your will. You create day and night. You roll light away before darkness and then darkness before light. You cause twilight to fall and then bring on darkness, for You have separated day from night. Adonai Tz’vaot, Commander of Heaven’s Hosts, is Your name. Everlasting God, may Your reign over us last beyond eternity. We bless and praise You, Eternal One, who brings on the evening.

אַהֲבַת עוֹלָם בֵּית יִשְׁרָאֵל עַמְּךָ אָהָֽבְתָּ, תּוֹרָה וּמִצְוֹת, חֻקִּים וּמִשְׁפָּטִים, אוֹתָֽנוּ לִמַֽדְתָּ עַל כֵּן יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, בְּשָׁכְבֵֽנוּ וּבְקוּמֵֽנוּ נָשִֽׂיחַ בְּחֻקֶּיךָ, וְנִשְׂמַח בְּדִבְרֵי תוֹרָתֶֽךָ וּבְמִצְוֹתֶֽיךָ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד. כִּי הֵם חַיֵּֽינוּ וְאֹֽרֶךְ יָמֵֽינו, וּבָהֶם נֶהְגֶּה יוֹמָם וָלָֽיְלָה, וְאַהֲבָתְךָ אַל תָּסִיר מִמֶּֽנּוּ לְעוֹלָמִים. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אוֹהֵב עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל:

Ahavat olam beit yisra-eil am'cha ahav'ta, torah umitzvot, chukim umishpatim otanu limadta. Al kein Adonai Eloheinu, b'shoch'veinu uv'kumeinu nasi-ach b'chukecha, v'nismach b'divrei toratecha uv'mitzvatecha l'olam va-ed. Ki heim chayeinu v'orech yameinu, uvahem nehgeh yomam valay'lah. V'ahavat'cha al tasir mimenu l'olamim. Baruch atah Adonai, oheiv amo yisra-eil.

The love that You have shown us, Your people Israel, has no end. We feel it through the Torah, which You have graciously taught us – its directives, its decrees and its precepts. Therefore, Eternal One, our God, we will speak about Your decrees when we lie down and when we rise up. We will rejoice in Your Torah and in its directives for time without end because they are our life and the length of our days, speaking of them day and night. Dear God, never turn aside Your love from us. We bless and praise You, Dear God, who binds us to You through bonds of love.

SHEMA

שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהוָֹ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהוָֹ֥ה אֶחָֽד:

Sh'ma Yisra-eil, Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad.

בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:

Baruch sheim k'vod malchuto l'olam va-ed.

Listen well, people of Israel, the Eternal is our God, the Eternal One Alone!
Blessed be the glorious name of God’s Dominion now and forever!

וְאָ֣הַבְתָּ֔ אֵ֖ת יְהוָֹ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ בְּכָל־לְבָֽבְךָ֥ וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁךָ֖ וּבְכָל־מְאֹדֶֽךָ: וְהָי֞וּ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָֽנֹכִ֧י מְצַוְּךָ֛ הַיּ֖וֹם עַל־לְבָבֶֽךָ: וְשִׁנַּנְתָּ֣ם לְבָנֶ֔יךָ וְדִבַּרְתָּ֖ בָּ֑ם בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ֤ בְּבֵיתֶ֨ךָ֙ וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ֣ בַדֶּ֔רֶךְ וּֽבְשָׁכְבְּךָ֖ וּבְקוּמֶֽךָ: וּקְשַׁרְתָּ֥ם לְא֖וֹת עַל־יָדֶ֑ךָ וְהָי֥וּ לְטֹֽטָפֹ֖ת בֵּ֥ין עֵינֶֽיךָ: וּכְתַבְתָּ֛ם עַל־מְזֻז֥וֹת בֵּיתֶ֖ךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶֽיךָ:

V'ahavta eit Adonai elohecha, b'chol l'vav'cha, uv'chol nafsh'cha, uv'chol m'odecha. V'hayu had'varim ha-eileh, asher anochi m'tzav'cha hayom, al l'vavecha. V'shinantam l'vanecha, v'dibarta bam, b'shivt'cha b'veitecha, uv'lecht'cha vaderech, uv'shochb'cha, uv'kumecha. Uk'shartam l'ot al yadecha, v'hayu l'totafot bein einecha. Uch'tavtam al m'zuzot beitecha uvisharecha.

You will love the Eternal, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might, so that these words, which I command you today, shall be in your heart. You shall teach them to your children. You shall speak of them when you are at home, when you are on your way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your arm, and they shall be a sign upon your brow. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

לְמַ֣עַן תִּזְכְּר֔וּ וַֽעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֶת־כָּל־מִצְוֹתָ֑י וִֽהְיִיתֶ֥ם קְדֹשִׁ֖ים לֵאלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם: אֲנִ֞י יְהוָֹ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצֵ֤אתִי אֶתְכֶם֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם לִהְי֥וֹת לָכֶ֖ם לֵֽאלֹהִ֑ים אֲנִ֖י יְהוָֹ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם. יְהוָֹ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם אֶמֶת . . .

L'ma-an tizk'ru va-asitem et kol mitzvotay, vihyitem k'doshim leiloheichem. Ani Adonai eloheichem, asher hotzeiti etchem mei-eretz mitzrayim, lihyot lachem leilohim, ani Adonai eloheichem. Adonai eloheichem emet . . .

Therefore, remember and do all My commandments and be holy to your God. I am the Eternal, your God, who led you out of the Land of Egypt to be your God. I am the Eternal, your God. (Numbers 15:40-41)

As a nation reborn in freedom, we found a place for God to dwell in our hearts.

Those who sang praises to God at the shore of the Red Sea, built a home for God in their camp; a place for dreams and memory, a sanctuary for hope and for praise.

Although new prayers were written, we never forgot our first words of praise, when we thanked the One and the Only, who sets all the oppressed free.

So as Moses and Miriam taught us, we still sing the Song of the Sea, rejoicing in our freedom and giving thanks for our liberty.

מִי כָמֹֽכָה בָּאֵלִם יְיָ,

מִי כָּמֹֽכָה נֶאְדָּר בַּקֹּֽדֶשׁ,

נוֹרָא תְהִלֹּת עֹֽשֵׂה פֶֽלֶא

Mi chamochah ba-eilim Adonai,

Mi kamochah nedar bakodesh,

Nora t'hilot, Oseih fele.

Who is like You, Eternal One, among the divinities?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
Awesome, praiseworthy, the One who brings forth wonders? (Exodus 15:11)

מַלְכוּתְךָ רָאוּ בָנֶֽיךָ, בּוֹקֵֽעַ יָם לִפְנֵי משֶׁה, זֶה אֵלִי עָנוּ וְאָמְרוּ:

Malchootecha ra’oo vanecha, bokay'a yam leefnay Moshe, “Zeh 'Aylee”, anoo v’amroo.

Your children first experienced Your dominion when You split the sea in the presence of Moses. “This is my God,” they declared and they proudly proclaimed:

יְיָ יִמְלֹךְ לְעוֹלֶָם וָעֶד.

“Adonai yim'loach l'olahm va'ed.”

“The Eternal will reign forever and ever!” (Exodus 15:18)

וְנֶאֱמַר כִּי פָדָה יְיָ אֶת יַעֲקֹב, וּגְאָלוֹ מִיַּד חָזָק מִמֶּֽנּוּ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, גָּאַל יִשְׂרָאֵל:

V'ne’emar Kee fadah Adonai et Ya'akov, oog’alo meeyad chazak meemenoo. Barooch 'atah Adonai, ga’ahl Yisra’ayl.

For the Eternal has redeemed Jacob and rescued him from the hand of one stronger than he. (Jeremiah 31:11) We bless and praise You, Dear God, Redeemer of Israel.

הַשְׁכִּיבֵֽנוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ לְשָׁלוֹם, וְהַעֲמִידֵֽנוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ לְחַיִּים וּפְרוֹשׂ עָלֵֽינוּ סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמֶֽךָ, וְתַקְּנֵֽנוּ בְּעֵצָה טוֹבָה מִלְּפָנֶֽיךָ, וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶֽךָ, וְהָגֵן בַּעַדֵֽנוּ, וְהָסֵר מֵעָלֵֽינוּ אוֹיֵב, דֶֽבֶר, וְחֶֽרֶב, וְרָעָב וְיָגוֹן, וְהָסֵר שָׂטָן מִלְפָנֵֽֽינוּ וּמֵאַחֲרֵֽנוּ, וּבְצֵל כְּנָפֶֽיךָ תַּסְתִּירֵֽנוּ. כִּי אֵל שׁוֹמְרֵֽנוּ וּמַצִּילֵֽנוּ אָֽתָּה, כִּי אֵל מֶֽלֶךְ חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם אָֽתָּה, וּשְׁמוֹר צֵאתֵֽנוּ וּבוֹאֵֽנוּ, לְחַיִּים וּלְשָׁלוֹם, מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם. וּפְרֹשׂ עָלֵֽינוּ סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמֶֽךָ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, הַפּוֹרֵשׂ סֻכַּת שָׁלוֹם עָלֵֽינוּ וְעַל כָּל עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַל יְִרוּשָׂלָֽיִם.

Hashkiveinu Adonai Eloheinu l'shalom, v'ha-amideinu malkeinu l'chayim, uf'ros aleinu sukat sh'lomecha, v'tak'neinu b'eitzah tovah mil'fanecha, v'hoshi-einu l'ma-an sh'mecha. V'hagein ba-adeinu, v'haseir mei-aleinu oyeiv, dever, v'cherev, v'ra-av, v'yagon, v'haseir satan mil'faneinu umei-achareinu, uv'tzeil k'nafecha tastireinu, ki eil shom'reinu umatzileinu atah, ki eil melech chanun v'rachum atah. Ush'mor tzeiteinu uvoeinu, l'chayim ul'shalom, mei-atah v'ad olam. Uf'ros aleinu sukat sh'lomecha. Baruch atah Adonai, haporeis sukat shalom aleinu v'al kol amo yisra-eil v'al y'rushalayim.

Dear God, our Sovereign One, give us the blessing of going to sleep in peace and of waking up revitalized. Spread Your shelter of peace over us and guide us with Your good counsel. Save us for the sake of Your name! Shield and protect us from enemies and disease, from war and famine, and from all grief. Remove the adversary from before us and from behind us. Shelter us in the protective shadow of Your wings. You are a gracious and merciful God and Sovereign. Guard now our going out and our coming in for life and peace, now and forever. We bless and praise You, Dear God, as the one who spreads the sacred shelter of peace over us, over all Your people Israel, and over Jerusalem.

On Shabbat:

בשבת: וְשָׁמְרוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת, לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶת הַַשַּׁבָּת לְדֹרֹתָם בְּרִית עוֹלָם: בֵּינִי וּבֵין בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אוֹת הִיא לְעוֹלָם, כִּי שֵֽׁשֶׁת יָמִים עָשָׂה יְיָ אֶת הַשָּׁמַֽיִם וְאֶת הָאָֽרֶץ, וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי שָׁבַת וַיִנָּפַשׁ:

V'sham'ru v'nei yisra-eil et hashabat, la-asot et hashabat l'dorotam b'rit olam. Beini uvein b'nei yisra-eil ot hi l'olam, ki sheishet yamim asah Adonai et hashamayim v'et ha-aretz, uvayom hashvii shavat vayinafash.

On Shabbat: The Children of Israel will preserve the Shabbat in order to observe that holy day as an everlasting covenant over all their generations. The Shabbat is an eternal sign between God and the Children of Israel, because in the course of six days the Eternal God made the heaven and the earth, and on the seventh day God rested and was refreshed. (Exodus 31:16-17)

וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֶת־מֹֽעֲדֵ֖י יְהוָֹ֑ה אֶל־בְּנֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:

Vay'dabeir mosheh et moadei Adonai, el b'nei yisra-eil.

So Moses declared to the Israelites the Eternal’s designated seasons. (Leviticus 23:44)

CHEITZEI KADDISH

יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא. בְּעָלְמָא דִּי בְרָא כִרְעוּתֵהּ, וְיַמְלִיךְ מַלְכוּתֵהּ בְּחַיֵּיכוֹן וּבְיוֹמֵיכוֹן וּבְחַיֵּי דְכָל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:

Yitgadal v'yitkadash sh'meih raba. B'al'ma di v'ra chiruteih, v'yamlich malchuteih b'chayeichon uv'yomeichon uv'chayei d'chol beit yisra-eil, ba-agala uvizman kariv, v'imru amein.

יְהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ לְעָלַם וּלְעָלְמֵי עָלְמַיָּא:

Y'hei sh'meih raba m'varach l'alam ul'al'mei al'maya.

יִתְבָּרַךְ וְיִשְׁתַּבַּח וְיִתְפָּאַר וְיִתְרוֹמַם וְיִתְנַשֵּׂא וְיִתְהַדָּר וְיִתְעַלֶּה וְיִתְהַלָּל שְׁמֵהּ דְּקֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא. לְעֵֽלָּא וּלְעֵלָּא מִכָּל בִּרְכָתָא וְשִׁירָתָא, תֻּשְׁבְּחָתָא וְנֶחֱמָתָא, דַּאֲמִירָן בְּעָלְמָא, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:

Yitbarach v'yishtabach v'yitpa-ar v'yitromam v'yitnasei v'yithadar v'yitaleh v'yithalal sh'meih d'kudsha b'rich hu, l'eila ul'eila min kol birchata v'shirata tushb'chata v'nechemata, da-amiran b'al'ma,
v'imru amein.

May God’s name be made great and holy in the world, which God created according to His will. May God’s dominion become real in your lives and throughout your days and in the life of all Israel and may this happen speedily and soon and let us say, “Amen!”

May God’s exalted name be blessed in this and in all worlds forever!

HATIFLAH

אֲדֹנָי שְׂפָתַי תִּפְתָּח וּפִי יַגִּיד תְּהִלָּתֶךָ:

Adonay s'fatai tiftach, ufi yagid t'hilatecha.

O Dear God, open now my lips,
so that my mouth may declare Your praises! (Psalm 51:17)

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ וְאִמּוֹתֵינוּ, אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם, אֱלֹהֵי יִצְחָק, וֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב, אֱלֹהֵי שָׂרָה, אֱלֹהֵי רִבְקָה, אֱלֹהֵי לֵאָה, וֵאלֹהֵי רָחֵל. הָאֵל הַגָּדוֹל הַגִּבּוֹר וְהַנּוֹרָא, אֵל עֶלְיוֹן, גּוֹמֵל חֲסָדִים טוֹבִים, וְקוֹנֵה הַכֹּל, וְזוֹכֵר חַסְדֵי אָבוֹת וְאִמַהוֹת, וּמֵבִיא גְאֻלָּה לִבְנֵי בְנֵיהֶם לְמַעַן שְׁמוֹ בְּאַהֲבָה: מֶֽלֶךְ עוֹזֵר וּמוֹשִֽׁיעַ וּמָגֵן: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מָגֵן אַבְרָהָם וְעֶזְרַת שָׂרָה:

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu veilohei avoteinu vimoteinu, elohei Avraham, elohei Yitzchak, veilohei Ya-akov, elohei Sarah, elohei Rivka, elohei Leia, veilohei Racheil. Ha-eil hagadol hagibor v'hanora, eil elyon, gomeil chasadim tovim, v'koneih hakol, v'zocheir chasdei avot v’imahot, umeivi g’ula livnei v'neihem, l'ma-an sh'mo b'ahavah. Melech ozeir umoshi-a umagein. Baruch atah Adonai, magein Avraham ve-ezrat Sarah.

You are God most high. You are the source of all good deeds of loving-kindness, the one who establishes all. You recall the devotion of our ancestors, and with love You will bring redemption to their children’s children, for the sake of Your name. You are the Sovereign One who aids, saves and protects. We bless and praise You, Eternal One, Abraham’s shield and Sarah’s help.

אַתָּה גִּבּוֹר לְעוֹלָם אֲדֹנָי, מְחַיֵּה הַכֹּל אַֽתָּה, רַב לְהוֹשִֽׁיעַ: מְכַלְכֵּל חַיִּים בְּחֶֽסֶד, מְחַיֵּה הַכֹּל בְּרַחֲמִים רַבִּים, סוֹמֵךְ נוֹפְלִים, וְרוֹפֵא חוֹלִים, וּמַתִּיר אֲסוּרִים, וּמְקַיֵּם אֱמוּנָתוֹ לִישֵׁנֵי עָפָר, מִי כָמֽוֹךָ בַּֽעַל גְּבוּרוֹת וּמִי דֽוֹמֶה לָּךְ, מֶֽלֶךְ מֵמִית וּמְחַיֶּה וּמַצְמִֽיחַ יְשׁוּעָה: וְנֶאֱמָן אַתָּה לְהַחֲיוֹת הַכֹּל. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מְחַיֵּה הַכֹּל:

Atah gibor l'olam adonay, m'chayeih hakol atah, rav l'hoshi-a. M'chalkeil chayim b'chesed, m'chayeih hakol b'rachamim rabim, someich nof'lim, v'rofei cholim, umatir asurim, um'kayeim emunato lisheinei afar, mi chamocha ba-al g'vurot umi domeh lach, melech meimit um'chayeh umatzmi-ach y'shuah. V'ne-eman atah l'hachayot hakol. Baruch atah Adonai, m'chayeih hakol.

You are mighty forever, Dear God. You renew all life. You are great in deliverance. You sustain all life with loving-kindness. You renew all life with great compassion, lifting up those who fall, healing the ill, freeing the captives, and keeping faith with those asleep in the dust. Who is like You, Master of Power? Who is similar to You, Sovereign Source of Life and Death, who makes way for redemption? We bless and praise You, Eternal One, who brings life to all.

