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Amidah

Sefard · Weekday · Weekday Mincha · Amidah

Nusach
Sefard
Edition
Translation based on the Metsudah linear siddur, by Avrohom Davis, 1981

Amidah

When I proclaim Adonoy's Name attribute greatness to our God. My Master, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.

THE VIRTUE OF OUR FOREFATHERS

Blessed are You, Adonoy, our God, and God of our fathers, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, the Almighty, the Great, the Powerful, the Awesome, most high Almighty, Who bestows beneficent kindness, Who possesses everything, Who remembers the piety of the Patriarchs, and Who brings a redeemer to their children's children, for the sake of His Name, with love.

(During the Ten Days of Penitence add:

Remember us for life King, Who desires life; and inscribe us in the Book of Life, for Your sake, Living God.)

If you forgot to say this, and became aware of your omission before saying the blessing, you should recite it. If you have already said "Blessed are You Adonoy," you must continue the prayers without saying "Remember."

King, Helper, and Deliverer and Shield. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Shield of Abraham.

DIVINE MIGHT

You are mighty forever, my Master; You are the Resurrector of the dead the Powerful One to deliver us.

From the Musaf of the first day of Pesach until the Musaf of Shemini Atzeres you should say:

He causes the dew to descend.

From the Musaf of Shemini Atzeres until the Musaf of the first day of Pesach you should say:

Causer of the wind to blow and of the rain to fall.

If you neglected to say this, and became aware of your omission before saying the blessing מְחַיֵּה הַמֵּתִים, "the Resurrector of the dead," you must say it at that time. If you reminded yourself after saying וְנֶאֱמָן אַתָּה "You are faithful," you must repeat it and then complete the blessing of מְחַיֵּה הַמֵּתִים. If you became aware of your omission after starting the blessing אַתָּה קָדוֹשׁ "You are holy," even if you only said the word "You," say the Shemoneh Esrei from the beginning. If during the first thirty days after Shemini Atzeres you are in doubt whether you said it, you must assume that you didnot say it. After thirty days, however, since you have become accustomed to saying it, you may assume that you recited the proper phrase and you need not repeat the Shemoneh Esrei.

Sustainer of the living with kindliness, Resurrector of the dead with great mercy, Supporter of the fallen, and Healer of the sick, and Releaser of the imprisoned, and Fulfiller of His faithfulness to those who sleep in the dust. Who is like You, Master of mighty deeds, and who can be compared to You? King Who causes death and restores life, and causes deliverance to sprout forth.

(During the Ten Days of Penitence add:

Who is like You merciful Father, Who remembers His creatures for life, in His mercy.)

If you forgot to say this, the same law applies as above concerning "Remember us for life."

And You are faithful to restore the dead to life. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Resurrector of the dead.

(When the Chazzan repeats the Shemoneh Esrei, the Kedushah is said here)

Kedushah

The Congregation says and the Chazzan repeats:

We will hallow and revere You as [with] the sweet words of the company of the holy Seraphim who thrice repeat “holy” unto You, as is written by the hand of Your prophet, “And they called one to another, and said:

Congregation says and Chazzan repeats:

‘Holy, holy, holy, is Adonoy of Hosts, the fullness of all the earth is His glory.'”

The Chazzan says:

Facing them, they offer praise and say:

Congregation says and Chazzan repeats:

“Blessed is the glory of Adonoy from its place”

The Chazzan says:

And in Your Holy Words it is written:

Congregation says and Chazzan repeats:

“Adonoy will reign forever; Your God, Zion, throughout all generations! Praise God.”

DIVINE SANCTIFICATION

You are holy and Your Name is holy and holy beings praise You every day, forever. For a great and Almighty King— great and holy—are You.

Blessed are You, Adonoy, the Almighty, the Holy One.

During the Ten Days of Penitence:

Blessed are You, Adonoy, the King, the Holy One.

If you mistakenly said, "the Almighty" instead of "the King," or if you are in doubt—if you realized your error after a lapse of time sufficient to utter a three word greeting (Shalom Aleichem Rebbe), or if you had already started the next blessing, you must say the Shmoneh Esrei from the beginning. If you became aware of your error before that, you should immediately say "the King the Holy One" and continue your prayers.

PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING

You favor man with perception and teach mankind understanding. Grant us from Your wisdom, understanding and knowledge. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Grantor of perception.

PRAYER FOR PENITENCE

Cause us to return, our Father, to Your Torah and bring us near, our King, to Your service; and bring us back in whole-hearted repentance before You Blessed are You, Adonoy, Who desires penitence.

PRAYER FOR PARDON

Pardon us, our Father, for we have sinned, forgive us, our King, for we have transgressed; for you are a good and forgiving almighty. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Gracious One, Who pardons abundantly.

