Liturgy
Jewish prayer, blessings, and the structure of the siddur.
86 questions answered
What is the meaning of hamotzi?
The brachah (blessing) known as Hamotzi is the blessing recited over bread before eating. Its full text is: "Baruch Atah Hashem, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, h...
What is the Jewish prayer for peace?
The Jewish Prayer for Peace The Jewish tradition contains several prayers for peace, but the most prominent is Sim Shalom ("Grant Peace"), recited as part...
What is the Jewish home blessing (Birkat HaBayit)?
Birkat HaBayit — The Jewish Home Blessing The Birkat HaBayit (בִּרְכַּת הַבַּיִת, "Blessing of the Home") refers to the traditional blessing invoked upon a...
What is the Jewish prayer for healing (Mi Sheberach)?
The Mi Sheberach (מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ — "May the One Who Blessed") is a traditional Jewish prayer for healing recited on behalf of the sick. It invokes the meri...
What is the meaning of lecha dodi?
Lecha Dodi (לְכָה דוֹדִי) is a beloved Hebrew poem (piyyut) sung at the Friday night synagogue service to welcome the Shabbat. The poem's refrain — "לְכָה...
What is the Netilat Yadayim (hand washing) prayer?
The netilat yadayim (ritual hand washing) prayer refers to the blessing recited after washing hands: "Baruch Atah Hashem, Elokeinu Melech HaOlam, asher kid...
What is judaism 101 shema?
The Shema is the central declaration of Jewish faith, consisting of three Torah passages (Deuteronomy 6:4–9, Deuteronomy 11:13–21, and Numbers 15:37–41), a...
What is the Aleinu prayer?
The Aleinu (עָלֵינוּ) prayer is one of the most important and ancient prayers in Jewish liturgy, recited at the conclusion of every prayer service — Shacha...
What is the Amidah prayer?
The Amidah (lit. "the standing") is the central prayer of Jewish liturgy, recited three times daily while standing. It consists of nineteen blessings (orig...
What is the Jewish prayer for the dead?
The primary Jewish prayer associated with mourning and the dead is the Kaddish (Kaddish Yatom — the Mourner's Kaddish). Notably, the Kaddish does not menti...
What is the Avinu Malkeinu prayer?
Avinu Malkeinu (אָבִינוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ, "Our Father, Our King") is one of the most beloved and emotionally powerful prayers in the Jewish liturgical tradition...
What is the Tashlich prayer?
Tashlich (תַּשְׁלִיךְ, literally "you shall cast") is a Rosh Hashanah custom in which Jews go to a body of water after the Mincha (afternoon) prayer and re...
What is the Hanukkah prayer and what are the blessings?
The Hanukkah Prayers and Blessings Hanukkah features several prayers and blessings recited during the eight days of the holiday. The central ritual is the...
What is jewish people pray?
Jewish people pray to God (tefillah — תְּפִלָּה) as an act of connection, devotion, and communication with the Creator. Prayer in Judaism serves multiple p...
What is blessings for hanukkah in hebrew?
The blessings recited on Hanukkah are well-established in Jewish tradition and have been standardized for centuries. There are two blessings recited every...
What is shavuot prayer?
Shavuot has several distinctive prayer elements that set it apart from regular holiday davening. The holiday's liturgy reflects its dual themes of matan To...
What is a Siddur (Jewish prayer book)?
A Siddur (סִדּוּר, literally "order" or "arrangement") is the Jewish prayer book containing the fixed liturgy for daily, Shabbat, and holiday prayers. The...
What are common Jewish blessings?
Jewish blessings (brachot, singular: bracha) are formalized expressions of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's role in daily life. The standard formula f...
What is the El Malei Rachamim prayer?
The El Malei Rachamim (אֵל מָלֵא רַחֲמִים — "God, Full of Compassion") is a Jewish memorial prayer recited on behalf of the souls of the departed, asking G...
What is chabad psalm 20?
Psalm 20 is a short prayer of five verses composed by King David, asking God to answer and protect His anointed one in times of distress. In Chabad (and br...
What is the Jewish prayer for forgiveness?
The Jewish Prayer for Forgiveness The central Jewish prayer for forgiveness is the Selichot (סְלִיחוֹת — penitential prayers), a collection of supplication...
What is rosh chodesh prayer?
Rosh Chodesh Prayer Rosh Chodesh (ראש חודש, "the New Month") is marked by a special set of prayers and liturgical additions that sanctify the beginning of...
What are the Yom Kippur prayers?
The Yom Kippur prayers constitute the most extensive and spiritually intensive liturgical cycle in the Jewish year, spanning five prayer services over appr...
What is the Jewish prayer for success and good fortune?
Jewish tradition contains numerous prayers for success and good fortune, but one particularly notable example is a special prayer attributed to Rabbi Levi...
What is hebrew morning prayer in english?
The Hebrew morning prayer, known as Shacharit (שַׁחֲרִית), is the first of three daily Jewish prayer services, recited each morning from sunrise until midd...
What is latest shema?
The latest time to recite the morning Shema (Kriat Shema, the recitation of Shema) is, according to most authorities, the end of the third halachic hour of...
What is the meaning of shehecheyanu?
The Shehecheyanu (שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ) is a Jewish blessing of gratitude recited upon experiencing something new, joyful, or seasonally recurring. It expresses th...
What is the meaning of aleinu?
The Meaning of Aleinu Aleinu (עָלֵינוּ לְשַׁבֵּחַ — "It is upon us to praise") is one of the most profound prayers in the Jewish liturgy, recited at the co...
What is aliyah hebrew prayer?
The term aliyah (עֲלִיָּה, literally "going up") in the context of prayer and synagogue practice refers to the honor of being called up to the Torah during...
What is hebrew meal prayer?
The Hebrew meal prayer is called Birkat HaMazon (ברכת המזון — "Grace After Meals"), a series of blessings recited after eating a meal that included bread....
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