The first second
Modeh Ani
מוֹדֶה אֲנִיModeh AniI thank
Before your feet touch the floor
The very first words of the Jewish day — said while still lying in bed. You don’t need to wash first: it contains no name of Hashem, so it may be said right away.
Where it comes from
Seder HaYom (16th century)Later TraditionModeh Ani is not found in the Talmud. The custom of saying it on waking is recorded by later authorities, beginning around the 16th century; today it is nearly universal.
Eichah 3:23Direct Source“They are new every morning — great is Your faithfulness.” Modeh Ani ends with these words.
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 1:1Direct Source“Rise like a lion in the morning to serve your Creator.”
How
- Open your eyes. Don’t reach for your phone first.
- Sitting up or still lying down, say Modeh Ani (below).
- Pause on “great is Your faithfulness”: Hashem trusted you with one more day.
- Get up with energy — like a lion.
What to say
On waking (women say “Modah ani”)
מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ, מֶלֶךְ חַי וְקַיָּם, שֶׁהֶחֱזַרְתָּ בִּי נִשְׁמָתִי בְּחֶמְלָה, רַבָּה אֱמוּנָתֶךָ.
Say itModeh ani l’fanecha, melech chai v’kayam, shehechezarta bi nishmati b’chemlah, rabbah emunatecha.
I thank You, living and eternal King, for You have mercifully restored my soul within me. Great is Your faithfulness.
💡 Teach it to your children — it is the first prayer many Jewish children learn.
Right after getting up
Washing the Hands
נְטִילַת יָדַיִםNetilat YadayimWashing the hands
Netilat yadayim — like a Kohen before the service
Before anything else, we wash our hands in a special way, with a cup, pouring three times on each hand. Keep a cup and a bowl next to your bed, so you can wash before walking around.
Where it comes from
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 4:1–2Direct SourceOne washes the hands on waking, from a vessel, and says the blessing “al netilat yadayim.”
Responsa of the Rashba 1:191Classical InterpretationThe Rashba’s interpretation: each morning we are like new creations, so we wash our hands as a Kohen did before the Temple service, to prepare to serve Hashem. (This is the Rashba’s explanation — the Talmud itself does not give this reason.)
Shabbat 108b–109a · Orach Chaim 4:3Direct SourceBefore washing, don’t touch your eyes, mouth, nose or ears — the Sages teach that a spirit of impurity rests on the hands after sleep.
How
- Keep a cup and a bowl by your bed (a two-handled washing cup is traditional; any cup works).
- Fill the cup with water. Take it in your right hand and pass it to your left.
- Pour over your whole right hand, up to the wrist.
- Pass the cup to your right hand and pour over your left hand.
- Repeat until each hand has been washed three times, alternating: right, left, right, left, right, left.
- Dry your hands. The water is not used for anything else — pour it out in a sink or toilet.
- Say the blessing — many say it now, others wait until after the bathroom and say it with Asher Yatzar. Both are common; follow your siddur.
What to say
After washing
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל נְטִילַת יָדָיִם.
Say itBaruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al n’tilat yadayim.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who made us holy with His commandments and commanded us concerning washing the hands.
💡 No cup by the bed? Wash at the sink with a cup. Just wash before you start your day.
After using the bathroom
Asher Yatzar
אֲשֶׁר יָצַרAsher YatzarWho formed
Thanking Hashem for a body that works
Every time we use the bathroom during the day, we wash our hands (no special cup needed) and say this blessing. It thanks Hashem for the miracle of a healthy body — something we only notice when it stops working.
Where it comes from
Berachot 60bDirect SourceThe Talmud gives this blessing to be said on leaving the bathroom.
Berachot 60bDirect SourceThe blessing ends “who heals all flesh and acts wondrously” — every working organ is a daily miracle.
How
- After the bathroom, wash your hands (regular washing is fine).
- Dry them.
- Say Asher Yatzar slowly, outside the bathroom.
What to say
Asher Yatzar
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה רוֹפֵא כָל בָּשָׂר וּמַפְלִיא לַעֲשׂוֹת.