אַתָּה קָדוֹשׁ וְשִׁמְךָ קָדוֹשׁ וּקְדוֹשִׁים בְּכָל יוֹם יְהַלְלֽוּךָ, סֶּֽלָה.

Atah kadosh v'shimcha kadosh, uk'doshim b'chol yom y'hal'lucha, selah.

You are holy and Your name is holy and every day those who seek holiness sing Your praises, Selah!

MEDITATIONS

For Pesach

The Four Children

Torah speaks of four different children – one wise, one wicked, one simple and one unable to ask a question – with whom we are to share the meaning of the celebration of the Passover. As we consider each child, we learn that each one brings a precious gift.

We love teaching the Wise Child who wishes to know everything about the celebration of Pesach. This child seems to us to be like a sponge, willing to soak up and retain whatever we teach her. But this child could too easily become lost in the details of the celebration and no longer focus on Pesach’s deeper meaning.

The Wicked Child challenges us by asking, “What does this holiday mean to you?” “To us and not to you!” we might answer and dismiss him as if he has rejected us and his heritage. But his question is essential. We need to know what this holiday means to us and be able to share this with our children. Pesach is much more than a collection of inherited customs, rites and rituals.

The Simple Child just wants to know the basic facts and practices. She reminds us that sometimes we can feel overwhelmed by Pesach – cleaning the house, making the kitchen kosher, shopping and cooking for the Seder meal, planning the Seder ritual. There is so much to do and the Simple Child reminds us to slow down and to take it easy. She tells us that we do not have to be perfect to fully enjoy our holiday.

We may have to lead the Child who Cannot Ask a Question by the hand and explain to him exactly what is happening. This may be his first experience with the Seder. But the Child who Cannot Ask a Question may be silent not because of inexperience but because he senses the overwhelming mystery of the Exodus, of Liberation, of Freedom and of the Divine power that enables us to be free. This Child reminds us of the overwhelming awesomeness of this day and asks us to move beyond doing and speaking to enter a place of silence and awe.

This Pesach, may we be blessed to learn new lessons from all our children. (

Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

For Shavuot

The Essence of the Torah (from the Talmud)

Rabbi Simlai expounded: Six hundred and thirteen commandments were revealed to Moses: three hundred and sixty-five negative commandments, corresponding to the days in the solar year, and two hundred and forty-eight positive commandments, corresponding to the parts of the body.

When David came, he summed up the six hundred and thirteen commandments in eleven principles, for he said, “Dear God, who shall abide in Your Tabernacle? Who shall dwell in Your holy mountain? — [1] A person who walks uprightly, and [2] always does what is right, and [3] who speaks the truth from his heart; [4] and does not slander others. [5] This is a person who does not wrong his friends nor [6] spreads evil rumors about his neighbors. [7] This is a person whose eyes despise a contemptible person [8] but honors those who revere the Eternal One; [9] This person always does what is promised, no matter how much it may cost. [10] He does not lean money at unfair rates, [11] nor can he be bribed to testify against the innocent. One who does these things shall never be moved” (Psalm 15).

When Isaiah came, he summed up the six hundred and thirteen commandments in six principles, for Isaiah said, “[1] A person who walks in righteousness and [2] speaks peaceably; [3] who despises profit from fraudulent dealings, [4] who waves away a bribe instead of grasping it, [5] who stops his ears from hearing of infamy, and [6] shuts his eyes from looking upon evil. Such a person shall dwell in lofty security” (Isaiah 33:15-16).

When Micah came, he summed up the six hundred and thirteen commandments in three principles, for he said, “It has been told you, mere human, what is good, and what the Eternal One does require of you: [1] only to do justly, and [2] to love mercy, and [3] to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

Upon further consideration, Isaiah summed up the six hundred and thirteen commandments in two principles when he said, “Thus says the Eternal: [1] keep justice and [2] do righteousness” (Isaiah 56:1).

When Habakkuk came, he summed up the six hundred and thirteen commandments in one principle, for he said, “The righteous shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4).

(from B. Makkot 23b-24a; B. Sanhedrin 81a)

For Sukkot

Lamah Sukkah Zu? – Why this Sukkah

“Why have we built this sukkah?” the little child asks.
“So that we can play in it forever,” his smiling daddy replies.

“Why have we built this sukkah?” the adventurous boy asks.
“So that we can explore the earth together,” his caring dad replies.

“Why have we built this sukkah?” the questioning youth asks.
“So that we can remember the hungry and homeless,” his loving father replies.

“Why have we built this sukkah?” the young man asks.
“So that we may recall our youth and our love,” his wistful old man replies.

“Why do we build this sukkah” the new father asks.
“So our dreams may last forever,” the proud grandfather replies.
(Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

For Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah

The Fountain of Life (from the Midrash)

Words of Torah are likened to waters: “Behold, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters” (Isaiah 55:1).

As waters reach from one end of the world to the other, so Torah reaches from one end of the world to the other.

As waters give life to the world, so Torah gives life to the world.

As waters are given freely to the world, so is Torah given freely to the world.

As waters are given from heaven, so is Torah given from heaven.

As waters are given to the accompaniment of powerful thunderings, so was Torah given to the accompaniment of powerful thunderings.

As waters restore a person’s spirit, so Torah restores a person’s spirit.

As waters cleanse a person from uncleanness, so Torah cleanses an unclean person from his uncleanness.

As waters come down in myriads of drops and become a multitude of brooks, so are words of Torah; today a person learns two Halakhot, two basic insights into life, tomorrow two more, and so on, until he becomes like a bubbling brook.

As waters leave a high place and flow to a low place, so Torah leaves him whose opinion of himself is high and cleaves to him whose spirit is lowly.

As water is not kept in vessels of silver or gold, but only in the humblest of vessels, so Torah abides only in him who regards himself as simple as an earthenware vessel. (Song of Songs Rabba 1:2, #3; MTeh 1:18; Sif Deut., #48)

יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי פִי וְהֶגְיוֹן לִבִּי לְפָנֶֽיךָ, יְיָ צוּרִי וְגוֹאֲלִי.

Yihyu l'ratzon imrei fi v'hegyon libi l'fanecha, Adonai tzuri v'goali.

May all of the prayerful words which I have spoken or felt within my heart be acceptable to You, my God, because You are the rock that anchors me and power that sets me free.

עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו, הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם, עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַל כָּל יוֹשְׁבֵי תֵבֵל, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:

Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya-aseh shalom aleinu v'al kol yisra-eil, v’al kol yoshvei teivel, v'imru amein.

May the One who creates peace in the heavens above, grant peace to us, to all Israel, and to all who share this world, and let us say, “Amen!”

בשבת: וַיְכֻלּוּ הַשָּׁמַֽיִם וְהָאָֽרֶץ וְכָל צְבָאָם וַיְכַל אֱלֹהִים בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה: וַיִּשְׁבֹּת בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה. וַיְבָֽרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ, כִּי בוֹ שָׁבַת מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים לַעֲשׂוֹת:

On Shabbat: Vay'chulu hashamayim v'ha-aretz v'chol tz'va-am. Vay'chal elohim bayom hashvi-i m'lachto asher asah, vayishbot bayom hashvi-i, mikol m'lachto asher asah. Vay'varech elohim et yom hashvi-i vay'kadeish oto, ki vo shavat mikol m'lachto, asher bara elohim la-asot.

On Shabbat: Then the heaven and the earth and all their components were finished. Thus, by the seventh day God had accomplished doing all the work that God set out to do. Therefore, God rested on the seventh day from all the work that God had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and set it apart because on that day God rested from all the work that God set out to do. (Genesis 2:1-3)

בשבת: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲֵבוֹתֵֽינוּ וְאִמּוֹתֵינוּ, אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם, אֱלֹהֵי יִצְחָק, וֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב, אֱלֹהֵי שָׂרָה, אֱלֹהֵי רִבְקָה, אֱלֹהֵי לֵאָה, וֵאלֹהֵי רָחֵל. הָאֵל הַגָּדוֹל הַגִּבּוֹר וְהַנּוֹרָא אֵל עֶלְיוֹן קוֹנֵה שָׁמַֽיִם וָאָֽרֶץ:

On Shabbat: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu veilohei avoteinu, elohei avraham, elohei yitzchak, veilohei ya-akov, elohei Sarah, elohei Rivka, elohei Leia, veilohei Racheil. ha-eil hagadol hagibor v'hanora, eil elyon, koneih shamayim va-aretz.

On Shabbat: We bless and praise You, Eternal One, our God and God of our ancestors; God of Abraham, God of Isaac and God of Jacob, God of Sarah, God of Rebecca, God of Leah and God of Rachel. You are the great, mighty, and awesome God, the Exalted One, who possesses heaven and earth.

בשבת: מָגֵן אָבוֹת בִּדְבָרוֹ, מְחַיֵּה הַכֹּל בְּמַאֲמָרוֹ, הַמֶּֽלֶךְ הַקָּדוֹשׁ שֶׁאֵין כָּמֽוֹהוּ, הַמֵּנִֽיחַ לְעַמּוֹ בְּיוֹם שַׁבַּת קָדְשׁוֹ, כִּי בָם רָצָה לְהָנִֽיחַ לָהֶם. לְפָנָיו נַעֲבוֹד בְּיִרְאָה וָפַֽחַד, וְנוֹדֶה לִשְׁמוֹ בְּכָל יוֹם תָּמִיד, מֵעֵין הַבְּרָכוֹת. אֵל הַהוֹדָאוֹת אֲדוֹן הַשָּׁלוֹם, מְקַדֵּשׁ הַשַּׁבָּת, וּמְבָרֵךְ שְׁבִיעִי, וּמֵנִֽיחַ בִּקְדֻשָּׁה לְעַם מְדֻשְּׁנֵי עֹֽנֶג, זֵכֶר לְמַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית:

On Shabbat: Magein avot bidvaro, m'chayeih hakol b'ma-amaro, hamelech hakadosh she-ein kamohu, hameini-ach l'amo b'yom shabat kod'sho, ki vam ratzah l'hani-ach lahem. L'fanav na-avod b'yirah vafachad, v'nodeh lishmo b'chol yom tamid, mei-ein hab'rachot. Eil hahoda-ot, adon hashalom, m'kadeish hashabat um'vareich sh'vii, umeini-ach bikdushah l'am m'dushnei oneg, zeicher l'ma-aseih v'reishit.

On Shabbat: Your word, Dear God, has always been our ancestors’ shield. Your mere utterance can revive the dead. You, who are holy and beyond compare, joyfully provide rest to Your people on Your holy Shabbat. Ceaselessly, every day with awe and reverence we will serve and honor Your name, You who are our endless fountain of blessings. You are the God to whom all thanks are due, the foundation of peace, the One who sanctifies the Shabbat by blessing the seventh day. You are the one who provides rest to a people who abound with joy, as we celebrate the miracle of creation.

בשבת: אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ, רְצֵה בִמְנוּחָתֵֽנוּ. קַדְּשֵֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתֶֽיךָ וְתֵן חֶלְקֵֽנוּ בְּתוֹרָתֶֽךָ, שַׂבְּעֵֽנוּ מִטּוּבֶֽךָ, וְשַׂמְּחֵֽנוּ בִּישׁוּעָתֶֽךָ, וְטַהֵר לִבֵּֽנוּ לְעָבְדְּךָ בֶּאֱמֶת, וְהַנְחִילֵֽנוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן שַׁבַּת קָדְשֶֽׁךָ, וְיָנֽוּחוּ בָהּ יִשְׂרָאֵל, מְקַדְּשֵׁי שְׁמֶֽךָ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מְקַדֵּשׁ הַשַּׁבָּת:

On Shabbat: Eloheinu veilohei avoteinu, r'tzeih vimnuchateinu, kad'sheinu b'mitzvotecha, v'tein chelkeinu b'toratecha, sab'einu mituvecha, v'sam'cheinu bishu-atecha, v'taheir libeinu l'ovd'cha be-emet, v'hanchileinu Adonai Eloheinu b'ahavah uv'ratzon shabat kod'shecha, v'yanuchu vah yisra-eil m'kad'shei sh'mecha. Baruch atah Adonai, m'kadeish hashabat.

On Shabbat: Dear One, our God and our ancestors’ God, accept with joy our offering of rest as a tribute to You. Show us the ways to holiness through Your mitzvot, directives, and grant our portion in Your Torah. Satisfy us with Your goodness and gladden us with Your care. Purify our hearts, Dear One, to serve You in truth. Eternal One, our God, through Your love and favor, let us inherit Your holy Shabbat and may we, Your people Israel, who sanctify Your name, find rest thereon. We bless and praise You, Dear God, for You are the one who sanctifies the Shabbat.

ALEINU

עָלֵֽינוּ לְשַׁבֵּֽחַ לַאֲדוֹן הַכֹּל, לָתֵת גְּדֻלָּה לְיוֹצֵר בְּרֵאשִׁית, שֶׁלֹּא עָשָֽׂנוּ כְּגוֹיֵי הָאֲרָצוֹת, וְלֹא שָׂמָֽנוּ כְּמִשְׁפְּחוֹת הָאֲדָמָה, שֶׁלֹא שָׂם חֶלְקֵֽנוּ כָּהֶם, וְגֹרָלֵֽנוּ כְּכָל הֲמוֹנָם.

Aleinu l'shabei-ach la-adon hakol, lateit g'dulah l'yotzeir b'reishit, shelo asanu k'goyei ha-aratzot, v'lo samanu k'mishp'chot ha-adamah, shelo sam chelkeinu kahem, v'goraleinu k'chol hamonam,

וַאֲנַֽחְנוּ כּוֹרְעִים וּמִשְׁתַּחֲוִים וּמוֹדִים, לִפְנֵי מֶֽלֶךְ, מַלְכֵי הַמְּלָכִים, הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא.

Va-anachnu kor'im umishtachavim umodim, lifnei melech malchei ham'lachim, hakadosh baruch hu.

Let us praise the Master of All! Let us exalt the One who created from the beginning! For God did not make us like the other nations of the earth, nor did God place us with the other families of the globe. God did not place our portion with theirs, nor did God set our fate with that of the many. Therefore, we bend the knee, bow low, and offer thanks to the Sovereign God, Ruler of All, The Holy One who is Blessed.

כִּי הַמַּלְכוּת שֶלְךָ הִיא, וּלְעֽוֹלְמֵי עַד תִּמְלוֹךְ בְּכָבוֹד: כַּכָּתוּב בְּתוֹרָתֶֽךָ, יְיָ יִמְלֹךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: וְנֶאֱמַר, וְהָיָה יְיָ לְמֶֽלֶךְ עַל כָּל הָאָֽרֶץ, בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה יְיָ אֶחָד, וּשְמוֹ אֶחָד:

Ki hamalchut shel'cha hi, ul'ol'mei ad timloch b'chavod, kakatuv b'toratecha, Adonai yimloch l'olam va-ed. V'ne-emar, v'hayah Adonai l'melech al kol ha-aretz, bayom hahu yihyeh Adonai echad, ush'mo echad.

Dear God, all dominion is Yours and forever You will reign in glory, as it is written in the Torah, “The Eternal is sovereign forever,” (Exodus 15:18) and as Your prophet declared, “Soon You will be known as supreme throughout all the earth, and then You will be one and Your name, one.” (Zechariah 14:9)

MOURNER'S KADDISH

We pause for a moment to remember those who were dear to us while they lived and who remain in our lives through the precious gift of love. Their gentle words, kind thoughts, and best wishes for us helped make us the special people we are today. We give thanks to God for the gift of their lives with the words of our prayer of praise, the Kaddish.

יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא. בְּעָלְמָא דִּי בְרָא כִרְעוּתֵהּ, וְיַמְלִיךְ מַלְכוּתֵהּ בְּחַיֵּיכוֹן וּבְיוֹמֵיכוֹן וּבְחַיֵּי דְכָל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל. בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:

Yitgadal v'yitkadash sh'meih raba. B'al'ma di v'ra chiruteih, v'yamlich malchuteih b'chayeichon uv'yomeichon uv'chayei d'chol beit yisra-eil, ba-agala uvizman kariv, v'imru amein.

יְהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ לְעָלַם וּלְעָלְמֵי עָלְמַיָּא:

Y'hei sh'meih raba m'varach l'alam ul'al'mei al'maya.

יִתְבָּרַךְ וְיִשְׁתַּבַּח, וְיִתְפָּאַר וְיִתְרוֹמַם וְיִתְנַשֵּׂא וְיִתְהַדָּר וְיִתְעַלֶּה וְיִתְהַלָּל שְׁמֵהּ דְּקֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא.

Yitbarach v'yishtabach v'yitpa-ar v'yitromam v'yitnasei v'yithadar v'yitaleh v'yithalal sh'meih d'kudsha b'rich hu.

לְעֵֽלָּא מִן כָּל בִּרְכָתָא וְשִׁירָתָא, תֻּשְׁבְּחָתָא וְנֶחֱמָתָא, דַּאֲמִירָן בְּעָלְמָא, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן: יְהֵא שְׁלָמָא רַבָּא מִן שְׁמַיָּא וְחַיִּים עָלֵֽינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:

l’eila min kol birchata v'shirata tushb'chata v'nechemata, da-amiran b'al'ma, v'imru amein. Y'hei sh'lama raba min sh'maya, v'chayim aleinu v'al kol yisra-eil, v'imru amein.

:עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו, הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם, עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַל כָּל יוֹשְׁבֵי תֵבֵל, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן

Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya-aseh shalom aleinu v'al kol yisra-eil, v’al kol yoshvei teivel, v'imru amein.

May God’s name be made great and holy in the world, which God created according to His will.

May God’s dominion become real in your lives and throughout your days and in the life of all Israel, and may this happen speedily and soon, and let us say, “Amen!”

May God’s exalted name be blessed in this and in all worlds forever!

