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ק"ש וברכותיה

נוסח ספרד · ימי חול · שחרית לימות החול · ק"ש וברכותיה

נוסח
נוסח ספרד
מהדורה
The Metsudah siddur, 1981

ק"ש וברכותיה

המנהג הפשוט בכל תפוצות ישראל לומר ברכו לפני פריסת שמע. ואין לאומרו בפחות מעשרה שכל דבר שבקדושה אינו בפחות מעשרה (אבודרהם).

ואומר שליח צבור:

בָּרְ֒כוּ אֶת יְהֹוָה הַמְּ֒בֹרָךְ:

ועונין הקהל:

בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה הַמְּ֒בֹרָךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:

אין להפסיק כלל בין ברכו ליוצר אור אפילו לדבר מצוה (לבוש). איתא בכתבים בתחלת יוצר אור צריך למשמש בתפילין. לכן כשיאמר יוצר אור ימשמש בשל יד. ובורא חושך ימשמש בשל ראש (פע"ח).

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם יוֹצֵר אוֹר וּבוֹרֵא חֽשֶׁךְ עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם וּבוֹרֵא אֶת הַכֹּל:

Forming, יוצר, is the act of refining or modifying an original substance, whereas, creating, בורא, refers to creating the original substance from nothing. For example, when one shapes a wooden table, to make it round, he “forms” the wood, the original substance which was “created.” Similarly, God “forms the light” which is His act of modifying or limiting the darkness He created.—Siddur HaGra

Making, עושה, is the act of completion, such as when one completes a table by painting it. Similarly, God's finishing touch of creation is “making peace,” the vessel that holds it all together, as stated in the Mishna, “God found no vessel to contain blessing other than peace.” לא מצא הקב״ה כלי מחזיק ברכה אלא השלום—Siddur HaGra

The verse in Isaiah 45:7, on which this blessing is based concludes with the words, “and creates evil.” In His original creation, God created the potential for evil, which He constantly limits and controls as the Former and Maker.—Siddur HaGra

הַמֵּאִיר לָאָֽרֶץ וְלַדָּרִים עָלֶֽיהָ בְּרַחֲמִים, וּבְטוּבוֹ מְחַדֵּשׁ בְּכָל יוֹם תָּמִיד מַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית: מָה־רַבּוּ מַעֲשֶֽׂיךָ יְהֹוָה, כֻּלָּם בְּחָכְמָה עָשִֽׂיתָ, מָלְ֒אָה הָאָֽרֶץ קִנְיָנֶֽךָ: הַמֶּֽלֶךְ הַמְּ֒רוֹמָם לְבַדּוֹ מֵאָז, הַמְּ֒שֻׁבָּח וְהַמְּ֒פֹאָר וְהַמִּתְנַשֵּׂא מִימוֹת עוֹלָם: אֱלֹהֵי עוֹלָם בְּרַחֲמֶֽיךָ הָרַבִּים רַחֵם עָלֵֽינוּ אֲדוֹן עֻזֵּֽנוּ צוּר מִשְׂגַּבֵּֽנוּ מָגֵן יִשְׁעֵֽנוּ מִשְׂגָּב בַּעֲדֵֽנוּ: אֵל בָּרוּךְ גְּדוֹל דֵּעָה, הֵכִין וּפָעַל זָהֳרֵי חַמָּה, טוֹב יָצַר כָּבוֹד לִשְׁמוֹ, מְאוֹרוֹת נָתַן סְבִיבוֹת עֻזּוֹ, פִּנּוֹת צְבָאָיו קְדוֹשִׁים רוֹמְ֒מֵי שַׁדַּי, תָּמִיד מְסַפְּ֒רִים כְּבוֹד אֵל וּקְ֒דֻשָּׁתוֹ: תִּתְבָּרֵךְ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ בַּשָּׁמַֽיִם מִמַּֽעַל וְעַל הַאָֽרֶץ מִתָּֽחַת עַל כָּל שֶֽׁבַח מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶֽיךָ וְעַל מְאֽוֹרֵי אוֹר שֶׁעָשִֽׂיתָ הֵֽמָּה יְפָאֲרֽוּךָ סֶּֽלָה:

God causes light to appear in stages, gradually. This is an act of great compassion for if He made it appear all at once, we would be overwhelmed and blinded by its brightness.— Avudraham

God is not a far-off observer of a mechanism which He created and ignores, but a Living Ruler, Who guides the universe and continually maintains it.

Lit., Your acquisitions: See Genesis 14:22.

I.e., before Creation, See p. 9: God was King before all creatures were created.

I.e., after Creation. Ever since Creation, God has been praised and glorified by His creatures.

See Isaiah 43:7: “All that is called by My Name, I have created for My glory.”—Avudraham

“Holy beings” are angels. In Hebrew, the word for angels means messenger, and includes all the instruments of Divine purpose, whether in human form, or in the forces of nature.—Kuzari

A name of God (Genesis 17:1; 35:11; 43:14, etc.) which refers to His setting boundaries and limits throughout creation.