Say itBaruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, asher yatzar et ha’adam b’chochmah, uvara vo n’kavim n’kavim, chalulim chalulim. Galui v’yadua lifnei chisei ch’vodecha, she’im yipate’ach echad mehem, o yisatem echad mehem, i efshar l’hitkayem v’la’amod l’fanecha afilu sha’ah echat. Baruch atah Adonai, rofe chol basar umafli la’asot.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who formed the human being with wisdom and created within him many openings and many hollows. It is revealed and known before Your Throne of Glory that if one of them were opened, or one of them were blocked, it would be impossible to survive and stand before You even for one hour. Blessed are You, Lord, who heals all flesh and acts wondrously.
💡 Many people who have been through an illness say Asher Yatzar with special feeling. It’s worth saying it like that every time.
Next
Elohai Neshama
אֱלֹהַי נְשָׁמָהElohai NeshamaMy God, the soul
My soul is pure
Right after Asher Yatzar (which is about the body) comes Elohai Neshama (about the soul). Whatever happened yesterday, the soul Hashem gave you this morning is pure.
Where it comes from
Berachot 60bDirect SourceThe Talmud gives this blessing to be said on waking, beginning “My God, the soul You placed in me is pure.”
How
- Say it right after Asher Yatzar in the morning.
- Pause on the first sentence. Let it sink in.
What to say
Elohai Neshama
אֱלֹהַי, נְשָׁמָה שֶׁנָּתַתָּ בִּי טְהוֹרָה הִיא. אַתָּה בְרָאתָהּ, אַתָּה יְצַרְתָּהּ, אַתָּה נְפַחְתָּהּ בִּי, וְאַתָּה מְשַׁמְּרָהּ בְּקִרְבִּי, וְאַתָּה עָתִיד לִטְּלָהּ מִמֶּנִּי, וּלְהַחֲזִירָהּ בִּי לֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא. כָּל זְמַן שֶׁהַנְּשָׁמָה בְקִרְבִּי, מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ, יְהוָה אֱלֹהַי וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתַי, רִבּוֹן כָּל הַמַּעֲשִׂים, אֲדוֹן כָּל הַנְּשָׁמוֹת. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה הַמַּחֲזִיר נְשָׁמוֹת לִפְגָרִים מֵתִים.
Say itElohai, n’shamah shenatata bi t’horah hi. Atah v’ratah, atah y’tzartah, atah n’fachtah bi, v’atah m’shamrah b’kirbi, v’atah atid litlah mimeni, ul’hachazirah bi le’atid lavo. Kol z’man shehan’shamah v’kirbi, modeh ani l’fanecha, Adonai Elohai v’Elohei avotai, ribon kol hama’asim, adon kol han’shamot. Baruch atah Adonai, hamachazir n’shamot lif’garim metim.
My God, the soul You placed within me is pure. You created it, You formed it, You breathed it into me, You guard it within me, and one day You will take it from me and return it to me in the time to come. As long as the soul is within me, I thank You, Lord my God and God of my ancestors, Master of all works, Lord of all souls. Blessed are You, Lord, who restores souls to dead bodies.
💡 Modeh Ani thanks Hashem for returning the soul. Elohai Neshama tells you what kind of soul it is: pure.
Before you learn or pray
Blessings over the Torah
בִּרְכוֹת הַתּוֹרָהBirchot HaTorahBlessings over the Torah
Birchot HaTorah — once a day covers the whole day
Before learning Torah — and before praying, since prayer contains Torah verses — we say these blessings. Once in the morning covers all your learning for the day.
Where it comes from
Berachot 11bDirect SourceThe Talmud records these blessings and teaches they are said before learning Torah.
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 47:1Direct SourceOne must be very careful with the blessing over the Torah.
How
- Say all three blessings below.
- Then immediately learn a little Torah. Most siddurim print short passages right after — the Priestly Blessing (Bamidbar 6:24–26) and a Mishnah — so you learn right away.
What to say
First blessing
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לַעֲסוֹק בְּדִבְרֵי תוֹרָה.