May the Blessed One’s holy name be blessed, praised, glorified, exalted, proclaimed, glorified, elevated, and lauded well beyond all the words of blessing, song, praise and consolation that we can utter in this world, and let us say, “Amen!”
May there be abounding peace and life from heaven for us and for all Israel, and let us say, “Amen!”

May the One who creates peace in the heavens above, grant peace to us, to all Israel and to all who share this world, and let us say, “Amen!”

BLESSING UPON ENTERING THE SUKKAH

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּֽנוּ לֵשֵׁב בַּסֻּכָּה.

Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvatav, v'tzivanu leisheiv basukah

We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, Ruler of All, who has shown us how to live lives of goodness and beauty through Your mitzvot, Your directives, and who has directed us to dwell in the sukkah.

Shehecheyanu

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָֽנוּ וְקִיְּמָֽנוּ וְהִגִּיעָֽנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה.

Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higi-anu laz'man hazeh.

We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, Ruler of All, because You have sustained and nurtured us and have brought us to this joyous occasion.

KIDDUSH

בשבת: וַיְהִי עֶֽרֶב וַיְהִי בֹֽקֶר יוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי. וַיְכֻלּוּ הַשָּׁמַֽיִם וְהָאָֽרֶץ וְכָל צְבָאָם וַיְכַל אֱלֹהִים בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה: וַיִּשְׁבֹּת בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה. וַיְבָֽרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ, כִּי בוֹ שָׁבַת מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים לַעֲשׂוֹת:

On Shabbat: Vay'hi erev vay'hi voker yom hashishi. Vay'chulu hashamayim v'ha-aretz v'chol tz'va-am. Vay'chal elohim bayom hashvi-i m'lachto asher asah, vayishbot bayom hashvi-i, mikol m'lachto asher asah. Vay'varech elohim et yom hashvi-i vay'kadeish oto, ki vo shavat mikol m'lachto, asher bara elohim la-asot.

On Shabbat: First it was evening and then it was morning and the sixth day was over. Heaven and earth and all their components were finished. Thus, by the seventh day God had accomplished doing all the work that God set out to do. Therefore, God rested on the seventh day from all the work that God had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and set it apart because on that day God rested from all the work that God set out to do. (Genesis 2:1-3)

סַבְרִי חֲבֵרַי:

Svari Chaveirai
With your permission my friends,

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּֽפֶן.

Barukh ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh, ha-Olam, borei p'ri hagafen.

We bless and praise You, our Everlasting God, Ruler of All, because You create the fruit of the vine.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר בָּֽחַר בָּֽנוּ מִכָּל עָם וְרוֹמְמָֽנוּ מִכָּל לָשׁוֹן, וְקִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו. וַתִּתֶּן לָֽנוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ בְּאַהֲבָה (שַׁבָּתוֹת לִמְנוּחָה וּ)מוֹעֲדִים לְשִׂמְחָה, חַגִּים וּזְמַנִּים לְשָׂשׂוֹן, אֶת יוֹם (הַשַּׁבָּת הַזֶּה וְאֶת יוֹם)

[לפסח] חַג הַמַּצּוֹת הֻזֶּה, זְמַן חֵרוּתֵנוּ
[לשבעות] חַג הַשָּׁבֻעוֹת הַזֶּה, זְמַן מַתַּן תּוֹרָתֵנוּ

[לסוכות] חַג הַסֻּכּוֹת הַזֶּה, זְמַן שִׂמְחָתֵֽנוּ

[לשמע"צ ולש"ת] הַשְּׁמִינִי חַג הָעֲצֶֽרֶת הַזֶּה, זְמַן שִׂמְחָתֵֽנוּ

(בְּאַהֲבָה) מִקְרָא קֹֽדֶשׁ, זֵֽכֶר לִיצִיאַת מִצְרָֽיִם. כִּי בָֽנוּ בָחַֽרְתָּ וְאוֹתָֽנוּ קִדַּֽשְׁתָּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים, (וְשַׁבָּת) וּמוֹעֲדֵי קָדְשֶֽׁךָ (בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן) בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְשָׂשׂוֹן הִנְחַלְתָּֽנוּ.

(Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher bachar banu mikol am v'rom'manu mikol lashon, v'kid'shanu b'mitzvotav.Vatiten lanu Adonai eloheinu b'ahavah (shabatot limnuchah u) moadim l'simchah, chagim uz'manim l'sason, et yom (hashabat hazeh v'et yom):

(on Pesach) chag hamazot hazeh, z’man cheiruteinuon

(Shavuot) chag hashavuot hazeh, z’man matan torateinu

(on Sukkot) chag hasukot hazeh, z’man simchateinu

(on Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah) hashmini chag ha-atzeret hazeh, z'man simchateinu

(b'ahavah) mikra kodesh, zeicher litzi-at mitzrayim.Ki vanu vacharta v'otanu kidashta mikol ha-amim, (v'shabat) umoadei kod'shecha (b'ahavah uv'ratzon) b'simchah uv'sason hinchaltanu.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מְקַדֵּשׁ (הַשַּׁבָּת וְ)יִשְׂרָאֵל וְהַזְּמַנִּים.

Baruch atah Adonai, m'kadeish (hashabat v')yisra-eil v'haz'manim.

We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, Ruler of All, who has entered into a unique relationship with us, different from those which you have made with other peoples, and who has distinguished us from other traditions, by showing us the ways to holiness through Your mitzvot, directives. As a token of Your love, You, Dear God, have given us (the Shabbat for rest and) holidays for happiness and festivals and seasons for rejoicing. You have given us (the Shabbat and) this day on which we celebrate

(on Pesach) the Feast of Matzah, the Unleavened Bread, the Season of our Freedom,

(on Shavuot) the Feast of Weeks, the Season of the Giving of our Torah,

(on Sukkot) the Feast of Booths, the Season of our Happiness,

(on Shemini Atzeret and on Simchat Torah) the Eight Day of Assembly, the Season of our Happiness,

as a holy convocation, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. By giving us (the Shabbat) and the Your Sacred Seasons (with love and intention) and with happiness and rejoicing as our singular heritage, You have created a unique bond with us and differentiated us from other peoples. We extol and exalt You, Everlasting One, Sovereign Over All the Earth, because You make (Shabbat and) the People of Israel and our Festivals holy. Amen!

HAVDALAH

במוצאי שבת בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא מְאוֹרֵי הָאֵשׁ.

After Shabbat: Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei m'orei ha-eish.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַמַּבְדִיל בֵּין קֹֽדֶשׁ לְחוֹל, בֵּין אוֹר לְחֽשֶׁךְ, בֵּין יִשְׂרָאֵל לָעַמִּים, בֵּין יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי, לְשֵֽׁשֶׁת יְמֵי הַמַּעֲשֶׂה: בֵּין קְדֻשַּׁת שַׁבָּת לִקְדֻשַּׁת יוֹם טוֹב הִבְדַּֽלְתָּ, וְאֶת יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִשֵּֽׁשֶׁת יְמֵי הַמַּעֲשֶׂה קִדַּֽשְׁתָּ, הִבְדַּֽלְתָּ וְקִדַּֽשְׁתָּ אֶת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּקְדֻשָּׁתֶֽךָ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ הַמַּבְדִּיל בֵּין קֹֽדֶשׁ לְקֹֽדֶשׁ.

Baruch atah Adonai, eloheinu melech ha-olam, hamavdil bein kodesh l'chol, bein or l'choshech, bein yisra-eil la-amim, bein yom hashvii l'sheishet y'mei hama-aseh. Bein k'dushat shabat likdushat yom tov hivdalta, v'et yom hashvi-i misheishet y'mei hama-aseh kidashta, hivdalta v'kidashta et am'cha yisra-eil bikdushatecha. Baruch atah Adonai, hamavdil bein kodesh l'kodesh.

After Shabbat: We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, Ruler of All, who creates the lights, which illuminate creation. You are truly blessed, our Everlasting God, Sovereign of All Creation, who distinguishes the sacred from the mundane, light from darkness, the Jewish people from other people, the seventh day of rest from the six days of work. You have set a distinction between the holiness of the Shabbat and the holiness of the festivals. We adore and honor You, Dear God, who distinguishes the holiness of the Shabbat from the holiness of our festivals.

HAMOTZEE

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַמוֹצִא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ.

Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, hamotsee lechem min ha’arets.

We bless and praise You, our Eternal One, Ruler of All, who brings forth bread from the earth.

BLESSING OVER THE LULAV AND ETROG

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּֽנוּ עַל נְטִילַת לוּלָב.

Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu al n'tilat lulav.

We bless and praise You our Eternal God, sovereign of all, who has shown us how to live lives of goodness and beauty through Your mitzvot, Your directives, and who has directed us to lift up and wave the lulav.

שלוש רגלים
Festival Morning Service

Opening Meditation

O Compassionate One in heaven and on earth, three times a year we are summoned to your presence to celebrate Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot.

On those festive days in ancient times we made pilgrimage to Jerusalem to worship in the Beit HaMiqdash, Your holy temple, to joyfully express our gratitude for all the good we received, and to share our blessings with all your people, the rich and poor, great and small, alike.

In Your sacred presence, we recalled our history and renewed the covenantal bonds that tied us to each other, to our world, and to You.

In our days the ancient festivals with their sacred traditions help us reach across time and space. We see our homes and synagogues as miniature temples – places in which we create the opportunities to experience loving-kindness and learn wisdom and Torah.

We confirm our connections with our people, our history and our dreams.

We dedicate ourselves to the vision of our prophets and sages.

We assert our bonds with all God’s people – the poor, the homeless, the sick, the lost, the oppressed.

We offer thanksgiving for all our blessings – for being freed from bondage, for dedicating ourselves to Torah, for building a place for holiness in our midst.

Today, we celebrate with joy and laughter, song and praises, our Jewish heritage. May the spirit that brings us together sustain our bodies, elevate our souls and enable us to envision a better world for us, for our children and for all creation. Amen!
(Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

MAH TOVU

מַה טֹּֽבוּ אֹהָלֶֽיךָ יַעֲקֹב, מְִשְׁכְּנתֶֽיךָ יִשְרָאֵל. וַאֲנִי בְּרֹב חַסְדְּךָ אָבוֹא בֵיתֶֽךָ, אֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶה אֶל הֵיכַל קָדְשְׁךָ בְּיִרְאָתֶֽךָ. יְיָ אָהַֽבְתִּי מְעוֹן בֵּיתֶֽךָ, וּמְקוֹם מִשְׁכַּן כְּבוֹדֶֽךָ. וַאֲנִי אֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶה וְאֶכְרָֽעָה, אֶבְרְכָה לִפְנֵי יְיָ עֹשִׂי. וַאֲנִי, תְפִלָּתִי לְךָ יְיָ, עֵת רָצוֹן, אֱלֹהִים בְּרָב חַסְדֶּֽךָ, עֲנֵֽנִי בֶּאֱמֶת יִשְׁעֶֽךָ.

Mah tovu ohalecha ya-akov, mishk'notecha yisra-eil. Va-ani b'rov chasd'cha avo veitecha, eshtachaveh el heichol kodsh'cha b'yiratecha. Adonai ahavti m'on beitecha, um'kom mishkan k'vodecha. Va-ani eshtachaveh v'echra-ah, evr'chah lifnei Adonai osi. Va-ani t'filati l'cha Adonai, eit ratzon, elohim b'rav chasdecha, aneini be-emet yishecha.

How beautiful are your tents O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel. By Your abounding kindness, Dear God, I come into Your house. With reverence I worship in Your holy sanctuary. Dear God, I love Your dwelling, the place where Your glory abides. In the presence of my Eternal Creator, I bow low, bend my knee and count my blessings. As for me, I will pray to You, Dear God, at a desirable time. O God by Your great love answer me with Your saving truth.

BLESSING OVER THE TALIT

בָּרְכִי נַפְשִׁי אֶת יְיָ, יְיָ אֱלֹהַי גָּדַֽלְתָּ מְאֹד, הוֹד וְהָדָר לָבָֽשְׁתָּ. עֹֽטֶה אוֹר כַּשַּׂלְמָה, נוֹטֶה שָׁמַֽיִם כַּיְרִיעָה.

Borchi nafshi et Adonai, Adonai Elohai gadalta meod, hod vehada lavashta, oteh or kasalma, notei shamayim kayeri’a.

My soul will bless the Eternal One: Adonai, my God,You are very great. You are robed in glory and majesty. You are covered with light as with a garment and You stretch out the heavens like a curtain. (Psalm 104:1-2)

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּֽנוּ לְהִתְעַטֵּף בַּצִּיצִת.

Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu l'hitateif batzitzit.

We bless You and praise You our Eternal God, sovereign of all, who has shown us how to live lives of goodness and beauty through Your mitzvot, Your directives, and who has directed us to wrap ourselves in the talit, the garment with fringes.n

מַה יָּקָר חַסְדְּךָ, אֱלֹהִים וּבְנֵי אָדָם בְּצֵל כְּנָפֶֽיךָ יֶחֱסָיוּן. יִרְוְיֻן מִדֶּֽשֶׁן בֵּיתֶֽךָ, וְנַֽחַל עֲדָנֶֽיךָ תַשְׁקֵם. כִּי עִמְּךָ מְקוֹר חַיִּים, בְּאוֹרְךָ נִרְאֶה אוֹר. מְשֹׁךְ חַסְדְּךָ לְיֹדְעֶֽיךָ, וְצִדְקָתְךָ לְיִשְׁרֵי לֵב.

Mah yakar chasd'cha, elohim, uv'nei adam b'tzeil k'nafecha yechesaun. Yirv'yun mideshen beitecha, v'nachol adanecha tashkeim. Ki im'cha m'kor chayim, b'or'cha nireh or. M'shoch chasd'cha l'yod'echa, v'tzidkat'cha l'yishrei leiv.

How precious is your abiding kindness, Dear God.
The children of humanity take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.
May they find satisfaction in the richness of Your house.
May You permit them to drink from Your stream of delights.
For within You is the fountain of life,
In Your light, we see light.
Extend Your abiding kindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart. (Psalm 36:1-8)

BLESSINGS FOR THE GIFT OF BODY AND SOUL

For Our Bodies

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר יָצַר אֶת הָאָדָם בְּחָכְמָה, וּבָרָא בוֹ נְקָבִים נְקָבִים, חֲלוּלִים חֲלוּלִים, גָלוּי וְיָֽדוּעַ לִפְנֵי כִסֵּא כְבוֹדֶֽךָ שֶאִם יִפָּתֵֽחַ אֶחָד מֵהֶם, אוֹ יִסָּתֵם אֶחָד מֵהֶם, אִי אֶפְשַׁר לְהִתְקַיֵים וְלַעֲמוֹד לְפָנֶֽיךָ: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, רוֹפֵא כָל בָּשָׂר, וּמַפְלִיא לַעֲשׂוֹת

Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher yatzar et ha-adam b'choch'mah, uvara vo n'kavim n'kavim, chalulim chalulim. Galuy v'yadua lifnei chisei ch'vodecha, sheim yipatei-ach echad meihem, o yisateim echad meihem, i efshar l'hitkayeim v'la-amod .l'fanecha. Baruch atah Adonai, rofei chol basar umafli la-asot.

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Source of the Universe, who formed our bodies with wisdom, creating within openings and passages, life sustaining organs, of remarkable intricacy and of incredible design. We all know that if but one of them fails to function, it would be impossible to exist before You. Praised are You Eternal One, source of healing whose actions are beyond amazement.

For Our Torah

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לַעֲסֹק בְּדִבְרֵי תוֹרָה.

Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu la-asok b'divrei torah.

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Source of the Universe, who has made us holy by Your directives and has directed us to be involved in making the teachings of Your Torah real in our lives.

For Our Souls

אֱלֹהַי, נְשָׁמָה שֶׁנָּתַֽתָּ בִּי טְהוֹרָה הִיא. אַתָּה בְרָאתָהּ, אַתָּה יְצַרְתָּהּ, אַתָּה נְפַחְתָּהּ בִּי, וְאַתָּה מְשַׁמְּרָהּ בְּקִרְבִּי, וְאַתָּה עָתִיד לִטְּלָהּ מִמֶּֽנִי, וּלְהַחֲזִירָהּ בִּי לֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא. כָּל זְמַן שֶׁהַנְּשְָׁמָה בְקִרְבִּי, מוֹדֶה (מוֹדָה) אֲנִי לְפָנֶֽיךָ, יְיָ אֱלֹהַי וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתַי, רִבּוֹן כָּל הַמַּעֲשִׂים, אֲדוֹן כָּל הַנְּשָׁמוֹת. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, הַמַּחֲזִיר נְשָׁמוֹת לִפְגָרִים מֵתִים.

Dear God, the soul which You have given me is a pure one! You have created it, formed it, breathed it into me, and sustain it within me. Though I know that there will come a day when You will take it away from me I trust that You will restore it to me in a future yet unkown. So long as I have breath, I will give thanks to You, O Eternal One, my God and God of all Ages, Source of all Creation, Creator of all Souls. Blessed are You, Eternal One, who restores life to mortal creatures.

Baruch SheAmar / ברוך שאמר

בָּרוּךְ שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם,

Baruch she-amar v'hayah ha-olam,

בָּרוּךְ הוּא,

baruch hu,

בָּרוּךְ עֹשֶׂה בְרֵאשִׁית,

baruch oseh v'reishit,

בָּרוּךְ אוֹמֵר וְעֹשֶׂה,

baruch omeir v'oseh,

בָּרוּךְ גּוֹזֵר וּמְקַיֵּם,

baruch gozeir um'kayeim,

בָּרוּךְ מְרַחֵם עַל הָאָֽרֶץ,

baruch m'racheim al ha-aretz,

בָּרוּךְ מְרַחֵם עַל הַבְּרִיּוֹת,

baruch m'racheim al hab'riyot,

בָּרוּךְ מְשַׁלֵּם שָׂכָר טוֹב לִירֵאָיו,

baruch m'shaleim sachar tov lirei-av,

בָּרוּךְ חַי לָעַד וְקַיָּם לָנֶֽצַח,

baruch chai la-ad v'kayam lanetzach,

בָּרוּךְ פּוֹדֶה וּמַצִּיל,

baruch podeh umatzil,

בָּרוּךְ שְׁמוֹ.

baruch sh'mo.