The Heavenly throne is thus conceived of as surrounded by angels and all the adoring heavenly bodies.—See Isaiah 6:12

Those of His creatures capable of praising Him do so. The rest are evidence of His astonishing wisdom and arouse the others to praise Him.

תִּתְבָּרֵךְ לָנֶצַח צוּרֵֽנוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ וְגוֹאֲלֵֽנוּ, בּוֹרֵא קְדוֹשִׁים יִשְׁתַּבַּח שִׁמְךָ לָעַד מַלְכֵּֽנוּ, יוֹצֵר מְשָׁרְ֒תִים, וַאֲשֶׁר מְשָׁרְ֒תָיו כֻּלָּם עוֹמְ֒דִים בְּרוּם עוֹלָם וּמַשְׁמִיעִים בְּיִרְאָה יַֽחַד בְּקוֹל דִּבְרֵי אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים וּמֶֽלֶךְ עוֹלָם: כֻּלָם אֲהוּבִים כֻּלָּם בְּרוּרִים כֻּלָּם גִּבּוֹרִים כֻּלָּם קְדוֹשִׁים וְכֻלָּם עֹשִׂים בְּאֵימָה וּבְיִרְאָה רְצוֹן קוֹנָם: וְכֻלָּם פּוֹתְ֒חִים אֶת פִּיהֶם בִּקְדֻשָּׁה וּבְטָהֳרָה בְּשִׁירָה וּבְזִמְרָה וּמְבָרְ֒כִין וּמְשַׁבְּ֒חִין וּמְפָאֲרִין וּמַעֲרִיצִין וּמַקְדִּישִׁין וּמַמְלִיכִין:

Some render צורנו “our Rock.” The Gaon of Vilna, however, maintains that it refers to God as our Creator, thus describing Him in the tri-epochal aspect of His Unity: past, present, and future. He was our Creator, He is our King, and He will be our Redeemer.

These are the Jewish People, who are sanctified in body and soul. The word Creator implies a creation of real substance—the Jewish People rather than angels.—Vilna Gaon

Beloved—there is no envy, jealousy or rivalry among them. Pure—they have no selfish or ulterior motives; they serve God with all their being.—Siddur HaGra

אֶת שֵׁם הָאֵל הַמֶּֽלֶךְ הַגָּדוֹל הַגִּבּוֹר וְהַנּוֹרָא קָדוֹשׁ הוּא: וְכֻלָּם מְקַבְּ֒לִים עֲלֵיהֶם עֹל מַלְכוּת שָׁמַֽיִם זֶה מִזֶּה, וְנוֹתְ֒נִים בְּאַהֲבָה רְשׁוּת זֶה לָזֶה לְהַקְדִּישׁ לְיוֹצְ֒רָם בְּנַֽחַת רֽוּחַ בְּשָׂפָה בְרוּרָה וּבִנְעִימָה, קְדֻשָּׁה כֻּלָּם כְּאֶחָד עוֹנִים בְּאֵימָה וְאוֹמְ֒רִים בְּיִרְאָה

Despite the attributes we use to describe Him, He remains holy—beyond our conception.

The yoke of Divine Sovereignty is borne willingly and joyfully by each creature as an emblem of his free service to God.—S.R. Hirsch

They take care not to precede one another in their praise of God. On the contrary, each says to the other, “You begin, because you are greater and more worthy than I.”—Avos of R’ Nosson

The clear speech of the angels is the holy tongue (pure Hebrew).—Ya'avetz

קָדוֹשׁ קָדוֹשׁ, קָדוֹשׁ יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת. מְלֹא כָל־הָאָֽרֶץ כְּבוֹדוֹ:

Isaiah 6:3. Targum Yonoson paraphrases this verse: “Holy [is God] in the highest heights of heaven, the abode of His Divine Presence; holy upon earth, the work of His almighty power; holy [is He] forever and for all eternity.” The Talmud, (Masechcs Chulin 91b) refers to this verse as the “Sanctification of the Angels.” According to Avudraham and Ya'avetz; this Kedushah has been inserted here to refute those who maintain that God relinquished His control over the heavenly bodies, and they are now able to function independently. We are therefore told that all the heavenly hosts proclaim God's sanctification and dominion over all the universe.

וְהָאוֹפַנִּים וְחַיּוֹת הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ בְּרַֽעַשׁ גָּדוֹל מִתְנַשְּׂ֒אִים לְעֻמַּת שְׂרָפִים לְעֻמָּתָם מְשַׁבְּ֒חִים וְאוֹמְ֒רִים:

Ofanim, Chayos haKodesh, and Serafim are various classes of Angels. Ofanim denotes animated wheels as conceived in association with the Heavenly throne. (Avudraham); Chayos are those angels who exist eternally (Ya'avetz; some angels exist only for short times for specific functions.) Serafim indicate “beings of fire.”