Say itBaruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu la’asok b’divrei Torah.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who made us holy with His commandments and commanded us to engage in the words of Torah.
Second blessing
וְהַעֲרֶב נָא יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ אֶת דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָתְךָ בְּפִינוּ וּבְפִי עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְנִהְיֶה אֲנַחְנוּ וְצֶאֱצָאֵינוּ וְצֶאֱצָאֵי עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, כֻּלָּנוּ יוֹדְעֵי שְׁמֶךָ וְלוֹמְדֵי תוֹרָתֶךָ לִשְׁמָהּ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה הַמְלַמֵּד תּוֹרָה לְעַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל.
Say itV’ha’arev na Adonai Eloheinu et divrei Toratcha b’finu uv’fi amcha beit Yisrael, v’nihyeh anachnu v’tze’etza’einu v’tze’etza’ei amcha beit Yisrael, kulanu yod’ei sh’mecha v’lomdei Toratcha lishmah. Baruch atah Adonai, ham’lamed Torah l’amo Yisrael.
Please, Lord our God, make the words of Your Torah sweet in our mouths and in the mouths of Your people, the House of Israel, so that we, our children and the children of Your people, the House of Israel, may all know Your name and learn Your Torah for its own sake. Blessed are You, Lord, who teaches Torah to His people Israel.
Third blessing
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר בָּנוּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים וְנָתַן לָנוּ אֶת תּוֹרָתוֹ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה נוֹתֵן הַתּוֹרָה.
Say itBaruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, asher bachar banu mikol ha’amim v’natan lanu et Torato. Baruch atah Adonai, noten haTorah.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who chose us from all the nations and gave us His Torah. Blessed are You, Lord, who gives the Torah.
💡 Notice the ending: “who gives the Torah” — present tense. The Torah is given again every day.
Getting dressed and ready
The Morning Blessings
בִּרְכוֹת הַשַּׁחַרBirchot HaShacharBlessings of the dawn
Birchot HaShachar — thank You for everything we take for granted
A series of short blessings, each for one gift of the morning: seeing, getting dressed, standing up straight, walking. The Talmud tied each one to the moment you do it; today we say them together from the siddur.
Where it comes from
Berachot 60bDirect SourceThe Talmud lists blessings to say on waking: on opening your eyes, sitting up, dressing, standing, walking, and more.
Menachot 43bDirect SourceThe source of the three blessings “who did not make me…”.
Tur, Orach Chaim 46Later Tradition“Who gives strength to the weary” is not in the Talmud; it was added later and is now in most siddurim.
How
- Open your siddur to the Morning Blessings (Birchot HaShachar).
- Each begins with “Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam” — Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe.
- Say each ending (below) and think about the gift it names.
- If you pray with others, answer “Amen” to each.
What to say
Every morning blessing begins
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe…
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם…
Say itBaruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam…
…who gave the rooster understanding to tell day from night
…אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לַשֶּׂכְוִי בִינָה לְהַבְחִין בֵּין יוֹם וּבֵין לָיְלָה.
Say it…asher natan lasechvi vinah l’havchin bein yom uvein lailah.
…who did not make me a gentile (Some siddurim: “who made me a Jew” — she’asani Yisrael)
…שֶׁלֹּא עָשַׂנִי גּוֹי.
Say it…shelo asani goy.
…who did not make me a slave
…שֶׁלֹּא עָשַׂנִי עָבֶד.
Say it…shelo asani aved.
…who did not make me a woman (men) · who made me according to His will (women)
…שֶׁלֹּא עָשַׂנִי אִשָּׁה. · נָשִׁים: …שֶׁעָשַׂנִי כִּרְצוֹנוֹ.
Say it…shelo asani ishah. · Women: …she’asani kirtzono.
…who opens the eyes of the blind
…פּוֹקֵחַ עִוְרִים.
Say it…poke’ach ivrim.
…who clothes the naked
…מַלְבִּישׁ עֲרֻמִּים.
Say it…malbish arumim.
…who frees the bound
…מַתִּיר אֲסוּרִים.
Say it…matir asurim.