PRAYER FOR REDEMPTION

Look, please, upon our affliction, and defend our cause: and redeem us speedily with complete redemption for the sake of Your Name; because You are a Mighty Redeemer. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Redeemer of Israel.

(On Fast Days, the Chazzan says “Answer us” and concludes, “Blessed are . . . Who responds at times of trouble.”)

Answer us, Adonoy, answer us on the day of our fasting, for we are in great trouble. Do not regard our wickedness, do not conceal Your countenance from us, and do not be unmindful of our supplication. Please be near to our cry, let Your loving kindness console us. Even before we call unto You, answer us, as it is said: “And it shall come to pass that before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hear. For You, Adonoy, are the One Who answers in time of trouble, Who redeems and rescues in all times of trouble and distress. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Who answers His people Israel in time of trouble.

Isaiah 65:24.

PRAYER FOR HEALING

Heal us, Adonoy, and we will be healed, deliver us and we will be delivered; for You are our praise. Grant a cure and healing to all our sickness and to all our pain and to all our affliction because You are the Almighty, King, Who is a faithful and merciful Healer. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Healer of the sick of His people Israel.

PRAYER FOR PROSPERITY

Bless for us, Adonoy our God, this year and all the varieties of its produce for good; and bestow

From the first day of Pesach until the evening service [Maariv] on December 4, or, on a civil leap year, December 5, we say the following line.

blessing

From the evening service [Maariv] on December 4, or, on a civil leap year, December 5, until the First day of Pesach, we say the following line.

dew and rain for a blessing

upon the face of the earth; satisfy us from its bounty and bless our year as other good years, for blessing, for You are generous Almighty who bestows goodness and blesses the years. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Blesser of the years.

According to the Gaon of Vilna, the petition here reads מטובה, “Satisfy us from its bounty”, referring to the bounty of Eretz Yisroel.

PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE

Sound the great shofar for our liberty, and raise a banner to gather our exiles, and gather us together quickly from the four corners of the earth. into our Land. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Gatherer of the dispersed of His people Israel.

PRAYER FOR RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT

Restore our judges as before and our counselors as at first. Remove from us sorrow and sighing, and reign over us quickly You, Adonoy, alone with kindness and compassion; and make us righteous with righteousness and justice,

Blessed are You, Adonoy, King, Lover of righteousness and justice.

During the Ten Days of Penitence:

Blessed are You, Adonoy, the King of Justice.

If you mistakenly said, "King, Lover of righteousness and justice," instead of "the King of Justice" and became aware of your mistake within the time it takes to utter the three word greeting (Sholom Aleichem Rebbe), you should immediately say "the King of Justice." If you remembered after that interval, you may continue the Shemoneh Esrei since the word "King" was mentioned in the regular blessing.

PRAYER FOR DIVINE RETRIBUTION

For informers let there be no hope and may all wickedness instantly perish may all Your enemies be swiftly cut off, and the insolent may You quickly uproot, crush, rout, disgrace, humble and subdue speedily in our days. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Crusher of enemies and Subduer of the insolent.

PRAYER FOR THE RIGHTEOUS SCHOLARS

Upon the righteous, upon the pious, upon the elders of the remnant of Your people the House of Israel, upon the remnant of their scholars, upon the true proselytes, and upon us, may Your mercy be aroused, Adonoy our God. Grant bountiful reward to all who trust in Your Name in truth; and place our lot among them, and may we never be put to shame, for in You we have put our trust, and on Your great compassion we truly rely. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Support and Trust of the righteous.

PRAYER FOR JERUSALEM

And to Jerusalem, Your city, return in mercy, and dwell therein as You have spoken; and rebuild it soon, in our days, as an everlasting structure, and the throne of David, Your servant may You speedily establish therein.

During Mincha services on the Ninth of Av, the following petition is added here:

Adonoy, our God, console the mourners of Zion and the mourners of Jerusalem and the city that is in mourning and in ruins, despised and desolate. Mourning because she is bereft of her children, ruined of her dwellings, despised in contrast to her former glory, desolate without inhabitants, she sits alone with her head covered like a barren woman who never gave birth. Legions have devoured her, idolaters have deprived her of her inheritance; they have put Your people Israel to the sword and have wantonly murdered the pious ones of the Most High. Therefore, Zion weeps bitterly, and Jerusalem raises her voice, “My heart, my heart [grieves] for their slain, my innards, my innards, [ache] for their slain. For you, Adonoy, set her afire, and with fire You will ultimately rebuild her, as it is said, “I will be to her, says Adonoy, a wall of fire around [her], and I shall be for glory in her midst.” Blessed are You, Adonoy, Consoler of Zion and Builder of Jerusalem.

“Zion” is the spiritual sanctuary, while “Jerusalem” is the Jewish commonwealth which was to flourish around Zion.—S.R. Hirsch

The Roman forces were called “legions.”

Zecharyah 2:9.