בָּרוּךְ כְּבוֹד־יְהֹוָה מִמְּ֒קוֹמוֹ:

Ezekiel 3:12. According to the Kuzari, God's glory is a euphemism for God Himself. Thus the verse means, “Blessed is Adonoy from His place,” conveying this concept: God is more blessed (i.e., greater) than His place; He is not confined to any place. Another view set forth in the Kuzari is that “God's glory” includes the angels. His throne, His chariot, the firmament, and the spheres. These are called God's glory, similar to a king's retinue, which is his royal splendor.

לָאֵל בָּרוּךְ נְעִימוֹת יִתֵּֽנוּ, לַמֶּֽלֶךְ אֵל חַי וְקַיָּם זְמִירוֹת יֹאמֵֽרוּ וְתִשְׁבָּחוֹת יַשְׁמִֽיעוּ, כִּי הוּא לְבַדּוֹ מָרוֹם וְקָדוֹשׁ פּוֹעֵל גְּבוּרוֹת עֹשֶׂה חֲדָשׁוֹת בַּֽעַל מִלְחָמוֹת זוֹרֵֽעַ צְדָקוֹת מַצְמִֽיחַ יְשׁוּעוֹת בּוֹרֵא רְפוּאוֹת נוֹרָא תְהִלּוֹת אֲדוֹן הַנִּפְלָאוֹת: הַמְ֒חַדֵּשׁ בְּטוּבוֹ בְּכָל יוֹם תָּמִיד מַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית: כָּאָמוּר לְעֹשֵׂה אוֹרִים גְּדֹלִים כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ: (וְהִתְקִין מְאוֹרוֹת מְשַׂמֵּֽחַ עוֹלָמוֹ אֲשֶׁר בָּרָא.) אוֹר חָדָשׁ עַל צִיּוֹן תָּאִיר וְנִזְכֶּה כֻלָּֽנוּ בִּמְהֵרָה לְאוֹרוֹ: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה יוֹצֵר הַמְּ֒אוֹרוֹת:

The angels.

Rabbi Pinchos ben Ya'ir was given two measures of barley for safekeeping. The owner forgot about it for a number of years. Rabbi Pinchos ben Ya'ir planted the barley seed, and each year replanted the previous year's harvest until it grew to be a substantial crop. After seven years, the owner returned to claim his two measures of barley and Rabbi Pinchos told him, “Come I will show you the great fortune you have accumulated.” God does the same with the good and righteous deeds of man. He sows each righteous deed, and when the person is ready to receive his reward, God returns the original righteous investment plus all the accumulated dividends.—Midrash Rabba, Deuteronomy 3:6

Since the blessing began with the praise of God as the Former of light Who continually renews the creation, it concludes on the same note.

Psalms 136:7.

We pray that we will be worthy of enjoying the original light of creation, which God put aside for the righteous in the future world.—Ya'avetz

When reciting this blessing, bear in mind that even though the heavenly spheres appear immense to us and we attach much importance to them because of the vital functions they perform, in the eyes of their Creator they are no greater than worms. On the contrary, His wisdom and providence are more acutely recognized in an ant or bee because, in spite of their minuteness, they are endowed with a complex of faculties and organs.—Kuzari

בברכה זו נכללים דברים רבים כי השם אהב אותנו מכל האומות ונתן לנו תורה ולהאמין בייחודו ושהוא אדון הכל. וכתב בעל המנהגות מה שסמכו אהבת עולם ליוצר המאורות לפי שבה מזכיר יחוד שמו של הקב"ה ונתינת התורה המאירה מכל המאורות. שהשמש אינו מאיר אלא ביום והתורה ביום ובלילה (אבודרהם).