…who straightens the bent
…זוֹקֵף כְּפוּפִים.
Say it…zokef k’fufim.
…who spreads the earth over the waters
…רוֹקַע הָאָרֶץ עַל הַמָּיִם.
Say it…roka ha’aretz al hamayim.
…who has provided me with all I need
…שֶׁעָשָׂה לִּי כָּל צָרְכִּי.
Say it…she’asah li kol tzorki.
…who makes firm a person’s steps
…הַמֵּכִין מִצְעֲדֵי גָבֶר.
Say it…hamechin mitz’adei gaver.
…who girds Israel with strength
…אוֹזֵר יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּגְבוּרָה.
Say it…ozer Yisrael bigvurah.
…who crowns Israel with glory
…עוֹטֵר יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּתִפְאָרָה.
Say it…oter Yisrael b’tif’arah.
…who gives strength to the weary
…הַנּוֹתֵן לַיָּעֵף כֹּחַ.
Say it…hanoten laya’ef ko’ach.
…who removes sleep from my eyes and slumber from my eyelids (continues in the siddur and ends: …who bestows loving-kindness on His people Israel)
…הַמַּעֲבִיר שֵׁנָה מֵעֵינָי וּתְנוּמָה מֵעַפְעַפָּי. … בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה גּוֹמֵל חֲסָדִים טוֹבִים לְעַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל.
Say it…hama’avir shenah me’einai ut’numah me’af’apai. … Baruch atah Adonai, gomel chasadim tovim l’amo Yisrael.
💡 The order and a few wordings differ between siddurim (Ashkenaz, Sefard, Edot HaMizrach). Use yours.
Before morning prayers
Tallit and Tefillin
טַלִּית וּתְפִלִּיןTallit U’TefillinPrayer shawl and tefillin
Wrapping yourself in mitzvot
Men put on the tallit (prayer shawl) and then tefillin before the main morning prayers on weekdays. On Shabbat and holidays, the tallit only.
Where it comes from
Bamidbar 15:38–39Direct SourceTzitzit on the corners of the garment — “you shall see it and remember.”
Devarim 6:8Direct Source“Bind them as a sign upon your hand… between your eyes.”
How
- Put on the tallit first: say the blessing, wrap it briefly over your head, then let it rest on your shoulders.
- Then the tefillin — full instructions on the tefillin page.
What to say
Tallit
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהִתְעַטֵּף בַּצִּיצִית.
Say itBaruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hitatef b’tzitzit.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who made us holy with His commandments and commanded us to wrap ourselves in tzitzit.
💡 Why tallit before tefillin? A rule of the Sages: a mitzvah that comes more often comes first — tzitzit is worn every day, tefillin only on weekdays (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 25:1).
Warming up the heart
Verses of Praise
פְּסוּקֵי דְזִמְרָאPesukei D’ZimraVerses of song
Pesukei D’Zimra — praise before we ask
Before asking Hashem for anything, we praise Him. This section — mostly psalms — opens with the blessing Baruch She’amar and closes with Yishtabach. The heart of it is Ashrei (Psalm 145).
Where it comes from
Berachot 32aDirect SourceOne should always first praise Hashem, and then pray.
Berachot 4bDirect SourceWhoever says Psalm 145 (Ashrei) three times every day is assured a share in the World to Come.
How
- Stand for Baruch She’amar (the opening blessing).
- Sit for the psalms. Short on time? Say Ashrei — it is the core.
- Stand for Yishtabach (the closing blessing).
- Don’t talk between Baruch She’amar and the end of the Amidah — this is one continuous ascent.
What to say
Ashrei opens
אַשְׁרֵי יוֹשְׁבֵי בֵיתֶךָ, עוֹד יְהַלְלוּךָ סֶּלָה. אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁכָּכָה לּוֹ, אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁיְהוָה אֱלֹהָיו.
Say itAshrei yosh’vei veitecha, od y’hal’lucha selah. Ashrei ha’am shekachah lo, ashrei ha’am she’Adonai Elohav.