Blessed be the One who spoke and the universe came into being.
Blessed be God.
Blessed be the One who is creator from the beginning.
Blessed be the One who speaks and does.
Blessed be the One who molds and builds.
Blessed be the One who has compassion on the earth.
Blessed be the One who has compassion on all creatures.
Blessed be the One who provides a good reward to those who are reverent.
Blessed be the One who lives forever and exists eternally.
Blessed be the One who redeems and delivers from trouble.
Blessed be God’s name.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מֶֽלֶךְ מְהֻלָּל בַּתִּשְׁבָּחוֹת:

Baruch atah Adonai, melech m'hulal batishbachot.

Blessed are You, Dear God, Sovereign One,
glorified by hymns of praise.

Ashrei /אַשְׁרֵי

(Psalm 84:5; 144:15;145:1,21 and 115:8)

אַשְׁרֵי יוֹשְׁבֵי בֵיתֶֽךָ, עוֹד יְהַלְלֽוּךָ סֶּֽלָה:

Ashrei yosh'vei veitecha, od y'hal'lucha selah.

אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁכָּֽכָה לּוֹ, אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁיְיָ אֱלֹהָיו:

Ashrei ha-am shekachah lo, ashrei ha-am she-adonai elohav.

תְּהִלָּה לְדָוִד

T'hilah l'david,

אֲרוֹמִמְךָ אֱלוֹהַי הַמֶּֽלֶךְ, וַאֲבָרְכָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:

Aromimcha elohai hamelech, va-avar'chah shimcha l'olam va-ed.

בְּכָל יוֹם אֲבָרְכֶֽךָּ, וַאֲהַלְלָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.

B'chol yom avar'cheka, va-ahal'lah shimcha l'olam va-ed.

תְּהִלַּת יְיָ יְדַבֶּר פִּי, וִיבָרֵךְ כָּל בָּשָׂר שֵׁם קָדְשׁוֹ, לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:

T'hilat Adonai y'daber pi, vivareich kol basar sheim kod'sho l'olam va-ed.

וַאֲנַֽחְנוּ נְבָרֵךְ יָהּ, מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם, הַלְלוּיָהּ:

Va-anachnu n'vareich yah, mei-atah v'ad olam, hal'luyah.

Happy are they who dwell within Your house,
may they always praise You!

Happy is the people for whom it is so,
happy is the people whose God is the Eternal One!

A Psalm of David
I will exalt You, my sovereign God,
and I will bless Your name now and forever.

May my mouth declare the Eternal’s praise,
may all flesh bless God’s sacred name, now and forever,

And now let us bless the name of the Eternal, Hallelujah!

Psalm 150

הַלְלוּיָהּ, הַלְלוּ אֵל בְּקָדְשׁוֹ,
הַלְלֽוּהוּ בִּרְקִֽיעַ עֻזּוֹ:

Hal'luyah, hal'lu eil b'kod'sho,

hal'luhu birki-a uzo.

הַלְלֽוּהוּ בְּגְבוּרֹתָיו,
הַלְלֽוּהוּ כְּרֹב גֻּדְלוֹ:

Hal'luhu bigvurotav,

hal'luhu k'rov gudlo.

הַלְלֽוּהוּ בְּתֵֽקַע שׁוֹפָר,
הַלְלֽוּהוּ בְּנֵֽבֶל וְכִנּוֹר:

Hal'luhu b'teika shofar,

hal'luhu b'neivel v'chinor.

הַלְלֽוּהוּ בְּתֹף וּמָחוֹל,
הַלְלֽוּהוּ בְּמִנִּים וְעֻגָב:

Hal'luhu b'tof umachol,

hal'luhu b'minim v'ugav.

הַלְלֽוּהוּ בְּצִלְצְלֵי שָֽׁמַע,
הַלְלֽוּהוּ בְּצִלְצְלֵי תְרוּעָה:

Hal'luhu b'tziltz'lei shama,

hal'luhu b'tziltz'lei t'ruah.

כֹּל הַנְּשָׁמָה תְּהַלֵּל יָהּ הַלְלוּיָהּ.
כֹּל הַנְּשָׁמָה תְּהַלֵּל יָהּ הַלְלוּיָהּ:

Kol han'shamah t'haleil yah hal'luyah.

Hallelujah! Praise God in His Holy Place.
Praise God in His mighty firmament.

Praise God for God’s might;
Praise God for God’s measureless greatness.

Praise God by sounding the shofar;
Praise God with the timbrel and the harp.

Praise God with the drum and dance;
Praise God with the harp and the flute.

Praise God with loud sounding cymbals;
Praise God with resounding cymbals.

Let every soul praise God;
Hallelujah - Praise the Eternal!

נִשְׁמַת כָּל חַי, תְּבָרֵךְ אֶת שִׁמְךָ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ. וְרֽוּחַ כָּל בָּשָׂר, תְּפָאֵר וּתְרוֹמֵם זִכְרְךָ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ תָּמִיד, מִן הָעוֹלָם וְעַד הָעוֹלָם אַתָּה אֵל. וּמִבַּלְעָדֶֽיךָ אֵין לָֽנוּ מֶֽלֶךְ גּוֹאֵל וּמוֹשִֽׁיעַ, פּוֹדֶה וּמַצִּיל וּמְפַרְנֵס וּמְרַחֵם, בְּכָל עֵת צָרָה וְצוּקָה. אֵין לָֽנוּ מֶֽלֶךְ אֶלָּא אָֽתָּה:

Nishmat kol chai, t'vareich et shimcha Adonai eloheinu, v'ruach kol basar t'fa-eir ut'romeim zichr'cha malkeinu tamid, min ha-olam v'ad ha-olam atah eil, umibaladecha ein lanu melech goeil umoshi-a, podeh umatzil um'farneis um'racheim b'chol eit tzarah v'tzukah, ein lanu melech ela atah.

The soul of every living being will bless Your name, O Eternal One, our God and the spirit of all creatures forever will extol and exalt Your name Our Heavenly Ruler. From one world to the next You are God and besides You we have no sovereign, redeemer, and deliverer who saves, rescues, sustains and showers us with compassion at every moment of trouble and distress. We have no other sovereign but You.

הָאֵל בְּתַעֲצֻמוֹת עֻזֶּֽךָ, הַגָּדוֹל בִּכְבוֹד שְׁמֶֽךָ. הַגִּבּוֹר לָנֶֽצַח וְהַנּוֹרָא בְּנוֹרְאוֹתֶֽיךָ. הַמֶּֽלֶךְ הַיּוֹשֵׁב עַל כִּסֵּא רָם וְנִשָּׂא:

Ha-eil b'ta-atzumot uzecha, hagadol bichvod sh'mecha, hagibor lanetzach, v'hanora b'nor'otecha, hamelech hayosheiv al kisei ram v'nisa.

You are God. Your power is overwhelming.
You are known as “The One whose Greatness is Glorious.”
You are our eternal hero. You are awesome in Your majesty.
You are our Ruler who sits on a high and exalted throne.

שוכן עד / SHOCHAIN AD

שׁוֹכֵן עַד, מָרוֹם וְקָדוֹש שְׁמוֹ: וְכָתוּב,
רַנְּנוּ צַדִּיקִים בַּיְיָ, לַיְשָׁרִים נָאוָה תְהִלָּה.

Shochein ad, marom v'kadosh sh'mo. V'chatuv,

ran'nu tzadikim b'Adonai, laysharim navah t'hilah.

You who abide forever, Exalted and Holy is Your name.

It is Your psalmist who declared:

“Let the righteous sing before the Eternal One.

Let the upright offer praise.” (Psalm 33:1)

בְּפִי יְשָׁרִים תִּתְרוֹמָם.
וּבְדִבְרֵי צַדִּיקִים תִּתְבָּרַךְ.
וּבְקֶֽרֶב קְדוֹשִׁים תִּתְהַלָּל.
וּבִלְשׁוֹן חֲסִידִים תִּתְקַדָּשׁ:

B'fi y'sharim titromam,
uv'divrei tzadikim titbarach,
uvilshon chasidim titkadash,
uv'kerev k'doshim tithalal

You are exalted by the mouth of the upright.
You are blessed with the words of the righteous.
You are sanctified by the tongue of the pious.
You are praised in the heart of the holy.

ישתבח / YISHTABACH

יִשְׁתַּבַּח שִׁמְךָ לָעַד מַלְכֵּנוּ, הָאֵל הַמֶּֽלֶךְ הַגָּדוֹל וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָֽרֶץ. כִּי לְךָ נָאֶה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ: שִׁיר וּשְׁבָחָה, הַלֵּל וְזִמְרָה, עֹז וּמֶמְשָׁלָה, נֶֽצַח, גְּדֻלָּה וּגְבוּרָה, תְּהִלָּה וְתִפְאֶֽרֶת, קְדֻשָּׁה וּמַלְכוּת.

Yishtabach shimcha la-ad malkeinu, ha-eil hamelech hagadol v'hakadosh bashamayim uva-aretz. Ki l'cha na-eh, Adonai eloheinu veilohei avoteinu, shir ush'vachah, haleil v'zimrah, oz umemshalah, netzach, g'dulah ug'vurah, t'hilah v'tiferet, k'dushah umalchut.

בְּרָכוֹת וְהוֹדָאוֹת מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֵל מֶֽלֶךְ גָּדוֹל בַּתִּשְׁבָּחוֹת, אֵל הַהוֹדָאוֹת, אֲדוֹן הַנִּפְלָאוֹת, הַבּוֹחֵר בְּשִׁירֵי זִמְרָה, מֶֽלֶךְ, אֵל, חֵי הָעוֹלָמִים.

B'rachot v'hoda-ot mei-atah v'ad olam. Baruch atah Adonai, eil melech gadol batishbachot, eil hahoda-ot, adon hanifla-ot, habocheir b'shirei zimrah, melech, eil, chei ha-olamim.

You, who are our Sovereign,
May Your name be praised forever.
You, who are our Divine Ruler,
Are the One who is great and holy in heaven and upon the earth.

So it is fitting to offer You who are
Our God and our ancestors’ God,
Song and praise, psalm and melody
Power, dominion, triumph,
Greatness, might, renown,
Holiness and sovereignty, blessings and acclamations
Now and forever.

Eternal One, You are truly blessed.
You are the Divine Ruler exalted through praises;
the God acclaimed by all,
the Master of Miracles,
the One who delights in hymns of praise.
You are Ruler, God, The Life of all Worlds!

CALL TO PRAYER / ברכו

בָּרְכוּ אֶת יְיָ הַמְבוֹרָךְ:

Bar'chu et Adonai hamvorach.

בָּרוּךְ יְיָ הַמְבוֹרָךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:

Baruch Adonai ham'vorach l'olam va-ed.

Bless the Blessed Eternal God!
The Blessed Eternal God is blessed both now and forever!

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, יוֹצֵר אוֹר, וּבוֹרֵא חֹֽשֶךְ, עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם וּבוֹרֵא אֶת הַכֹּל:

Baruch atah Adonai, eloheinu melech ha-olam, yotzeir or uvorei choshech, oseh shalom uvorei et hakol.

We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, ruler of time and space, because You form light and create darkness; You establish peace and create all things. (Isaiah 45:7)

לְאֵל בָּרוּךְ נְעִימוֹת יִתֵּֽנוּ. לְמֶֽלֶךְ אֵל חַי וְקַיָּם זְמִרוֹת יֹאמֵֽרוּ וְתִשְׁבָּחוֹת יַשְׁמִֽיעוּ. כִּי הוּא לְבַדּוֹ פּוֹעֵל גְּבוּרוֹת, עֹשֶׂה חֲדָשׁוֹת, בַּֽעַל מִלְחָמוֹת, זוֹרֵֽעַ צְדָקוֹת, מַצְמִֽיחַ יְשׁוּעוֹת, בּוֹרֵא רְפוּאוֹת, נוֹרָא תְהִלּוֹת, אֲדוֹן הַנִפְלָאוֹת. הַמְחַדֵּשׁ בְּטוּבוֹ בְּכָל יוֹם תָּמִיד מַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית. כָּאָמוּר לְעֹשֵׂה אוֹרִים גְּדֹלִים, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ:

L'eil baruch n'imot yiteinu, l'melech eil chai v'kayam z'mirot yomeiru v'tishbachot yashmiu, ki hu l'vado poeil g'vurot, oseh chadashot, ba-al milchamot, zorei-a tz'dakot, matzmi-ach y'shuot, borei r'fuot, nora t'hilot, adon hanifla-ot, hamchadeish b'tuvo b'chol yom tamid ma-aseih v'reishit. Ka-amur, l'oseih orim g'dolim, ki l'olam chasdo.

What does God do to deserve the angels’ praises? Where do we encounter the power and presence of the Most High?

The One Alone In Holiness appears in acts of heroism, in moments of discovery, in the heart of struggle, in the spreading of justice, in the fruits of victory, in the midst of healing, and in moments of awe and praise.

God is the master of wonders, the One whose goodness renews daily the mystery of creation as it is said in the Psalms, “God is the one who makes the great lights, the One whose love and loyalty abide forever.” (Psalm 136:7)

אוֹר חָדָשׁ עַל צִיּוֹן תָּאִיר וְנִזְכֶּה כֻלָּֽנוּ מְהֵרָה לְאוֹרוֹ: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ יוֹצֵר הַמְּאוֹרוֹת:

Or chadash al tziyon tair, v'nizkeh chulanu m'heirah l'oro. Baruch atah Adonai, yotzeir ham'orot.

May a new light shine upon Zion and may we all be worthy to bask in its light. Blessed are You, Dear God, creator of light.

אַהֲבָה רַבָּה אֲהַבְתָּֽנוּ, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, חֶמְלָה גְדוֹלָה וִיתֵרָה חָמַֽלְתָּ עָלֵֽינוּ. אָבִֽינוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ, בַּעֲבוּר אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ שֶׁבָּטְחוּ בְךָ, וַתְּלַמְּדֵם חֻקֵּי חַיִּים, כֵּן תְּחָנֵּֽנוּ וּתְלַמְּדֵֽנוּ. אָבִֽינוּ, הָאָב הָרַחֲמָן, הַמְרַחֵם, רַחֵם עָלֵֽינוּ, וְתֵן בְּלִבֵּֽנוּ לְהָבִין וּלְהַשְׂכִּיל, לִשְׁמֹֽעַ, לִלְמֹד וּלְלַמֵּד, לִשְׁמֹר וְלַעֲשׂוֹת וּלְקַיֵּם אֶת כָּל דִּבְרֵי תַלְמוּד תּוֹרָתֶֽךָ בְּאַהֲבָה.

Ahavah rabah ahavtanu, Adonai eloheinu, chemlah g'dolah viteirah chamalta aleinu. Avinu malkeinu, ba-avur avoteinu shebat'chu v'cha, vat'lam'deim chukei chayim, kein t'chaneinu ut'lam'deinu. Avinu, ha-av harachaman, hamracheim, racheim aleinu, v'tein b'libeinu l'havin ul'haskil, lishmoa, lilmod ul'lameid, lishmor v'la-asot ul'kayeim et kol divrei talmud toratecha b'ahavah.

Dear God, You have loved us with a great love and with abounding compassion You have cared for us. Our Source, our Sovereign, for the sake of our ancestors who trusted in You and to whom You taught the laws of life, be gracious to us and teach us as well. Our nurturing Source, the Fountain of Compassion, the Merciful One, deal kindly with us and place within our hearts the desire to understand and to perceive, to listen, to learn and to teach, to keep and to do and to fulfill all the insights that come from the study of Your Torah with love.

וְהָאֵר עֵינֵֽינוּ בְּתוֹרָתֶֽךָ, וְדַבֵּק לִבֵּֽנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתֶֽיךָ, וְיַחֵד לְבָבֵֽנוּ לְאַהֲבָה וּלְיִרְאָה אֶת שְׁמֶֽךָ וְלֹא נֵבוֹשׁ וְלֹא נִכָּלֵם וְלֹא נִכָּשֵׁל לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: כִּי בְשֵׁם קָדְשְׁךָ הַגָּדוֹל וְהַנּוֹרָא בָּטָֽחְנוּ, נָגִֽילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה בִּישׁוּעָתֶֽךָ.

V'ha-eir eineinu b'toratecha, v'dabeik libeinu b'mitzvotecha, v'yacheid l'vaveinu l'ahavah ul'yirah et sh'mecha, v'lo neivosh v’lo nekaleim, v’lo nikasheil l'olam va-ed. Ki v'sheim kodsh'cha hagadol v'hanora batach'nu, nagilah v'nism'chah bishuatecha

Enlighten our eyes to Your Torah, Let our hearts adhere to Your Mitzvot, Unify our hearts to love and respect Your name, So that we will never be ashamed or disgraced, nor ever stumble. For we have trusted in Your holy, great and awesome name. Let us be glad and let us rejoice in Your saving power.

HAVA NAGILA / הבה נגילה

הָבָה נָגִילָה וְנִישׂמְּחָה
Hava nagilah v'nism'chah
הָבָה נְרָנְּנָה וְנִישְׂמְּחָה
Hava neranenah v’nism’chah
עוּרוּ אַחִים בְּלֵב שָׂמֵחַ.
.Uru achim beleib sameiach

Come, let us be glad and rejoice! Come, let sing and be happy!
Awake, my friends, with a joyful heart!

וַהֲבִיאֵֽנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם מֵאַרְבַּע כַּנְפוֹת הָאָֽרֶץ, וְתוֹלִכֵֽנוּ קוֹמְמִיּוּת לְאַרְצֵֽנוּ, כִּי אֵל פּוֹעֵל יְשׁוּעוֹת אָֽתָּה, וּבָֽנוּ בָחַֽרְתָּ מִכָּל עַם וְלָשׁוֹן. וְקֵרַבְתָּֽנוּ לְשִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל סֶלָה בֱּאֱמֶת לְהוֹדוֹת לְךָ וְּלְיַחֶדְךָ בְּאַהֲבָה. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, הַבּוֹחֵר בְּעַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּאַהֲבָה.

Vahavi-einu l'shalom mei-arba kanfot ha-aretz, v'tolicheinu kom'miyut l'artzeinu, ki eil poeil y'shuot atah, uvanu vacharta mikol am v'lashon. V'keiravtanu l'shimcha hagadol selah be-emet, l'hodot l'cha ul'yachedcha b'ahavah. Baruch atah Adonai, habocheir b'amo yisra-eil b'ahavah.

Bring us together in peace from the four corners of the earth and lead us upright to our land because You are the Divine Source of Deliverance. You have selected us from all the other people for a special relationship and, thankfully, You have brought us close to Your great name with truth. Blessings and praises are Yours, Dear God, whose love binds us, Your people Israel, to You forever.

SHEMA / שמע

שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהוָֹ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהוָֹ֥ה אֶחָֽד:

Sh‘ma Yisra-eil, Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad.

Listen well, people of Israel, the Eternal is our God, the Eternal One Alone!

בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:

Baruch sheim k‘vod malchuto l‘olam va-ed.

Blessed be the glorious name of God’s Dominion now and forever!

V‘ahavta eit Adonai elohecha, b‘chol l‘vav‘cha, uv‘chol nafsh‘cha, uv‘chol m‘odecha. V‘hayu had‘varim ha-eileh, asher anochi m‘tzav‘cha Hayom, al l‘vavecha. V‘shinantam l‘vanecha, v‘dibarta bam, b‘shivt‘cha b‘veitecha, uv‘lecht‘cha vaderech, uv‘shochb‘cha, uv‘kumecha. Uk‘shartam l‘ot al yadecha, v‘hayu l‘totafot bein einecha. Uch‘tavtam al m‘zuzot beitecha uvisharecha.

You will love the Eternal, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might, so that these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them to your children. You shall speak of them when you are at home, when you are on your way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your arm and they shall be a sign upon your brow. You shall write them on the door posts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

וְהָיָ֗ה אִם־שָׁמ֤וֹעַ תִּשְׁמַע֙ בְּקוֹל֙ יְהוָֹ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֤ר לַֽעֲשׂוֹת֙ אֶת־כָּל־מִצְוֹתָ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֛ר אָֽנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ הַיּ֑וֹם וּנְתָ֨נְךָ֜ יְהוָֹ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ עֶלְי֔וֹן עַ֖ל כָּל־גּוֹיֵ֥י הָאָֽרֶץ: וּבָ֧אוּ עָלֶ֛יךָ כָּל־הַבְּרָכ֥וֹת הָאֵ֖לֶּה וְהִשִּׂיגֻ֑ךָ כִּ֣י תִשְׁמַ֔ע בְּק֖וֹל יְהוָֹ֥ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ: בָּר֥וּךְ אַתָּ֖ה בָּעִ֑יר וּבָר֥וּךְ אַתָּ֖ה בַּשָּׂדֶֽה: בָּר֧וּךְ פְּרִֽי־בִטְנְךָ֛ וּפְרִ֥י אַדְמָֽתְךָ֖ וּפְרִ֣י בְהֶמְתֶּ֑ךָ שְׁגַ֥ר אֲלָפֶ֖יךָ וְעַשְׁתְּר֥וֹת צֹאנֶֽךָ: בָּר֥וּךְ טַנְאֲךָ֖ וּמִשְׁאַרְתֶּֽךָ: בָּר֥וּךְ אַתָּ֖ה בְּבֹאֶ֑ךָ וּבָר֥וּךְ אַתָּ֖ה בְּצֵאתֶֽךָ:

If you truly listen to the voice of the Eternal your God, and observe carefully all God’s precepts which I command you this day, then all these blessings will come to you: Blessed will you be in the city and blessed will you be in the country; blessed will be your basket and your kneading trough; blessed will you be in your coming, and blessed will you be in your going. (from Deuteronomy 28:1-6)

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָֹ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר: לח דַּבֵּ֞ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם וְעָשׂ֨וּ לָהֶ֥ם צִיצִ֛ת עַל־כַּנְפֵ֥י בִגְדֵיהֶ֖ם לְדֹֽרֹתָ֑ם וְנָֽתְנ֛וּ עַל־צִיצִ֥ת הַכָּנָ֖ף פְּתִ֥יל תְּכֵֽלֶת: וְהָיָ֣ה לָכֶם֘ לְצִיצִת֒ וּרְאִיתֶ֣ם אֹת֗וֹ וּזְכַרְתֶּם֙ אֶת־כָּל־מִצְוֹ֣ת יְהֹוָ֔ה וַֽעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם וְלֹ֨א תָת֜וּרוּ אַֽחֲרֵ֤י לְבַבְכֶם֙ וְאַֽחֲרֵ֣י עֵֽינֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־אַתֶּ֥ם זֹנִ֖ים אַֽחֲרֵיהֶֽם:

Vayomer Adonai el mosheh leimor. Dabeir el b'nei yisra-eil v'amarta aleihem, v'asu lahem tzitzit al kanfei vigdeihem l'dorotam, v'nat'nu al tzitzit hakanaf p'til t'cheilet. V'hayah lachem l'tzitzit, ur'item oto uz'chartem et kol mitzvat Adonai, va-asitem otam, v'lo taturu acharei l'vavchem v'acharei eineichem, asher atem zonim achareihem. L'ma-an tizk'ru va-asitem et kol mitzvotay, vihyitem k'doshim leiloheichem.

The Eternal spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to the Israelite people and tell them that they should make tzitzit (fringes) for themselves on the corners of their garments, attaching to the tzitzit of each corner a blue thread. Tell them, ‘These tzitzit are fringes to help you remember and do all the commandments of the Eternal so that whenever you look at them you will not pursue the desires of your heart and the temptations of your eyes that have often led you astray.’” (Numbers 15:37-39)

לְמַ֣עַן תִּזְכְּר֔וּ וַֽעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֶת־כָּל־מִצְוֹתָ֑י וִֽהְיִיתֶ֥ם קְדֹשִׁ֖ים לֵאלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם: אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם: אֲנִ֞י יְהוָֹ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצֵ֤אתִי אֶתְכֶם֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם לִהְי֥וֹת לָכֶ֖ם לֵֽאלֹהִ֑ים אֲנִ֖י יְהוָֹ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם. יְהוָֹ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם אֶמֶת . . .

L‘ma-an tizk‘ru va-asitem et kol mitzvotay, vihyitem k‘doshim leiloheichem. Ani Adonai eloheichem, asher hotzeiti etchem mei-eretz mitzrayim, lihyot lachem leilohim, ani Adonai eloheichem. Adonai eloheichem emet . . .

Therefore, remember and do all My commandments and be holy to your God. I am the Eternal, your God, who led you out of the Land of Egypt to be your God. I am the Eternal, your God. (Numbers 15:40-41)

FOR PESACH:

The Song of Freedom

When did we leave Egypt
And when did Egypt leave us?
When were the chains of slavery broken
And when did we finally truly feel free?

Freedom came in steps
It was part of the journey
From Egypt to Canaan
Our people took
And we can still take.

Freedom is courage and hope and clear vision
Freedom is walking to places we can’t see
Freedom is knowing that we can find food in the desert
Freedom is feeling safe though our houses are booths
Freedom is choosing good rules to live by
And freedom is singing our very own song.

So with Moses and Miriam and all those who went with them
With all those before us who brought us to today
We still sing these words, our first words of freedom
“Freedom is having no sovereign but God.”
(Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

FOR SHAVUOT:

Sinai is larger than mountain,
Sinai is greater than a destination,
Sinai is more than a rest on journey.
Sinai is a meeting place, an encounter, a conversation
An experience, a moment, an eternity
A window, a mirror, a book, a song.

Sinai is a wedding
Of hearts and minds, of hands and eyes, of memories and dreams,
Of sin and forgiveness, of compassion and expectation,
Of justice and mercy, of family and faith,
Of a people and its God.

Sinai is freedom through responsibility,

liberty through law,

life through love.

Sinai is where children became students,

parents became teachers,
Moses became a rabbi, and God’s will became known.

Sinai is where the God’s silent voice sounded,
Where God’s thundering was seen,
Where God’s rays were heard,
Where the earth shook and all was silent.

Sinai is where the Redeemed People assembled,
Facing the One who is before One and beyond All,
And listened, followed and understood.
(Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

FOR SUKKOT

We can worship on God’s holy mountain,
We can enter into God’s sacred place,
And we can build a Tabernacle in our own back yards,
Or not, and gain little but a bit of time
And lose much:

Real things like beauty, friendship, love,
A sense of accomplishment, self-awareness,
And a good reason to celebrate the blessings of life
Which is why we were blessed with time anyway.

Anyplace can be holy if we take the time to sanctify it.
God’s holy mountain is not hard to climb.
Torah is not in heaven.
Truth is not found in a far-off land.

Our Sukkah does not have to be substantial to be strong
Or elaborate to be festive
Or expensive to be beautiful.

Our Sukkah is nothing more than a small space,
Walled with trust, roofed with stars,
Open to the world, filled with love.

Our Sukkah is the place where we meet each other
Climbing God’s mountain,
Only to find that we have already reached the peak.
(Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

FOR SHEMINI ATZERET:

Time passes, seasons change,
Our hopes are transformed into memories.
Like the Torah, our days flow
From what will be to what was
And then back again –
Our stories retold,
Our lives recalled,
Our dreams remembered.

Only by passing through the gates of time do we live.
Only by crossing seas of life do we thrive.
Only by going forward are we saved.

The sacred days, the holy days, the special days are ending,
And we are returning to the ticking of life’s clock,
The rhythm of life’s dance.
The beat of life’s march.

Singing our people’s song of freedom,
Our ancient words to our modern beat,
We join Moses and Miriam at the shore of the Sea
And proclaim with love,
Our unique God, our special destiny and our people’s hope.
(Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

FOR SIMCHAT TORAH:

Tz’man Simcheinu – It is our season of joy.
We should only meet for simchahs – for happy times,
But it is a great mitzvah to be sameiach – happy – at all times
So wherever we are in every season, day and hour let us be happy.

Today is Simchat Torah – the time to rejoice with the Torah:
The words on the scroll, the meditations of our sages,
The wisdom of our teachers and the celebration of our souls.

Today is Simchat Torah – the time to rejoice with the Torah:
To find strength in words
Inspiration in its teachings
Guidance in its directives
And hope in its vision.

Today is Simchat Torah – the end of our festivals
The time to move on, to go ahead, to march on
Into life
With love, and with hope and with joy
And with our people’s song of freedom.

(Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

MEE CHA-MOCHAH / מי כמכה

מִי כָמֹֽכָה בָּאֵלִם יְיָ,
מִי כָּמֹֽכָה נֶאְדָּר בַּקֹּֽדֶשׁ,
נוֹרָא תְהִלֹּת עֹֽשֵׂה פֶֽלֶא:

Mi chamochah ba-eilim Adonai,
Mi kamochah nedar bakodesh,
Nora t'hilot, Oseih fele.

Who is like You, God, among the exalted?
Who is like You, glorious and holy,
Awesome, praiseworthy, doing wonders?

שִׁירָה חֲדָשָׁה שִׁבְּחוּ גְאוּלִים לְשִׁמְךָ עַל שְׂפַת הַיָּם, יַֽחַד כֻּלָּם הוֹדוּ וְהִמְלִֽיכוּ וְאָמְרוּ:

Shirah chadashah shib'chu g'ulim l'shimcha al s'fat hayam, Yachad kulam hodu v'himlichu v'am'ru:

Singing a new song, our newly freed ancestors declared your sovereignty:

יְיָ יִמְלֹךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:

Adonai yimloch l'olam va-ed.

The Eternal shall rule forever and ever!

צוּר יִשְׂרָאֵל, קֽוּמָה בְּעֶזְרַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, וּפְדֵה כִּנְאֻמֶֽךָ יְהוּדָה וְיִשְׂרָאֵל. גֹּאֲלֵֽנוּ יְיָ צְבָאוֹת שְׁמוֹ, קְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ גָּאַל יִשְׂרָאֵל:

Tzur yisra-eil, kumah b'ezrat yisra-eil, uf'deih chinumecha y'hudah v'yisra-eil. Goaleinu Adonai tz'va-ot sh'mo, k'dosh yisra-eil. Baruch atah Adonai ga-al yisra-eil.

Rock of Israel, rise up to help the people Israel and deliver Judah and all the other tribes of Israel as You have promised. You are our Redeemer. You whose name is Adonai Tzvaot, Master of the Heavenly Hosts, You are the Holy One of Israel. We bless and honor You, our Eternal Source of Freedom, redeemer of Israel!

HATIFILA / התפילה

אֲדֹנָי שְׂפָתַי תִּפְתָּח וּפִי יַגִּיד תְּהִלָּתֶךָ:

Adonay s'fatai tiftach,ufi yagid t'hilatecha.

O Dear God, open now my lips,
so that my mouth may declare Your praises! (Psalm 51:17)

AVOT V’IMAHOT / אבות ואמהות

GOD OF OUR ANCESTORS

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu veilohei avoteinu vimoteinu elohei Avraham, elohei Yitzchak, veilohei Ya-akov, elohei Sarah, elohei Rivka, elohei Leia, veilohei Racheil. ha-eil hagadol hagibor v'hanora, eil elyon, gomeil chasadim tovim, v'koneih hakol, v'zocheir chasdei avot v’imahot, umeivi g’ula livnei v'neihem, l'ma-an sh'mo b'ahavah. Melech ozeir umoshi-a umagein. Baruch atah Adonai, magein Avraham ve -ezrat Sarah.

We bless and praise You, Eternal One, our God and God of our ancestors; God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, God of Sarah, God of Rebecca, God of Rachel and God of Leah. You are the great, mighty and awesome God. You are God most high. You are the source of all good deeds of loving-kindness, the one who establishes all. You recall the devotion of our ancestors, and with love You will bring redemption to their children’s children, for the sake of Your name. You are the Sovereign One who aids, saves and protects. We bless and praise You, Eternal One, Abraham’s shield and Sarah’s help.

GEVUROT / גבורות
GOD WHOSE MIGHT WE SEE IN ALL CREATION

אַתָּה גִּבּוֹר לְעוֹלָם אֲדֹנָי, מְחַיֵּה הַכֹּל אַֽתָּה, רַב לְהוֹשִֽׁיעַ:

[בחורף: מַשִּׁיב הָרֽוּחַ וּמוֹרִיד הַגָּֽשֶׁם:]

מְכַלְכֵּל חַיִּים בְּחֶֽסֶד, מְחַיֵּה הַכֹּל בְּרַחֲמִים רַבִּים, סוֹמֵךְ נוֹפְלִים, וְרוֹפֵא חוֹלִים, וּמַתִּיר אֲסוּרִים, וּמְקַיֵּם אֱמוּנָתוֹ לִישֵׁנֵי עָפָר, מִי כָמֽוֹךָ בַּֽעַל גְּבוּרוֹת וּמִי דֽוֹמֶה לָּךְ, מֶֽלֶךְ מֵמִית וּמְחַיֶּה וּמַצְמִֽיחַ יְשׁוּעָה: וְנֶאֱמָן אַתָּה לְהַחֲיוֹת הַכֹּל. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מְחַיֵּה הַכֹּל:

Atah gibor l'olam adonay, m'chayeih hakol atah, rav l'hoshi-a.

(From Simchat Torah to Pesach: Mashiv haruach umorid hageshem.)

M'chalkeil chayim b'chesed, m'chayeih hakol b'rachamim rabim, someich nof'lim, v'rofei cholim, umatir asurim, um'kayeim emunato lisheinei afar, mi chamocha ba-al g'vurot umi domeh lach, melech meimit um'chayeh umatzmi-ach y'shuah. V'ne-eman atah l'hachayot hakol. Baruch atah Adonai, m'chayeih hakol.

You are mighty forever, Dear God. You renew all life.

[From Simchat Torah to Pesach: You cause the wind to blow and the rain to fall.]

You are great in deliverance. You sustain all life with loving-kindness. You renew all life with great compassion, lifting up those who fall, healing the ill, freeing the captives, and keeping faith with those asleep in the dust. Who is like You, Master of Power? Who is similar to You, Sovereign Source of Life and Death, and who makes way for redemption? Who is like You, Fountain of Compassion, who with mercy recalls all creatures to life? You are the faithful source of all life. We bless and praise You, Eternal One, who brings life to all.

KEDUSHAH / קדושה
GOD WHO DWELLS IN HOLINESS

נְקַדֵּשׁ אֶת שִׁמְךָ בָּעוֹלָם, כְּשֵׁם שֶׁמַּקְדִּישִׁים אוֹתוֹ בִּשְׁמֵי מָרוֹם, כַּכָּתוּב עַל יַד נְבִיאֶֽךָ: וְקָרָא זֶה אֶל זֶה וְאָמַר:

N'kadeish et shimcha shemakdishim oto bishmei marom, ba-olam, k'sheim kakatuv al yad n'vi-echa, v'kara zeh el zeh v'amar:

We declare the holiness of Your Name in this world, while the angels sanctify it in the exalted heavens, as it is written by the hand of Your prophet, “And the angels cried out to each other,

קָדוֹשׁ,קָדוֹשׁ, קָדוֹשׁ יְיָ צְבָאוֹת, מְלֹא כָל־הָאָֽרֶץ כְּבוֹדוֹ.