Continue: “The sprout of David

Blessed are You, Adonoy, Builder of Jerusalem.

PRAYER FOR SALVATION

The sprout of David, Your servant, speedily cause to flourish and exalt his power with Your deliverance, For Your deliverance we hope all day. and watch for Your deliverance. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Who causes to sprout the power of salvation.

PRAYER FOR ACCEPTANCE

Merciful Father Hear our voice, Adonoy, our God; spare us and have compassion on us, and accept our prayers compassionately and willingly, for You are Almighty Who hears prayers and supplications; and from Your Presence, our King, do not turn us away empty-handed, be gracious and answer us and hear our prayer

On Fast days during Mincha, the following petition is added here:

Answer us, Adonoy, answer us on the day of our fasting, for we are in great trouble. Do not regard our wickedness, do not conceal Your countenance from us, and do not be unmindful of our supplication. Please be near to our cry, let Your loving kindness console us. Even before we call unto You, answer us, as it is said: “And it shall come to pass that before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hear. For You, Adonoy, are the One Who answers in time of trouble, Who redeems and rescues in all times of trouble and distress.

Isaiah 65:24.

for You hear the prayers of every mouth of Your people, Israel, with compassion. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Who hears prayers.

PRAYER FOR RETURN OF DIVINE SERVICE

Be pleased, Adonoy, our God, with Your people Israel and pay heed to their prayer; and restore the service to the Holy of Holies in Your abode, and the fire-offerings of Israel; and accept their prayer, lovingly and willingly. And may You always find pleasure with the service of Your people, Israel.

On Rosh Chodesh and on Chol HaMoed, the following prayer is added:

Our God and God of our fathers, may there ascend, come, and reach, appear, be desired, and heard, counted and recalled our remembrance and reckoning; the remembrance of our fathers; the remembrance of the Mashiach the son of David, Your servant; the remembrance of Jerusalem, city of Your Sanctuary; and the remembrance of Your entire people, the House of Israel, before You for survival, for well-being, for favor, kindliness, compassion, for good life and peace on this day of:

Rosh Chodesh

the Festival of Matzos

the Festival of Sukkos

Remember us Adonoy, our God, on this day for well-being; be mindful of us on this day for blessing, and deliver us for good life. In accord with the promise of deliverance and compassion, spare us and favor us, have compassion on us and deliver us; for to You our eyes are directed because You are the Almighty Who is King, Gracious, and Merciful.

If you forgot to say this at Shacharis, (the Morning Service) or at Mincha (the Afternoon Service), but realized your omission before saying מוֹדִים, "We are thankful," you should say it at that time and continue with מוֹדִים. If you became aware of your omission after saying "מוֹדִים" "We are thankful," but before concluding the Shemoneh Esrei [and taking three steps backwards], start again from רְצֵה, "Be pleased." If you had completed the Shemoneh Esrei and then remembered, you must repeat the entire Shemoneh Esrei from the beginning. If you are in doubt, follow the same procedure as above. If you had already said the Musaf prayer and recalled your omission, it is the opinion of some authorities, that the Shemoneh Esrei of Shacharis be repeated as a נְדָבָה, a free-will-offering of prayer, rather than an obligatory prayer.

And may our eyes behold Your merciful return to Zion. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Who returns His Divine Presence to Zion.

THANKSGIVING

At the words, We are thankful, bend forward; at Adonoy return to an upright position.

We are thankful to You that You Adonoy are our God and the God of our fathers forever; Rock, Rock of our lives, the Shield of our deliverance, You are in every generation. We will give thanks to You and recount Your praise, for our lives which are committed into Your hand, and for our souls which are entrusted to You, and for Your miracles of every day with us, and for Your wonders and benefactions at all times— evening, morning and noon. (You are) The Beneficent One— for Your compassion is never withheld; And (You are) the Merciful One— for Your kindliness never ceases; for we have always placed our hope in You.

(When the Chazzan repeats the Shemoneh Esrei and says, “Who returns His Divine Presence to Zion”, the congregation responds by saying “Amein” and then the following prayer.)

We are thankful to You, that You Adonoy are our God, and God of our fathers, God of all flesh, Our Creator, Creator of the Beginning. Blessings and thanksgivings to Your great and holy Name for keeping us alive, and sustaining us; so may You always keep us alive and sustain us, and gather our exiles to the Courtyards of Your Sanctuary to observe Your statutes, and to do Your will, and to serve You wholeheartedly, for we are thankful to You. Blessed is the Almighty to Whom all thanks are due.

(On Chanukah and Purim the following prayer is added. If you omitted it, you need not repeat the Shemoneh Esrei. If, however, you became aware of your omission before concluding the blessing, you should say it at that time, and conclude by saying, “ וְעַל כֻּלָּם , and for all the foregoing.”)