Happy are those who dwell in Your house; they will praise You forever. Happy is the people for whom it is so; happy is the people whose God is the Lord.
The key verse of Ashrei (Tehillim 145:16)
פּוֹתֵחַ אֶת יָדֶךָ, וּמַשְׂבִּיעַ לְכָל חַי רָצוֹן.
Say itPote’ach et yadecha, umasbi’a l’chol chai ratzon.
You open Your hand and satisfy every living thing with favor.
💡 Ashrei is an alphabetical acrostic — one verse for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet (except one). Praise from A to Z.
The heart of the morning
The Shema and Its Blessings
קְרִיאַת שְׁמַעKriat ShemaReciting the Shema
Accepting Hashem as King
Barchu (with a minyan) calls everyone to bless Hashem. Then two blessings — for the light of creation and for Hashem’s love — lead into the Shema, and one blessing after it leads straight into the Amidah.
Where it comes from
Mishnah Berachot 1:4Direct SourceIn the morning, two blessings are said before the Shema and one after.
Devarim 6:4–9Direct Source“Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.”
How
- With a minyan: the leader says Barchu and everyone answers (below), bowing.
- Say the two blessings before the Shema (in the siddur: Yotzer Or and Ahavah Rabbah).
- Cover your eyes and say the first line of the Shema aloud, then “Baruch shem…” quietly.
- Continue with the three paragraphs. Full detail on the Shema page.
- Say the blessing after the Shema, ending “who redeemed Israel” — and go straight into the Amidah without a pause.
What to say
Barchu — leader
בָּרְכוּ אֶת יְהוָה הַמְבֹרָךְ.
Say itBarchu et Adonai ham’vorach.
Bless the Lord, the blessed One.
Barchu — everyone answers
בָּרוּךְ יְהוָה הַמְבֹרָךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.
Say itBaruch Adonai ham’vorach l’olam va’ed.
Blessed is the Lord, the blessed One, forever and ever.
Shema
שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָד.
Say itShema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad.
Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.
Quietly
בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.
Say itBaruch shem k’vod malchuto l’olam va’ed.
Blessed is the name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever.
First paragraph — V’ahavta (Devarim 6:5–9)
וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּכָל לְבָבְךָ וּבְכָל נַפְשְׁךָ וּבְכָל מְאֹדֶךָ. וְהָיוּ הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם עַל לְבָבֶךָ. וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ וְדִבַּרְתָּ בָּם בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ בְּבֵיתֶךָ וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ בַדֶּרֶךְ וּבְשָׁכְבְּךָ וּבְקוּמֶךָ. וּקְשַׁרְתָּם לְאוֹת עַל יָדֶךָ וְהָיוּ לְטֹטָפֹת בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ. וּכְתַבְתָּם עַל מְזֻזוֹת בֵּיתֶךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶיךָ.
Say itV’ahavta et Adonai Elohecha, b’chol l’vav’cha, uv’chol nafsh’cha, uv’chol m’odecha. V’hayu had’varim ha’eleh, 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 uvish’arecha.
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be upon your heart. Teach them to your children, and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the way, when you lie down and when you rise up. Bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be a reminder between your eyes. And write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
End of the blessing after the Shema
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה גָּאַל יִשְׂרָאֵל.
Say itBaruch atah Adonai, ga’al Yisrael.
Blessed are You, Lord, who redeemed Israel.
💡 The Talmud teaches to join “redemption” to prayer — go from “who redeemed Israel” straight into the Amidah (Berachot 4b).
Anytime — the last step of your 5-minute morning
Your Own Prayer
Speak to Hashem in your own words
After the set words, add your own. One sentence is enough: thank Hashem for something specific, ask for what you or someone you love needs today, or simply say what’s on your heart — in any language.
Where it comes from
Rambam, Hilchot Tefillah 1:2Direct SourceThe Rambam describes the essence of prayer: a person praises Hashem, asks for his needs, and then gives thanks — each according to his ability.
Avodah Zarah 8aDirect SourcePersonal requests may be added in the Amidah’s blessing “who hears prayer.”