אַהֲבַת עוֹלָם אֲהַבְתָּֽנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ חֶמְלָה גְדוֹלָה וִיתֵרָה חָמַֽלְתָּ עָלֵֽינוּ: אָבִֽינוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ בַּעֲבוּר שִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל וּבַעֲבוּר אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ שֶׁבָּטְ֒חוּ בְךָ וַתְּ֒לַמְּ֒דֵם חֻקֵּי חַיִּים לַעֲשׂוֹת רְצוֹנְ֒ךָ בְּלֵבָב שָׁלֵם כֵּן תְּחָנֵּֽנוּ וּתְלַמְּ֒דֵֽנוּ: אָבִֽינוּ אָב הָרַחֲמָן הַמְרַחֵם רַחֵם עָלֵֽינוּ וְתֵן בְּלִבֵּֽנוּ בִּינָה לְהָבִין וּלְהַשְׂכִּיל לִשְׁמֹֽעַ לִלְמוֹד וּלְ֒לַמֵּד לִשְׁמֹר וְלַעֲשׂוֹת וּלְקַיֵּם אֶת־כָּל דִּבְרֵי־תַלְמוּד תּוֹרָתֶֽךָ בְּאַהֲבָה: וְהָאֵר עֵינֵֽינוּ בְּתוֹרָתֶֽךָ וְדַבֵּק לִבֵּֽנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתֶֽיךָ וְיַחֵד לְבָבֵֽנוּ לְאַהֲבָה וּלְיִרְאָה אֶת שְׁמֶֽךָ, לְמַֽעַן לֹא נֵבוֹשׁ וְלֹא נִכָּלֵם וְלֹא נִכָּשֵׁל לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד, כִּי בְשֵׁם קָדְשְׁ֒ךָ הַגָּדוֹל הַגִּבּוֹר וְהַנּוֹרָא בָּטָֽחְנוּ נָגִֽילָה וְנִשְׂמְ֒חָה בִּישׁוּעָתֶֽךָ: וְרַחֲמֶֽיךָ יְהֹוָה אֶלֹהֵֽינוּ וַחֲסָדֶֽיךָ הָרַבִּים אַל יַעַזְבֽוּנוּ נֶֽצַח סֶֽלָה וָעֶד: מַהֵר וְהָבֵא עָלֵֽינוּ בְּרָכָה וְשָׁלוֹם מְהֵרָה מֵאַרְבַּע כַּנְפוֹת כָּל הָאָֽרֶץ וּשְׁבוֹר עוֹל הַגּוֹיִם מֵעַל צַוָּארֵֽנוּ וְתוֹלִיכֵֽנוּ מְהֵרָה קוֹמְ֒מִיּוּת לְאַרְצֵֽנוּ: כִּי אֵל פּוֹעֵל יְשׁוּעוֹת אָֽתָּה וּבָֽנוּ בָחַֽרְתָּ מִכָּל־עַם וְלָשׁוֹן וְקֵרַבְתָּֽנוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ לְשִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל סֶֽלָה בֶּאֱמֶת בְּאַהֲבָה לְהוֹדוֹת לְךָ וּלְיַחֶדְךָ בְּאַהֲבָה וּלְאַהֲבָה אֶת שְׁמֶֽךָ: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה הַבּוֹחֵר בְּעַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּאַהֲבָה:

The Kuzari writes, “When reciting the blessing ׳Unbounded Love’ אהבה רבה, one should bear in mind that God's Divine influence is especially directed at the Jewish People who receive it as naturally as a mirror receives rays of light. He should also bear in mind that the Torah is the expression of God's will and through it He establishes His dominion on earth as in heaven. Whenever an individual or a community attains a high degree of spiritual purity, they become worthy of receiving the Divine light to guide their destiny in a miraculous manner far removed from the ordinary course of events which affect the world. This special relationship with the Creator is called “love.”

God bestowed His great and abundant pity on us after we sinned in making the golden calf. He not only pardoned us, but gave us the Second Tablets and ordained the construction of the Tabernacle (Mishkan) for His Divine Presence to dwell among us.—Siach Yitzchok

We preserve the Torah by not forgetting its teachings; we practice the commandments and we fulfill them by making them permanent parts of our lives.—Siach Yitzchok

Make us single-hearted and undivided in our love and reverence of Your Name. Keep us from distraction of personal thoughts and selfish motives.—Siach Yitzchok

When one has to receive a favor that is completely undeserved, he feels a sense of shame. We therefore pray to God, that our redemption will not be “handed out” to us without merit and cause us to be ashamed. We proclaim that since we “trusted in His Name” and accepted the bitterness of our exile our deliverance is not totally undeserved.—Siach Yitzchok

May we return from our exile with our heads held high, not in meekness.—Siach Yitzchok

Even if we do not deserve to be saved in our own merit, save us anyhow because You perform acts of deliverance.

At the moment God gave the Torah to the Jews at Sinai, we became His chosen people and were brought close to Him for eternity.—Siach Yitzchok

These final words complete the prayer begun earlier: “Bring us in peace, and lead us upright to our land, so that we may give thanks to You, and proclaim Your Oneness, with love.—S.Y.

ואומר שמע ישראל. ונהגו לאומרו בקול רם כדי לעורר הכוונה בפסוק הראשון שבו עיקר הכוונה. ולא יאריך באל"ף של אחד ולא יחטוף בחי"ת. ויאריך בדל"ת כשיעור שימליכהו בארבע רוחות העולם (אבודרהם). כל מקום שנרשם עגול כזה (°) הוא כדי להורות לתת ריוח בכל תיבה שתחלתה כסוף האות שלפניה.

יחיד אומר

אֵל מֶֽלֶךְ נֶאֱמָן:

שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ יְהֹוָה אֶחָד:

Deuteronomy 6:4. It is customary to recite this verse aloud, the ear hearing what the lips utter. This helps one concentrate on the meaning of this important declaration. Interestingly, the last letter of the first word שמע and last letter of אחד arc written larger than the others. These two letters form the word עד “witness”—i.e., every Jew by saying Shema testifies to God's oneness.—Avudraham Customarily one closes his eyes when pronouncing this testimony in order to shut out all distractions, and to concentrate all of one's thoughts on God's oneness. The last word, אחד, “One,” is to be said with special emphasis, drawing it out for the length of time needed to reflect that God, the Giver and Sustainer of life Whose Providence guides the destinies of all men, is the unique God of Israel, that He is alone in His world, ruling all four corners of the universe.