Kadosh, kadosh, kadosh, adonai tz'va-ot, m'lo chol ha-aretz k'vodo.

"'Holy, holy, holy is the Eternal Ruler of Heaven’s Hosts;
the whole world is full of God’s glory.'” (Isaiah 6:3)

אָז בְּקוֹל רַֽעַשׁ גָּדוֹל, אַדִּיר, וְחָזָק מַשְׁמִיעִים קוֹל, מִתְנַשְּׂאִים לְעֻמַּת שְׂרָפִים, לְעֻמָּתָם בָּרוּךְ יֹאמֵֽרוּ:

Az b'kol ra-ash gadol adir v'chazak, mashmiim kol, mitnasim l'umat s'rafim, l'umatam baruch yomeiru:

And then with a tremendous, mighty and powerful sound
the companies of Seraphim proclaim to each other,

בָּרוּךְ כְּבוֹד יְיָ מִמְּקוֹמוֹ.

Baruch k'vod adonai mim'komo.

“Blessed is the Eternal’s glorious presence which flows from every place of encounter with God!” (Ezekiel 3:12)

מִמְּקוֹמְךָ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ תוֹפִֽיעַ, וְתִמְלֹךְ עָלֵֽינוּ, כִּי מְחַכִּים אֲנַֽחְנוּ לָךְ. מָתַי תִּמְלֹךְ בְּצִיּוֹן, בְּקָרוֹב בְּיָמֵֽינוּ, לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד תִּשְׁכּוֹן. תִּתְגַּדַּל וְתִתְקַדַּשׁ בְּתוֹךְ יְרוּשָׁלַֽיִם עִירְךָ, לְדוֹר וָדוֹר וּלְנֵֽצַח נְצָחִים.

Mim'kom'cha malkeinu tofi-a, v'timloch aleinu, ki m'chakim anachnu lach. Matai timloch b'tziyon, b'karov b'yameinu, l'olam va-ed tishkon. Titgadal v'titkadash b'toch y'rushalayim ir'cha, l'dor vador ul'neitzach n'tzachim.

Appear now from Your holy place, our Sovereign One, and reign over us, for we are waiting for You. When will You reign in Zion? May it happen soon, in our own days. May You dwell there forever. May You be exalted and sanctified in Jerusalem, Your city, for all generations and for all eternity.

וְעֵינֵֽינוּ תִרְאֶֽינָה מַלְכוּתֶֽךָ, כַּדָּבָר הָאָמוּר בְּשִׁירֵי עֻזֶּֽךָ, עַל יְדֵי דָוִד מְשִֽׁיחַ צִדְקֶֽךָ:

V'eineinu tirenah malchutecha, kadavar ha-amur b'shirei uzecha, al y'dei David m'shi-ach tzidkecha:

May our eyes see the return of Your dominion, as it is said in the powerful songs of King David, Your rightfully anointed one.

יִמְלֹךְ יְיָ לְעוֹלָם, אֱלֹהַֽיִךְ צִיּוֹן לְדֹר וָדֹר, הַלְלוּיָהּ.

Yimloch adonai l'olam, elohayich tziyon, l'dor vador, hal'luyah.

“The Eternal will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations. Hallelujah!” (Psalm 146:10)

לְדוֹר וָדוֹר נַגִּיד גָּדְלֶֽךָ, וּלְנֵֽצַח נְצָחִים קְדֻשָּׁתְךָ נַקְדִּישׁ, וְשִׁבְחֲךָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, מִפִּֽינוּ לֹא יָמוּשׁ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד, כִּי אֵל מֶֽלֶךְ גָּדוֹל וְקָדוֹש אָֽתָּה. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, הָאֵל הַקָּדוֹשׁ.

L'dor vador nagid god'lecha, ul'neitzach n'tzachim k'dushat'cha nakdish, v'shivchacha, eloheinu, mipinu lo yamush l'olam va-ed, ki eil melech gadol v'kadosh atah. Baruch atah Adonai, ha-eil [ha-melech] hakadosh.

From one generation to the next we proclaim Your greatness and for all eternities we declare Your holiness. May Your praise, Dear God, never depart from our mouths because You are the great and holy sovereign God. We bless You and praise You as the holy God.

PRAYERS FOR OUR FESTIVALS / על החגים

For Pesach

This is the season of freedom. We celebrate with family and friends our people’s liberation from slavery in Egypt and our hope for a time when all will be free. Freedom is an awesome responsibility. It is a gift that was purchased at a great price. As we acknowledge the miracle of liberty, let us not forget the countless individuals who from generation to generation struggled so hard that the promise of the Exodus be fulfilled for us and for people all over the world.
Dear God help us to be worthy of the gift of freedom. May we always cherish our liberties. May we strive to overthrow all forms of slavery and oppression as we make the promise of freedom a reality for all in Your world. Amen. (Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

For Shavuot

Dear God open our ears and uncover our eyes to Your word today as you did for our ancestors so long ago as they gathered at the foot of Mount Sinai to harken to your call.

Your word to us, the Torah, is a light to our eyes and a blessing to our souls. May we always find new ways to keep its eternal truths at the center of our lives. May we listen so that we can do Your will in this world so that our lives will be full of meaning and we will be able to share Your love with all Your creatures today and everyday. Amen

(Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

For Sukkot

This is the season of joy. We give thanks for the gift of the harvest, for our wonderful earth and for the dream of a better world to come. May the time we spend in the Sukkah, the fragile harvest booth, remind us of our dependency on You, Dear God, as well as of the others who depend on us.

Keep us aware of Your presence in our lives as we strive to make the blessings of Your world available to all Your children so that soon we will all be able to celebrate a world of peace and fellowship in Jerusalem, Your holy city. Amen. (Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

For Shemini Atzeret

As we gather at the end of our sacred season, we give thanks for the blessings of our festivals. We are grateful the time we were able to spend with family and friends as we strengthen the bonds of love that tie us to each other. We are thankful for the opportunity to review our life’s journey, to give thanks for our blessings and to dream of the future for us, our loved ones and our people. May we never fail to appreciate the blessings of life, love and faith as our life journey unfolds. Bless us with serenity and peace, today and everyday. Amen! (Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

For Simchat Torah

This is a time of endings and beginnings. The cycle of the Torah has come to an end and begins once again. As we look back upon this past year we are amazed at how much we have seen, how much we have learned. We have truly grown in wisdom and insight. We see our lives, our tradition and our Torah in a new light. May we be renewed this year for a life of understanding and wisdom as we hear the ancient words of our Torah with renewed strength, courage, hope and vitality. Amen. (Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

MEDITATIONS ON PEACE

For Pesach

So God
We really don’t want much,
Just Shalom,
Which is nothing more than
Peace, goodness and blessings
Love, mercy and compassion
All mixed together,
For us, for all Jewish people, and for all the world,
If You don’t mind.

It’s really not all that much.
All You need to do is shine down upon us,
Just a bit,
Because with Your light, we’ll find what we need . . .
The Torah of Life, Love and Mercy
And Charity, Blessing, Compassion, Vitality and Peace.
So that then, at every moment, and every hour
We will know Your blessing of Shalom. (Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

For Shavuot

All Torah’s Paths are Paths of Peace
True peace cannot be found on a one-way street.
It’s a bit more real on a single line rail tracks
If there are turn asides to let trains pass.
Four way intersections train us to take turns.
Stop signs and traffic lights and turning lanes and rest stops
promote real peace.
Good rules and good feelings and a little sense
Make for safe driving.
But true peace can only be found when traffic moves
Smoothly through a crowded city,
Or quickly down an eight lane freeway.
No grid jams, no fender benders, no blasting of horns
Granting the right of way, being alert, forgiving others,
Both hands on the wheel and not riding the brakes
Moving together, not bumping each other on our different journeys
To the same final goal
That’s peace! That’s coming home! (Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

For Sukkot

But in the end of days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the Eternal’s house shall be established as the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow unto it.

And many nations shall go and say: “Come and let us go up to the Eternal’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob; and God will teach us of God’s ways, and we will walk in those sacred paths;” for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the Eternal’s word from Jerusalem.

And God will rule among the many peoples, and shall decide concerning mighty nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

But they shall sit every one under his vine and under his fig-tree; and none shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Eternal Sovereign of the Heavenly Hosts has spoken. (Micah 4:1-4)

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, הַמְבָרֵךְ אֶת עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּשָּׁלוֹם.

You are truly blessed, Beloved God, who blesses Your people Israel with peace.

PRAYER FOR PEACE /ברכת שלום

שִׂים שָׁלוֹם טוֹבָה וּבְרָכָה, חֵן וָחֶֽסֶד וְרַחֲמִים, עָלֵֽינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל עַמֶּֽךָ. בָּרְכֵֽנוּ, אָבִֽינוּ, כֻּלָּֽנוּ כְּאֶחָד בְּאוֹר פָּנֶֽיךָ, כִּי באוֹר פָּנֶֽיךָ נָתַֽתָּ לָּֽנוּ, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, תּוֹרַת חַיִּים וְאַֽהֲבַת חֶֽסֶד, וּצְדָקָה וּבְרָכָה וְרַחֲמִים וְחַיִּים וְשָׁלוֹם, וְטוֹב בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ לְבָרֵךְ אֶת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּכָל עֵת וּבְכָל שָׁעָה בִּשְׁלוֹמֶֽךָ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ, עוֹשֵׂה הַשָּׁלוֹם.

Sim shalom tovah uv'rachah, chein vachesed v'rachamim, aleinu v'al kol yisra-eil amecha. Bar'cheinu, avinu, kulanu k'echad b'or panecha, ki v'or panecha natata lanu, Adonai eloheinu, torat chayim v'ahavat chesed, utz'dakah uv'rachah v'rachamim v'chayim v'shalom, v'tov b'einecha l'vareich et am'cha yisra-eil b'chol eit uv'chol sha-ah bishlomecha. Baruch atah Adonai, oseh hashalom.

Let peace, goodness, blessing, grace, favor, and compassion flow upon us and upon all Your people Israel. Bless all of us as one, Divine Source of Peace, with Your light, because through Your light You have given us the Torah of Life, and Loving-kindness, the source of justice, blessing, mercy, vitality, and peace. May it be pleasing to You to bless Your people Israel at every hour and every moment with Your gift of peace. We bless and praise You, Dear God, as the one who establishes peace.

יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי פִי וְהֶגְיוֹן לִבִּי לְפָנֶֽיךָ, יְיָ צוּרִי וְגוֹאֲלִי.

Yihyu l'ratzon imrei fi v'hegyon libi l'fanecha, Adonai tzuri v'goali.

May all of the prayerful words which I have spoken or felt within my heart be acceptable to You, my God, because You are Rock that anchors me and the Power that sets me free.

עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו
הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ
וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַל כָּל יוֹשְׁבֵי תֵבֵל, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:

Oseh shalom bimromav,
hu ya-aseh shalom aleinu
v'al kol yisra-eil, v'imru amein.

May the One who makes peace in the high heavens, make peace for us, for all Israel and for all who dwell on earth
and let us say, “Amen!”

HALLEL/ הלל

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּֽנוּ לִקְרֹא אֶת הַהַלֵּל.

Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu likro et hahaleil.

We bless you and praise you our Eternal God, sovereign of all, who has shown us how to live lives of goodness and beauty through Your mitzvot, Your directives, and who has directed us to recite the Hallel, the Psalms of Praise.

FROM PSALM 114

הַלְלוּיָהּ, הַלְלוּ עַבְדֵי יְיָ,
הַלְלוּ אֶת שֵׁם יְיָ:
יְהִי שֵׁם יְיָ מְבֹרָךְ
מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם:

Hal'luyah, hal'lu avdei Adonai,
hal'lu et sheim Adonai.
Y'hi sheim Adonai m'vorach,
mei-atah v'ad olam.

Hallelujah, Give praise, you servants of the Eternal
Praise God’s name.

Let the Eternal’s name be blessed,
Now and forever

PSALM 115

בְּצֵאת יִשְׂרָאֵל מִמִּצְרָֽיִם,
בֵּית יַעֲקֹב מֵעַם לֹעֵז.

B'tzeit yisra-eil mimitzrayim,
beit ya-akov mei-am loeiz.

הָיְתָה יְהוּדָה לְקָדְשׁוֹ,
יִשְׂרָאֵל מַמְשְׁלוֹתָיו.

hay'tah y'hudah l'kod'sho,
yisra-eil mamsh'lotav.

הַיָּם רָאָה וַיָּנֹס,
הַיַּרְדֵּן יִסֹּב לְאָחוֹר:

Hayam ra-ah vayanos,
hayardein yisov l'achor.

הֶהָרִים רָקְדוּ כְאֵילִים,
גְּבָעוֹת כִּבְנֵי צֹאן.

Heharim rak'du ch'eilim,
g'va-ot kivnei tzon.

מַה לְּךָ הַיָּם כִּי תָנוּס
הַיַּרְדֵּן תִּסֹּב לְאָחוֹר.

Mah l'cha hayam ki tanus,
hayardein tisov l'achor.

הֶהָרִים תִּרְקְדוּ כְאֵילִים,
גְּבָעוֹת כִּבְנֵי צֹאן.

Heharim tirk'du ch'eilim,
g'va-ot kivnei tzon.

מִלִּפְנֵי אָדוֹן חֽוּלִי אָֽרֶץ,
מִלִּפְנֵי אֱלֽוֹהַּ יַעֲקֹב.

Milifnei adon chuli aretz,
milifnei eloha ya-akov.

הַהֹפְכִי הַצּוּר אֲגַם מָֽיִם,
חַלָּמִישׁ לְמַעְיְנוֹ מָֽיִם:

Hahof'chi hatzur agam mayim,
chalamish l'may'no mayim.

When Israel went forth from Egypt,
the household of Jacob from a people of a foreign tongue.

Judah became God’s holy place,
Israel became God’s dominion.

The sea saw and fled,
The Jordan turned back its flow
The mountains danced like rams,
The hills pranced like young lambs.

Sea, why do you run away?
Jordan, why do you reverse your flow?
Mountains, why do you dance like rams?
Hills, why do you prance like young lambs?

Tremble, earth before the Mighty One, before the God of Jacob,
Who turns hard rock into a pool of water, flint into a bubbling spring.

PSALM 117

הַלְלוּ אֶת יְיָ, כָּל גּוֹיִם,
שַׁבְּחֽוּהוּ כָּל הָאֻמִּים.
כִּי גָבַר עָלֵֽינוּ חַסְדּוֹ,
וֶאֱמֶת יְיָ לְעוֹלָם, הַלְלוּיָהּ:

Hal'lu et Adonai, kol goyim,
shab'chuhu, kol haumim.
Ki gavar aleinu chasdo,
ve-emet Adonai l'olam, hal'luyah!

Let all nations praise the Eternal
Let all people glorify God
Because God’s compassion overwhelms us
And God’s truth is everlasting – Hallelujah!

FROM PSALM 118

הוֹדוּ לַייָ כִּי טוֹב, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ:
יֹאמַר נָא יִשְׂרָאֵל, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ:
יֹאמְרוּ נָא בֵית אַהֲרֹן, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ:
יֹאמְרוּ נָא יִרְאֵי יְיָ, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ:

Hodu l'Adonai ki tov, ki l'olam chasdo.
Yomar na yisra-eil, ki l'olam chasdo.
Yomru na veit aharon, ki l'olam chasdo.
Yomru na yirei Adonai, ki l'olam chasdo.

Give thanks to the Eternal, who is good, whose love is everlasting

Let Israel declare, “God’s love is everlasting.”

Let the House of Aaron proclaim, “God’s love is everlasting.”

Let all those who revere God confess, “God’s love is everlasting.”

מִן הַמֵּצַר קָרָֽאתִי יָּהּ,
עָנָֽנִי בַמֶּרְחָב יָהּ.

Min hameitzar karati yah,
anani vamerchav yah

When I was bound up in my troubles I called out, “Dear God!”
God answered me and set me free.

פִּתְחוּ לִי שַׁעֲרֵי צֶֽדֶק, אָבֹא בָם אוֹדֶה יָהּ.
זֶה הַשַּֽׁעַר לַייָ, צַדִּיקִים יָבֹֽאוּ בוֹ.

Pitchu li sha-arei tzedek, avo vam odeh yah.
Zeh hasha-ar l’Adonai, tzadikim yavou vo,

Open the Gates of Righteousness for me so that I may enter and thank our Eternal God
This is surely the Eternal’s gate, let all who are righteous come in.

אוֹדְךָ כִּי עֲנִיתָֽנִי, וַתְּהִי לִי לִישׁוּעָה

Od'cha ki anitani, vat'hi li lishuah

I thank you for answering me. It was You who saved me.

אֶֽבֶן מָאֲסוּ הַבּוֹנִים, הָיְתָה לְרֹאשׁ פִּנָּה.

Even ma-asu habonim, hay'tah l'rosh pinah.

The stone the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.

מֵאֵת יְיָ הָֽיְתָה זֹּאת,
הִיא נִפְלָאת בְּעֵינֵֽינוּ.

Mei-eit Adonai hay'tah zot,
hi niflat b'eineinu.

This is from Adonai. It is a marvel before my eyes.

זֶה הַיּוֹם עָשָׂה יְיָ,
נָגִֽילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה בוֹ.

Zeh hayom asah Adonai,
nagilah v'nism'chah vo.

This is the day Adonai, has made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it.