💡 Rabbi Nachman of Breslov taught the practice of hitbodedut — speaking to Hashem alone, in your own language, every day (Later Tradition, Likutei Moharan II:25).
The summit of prayer
The Amidah
עֲמִידָהAmidahStanding
The standing prayer — nineteen blessings, said silently
The Amidah (“standing”) is the center of every Jewish prayer service — called simply “the Prayer” in the Talmud. You stand before Hashem like a person before a King: first praise, then requests, then thanks. On weekdays it has nineteen blessings; on Shabbat and holidays, seven.
Where it comes from
Berachot 28bDirect SourceShimon HaPakuli arranged the eighteen blessings before Rabban Gamliel at Yavneh; Shmuel HaKatan later composed the nineteenth.
Berachot 34aDirect SourceThe first three blessings are praise, the middle are requests, the last three are thanks — like a servant who praises his master, asks, then takes leave.
Berachot 31a (Shmuel I 1:13)Direct SourceChanah “spoke in her heart; only her lips moved” — the model for praying quietly.
Berachot 10b (Yechezkel 1:7)Direct SourceWe stand with feet together, like the angels.
Avodah Zarah 8aDirect SourceOne may add personal requests in the blessing “who hears prayer.”
How — the choreography
- Find a quiet place and face Jerusalem (in the Americas and Europe, generally east).
- Take three steps back, then three steps forward — approaching the King.
- Stand with your feet together.
- Say the opening verse (below).
- At the first blessing: bend your knees at “Baruch,” bow at “atah,” and stand straight at “Adonai.” Do the same at its end, “Baruch atah Adonai, magen Avraham.”
- Pray quietly — loud enough that you hear yourself, but not others.
- At Modim (blessing 18): bow at the beginning and at the end.
- After blessing 19, say the closing prayer, “Elohai n’tzor” (My God, guard my tongue from evil).
- Take three steps back. Bow left at “Oseh shalom bimromav,” right at “hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu,” and forward at “v’al kol Yisrael, v’imru amen.”
- Stand in place a moment, then take three steps forward.
Opening and closing words
Opening verse (Tehillim 51:17)
אֲדֹנָי שְׂפָתַי תִּפְתָּח, וּפִי יַגִּיד תְּהִלָּתֶךָ.
Say itAdonai s’fatai tiftach, ufi yagid t’hilatecha.
Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.
Opening of the first blessing
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם, אֱלֹהֵי יִצְחָק, וֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב, הָאֵל הַגָּדוֹל הַגִּבּוֹר וְהַנּוֹרָא, אֵל עֶלְיוֹן, גּוֹמֵל חֲסָדִים טוֹבִים, וְקוֹנֵה הַכֹּל, וְזוֹכֵר חַסְדֵי אָבוֹת, וּמֵבִיא גוֹאֵל לִבְנֵי בְנֵיהֶם, לְמַעַן שְׁמוֹ בְּאַהֲבָה. מֶלֶךְ עוֹזֵר וּמוֹשִׁיעַ וּמָגֵן. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה מָגֵן אַבְרָהָם.
Say itBaruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu v’Elohei avoteinu, Elohei Avraham, Elohei Yitzchak, v’Elohei Ya’akov…
Blessed are You, Lord our God and God of our ancestors, God of Avraham, God of Yitzchak, and God of Yaakov…
Closing — with three steps back
עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו, הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן.
Say itOseh shalom bimromav, hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu v’al kol Yisrael, v’imru amen.
He who makes peace in His heights, may He make peace for us and for all Israel, and say: Amen.
The nineteen blessings, one by one
Read the full text from your siddur. Here is what each blessing is about, and the words it ends with.
Praise · blessings 1–3
1
Our ancestors · Avot
Hashem of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov — we come in their merit.
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, magen Avraham — “Blessed are You, Lord, Shield of Avraham”
2
Hashem’s might · Gevurot
He sustains life, heals, frees, and revives the dead.
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, mechayeh hametim — “Blessed are You, Lord, who revives the dead”
3
Holiness · Kedushat Hashem
Hashem is holy. With a minyan, the Kedushah is said aloud here.