[We thank You] for the miracles for the redemption, for the mighty deeds, for the deliverances, for the wonders for the consolations and for the wars that You performed for our fathers in those days at this season.

On Chanukah:

In the days of Matisyahu, son of Yochanan the High Priest, the Hasmonean and his sons, when the evil Greek kingdom rose up against Your people Israel to make them forget Your Torah and to turn them away from the statutes of Your will— You, in Your abundant mercy, stood by them in their time of distress, You defended their cause, You judged their grievances, You avenged them. You delivered the mighty into the hands of the weak, many into the hands of the few, defiled people into the hands of the undefiled, the wicked into the hands of the righteous, and insolent [sinners] into the hands of diligent students of Your Torah. And You made Yourself a great and sanctified name in Your world. And for Your people, Israel, You performed a great deliverance and redemption unto this very day. Afterwards, Your sons entered the Holy of Holies of Your Abode, cleaned Your Temple, purified Your Sanctuary, and kindled lights in the Courtyards of Your Sanctuary, and designated these eight days of Chanukah to thank and praise Your great Name.

On Purim:

In the days of Mordechai and Esther in Shushan the Capital [of Persia], when the evil Haman rose up against them, he sought to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their wealth— And You, in Your abundant mercy, annulled his counsel, frustrated his intention, and brought his evil plan upon his own head, and they hanged him and his sons upon the gallows.

And for all the foregoing blessed, exalted and extolled your Name, our King constantly, forever and ever.

During the Ten Days of Penitence, add:

Inscribe for a good life all the children of Your covenant.

If you forgot to say this, see page 000.

And all the living shall thank You forever and praise and bless Your great Name with sincerity forever; for You are goodness— the Almighty, Who is our deliverance and our help forever— the benevolent Almighty. Blessed are You, Adonoy, “The Beneficent” is Your Name and You it is fitting to praise.

Birkas Kohanim is said by the Chazzan on public fast-days:

Birkas Kohanim

Our God, and God of our fathers, bless us with the threefold blessing of the Torah, written by the hand of Moses, Your servant, pronounced from the mouth of Aaron and his sons, the kohanim, Your holy people; as it is said:

Adonoy bless you and guard you.

Adonoy shine His countenance upon you and be gracious unto you.

Adonoy turn His countenance toward you and grant you peace.

After Birkas Kohanim the congregation says:

Mighty One on high who dwells in might, You are peace and Your Name is peace. May it be Your will that You grant us and all of Your people, the House of Israel life and blessing for a safeguard to peace.

PRAYER FOR PEACE

Grant peace, goodness, and blessing, life favor, kindness and compassion upon us and upon all Israel, Your people. Bless us, our Father, all of us as one with the light of Your countenance. For by the light of Your countenance You gave us Adonoy our God, a Torah of life and the love of kindliness, righteousness, blessing, compassion, life, and peace. And may it be good in Your sight to bless us and to bless Your people Israel, at all times and at every moment with Your peace (with much strength and peace).

During the Ten Days of Penitence continue here:

In the book of life, blessing, peace and abundant maintenance, good decrees, salvations and condolences, may we be remembered and inscribed before You; we and all Your people, the House of Israel for a good life and peace.

If you forget to say this you need not go back and repeat it.

Blessed are You, Adonoy, Who blesses His people Israel with peace.

May they be acceptable the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart, before You Adonoy, my Rock and my Redeemer.

My God, guard my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking deceitfully. To those who curse me, may my soul be unresponsive; and let my soul be like dust to all. Open my heart to Your Torah and let my soul pursue Your commandments. And all who plan evil against me, quickly annul their counsel and frustrate their intention. (May it it be Your will Adonoy, my God and God of my fathers, that no person be envious of me and that I not be envious of others, that I not be brought to anger this day, and that I not cause Your anger; and save me from the evil inclination, and help me be humble and any modest. Our King and our Father, unify Your Name in Your world, rebuild Your city, establish Your house and perfect your sanctuary. Gather our exiles, redeem Your people, rejoice Your congregation). Act for the sake of Your Name. Act for the sake of Your right hand. Act for the sake of Your Torah. Act for the sake of Your holiness. In order that Your loved ones be released, deliver [with] Your right hand and answer me.

May they be acceptable—the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart—before You Adonoy, my Rock and my Redeemer.

He Who makes peace in His high heavens may He make peace upon us and upon all Israel and say Amein.

May it be Your will, Adonoy, our God, and the God of our Fathers that the Holy Temple be rebuilt speedily in our days, and grant us our share in Your Torah. And there we will serve You reverently as in the days of old, and in earlier years. And let Adonoy be pleased with the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem as in the days of old and in earlier years.

Where it comes in the siddur

In the other nusachs

Texts and sources

Every prayer text in Amidora comes from openly licensed editions published on Sefaria. Only editions released under CC-BY, CC0 or the public domain are included.