Musings from the Siddur

As I mentioned last week I am making my way through the Siddur (Jewish Book of Prayers) and for this week’s Blog I thought I would give you some excerpts.  I hope you will be able to take some time and let these prayers soak in.

BLESSINGS OF THE TORAH

Blessed are You, HASHEM our God, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to engross ourselves in the words of Torah.  Please, HASHEM, our God, sweeten the words of Your Torah in our mouth and in the mouth of Your people, the family of Israel.  May we and our offspring and the offspring of Your people, the House of Israel – all of us – know Your Name and study Your Torah for its own sake.  Blessed are You, HASHEM, Who teaches Torah to His people Israel.

HEAR, O ISRAEL

It was You, before the world was created, it is You since the world was created, it is You in this World, and it is You in the World to come.
Sanctify Your Name through those who sanctify Your Name, and sanctify Your Name in Your Universe.

PESUKEI D’ZIMRAH (Literally Verses of Praise)

Blessed is He Who spoke, and the world came into being – blessed is He.  Blessed is He Who decrees and fulfills; blessed is He Who has mercy on the earth; blessed is He Who has mercy on the creatures; blessed is He Who gives goodly reward to those who fear Him; blessed is He Who lives forever and endures to eternity; blessed is He who redeems and rescues – blessed is His Name!

HASHEM is great and exceedingly lauded, and awesome is He above all heavenly powers.  For all of the gods of the peoples are nothings – but HASHEM made heaven!

HASHEM releases the bound.  HASHEM gives sight to the blind; HASHEM straightens the bent; HASHEM loves the righteous; HASHEM protects strangers; orphans and widows He encourages; but the way of the wicked He contorts.

BORCHU (Call to Prayer)

Our Father, the merciful Father, Who acts mercifully, have mercy upon us, instill in our hearts to understand and elucidate, to listen, learn, teach, safeguard, perform, and fulfill all the words of Your Torah, attach our hearts to Your commandments, and unify our hearts to love and fear Your Name, and may we not feel inner shame for all eternity.

SHEMA

And you will eat and be satisfied … Deuteronomy 6:11
Beware …. Prosperity is often the greatest challenge to religious devotion.  People who are rich in wealth but poor in sophistication often succumb to temptation.  (Rashi)