יש להפסיק מעט בין אחד לברוך כי עיקר קבול עול מלכות שמים היא פסוק ראשון. ויאמר בלחש:

בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:

Jacob wished to reveal to his sons the ‘end of the days,׳ whereupon the Shechinah departed from him. Said he, “Perhaps, Heaven forbid! there is one unfit among my children.” His sons exclaimed to him, “Hear Israel” etc., just as there is only One in your heart so is there only One in our heart. Ben Lakish explained that Jacob said, “Blessed [is His] Name” in response to his sons’ exclamation. The Sages wondered, “Shall we recite it aloud when our teacher Moses did not say it? Shall we not say it at all, when Jacob ordained it?” Thus, the Rabbis enacted that it be said quietly.—Maseches Pesachim 56a. When Moses went up to the heavens, he heard the angels praise God by saying, “Blessed [is His] Name, etc.” When he returned to earth, he taught it to the Jewish People. We say it in an undertone so as not to offend the angels. On Yom Kippur however, when we are considered like angels, we are permitted to say ברוך שם aloud.—Midrash Rabba to Deuteronomy

וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ בְּכָל֯־לְ֯בָבְךָ וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁךָ וּבְכָל־מְאֹדֶֽךָ: וְהָיוּ הַדְּ֒בָרִים הָאֵֽלֶּה אֲשֶׁר֯ אָ֯נֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם עַל֯־לְ֯בָבֶֽךָ: וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶֽיךָ וְדִבַּרְתָּ בָּם בְּשִׁבְתְּ֒ךָ בְּבֵיתֶֽךָ וּבְלֶכְתְּ֒ךָ בַדֶּֽרֶךְ וּבְשָׁכְבְּ֒ךָ וּבְקוּמֶֽךָ: וּקְשַׁרְתָּם לְאוֹת עַל֯־יָ֯דֶֽךָ וְהָיוּ לְטֹטָפֹת בֵּין עֵינֶֽיךָ: וּכְתַבְתָּם עַל־מְזֻזוֹת בֵּיתֶֽךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶֽיךָ:

Our Sages (Sifrei to Deuteronomy 31) explain “With all your heart” to mean “With all your desires—including the evil inclination,” i.e., subject your earthly passions and ambitions to God's Law and make them instruments for His service.

The Sages (ibid.) take these words to mean “With your whole life—even to the last drop of blood.” It was such an understanding that led Rabbi Akiva to say, when the executioner was tearing his flesh with iron hooks, “All my life, I have longed for this moment. I have loved God with all my heart and with all my might; and now at last, I can love Him with my whole life.” It was this concept that gave Jewish martyrs the courage to lay down their lives for their faith.

The Sages (ibid.) explain, “With whatever lot Providence has assigned to you,” i.e., despite whatever material sacrifice your loyalty to God and to Torah might entail.

The teachings of the Torah should be ever fresh in your minds, as though you received it today.—Ibid.

See to it that your children have a clear, and not a confused, stammering knowledge of the Torah.—Ibid.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9. This paragraph contains 10 commandments: 1) accepting the “yoke” of heaven; 2) proclaiming the Unity of God; 3) loving God; 4) studying Torah (and you shall speak of them); 5) teaching your children; 6-7) reciting Shema in the evening and in the morning; 8-9) putting on the tefillin of the hand and head; 10) putting up mezuzos on the door-posts.