אָנָּא יְיָ הוֹשִֽׁיעָה נָּא:
אָנָּא יְיָ הוֹשִֽׁיעָה נָּא:
אָנָּא יְיָ הַצְלִיחָה נָא:
אָנָּא יְיָ הַצְלִיחָה נָא:

Ana Adonai hoshi-ah na.
Ana Adonai hoshi-ah na.
Ana Adonai hatzlichah na.
Ana Adonai hatzlichah na.

Adonai, save us now! Adonai, save us now!
Adonai, let us succeed now! Adonai, let us succeed now!

בָּרוּךְ הַבָּא בְּשֵׁם יְיָ,
בֵּרַכְנוּכֶם מִבֵּית יְיָ.

Baruch haba b'sheim Adonai,
beirachnuchem mibeit Adonai.

Blessed is the one who comes in Adonai’s name.
We bless you from Adonai’s house

אֵל יְיָ וַיָּֽאֶר לָֽנוּ ,אִסְרוּ חַג בַּעֲבֹתִים,עַד קַרְנוֹת הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ.
אֵל יְיָ וַיָּֽאֶר לָֽנוּ ,אִסְרוּ חַג בַּעֲבֹתִים,עַד קַרְנוֹת הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ.

Eil Adonai vaya-er lanu,isru chag ba-avotim ad karnot hamizbei-ach.
Eil Adonai vaya-er lanu,isru chag ba-avotim ad karnot hamizbei-ach.

Adonai is God, our source of light!
Let us celebrate with leafy branches to the corners of God’s altar.

אֵלִי אַתָּה וְאוֹדֶֽךָ, אֱלֹהַי אֲרוֹמְמֶֽךָּ.
אֵלִי אַתָּה וְאוֹדֶֽךָ, אֱלֹהַי אֲרוֹמְמֶֽךָּ.

Eili atah v'odeka, elohai arom'meka.
Eili atah v'odeka, elohai arom'meka.

You are my God, and I will thank You;
You are my God, I will exalt You.

הוֹדוּ לַייָ כִּי טוֹב, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ.
הוֹדוּ לַייָ כִּי טוֹב, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ.

Hodu l'Adonai ki tov, ki l'olam chasdo.
Hodu l'Adonai ki tov, ki l'olam chasdo.

Praise Adonai, who is good, whose love is everlasting!

In joyous song, we, Your people, the family of Israel, join our voices with those of all creation in singing praises to You, Dear God, for the everlasting blessings of life, love, hope and peace.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מֶֽלֶךְ מְהֻלָּל בַּתִּשְׁבָּחוֹת.

Baruch atah Adonai, melech m'hulal batishbachot.

We bless You, Dear God, whose sovereignty is seen through our praises.

TORAH SERVICE

וַאֲנִי תְפִלָּתִי לְךָ יְיָ עֵת רָצוֹן, אֱלֹהִים בְּרָב חַסְדֶּֽךָ, עֲנֵֽנִי בֶּאֱמֶת יִשְׁעֶֽךָ.

May I pray to You, Dear God, in a favorable moment,

and may you, Dear God, answer me in love with Your saving truth. (Psalm 69:14)

אֵין כָּמֽוֹךָ בָאֱלֹהִים, יְיָ, וְאֵין כְּמַעֲשֶֽׂיךָ. מַלְכוּתְךָ מַלְכוּת כָּל עֹלָמִים, וּמֶמְשַׁלְתְּךָ בְּכָל דֹּר וָדֹר.

Ein kamocha va-elohim, Adonai, v'ein k'ma-asecha. Malchut'cha malchut kol olamim, umemshalt'cha b'chol dor vador.

There is none like You, Dear God, and no works can compare to Your own. (Psalm 86:8) Your dominion encompasses all worlds and Your sovereignty extends throughout the generations. (Psalm 145:13)

יְיָ מֶֽלֶךְ, יְיָ מָלָךְ, יְיָ יִמְלֹךְ לְעֹלָם וָעֶד. יְיָ עֹז לְעַמּוֹ יִתֵּן, יְיָ יְבָרֵךְ אֶת עַמּוֹ בַשָּׁלוֹם.

Adonai melech, Adonai malach, Adonai yimloch l'olam va-ed. Adonai oz l'amo yitein, Adonai y'vareich et amo vashalom

The Eternal One rules now, then and forever. The Eternal One blesses God’s people with Shalom, Peace. (Psalm 29:11)

אַב הָרַחֲמִים, הֵיטִֽיבָה בִרְצֽוֹנְךָ אֶת צִיּוֹן, תִּבְנֶה חוֹמוֹת יְרוּשָׁלָֽיִם. כִּי בְךָ לְבַד בָּטָֽחְנוּ, מֶֽלֶךְ אֵל רָם וְנִשָּׂא, אֲדוֹן עוֹלָמִים.

Av harachamim, heitivah virtzon'cha et tziyon, tivneh chomot y'rushalayim. Ki v'cha l'vad batach'nu, melech eil ram v'nisa, adon olamim.

May the Source of Compassion, who showers Zion with goodness, fortify Jerusalem, because we have placed our trust only in You, the high and exalted Sovereign One, Ruler of All Worlds.

וַיְהִי בִּנְסֹֽעַ הָאָרֹן וַיֹּֽאמֶר משֶׁה: קוּמָה יְיָ, וְיָפֻֽצוּ אֹיְבֶֽיךָ, וְיָנֻֽסוּ מְשַׂנְאֶֽיךָ מִפָּנֶֽיךָ:

Vay'hi binsoa ha-aron vayomer mosheh, kumah, Adonai, v'yafutzu oy'vecha, v'yanusu m'sanecha mipanecha.

And it was when the Holy Ark set forth, Moses declared:
“Rise up, Almighty God, and disperse Your enemies;
May all who hate You flee from Your presence.” (Numbers 10:35)

כִּי מִצִּיּוֹן תֵּצֵא תוֹרָה , וּדְבַר יְיָ מִירוּשָלָֽיִם: בָּרוּךְ שֶׁנָּתַן תּוֹרָה לְעַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּקְדֻשָּׁתוֹ:

Ki mitziyon teitzei torah, ud'var Adonai mirushalayim. Baruch shenatan torah l'amo yisra-eil bikdushato.

Torah will come forth out of Zion, and the Eternal One’s word from Jerusalem, Your holy city. (Isaiah 2:3) Blessed is the One who, as a manifestation of His holiness, gave the Torah to His people Israel.

יְיָ, יְיָ, אֵל רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן, אֶֽרֶךְ אַפַּֽיִם וְרַב חֶֽסֶד וֶאֱמֶת.

נֹצֵר חֶֽסֶד לָאֲלָפִים, נֹשֵׂא עָוֹן וָפֶֽשַׁע וְחַטָּאָה, וְנַקֵּה.

Adonai, Adonai, eil rachum v'chanun, erech apayim v'rav chesed ve-emet,

notzeir chesed la-alafim, nosei avan vafesha v'chata-ah, v'nakeih.

Adonai! Adonai, the merciful and compassionate God, is slow to anger, and abounding in faithfulness and truth. God keeps faith with thousands, carries away iniquity, transgression, and sins and forgives. (Exodus 34:6-7)

שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, יְיָ אֶחָד.

Sh'ma yisra-eil, Adonai eloheinu, Adonai echad.

Listen well, people of Israel, the Eternal is our God,
the Eternal One Alone! (Deuteronomy 6:4)

אֶחָד אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, גָּדוֹל אֲדוֹנֵֽנוּ, קָדוֹשׁ שְׁמוֹ.

Echad eloheinu, gadol adoneinu, kadosh v'nora sh'mo.

One is Our God, Great is our Sovereign,
Holy is God’s name!

גַּדְּלוּ לַיָי אִתִּי, וּנְרוֹמְמָה שְׁמוֹ יַחְדָּו:

Gad'lu l'Adonai iti, un'rom'mah sh'mo yachdav.

Exalt the Eternal with me! Together let us glorify God’s name! (Psalm 34:4)

לְךָ יְיָ הַגְּדֻלָּה וְהַגְּבוּרָה וְהַתִּפְאֶֽרֶת וְהַנֵּֽצַח וְהַהוֹד, כִּי כֹל בַּשָׁמַֽיִם וּבָאָֽרֶץ: לְךָ יְיָ הַמַּמְלָכָה וְהַמִּתְנַשֵּׂא לכֹל לְרֹאשׁ:

L'cha Adonai hag'dulah v'hag'vurah v'hatiferet v'haneitzach v'hahod, ki chol bashamayim uva-aretz. L'cha Adonai hamamlachah, v'hamitnasei l'chol l'rosh.

To You, Dear God, belong greatness, might, glory, triumph, and splendor, because throughout heaven and earth all dominion is Yours and You are exalted above all creatures. (1 Chronicles 29:11)

רוֹמְמוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לַהֲדֹם רַגְלָיו קָדוֹשׁ הוּא:
רוֹמְמוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, וְהִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְהַר קָדְשׁוֹ, כִּי קָדוֹשׁ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ:

Rom'mu Adonai eloheinu, v'hishtachavu lahadom raglav, kadosh hu.
Rom'mu Adonai eloheinu, v'hishtachavu l'har kad'sho, ki kadosh Adonai eloheinu.

Exalt our Eternal God. Bow down before God’s footstool. Holy is our God! Exalt our Eternal God. Bow down before God’s holy mountain, for holy is our Eternal God. (Psalm 99:5,9)

TORAH BLESSINGS

(Those who receive an aliyah to the Torah say the following blessing.)

בָּרְכוּ אֶת יְיָ הַמְּבֹרָךְ:

Bar'chu et Adonai hamvorach

בָּרוּךְ יְיָ הַמְּבֹרָךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:

Baruch Adonai hamvorach l'olam va-ed

Bless the Blessed Eternal God!
The Blessed Eternal God is blessed now and forever!

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר בָּֽחַר בָּֽנוּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים וְנָֽתַן לָֽנוּ אֶת תּוֹרָתוֹ: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, נוֹתֵן הַתּוֹרָה:

Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher bachar banu mikol ha-amim v'natan lanu et torato. Baruch atah Adonai, notein hatorah.

We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, Ruler of All, who has chosen us by giving us Your Torah. We extol and adore You, Dear God, who gives us the Torah.

(After the section of the Torah is read, those who receive an aliyah recite the following blessing.)

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר נָֽתַן לָֽנוּ תּוֹרַת אֱמֶת, וְחַיֵּי עוֹלָם נָטַע בְּתוֹכֵֽנוּ: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, נוֹתֵן הַתּוֹרָה:

Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher natan lanu torat emet, v'chayei olam nata b'tocheinu. Baruch atah Adonai, notein hatorah.

We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, Ruler of All, who by giving us the Torah of Truth has planted eternal life in our midst. We extol and adore You, Dear God, the One who gives us the Torah.

MEDITATION FOR ONE HONORED WITH AN ALIYAH TO THE TORAH

May the words of the Torah, the Living Word of our Living God, touch my soul and strengthen my spirit. May these sacred words inspire me to live a life that brings blessing and honor to God, my people, my loved ones and myself. May my mind be blessed with insight, my heart with love, and my body with strength today and everyday. Amen.

A PRAYER FOR HEALING

מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ אֲבוֹתֵינוּ וְאִמּוֹתֵנוּ, אַבְרָהָם, יִצְחָק, וְיַעֲקֹב,
שָׂרָה, רִבְקָה, רָחֵל, וְלֵאַה, הוּא יְבָרֵךְ אֶת הַחוֹלִים . . .

May the One who was the source of blessings for our ancestors – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah – be a reservoir of comfort and support for our loved ones and friends who are ill and in need of courage, hope, and strength.

May they experience God’s healing presence in the care they receive from doctors, nurses, therapists, and all helping people, and God’s sustaining love in the best wishes and prayers they receive from family, neighbors, and friends. May all our sick be blessed with a strengthening of body, spirit, heart, and soul, so that they can find purpose, meaning, direction, and love in their lives forever. Amen.

A PRAYER FOR OURSELVES

Dear God, life sometimes seems so hard. Often my body and soul feel burdened by the limitations that challenge me daily. What once seemed so simple, now often feels so complex. Please be my source of strength and comfort as I deal with the challenges of my life. Help me to find some joy and satisfaction in the simple activities of living. Open my eyes to the good which is mine in Your wondrous world so that I may find sustenance in the miracles of each day. Open my heart to others so that I can be a good friend, a supportive neighbor, a productive citizen and a caring contributor to the life of my family, my community, my people and my world. May the simple blessings of living enrich my life and sustain my soul today and every day. Amen.

A PRAYER FOR OUR COUNTRY

Sovereign of All accept with mercy our prayers for our country, our government and all our fellow citizens. Strengthen us in our desire to live according to our values. Guide us in the ways that make for happiness, freedom, tranquility and peace. Remove from us the spirit of jealousy, enmity, hatred and strife. May we always be a beacon for liberty and justice throughout the world and an advocate for peace and democracy in the council of nations. May the Torah’s proclamation of freedom always ring in our hearts – “Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof.” (Leviticus 25:10) Amen.

LIFTING AND BINDING THE TORAH SCROLL

וְזֹאת הַתּוֹרָה אֲשֶׁר שָׂם מֹשֶה לִפְנֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל פִּי יְיָ בְּיַד משֶׁה:

V'zot hatorah asher sam mosheh lifnei b'nei yisra-eil, al pi Adonai b'yad mosheh.

This is the Torah, which Moses presented by his own hand to the Children of Israel upon God’s command. (Deuteronomy 4:44; Numbers 9:13)

HAFTARA BLESSINGS

(Blessing Recited Before Reading the Haftara)

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר בִּנְבִיאִים טוֹבִים, וְרָצָה בְדִבְרֵיהֶם הַנֶאֱמָרִים בֶּאֱמֶת, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, הַבּוֹחֵר בַּתּוֹרָה וּבְמֹשֶׁה עַבְדּוֹ, וּבְיִשְׂרָאֵל עַמּוֹ, וּבִנְבִיאֵי הָאֱמֶת וָצֶֽדֶק.

Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher bachar binviim tovim, v'ratzah v'divreihem hane-emarim be-emet. Baruch atah Adonai, habocheir batorah uv'mosheh avdo, uv'yisra-eil amo, uvinvi-ei ha-emet vatzedek.

We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, Ruler of All, who has selected good prophets and has favored their words that were spoken in truth. We extol and exalt You, Dear God, for choosing the Torah, Your servant Moses, Your people Israel, and Your prophets of truth and righteousness.

(Blessings Recited After Reading the Haftara)

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, צוּר כָּל הָעוֹלָמִים, צַדִּיק בְּכָל הַדּוֹרוֹת, הָאֵל הַנֶּאֱמָן הָאוֹמֵר וְעֹשֶׂה, הַמְדַבֵּר וּמְקַיֵּם, שֶׁכָּל דְּבָרָיו אֱמֶת וָצֶֽדֶק. נֶאֱמָן אַתָּה הוּא יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, וְנֶאֱמָנִים דְּבָרֶֽיךָ, וְדָבָר אֶחָד מִדְּבָרֶֽיךָ אָחוֹר לֹא יָשׁוּב רֵיקָם, כִּי אֵל מֶֽלֶךְ נֶאֱמָן וְרַחֲמָן אָֽתָּה. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, הָאֵל הַנֶּאֱמָן בְּכָל דְּבָרָיו.

Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, tzur kol ha-olamim, tzadik b'chol hadorot, ha-eil hane-eman ha-omeir v'oseh, hamdabeir um'kayeim, shekol d'varav emet vatzedek. Ne-eman atah hu Adonai eloheinu, v'ne-emanim d'varecha, v'davar echad mid'varecha achor lo yashuv reikam, ki eil melech ne-eman vrachaman atah. Baruch atah Adonai, ha-eil hane-eman b'chol d'varav.

We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, Ruler of All. You are the Rock of all Worlds, the Righteous One throughout the generations, and the faithful God who creates by speaking and establishes all by proclamation. All Your words are true and righteous.

You, the Eternal One, our God, is faithful and Your words are trustworthy. Not one of Your past promises shall be found empty because You are the sovereign, faithful and merciful God. We bless and praise You, Eternal One, as the God who is faithful in all God’s words.

רַחֵם עַל צִיּוֹן כִּי הִיא בֵּית חַיֵּֽינוּ, וְלַעֲלֽוּבַת נֶֽפֶשׁ תּוֹשִֽׁיעַ בִּמְהֵרָה בְיָמֵֽינוּ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מְשַׂמֵּֽחַ צִיּוֹן בְּבָנֶֽיהָ.

Racheim al tziyon ki hi beit chayeinu, v'la-aluvat nefesh toshi-a bimheirah v'yameinu. Baruch atah Adonai, m'samei-ach tziyon b'vaneha.

Show mercy to Zion, the spiritual home from which our life flows, and speedily redeem Your city, afflicted in spirit. We bless and praise You, who enables Zion to rejoice with her children.

שַׂמְּחֵֽנוּ, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, בְּאֵלִיָּֽהוּ הַנָּבִיא עַבְדֶּֽךָ, וּבְמַלְכוּת בֵּית דָּוִד מְשִׁיחֶֽךָ, בִּמְהֵרָה יָבֹא וְיָגֵל לִבֵּֽנוּ, עַל כִּסְאוֹ לֹא יֵֽשֶׁב זָר, וְלֹא יִנְחֲלוּ עוֹד אֲחֵרִים אֶת כְּבוֹדוֹ, כִּי בְשֵׁם קָדְשְׁךָ נִשְׁבַּֽעְתָּ לּוֹ שֶׁלֹּא יִכְבֶּה נֵרוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מָגֵן דָּוִד.