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, ha’El hakadosh — “Blessed are You, Lord, the holy God”
Requests · blessings 4–16
4
Understanding · Da’at
The first thing we ask for is wisdom.
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, chonen hada’at — “Blessed are You, Lord, who grants understanding”
5
Return · Teshuvah
Bring us back to You.
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, harotzeh bitshuvah — “Blessed are You, Lord, who desires return”
6
Forgiveness · Selichah
Forgive us — many tap the heart here.
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, chanun hamarbeh lislo’ach — “Blessed are You, Lord, gracious, who forgives abundantly”
7
Redemption · Ge’ulah
See our struggles and redeem us.
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, go’el Yisrael — “Blessed are You, Lord, Redeemer of Israel”
8
Healing · Refu’ah
Heal us. You can add the name of someone who is ill.
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, rofe cholei amo Yisrael — “Blessed are You, Lord, who heals the sick of His people Israel”
9
Livelihood · Birkat HaShanim
Bless the year and its produce. (In winter we ask for rain.)
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, mevarech hashanim — “Blessed are You, Lord, who blesses the years”
10
Ingathering · Kibbutz Galuyot
Gather our exiles to the Land of Israel.
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, m’kabetz nidchei amo Yisrael — “Blessed are You, Lord, who gathers the dispersed of His people Israel”
11
Justice · Din
Restore righteous judges.
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, melech ohev tzedakah umishpat — “Blessed are You, Lord, King who loves righteousness and justice”
12
Against those who seek to destroy · Birkat HaMinim
Added later to the original eighteen (Berachot 28b).
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, shover oyvim umachni’a zedim — “Blessed are You, Lord, who breaks enemies and humbles the arrogant”
13
The righteous · Tzaddikim
Reward the righteous and sincere — and let us be among them.
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, mish’an umivtach latzaddikim — “Blessed are You, Lord, support and trust of the righteous”
14
Jerusalem · Binyan Yerushalayim
Rebuild Jerusalem and dwell in it.
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, boneh Yerushalayim — “Blessed are You, Lord, who builds Jerusalem”
15
Mashiach · Malchut Beit David
Let the offshoot of David flourish.
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, matzmi’ach keren y’shu’ah — “Blessed are You, Lord, who makes salvation flourish”
16
Hear our prayer · Shome’a Tefillah
The place to add your own words, in any language, for anything you need.
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, shome’a t’fillah — “Blessed are You, Lord, who hears prayer”
Thanks · blessings 17–19
17
Service · Avodah
Accept our prayer and return Your Presence to Zion.
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, hamachazir sh’chinato l’Tziyon — “Blessed are You, Lord, who returns His Presence to Zion”
18
Thanks (Modim) · Hoda’ah
We thank You “for Your miracles that are with us every day.” Bow at the start and end.
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, hatov shimcha ul’cha na’eh l’hodot — “Blessed are You, Lord, Your name is good, and to You it is fitting to give thanks”
19
Peace · Shalom
Grant peace, goodness and blessing.
Ends: Baruch atah Adonai, ham’varech et amo Yisrael bashalom — “Blessed are You, Lord, who blesses His people Israel with peace”
Seasonal changes
In winter (from Shemini Atzeret to Pesach) add “mashiv haru’ach umorid hagashem” — “who makes the wind blow and the rain fall” — in blessing 2. Outside Israel, the request for rain in blessing 9 begins in early December. On Rosh Chodesh and festivals, add “Ya’aleh v’yavo” in blessing 17. Your siddur marks every insert.
💡 Don’t know the Hebrew yet? Pray the Amidah in English from your siddur — or just do the steps and say the opening and closing lines in Hebrew, with your own words in between. Prayer in any language you understand is prayer.
This page contains Hebrew prayer text with the Divine Name. If you print it, please treat it respectfully and dispose of it appropriately (in genizah).
Wording and order differ slightly between siddurim (Ashkenaz, Sefard, Edot HaMizrach). Use the one your family or shul uses, and for a personal question, ask a rabbi you trust.