וְהָיָה אִם־שָׁמֹֽעַ תִּשְׁמְ֒עוּ אֶל־מִצְוֹתַי אֲשֶׁר֯ אָ֯נֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם הַיּוֹם לְאַהֲבָה אֶת־יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם וּלְעָבְדוֹ בְּכָל֯־לְ֯בַבְכֶם וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁ֒כֶם: וְנָתַתִּי מְטַר֯־אַ֯רְצְ֒כֶם בְּעִתּוֹ֯ י֯וֹרֶה וּמַלְקוֹשׁ וְאָסַפְתָּ דְגָנֶֽךָ וְתִירשְׁ֒ךָ וְיִצְהָרֶֽךָ: וְנָתַתִּי עֵֽשֶׂב֯ בְּ֯שָׂדְ֒ךָ לִבְהֶמְתֶּֽךָ וְאָכַלְתָּ וְשָׂבָֽעְתָּ: הִשָּׁמְ֒רוּ לָכֶם פֶּן֯־יִ֯פְתֶּה לְבַבְכֶם וְסַרְתֶּם וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֱלֹהִים֯ אֲ֯חֵרִים וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶם לָהֶם: וְחָרָה אַף־יְהֹוָה בָּכֶם וְעָצַר֯ אֶ֯ת־הַשָּׁמַֽיִם וְלֹּא֯־יִ֯הְיֶה מָטָר וְהָאֲדָמָה לֹא תִתֵּן אֶת֯־יְ֯בוּלָהּ וַאֲבַדְתֶּם֯ מְ֯הֵרָה מֵעַל הָאָֽרֶץ הַטֹּבָה אֲשֶׁר֯ יְ֯הֹוָה נֹתֵן לָכֶם: וְשַׂמְתֶּם֯ אֶ֯ת־דְּבָרַי֯ אֵֽ֯לֶּה עַל֯־לְ֯בַבְכֶם וְעַל־נַפְשְׁ֒כֶם וּקְשַׁרְתֶּם֯ אֹ֯תָם לְאוֹת עַל֯־יֶ֯דְכֶם וְהָיוּ לְטוֹטָפֹת בֵּין עֵינֵיכֶם: וְלִמַּדְתֶּם֯ אֹ֯תָם אֶת־בְּנֵיכֶם לְדַבֵּר בָּם בְּשִׁבְתְּ֒ךָ בְּבֵיתֶֽךָ וּבְלֶכְתְּ֒ךָ בַדֶּֽרֶךְ וּבְשָׁכְבְּ֒ךָ וּבְקוּמֶֽךָ: וּכְתַבְתָּם עַל־מְזוּזוֹת בֵּיתֶֽךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶֽיךָ: לְמַֽעַן֯ יִ֯רְבּוּ יְמֵיכֶם וִימֵי בְנֵיכֶם עַל הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע יְהֹוָה לַאֲבֹתֵיכֶם לָתֵת לָהֶם כִּימֵי הַשָּׁמַֽיִם עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ:

The service of the heart is prayer, as David said (Psalms 141:2) “May my prayers be acceptable to You as an incense [service].”

God will make it rain at night so as not to cause you discomfort.—Rashi

Reward and punishment are here connected with the rainfalls vital to the Land of Israel. The heavy rains which open the growing season in the fall and the showers which fall while the grain is ripening are of utmost importance.

One who is satisfied can easily be induced to forget the Source of his fullness.—Rashi

No extension will be given. The “generation of the flood” was granted a reprieve of 120 years (Genesis 6:3) because they did not have from whom to learn; but you do have from whom to learn.—Sifrei, cited by Rashi

Even in exile you must fulfill God's commandments—Sifrei cited by Rashi

Between your eyes is not to be taken literally. The correct position of the phylactery of the head (shel rosh) is at the edge of the hair line directly above the place which is between the eyes.

From the moment your son knows how to talk, begin teaching him the Torah.—Rashi.

וַֽיֹּאמֶר֯ יְ֯הֹוָה֯ אֶ֯ל־משֶׁה לֵּאמֹר: דַּבֵּר֯ אֶ֯ל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם וְעָשׂוּ לָהֶם צִיצִת עַל־כַּנְ֒פֵי בִגְ֒דֵיהֶם לְדֹרֹתָם וְנָתְ֒נוּ עַל־צִיצִת הַכָּנָף֯ פְּ֯תִיל תְּכֵֽלֶת: וְהָיָה לָכֶם לְצִיצִת וּרְאִיתֶם֯ אֹ֯תוֹ וּזְכַרְתֶּם֯ אֶ֯ת־כָּל־מִצְוֹת֯ יְ֯הֹוָה וַעֲשִׂיתֶם֯ אֹ֯תָם וְלֹא תָתֽוּרוּ אַחֲרֵי לְבַבְכֶם וְאַחֲרֵי עֵינֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר֯־אַ֯תֶּם זֹנִים֯ אַ֯חֲרֵיהֶם: לְמַֽעַן תִּזְכְּ֒רוּ וַעֲשִׂיתֶם֯ אֶ֯ת־כָּל־מִצְוֹתָי וִהְיִיתֶם קְדשִׁים לֵאלֹהֵיכֶם: אֲנִי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם֯ אֲ֯שֶׁר הוֹצֵֽאתִי אֶתְכֶם֯ מֵ֯אֶֽרֶץ מִצְרַֽיִם לִהְיוֹת לָכֶם לֵאלֹהִים֯ אֲ֯נִי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם֯:

Rabbi Yehuda bar Chaviva said that this third section was added to Shema because of six important things contained therein: 1. the commandment of fringes, 2. mention of the Exodus, 3. the call to assume the yoke of God׳s commandments, 4. the warning against heretical concepts, 5. the warning against straying after sinful desires, and 6. the warning against idolatrous worship.—Maseches Berachos 12b

Rabbi Meir says: “The blue thread of the fringes resembles the sea, the sea reflects the heavens, and heavens resemble the Throne of Glory” (Sifrei). The outward act of looking upon the tzitzis leads the Jew to inward spiritual conformity with the precepts of God.