Sam'cheinu, Adonai eloheinu, b'eiliyahu hanavi avdecha, uv'malchut beit david m'shichecha, bimheirah yavo v'yageil libeinu, al kiso lo yeishev zar, v'lo yinchalu od acheirim et k'vodo, ki v'sheim kodsh'cha nishbata lo shelo yichbeh neiro l'olam va-ed. Baruch atah Adonai, magein david.

Cause us to rejoice, Eternal One, our God, with Your servant, Elijah the Prophet, and in the renewal of the dominion of the House of David, Your anointed ruler. May Elijah arrive soon and gladden our hearts. May no stranger sit upon David’s throne and may others no longer possess his honored inheritance, because in Your holy name, your vowed to him that his will not forever be extinguished. We bless and praise You as the Shield of David.

לשבת חול המועד פסח: עַל הַתּוֹרָה, וְעַל הָעֲבוֹדָה, וְעַל הַנְּבִיאִים, וְעַל יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת הַזֶּה, שֶׁנָּתַֽתָּ לָּֽנוּ, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, לִקְדֻשָּׁה וְלִמְנוּחָה, לְכָבוֹד וּלְתִפְאָֽרֶת. עַל הַכֹּל, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, אֲנַֽחְנוּ מוֹדִים לָךְ, וּמְבָרְכִים אוֹתָךְ, יִתְבָּרַךְ שִׁמְךָ בְּפִי כָּל חַי תָּמִיד לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מְקַדֵּשׁ הַשַּׁבָּת.

For Shabbat Including Shabbat Chol Ha-Moed Pesach: Al hatorah, v'al ha-avodah, v'al han'viim, v'al yom hashabat hazeh, shenatata lanu, Adonai eloheinu, likdushah v'limnuchah, l'chavod ul'tifaret. Al hakol, Adonai eloheinu, anachnu modim lach', um'var'chim otach, yitbarach shimcha b'fi kol chai tamid l'olam va-ed. Baruch atah Adonai, m'kadeish hashabat.

For the Torah, Your words to us, and for Prayer, our words to You, and for the Prophets who made this conversation a reality, and for this, the Shabbat, which You, Our Eternal God, gave us for honor and glory – for all of this and more, we thank You and bless You, Our Eternal God. May Your name be blessed, continuously, by all life forevermore. We bless and praise You as the One who sanctifies the Shabbat.

לשלש רגלים, ולשבת חול המועד סוכות: עַל הַתּוֹרָה, וְעַל הָעֲבוֹדָה, וְעַל הַנְּבִיאִים, וְעַל יוֹם (לשבת: הַשַּׁבָּת הַזֶּה, וְעַל יוֹם)

חַג הַמַּצּוֹת / חַג הַשָּׁבֻעוֹת / חַג הַסֻּכּוֹת / הַשְּׁמִינִי חַג הָעֲצֶֽרֶת

הַזֶּה, שֶׁנָּתַֽתָּ לָּֽנוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, (לשבת: לִקְדֻשָּׁה וְלִמְנוּחָה,) לְשָׂשׂוֹן וּלְשִׂמְחָה, לְכָבוֹד וּלְתִפְאָֽרֶת. עַל הַכֹּל יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, אֲנַֽחְנוּ מוֹדִים לָךְ, וּמְבָרְכִים אוֹתָךְ, יִתְבָּרַךְ שִׁמְךָ בְּפִי כָּל חַי תָּמִיד לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מְקַדֵּשׁ (לשבת: הַשַּׁבָּת וְ)יִשְׂרָאֵל וְהַזְּמַנִּים.

On Shalosh Regalim and Shabbat Chol Ha-Moed Sukkot: Al hatorah, v'al ha-avodah, v'al han'viim, v'al yom (Shabbat: hashabat hazeh, v'al yom)

Passover: chag hamatzot

Shavuot: chag hashavuot

Sukkot: chag hasukot

Shemini Atzeret - Simchat Torah: hashmini chag ha-atzeret hazeh,

shenatata lanu Adonai eloheinu, (Shabbat: likdushah v'limnuchah,) l'sason ul'simchah, l'chavod ul'tifaret. Al hakol Adonai eloheinu, anachnu modim lach, um'var'chim otach, yitbarach shimcha b'fi kol chai tamid l'olam va-ed. Baruch atah Adonai, m'kadeish (Shabbat: hashabat v') yisra-eil v'haz'manim.

For the Shalosh Regalim and Shabbat Chol Ha-Moed Sukkot: For the Torah, Your words to us, and for Prayer, our words to You, and for the Prophets who made this conversation a reality, (and for the Shabbat) and for the Festival of Pesach / Shavuot / Sukkot / Shmini Atzeret that You, Eternal One, our God, has given us (for holiness and rest, and) for joy and happiness, and for honor and glory – for all of this and more, we thank You and bless You, Our Eternal God. May Your name be blessed, continuously, by all life forevermore.

We bless and praise You, Eternal One, because You have sanctified (the Shabbat,) the Jewish people and the Holy Seasons.

YIZKOR

כִּי־עַזָּה כַמָּוֶת אַהֲבָה

For Love is stronger than Death (Song of Songs 8:6)

Memory brings us together. It ties our present to our past and gives direction to our future. It helps us learn from our mistakes and draw strength from our successes.

We gather today to share our memories: memories of those who have been a part of our lives and who have now gone to their eternal home. They touched our hearts, souls and minds; over the years they shared their lives with us, and we still feel their absence.

We gather today to acknowledge our loss, to share our hurt, and to offer thanksgiving for the opportunities we had to learn from them and grow with them. They still live on in our lives and in the lives of all whom they touched along the pathways of their years.

At times when our sense of loss and separation seems to overwhelm us, when sorrow and grief seek to engulf us, we reach out to each other and to the Divine spark within us for love, support and meaning. We seek the light of God that illumines our eyes and brightens our souls.

Dear God, in times of sorrow and grief, as in times of celebration and rejoicing, may we never be far from Your guiding beacon. Grant us the strength to feel Your presence within and without us as we go about our daily tasks. May we be graced with the power to see Your glow in the souls of all we meet, and may their memory light our way on our path to You.

(Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

A YIZKOR PRAYER

God above, at this sacred hour, we remember with love and reverence those no longer with us.

We recall family members and dear friends whose souls are with You.

We also remember those who, throughout our history, gave their lives for the sanctification of Your name – those who perished so that Judaism might survive.

We remember the innocent victims of ruthless pogroms. We recall the six million who were slaughtered during the Holocaust.

We also remember the heroes who fought and died to give life to the State of Israel and to guarantee its continued existence.

And we remember the countless good people of all nations and faiths who dedicated their lives to the betterment of humanity and our world, those who struggled to promote freedom, liberty, and a better, safer, healthier life for all.

May their repose be in paradise. May their memory be a blessing.

(Rabbi Howard Kahn, Congregation Beth El from JGH Shabbat Shalom Prayer Booklet)

Dear God, I thank You for the precious gift of memory, as I remember the many people who were a source of love and blessing for me during the days, months, and years we spent together. May their memory be a source of strength for me. May I always remember the joy and blessings they brought into my life. As I cherish the best wishes and dreams they had for me, may I also have the strength to forgive them for their shortcomings. May I continue to be inspired by their highest values, and help me live in such a way as to make those values real in my life and in the lives of those I touch.

(Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

Eil Maleh Rachamim

אֵל מָלֵא רַחֲמִים שׁוֹכֵן בַּמְּרוֹמִים. הַמְצֵא מְנוּחָה נְכוֹנָה עַל כַּנְפֵי הַשְּׁכִינָה. בְּמַעֲלוֹת קְדוֹשִׁים וּטְהוֹרִים כְּזֹֽהַר הָרָקִֽיעַ מַזְהִירִים אֶת נְשָׁמוֹת קְרוֹבֵינוּ וְאַהוּבֵינוּ שֶׁהָלְכוּ לְעוֹלָמָם, בְּגַן עֵֽדֶן תְּהֵא מְנוּחֳתָם. לָכֵן בַּֽעַל הָרַחֲמִים יַסְתִּירֵֽהֶם בְּסֵֽתֶר כְּנָפָיו לְעוֹלָמִים. וְיִצְרוֹר בִּצְרוֹר הַחַיִּים אֶת נִשְׁמוֹתָם. יְיָ הוּא נַחֲלוֹתָם: וְיָנֽוּחוּ בְּשָׁלוֹם עַל מִשְׁכָּבוֹתָם. וְנֹאמַר אָמֵן:

Eternal God, Fountain of Compassion, help me find blessings in the memory of those I love, as today I remember all those close and dear to me – my dear:

father / mother / sister / brother / wife / husband
child / grandchild / grandparents / aunts / uncles
cousins / partner / neighbors / co-workers
comrades / teachers / friends

May the memory of my friends and loved ones be a source of strength and encouragement for me today and every day, and let me say, “Amen.”

A Psalm of David:

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23 - KJV)

Mourners’ Kaddish

Yitgadal v'yitkadash sh'meih raba. B'al'ma di v'ra chiruteih, v'yamlich malchuteih b'chayeichon uv'yomeichon uv'chayei d'chol beit yisra-eil, ba-agala uvizman kariv, v'imru amein.

יְהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ לְעָלַם וּלְעָלְמֵי עָלְמַיָּא:

Y'hei sh'meih raba m'varach l'alam ul'al'mei al'maya.

יִתְבָּרַךְ וְיִשְׁתַּבַּח, וְיִתְפָּאַר וְיִתְרוֹמַם וְיִתְנַשֵּׂא וְיִתְהַדָּר וְיִתְעַלֶּה וְיִתְהַלָּל שְׁמֵהּ דְּקֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לְעֵֽלָּא מִכָּל בִּרְכָתָא וְשִׁירָתָא, תֻּשְׁבְּחָתָא וְנֶחֱמָתָא, דַּאֲמִירָן בְּעָלְמָא, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:

Yitbarach v'yishtabach v'yitpa-ar v'yitromam v'yitnasei v'yithadar v'yitaleh v'yithalal sh'meih d'kudsha b'rich hu, l’eila mikol birchata v'shirata tushb'chata v'nechemata, da-amiran b'al'ma, v'imru amein.

יְהֵא שְׁלָמָא רַבָּא מִן שְׁמַיָּא וְחַיִּים עָלֵֽינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:

Y'hei sh'lama raba min sh'maya, v'chayim aleinu v'al kol yisra-eil, v'imru amein.

Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya-aseh shalom aleinu v'al kol yisra-eil, v'imru amein.

May God’s name be made great and holy in the world, which God created according to His will.

May God’s dominion become real in your lives and throughout your days and in the life of all Israel, and may this happen speedily and soon, and let us say, “Amen!”

May God’s exalted name be blessed in this and in all worlds forever!

May there be abounding peace and life from heaven for us and for all Israel, and let us say, “Amen!”

May the One who creates peace in the heavens above, grant peace to us, to all Israel and to all who share this world, and let us say, “Amen!”

Returning the Torah Scroll to the Aron Kodesh / the Holy Ark

יְהַלְלוּ אֶת שֵׁם יְיָ, כִּי נִשְׂגָּב שְׁמוֹ לְבַדּוֹ:

Y'hal'lu et sheim Adonai, ki nisgav sh'mo l'vado.

Praise the Eternal’s name, for it alone is supreme.

הוֹדוֹ עַל אֶֽרֶץ וְשָׁמָֽיִם. וַיָּֽרֶם קֶֽרֶן לְעַמּוֹ, תְּהִלָּה לְכָל חֲסִידָיו, לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עַם קְרוֹבוֹ, הַלְלוּיָהּ.

Hodo al eretz v'shamayim. Vayarem keren l'amo, t'hilah l'chol chasidav, livnei yisra-eil am k'rovo, hal'luyah.

God’s majesty abides on the earth and in the heavens. God has lifted up our people’s strength. Praise to all God’s loyal ones. To the children of Israel, a people close to God. Hallelujah! (Psalm 148:13-14)

(We place the Torah scroll back into the Aron Kodesh / the Holy Ark.)

עֵץ חַיִּים הִיא לַמַּחֲזִיקִים בָּהּ, וְתֹמְכֶֽיהָ מְאֻשָׁר.

דְּרָכֶֽיהָ דַרְכֵי נֹֽעַם, וְכָל נְתִיבוֹתֶֽיהָ שָׁלוֹם.

הֲשִׁיבֵֽנוּ יְיָ, אֵלֶֽיךָ וְנָשֽׁוּבָה, חַדֵּשׁ יָמֵֽינוּ כְּקֶֽדֶם.

Eitz chayim hi lamachazikim bah, v'tom'cheha m'ushar.

D'racheha darchei noam, v'chol n'tivoteha shalom.

Hashiveinu Adonai eilecha v'nashuvah, chadeish yameinu k'kedem.

It is a tree of life to those who hold fast to it, and its supporters are happy. Its ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are paths of peace. (Proverbs 3:18,17) Return us to You, Dear God, and we will return. Renew our days as of old. (Lamentations 5:21)

ALEINU / עלינו

Sovereign God, how glorious is Your name in all the earth!
You, whose majesty is praised throughout the heavens.

When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
the moon and stars which You have established.

I ask, “Who are we that You are mindful of us?”
“What are we that You have taken notice of us?”

Yet, You have made us a little less than divine,
And You have crowned us with glory and majesty.

You have made us responsible for Your handiwork.
You have placed the world at our feet,

Sheep and oxen, all of them,
And wild beasts, too;

The birds of the heavens, the fish of the sea,
Whatever travels the paths of the seas.

Sovereign God, How glorious is Your name throughout the earth!
Psalm 8:2, 4-10

ALEINU

Aleinu l'shabei-ach la-adon hakol, lateit g'dulah l'yotzeir b'reishit, shelo asanu k'goyei ha-aratzot, v'lo samanu k'mishp'chot ha-adamah, shelosam chelkeinu kahem, v'goraleinu k'chol hamonam.

Vaanachnu kor'im umishtachavim umodim, lifnei melech malchei ham'lachim, hakadosh
baruch hu.

שֶׁהוּא נוֹטֶה שָׁמַֽיִם וְיֹסֵד אָֽרֶץ, וּמוֹשַׁב יְקָרוֹ בַּשָּׁמַֽיִם מִמַּֽעַל, וּשְׁכִינַת עֻזּוֹ בְּגָבְהֵי מְרוֹמִים, הוּא אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ אֵין עוֹד. אֱמֶת מַלְכֵּֽנוּ אֶֽפֶס זוּלָתוֹ, כַּכָּתוּב בְּתוֹרָתוֹ: וְיָדַעְתָּ הַיּוֹם וַהֲשֵׁבֹתָ אֶל לְבָבֶֽךָ, כִּי יְיָ הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים בַּשָּׁמַֽים מִמַּֽעַל, וְעַל הָאָֽרֶץ מִתָּֽחַת, אֵין עוֹד.

Shehu noteh shamayim v'yoseid aretz, umoshav y'karo bashamayim mima-al, ush'chinat uzo b'gav'hei m'romim, hu eloheinu ein od. Emet malkeinu, efes zulato, kakatuv b'torato: V'yadata hayom vahasheivota el l'vavecha, ki Adonai hu ha-elohim bashamam mima-al, v'al ha-aretz mitachat, ein od.

God stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. God’s glory dwells in the heavens beyond, while God’s powerful presence rises above the lofty peaks. This is our God. There is no other. Truly, there is nothing that can be compared to our Divine Ruler. As it appears in God’s holy Torah, “This day, know and accept with your heart and mind that the Eternal is God in the heavens above and on the earth below. There is no other!” (Deuteronomy 4:39)

וְנֶאֱמַר, וְהָיָה יְיָ לְמֶֽלֶךְ עַל כָּל הָאָֽרֶץ, בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה יְיָ אֶחָד, וּשְמוֹ אֶחָד:

V'ne-emar, v'hayah Adonai l'melech al kol ha-aretz, bayom hahu yihyeh Adonai echad, ush'mo echad.

EIN KEILOHEINU / אין כאלהינו

אֵין כֵּאלֹהֵֽינוּ, אֵין כַּאדוֹנֵֽינוּ,
אֵין כְּמַלְכֵּֽנוּ, אֵין כְּמוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ.

Ein keiloheinu, ein kadoneinu,
ein k'malkeinu, ein k'moshi-einu.

מִי כֵאלֹהֵֽינוּ, מִי כַאדוֹנֵֽינוּ,
מִי כְמַלְכֵּֽנוּ, מִי כְמוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ.

Mi cheiloheinu, mi chadoneinu,
mi ch'malkeinu, mi ch'moshi-einu.

נוֹדֶה לֵאלֹהֵֽינוּ, נוֹדֶה לַאדוֹנֵֽינוּ,
נוֹדֶה למַלְכֵּֽנוּ, נוֹדֶה לְמוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ.

Nodeh leiloheinu, nodeh ladoneinu,
nodeh l'malkeinu, nodeh l'moshi-einu.

בָּרוּךְ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, בָּרוּךְ אֲדוֹנֵֽינוּ,
בָּרוּךְ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ, בָּרוּךְ מוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ.

Baruch eloheinu, baruch adoneinu,
baruch malkeinu, baruch moshi-einu.

אַתָּה הוּא אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, אַתָּה הוּא אֲדוֹנֵֽינוּ

אַתָּה הוּא מַלְכֵּֽנוּ, אַתָּה הוּא מוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ.

Atah hu eloheinu, atah hu adoneinu,
atah hu malkeinu, atah hu moshi-einu.

אַתָּה הוּא שֶׁהִקְטִֽירוּ אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ לְפָנֶֽיךָ אֶת קְטֹֽרֶת הַסַּמִּים.

Atah hu shehiktiru avoteinu l'fanecha et k'toret hasamim.

There is none like our God. Who can be compared to our Lord? So we thank our Sovereign and bless our Redeemer, because You are our God, Lord, Sovereign and Redeemer. You are the One to whom our ancestors offered sweetly spiced incense.