The heart and the eyes of a person are the agents of sin—the eye sees, the heart desires, and thus the person sins —Tanchuma cited by Rashi.

Numbers 15:37-41.

יש לצרף אֱלֹהֵיכֶם לאֱמֶת

אֱ֯מֶת

שליח ציבור:

יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם֯ אֱ֯מֶת:

כל שלא אמר אמת ויציב שחרית ואמת ואמונה ערבית לא יצא ידי חובתו שנאמר (תהלים צב ג) להגיד בבקר חסדך ואמונתך בלילות (ברכות יב.) ופירש"י שברכת אמת ויציב כלה על חסד שעשה עם אבותינו שהוציאם ממצרים ובקע להם הים והעבירם.

וְיַצִּיב וְנָכוֹן וְקַיָּם וְיָשָׁר וְנֶאֱמָן וְאָהוּב וְחָבִיב וְנֶחְמָד וְנָעִים וְנוֹרָא וְאַדִּיר וּמְתֻקָּן וּמְקֻבָּל וְטוֹב וְיָפֶה הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה עָלֵֽינוּ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: אֱמֶת אֱלֹהֵי עוֹלָם מַלְכֵּֽנוּ צוּר יַעֲקֹב מָגֵן יִשְׁעֵֽנוּ, לְדֹר וָדֹר הוּא קַיָּם וּשְׁמוֹ קַיָּם וְכִסְאוֹ נָכוֹן וּמַלְכוּתוֹ וֶאֱמוּנָתוֹ לָעַד קַיָּֽמֶת: וּדְבָרָיו חָיִים וְקַיָּמִים נֶאֱמָנִים וְנֶחֱמָדִים לָעַד וּלְעוֹלְ֒מֵי עוֹלָמִים, עַל אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ וְעָלֵֽינוּ עַל בָּנֵֽינוּ וְעַל דּוֹרוֹתֵֽינוּ וְעַל כָּל דּוֹרוֹת זֶֽרַע יִשְׂרָאֵל עֲבָדֶֽיךָ:

The Jew declares his commitment to God, and states that His precepts are not forced upon him. On the contrary, they are beloved, cherished, delightful and pleasant to him.—Siach Yitzchok

The teachings of Torah are correct in their totality. They lack nothing and are eternally valid for all situations.—Siach Yitzchok

Even those precepts that are not easily understood and appear to contradict human nature, are accepted by us.—Siach Yitzchok

All that was affirmed above in Shema.

After having affirmed that all that was said in Shema is true, firm, certain, enduring, etc., we take an oath and testify that we accept the “yoke of heaven” upon ourselves as did our fathers before us and as will our children after us, forever and ever. Thus we say in the following prayer: “For our fathers, for us, for our children and for our descendants—Your word is good and lasting—a Law that will never be abrogated.”—Kuzari

עַל הָרִאשׁוֹנִים וְעַל הָאַחֲרוֹנִים דָּבָר טוֹב וְקַיָּם לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד, אֱמֶת וֶאֱמוּנָה חוֹק וְלֹא יַעֲבֹר: אֱמֶת שָׁאַתָּה הוּא יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ מֶֽלֶךְ אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ גֹּאֲלֵֽנוּ גֹּאֵל אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ יוֹצְ֒רֵֽנוּ צוּר יְשׁוּעָתֵֽנוּ פּוֹדֵֽנוּ וּמַצִּילֵֽנוּ מֵעוֹלָם הוּא שְׁמֶֽךָ וְאֵין לָֽנוּ עוֹד אֱלֹהִים זוּלָתֶֽךָ סֶֽלָה:

עֶזְרַת אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ אַתָּה הוּא מֵעוֹלָם מָגֵן וּמוֹשִֽׁיעַ לָהֶם וְלִבְנֵיהֶם אַחֲרֵיהֶם בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר: בְּרוּם עוֹלָם מוֹשָׁבֶֽךָ וּמִשְׁפָּטֶֽיךָ וְצִדְקָתְךָ עַד אַפְסֵי אָֽרֶץ: אֶמֶת אַשְׁרֵי אִישׁ שֶׁיִּשְׁמַע לְמִצְוֹתֶֽיךָ וְתוֹרָתְ֒ךָ וּדְבָרְ֒ךָ יָשִׂים עַל לִבּוֹ: אֱמֶת אַתָּה הוּא אָדוֹן לְעַמֶּֽךָ וּמֶֽלֶךְ גִּבּוֹר לָרִיב רִיבָם לאָבוֹת וּבָנִים: אֱמֶת אַתָּה הוּא רִאשׁוֹן וְאַתָּה הוּא אַחֲרוֹן וּמִבַּלְעָדֶֽיךָ אֵין לָֽנוּ מֶֽלֶךְ גּוֹאֵל וּמוֹשִֽׁיעַ: אֱמֶת מִמִּצְרַֽיִם גְּאַלְתָּֽנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וּמִבֵּית עֲבָדִים פְּדִיתָֽנוּ: כָּל בְּכוֹרֵיהֶם הָרָֽגְתָּ וּבְכוֹרְ֒ךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל גָּאָֽלְתָּ וְיַם סוּף בָּקַֽעְתָּ וְזֵדִים טִבַּֽעְתָּ וִידִידִים הֶעֱבַֽרְתָּ וַיְכַסּוּ מַֽיִם צָרֵיהֶם אֶחָד מֵהֶם לֹא נוֹתָר: עַל זֹאת שִׁבְּ֒חוּ אֲהוּבִים וְרוֹמְ֒מוּ לָאֵל וְנָתְ֒נוּ יְדִידִים זְמִירוֹת שִׁירוֹת וְתִשְׁבָּחוֹת בְּרָכוֹת וְהוֹדָאוֹת לְמֶּֽלֶךְ אֵל חַי וְקַיָּם: רָם וְנִשָּׂא גָּדוֹל וְנוֹרָא מַשְׁפִּיל גֵּאִים עֲדֵי אָֽרֶץ וּמַגְבִּֽיהַּ שְׁפָלִים עֲדֵי מָרוֹם מוֹצִיא אֲסִירִים וּפוֹדֶה עֲנָוִים וְעוֹזֵר דַּלִּים וְעוֹנֶה לְעַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּעֵת שַׁוְּ֒עָם אֵלָיו:

The word help indicates that the recipient also participated in his rescue, whereas the words shield and deliverer indicate that the rescue was made without any help from the rescued party. Our fathers who were righteous, participated in their rescue, and God “helped” them. Since we are not that righteous, God shields and delivers us even though we have no merit.—Siach Yitzchok

Alternatively: “Affect mankind to the end of earthly time.”—Avudraham

Your Torah” means the basic concepts of the Torah itself, and “Your word” refers to ethical concepts, derived from events described in the Torah and by the Prophets.—Siach Yitzchok

We refer to God as First and Last only in order to preclude the notion that anything existed before Him, and to repudiate the idea that there is an end to His existence. We do not assert that He has a beginning or a fixed term.—Kuzari

See Exodus 4:22.

God humbled the Egyptians who were haughty and raised high the Jews who had been lowly captives in Egypt.

God also helps those who are spiritually impoverished.—Rabbi Yehuda ben Yakar

תְּהִלּוֹת לְאֵל עֶלְיוֹן גֹּאֲלָם בָּרוּךְ הוּא וּמְבֹרָךְ, משֶׁה וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְךָ עָנוּ שִׁירָה בְּשִׂמְחָה רַבָּה וְאָמְ֒רוּ כֻלָּם:

Intrinsically.

By others.

מִי כָמֹֽכָה בָּאֵלִם יְהֹוָה מִי כָּמֹֽכָה נֶאְדָּר בַּקֹּֽדֶשׁ נוֹרָא תְהִלֹּת עֹֽשֵׂה פֶֽלֶא:

שִׁירָה חֲדָשָׁה שִׁבְּ֒חוּ גְאוּלִים לְשִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל עַל שְׂפַת הַיָּם יַֽחַד כֻּלָּם הוֹדוּ וְהִמְלִֽיכוּ וְאָמְרוּ:

יְהֹוָה יִמְלֹךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:

צוּר יִשְׂרָאֵל קֽוּמָה בְּעֶזְרַת יִשְׂרָאֵל וּפְדֵה כִנְאֻמֶֽךָ יְהוּדָה וְיִשְׂרָאֵל, גֹּאֲלֵֽנוּ יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת שְׁמוֹ קְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה גָּאַל יִשְׂרָאֵל:

As it is said, “And a redeemer will come to Zion and to those of Jacob who repent of their transgression, said Adonoy” (Isaiah 59:20).

While God is always referred to as the Redeemer of Israel, this blessing utilizes the past tense, “Who redeemed Israel,” as it refers specifically to our redemption from Egypt.—Tzelosa d'Avrohom Our faith in the Redeemer of Israel, Who redeemed us from Egypt, and our hope that He will redeem us from exile, give us the spiritual energy and courage to stand before Him, to pray and beseech Him for our needs, as we proceed to the Amidah.—Yesodos HaTefillah

המתפלל צריך שיכוין בליבו פירוש המילות שהוא מוציא בשפתיו. ואם אינו יכול לכוין פירוש המילות לכל הפחות צריך שיחשוב בשעת התפילה בדברים המכניעים את הלב ומכוונים את לבו לאביו שבשמים. יכוין רגליו זה אצל זה כאילו אינן אלא אחת. ויזהר להתפלל בלחש. ולא ירמוז בעיניו ולא יקרוץ בשפתיו ולא יראה באצבעותיו ואינו פוסק אפילו לקדיש וקדושה וברכו (קיצשו"ע יח)

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