List of Jewish prayers and blessings

Listed below are some Hebrew prayers and blessings that are part of Judaism that are recited by many Jews. There are two categories of Jewish phrases that are called blessings; one group is informal blessings one wishes another (like "Mazel tov!") and the other are formal blessings that always begin:

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם

Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam

Translation: Blessed are you, Lord, our God, King of the universe...

Both types are listed here.

Prayers with their own articles

Aleinu (עלינו) - The Aleinu praises God for allowing the Jewish people to serve him, and expresses their hope that the whole world will recognize God and abandon idolatry.
Amidah (עמידה)("Standing") also known as the Shemoneh Esreh ("The Eighteen") prayer - said three times a day (four times on holidays, and five times on Yom Kipur)
Ein Keloheinu (אין כאלהינו) - Synagogue prayer
Kaddish (קדיש)- The central theme of the Kaddish is the magnification and sanctification of God's name. It is usually associated as a prayer said for the dead but several versions exist. The mourners Kadish doesn't even mention death but rather reafirms a Jew's faith in G-d.
Kol Nidre (כל-נדרי)- A prayer recited in the synagogue at the beginning of the evening service on Yom Kippur (יום כיפור), the Day of Atonement. Its name is taken from the opening words, meaning "All vows".
Hallel (הלל) - Prayers which are used for praise and thanksgiving that are recited on Jewish holidays. Hallel is said in one of two forms: Full Hallel and Partial Hallel.
Shema Yisrael (שמע ישראל) - the first two words of a section of the Hebrew Bible that is used as a centerpiece of all Jewish prayer services and closely echoes the monotheistic message of Judaism.
Ma Tovu (מה טובו) - prayer of reverence for the synagogue
Birkat Cohanim - the Priestly Blessing recited by the Cohanim on Shabbat and Festivals.

Shabbat blessings

The Jewish Sabbath is known as Shabbat in Hebrew.

Candle lighting blessings before Shabbat

Main article Shabbat

Note: The Shabbat candles should be lit not later than eighteen minutes before sunset on Friday at dusk. In Judaism a "day" begins with the previous night's onset. Thus Shabbat starts Friday evening and ends Saturday night.

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו להדליק נר של שבת

Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam asher kid'shanu b'meetzvotav v'tzeevanu l’had’lik neir shel shabbat

Translation: Blessed are you, Lord, our God, King of the universe who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the candles of Shabbat

Havdalah - "Dividing" ceremony

(Havdalah is recited Saturday night, usually an hour after sunset, measured as the time when three stars appear in the sky, when Shabbat is over.)

Havdalah is a ceremony consisting of 4 blessings.

Kiddush, i.e, the prayer over wine, is said:

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם בורא פרי הגפן

Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam, borei p’ree hagafen.

Translation: Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

The second prayer blesses God, creator of fragrant spices:

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם בורא מיני בשמים

Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai Elohaynu melekh ha-olam, borei minei b'samim.

Translation: Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who creates varieties of spices.

The spices are passed around and those present smell the spices.

This prayer is recited over a braided, three wick candle:

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם בורא מאור האש

Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam, borei m'orei ha-eish.

Translation: Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who creates the light of the fire.

The candle is held up in the air and those present look at the reflection of the light on their fingernails.

Last is a prayer separating the holy from the every day:

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם המבדיל בין קדש לחל בין אור לחשך בין ישראל לעמים בין יום השויעי לששת ימי המעשה ברוך אתה ה׳ המבדיל בין קדש לחל

Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam, ha-mavdil bayn kodesh l'chol, bayn or l'choshech, bayn Yisrael la-amim, bayn yom ha-sh'vi'i l'shayshet y'may ha-ma'aseh. Barukh atah Adonai, ha-mavdil bayn kodesh l'chol.

Translation: Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who distinguishes between the sacred and the secular, between light and dark, between Israel and the nations, between the seventh day and the six days of labor. Blessed are You, Lord, who distinguishes between the sacred and the secular.

Hanukkah

Main article Hanukkah

Hanukkah candle lighting:

(It is customarily accepted that oil or wax candles placed in a Menorah are preferable to electric lights.)

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו להדליק נר של חנכה

Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'meetzvotav v'tzeevanu l’had’lik ner shel hanukah.

Translation: Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the candles of Hanukkah.

Blessing for Hanukkah itself recited when lighting the Menorah

Main article Menorah

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם שעשה נסים לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה

Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam, she-asah neeseem la-avotaynu ba-yameem ha-heim ba-z'man ha-zeh.

Translation: Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (The High Holy Days):

Main articles Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

Candle lighting

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו להדליק נר של יום טוב

Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam asher kid'shanu b'meetzvotav v'tzeevanu l’had’lik ner shel Yom Tov.

Translation: Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the candles of the Good Day (a generic term for "holiday").

Over apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah

On Rosh Hashanah eve, at the start of the festive meal, it is customary to dip some cut raw apples into some honey as symbolic of asking God to grant a sweet new year.

The blessings for the apples and honey:

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם בורא פרי העץ

Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam, borei p’ree ha-eitz.

Translation: Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe, who creates the fruit of the tree.

A bite of apple dipped in honey is eaten, which is followed by:

יהי רצון מלפניך ה׳ אלהינו ואלהי אבותינו שתחדש עלינו שנה טובה ומתוקה

Transliteraion: Y'hee ratzon mee-l'fanecha, Adonai Elohaynu v'elohey avoteynu sh'tichadeish aleinu shanah tovah um'tuqah.

Translataion: May it be Your will, Lord our God and God of our ancestors that you renew for us a good and sweet year.

Shehecheyanu - "Who has sustained us"

The blessing said whenever anything that has not happened for a while is performed. This includes all holidays except Shabbat, and only the first night of Hanukkah.

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם שהחינו וקימנו והגעינו לזמן הזה

Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam, she-hekheeyanu v'keey'manu v'heegeeyanu la-z'man ha-zeh.

Translation: Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season.

Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)

Main article Sukkot

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו לישב בסכה

Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam asher kid'shanu b'meetzvotav v'tzeevanu leisheiv ba-sukkah.

Translation: Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to dwell in the sukkah.

Prayers and blessings tied to physical actions

Upon waking up

מודה אני לפניך מלך חי וקים שהחזרת בי נשמתי בחמלה רבה אמונתך

Transliteration: Modeh ani lifanekhah, Melekh khai vikayam, shehehezartah bee neshmahtee, b'hemlah, rabah ehmunatekha.

Translation: I give thanks before you, King, living and eternal, for You have returned within me my soul with compassion, abundant is Your faithfulness!

Before putting on Tzitzit

Main article Tzitzit

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו על מצות ציצת

Transliteration: Barukh atah, adonai, eloheinu, melekh haolam, asher kid'shanu b'meetzvotav, v'tzeevanu al mitzvat tzitzit

Translation: Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us regarding the commandment of fringes

Some add:

יהי רצון מלפניך ה׳ אלהי ואלהי אבותי שתהי חשובה מצות ציצת לפניך כאלו קימתיה בכל פרטיה ודקדוקי וכונותיה ותריג מצות התלוים בה אמן סלה

Transliteration: Y'hee ratzon mel'fanekhah, Adonai Elohay Vaylohay Avotay, shet'hay khashuvah mitzvot tzitzit l'fanekhah, k'eelu keeyahm'tieah b'khol p'rateyah v'deek'dukeyah v'khahu'noteyeh, v'tar'yag mitzvot hat'luyim ba. Amen Selah

Translation: May it be the will before you, Lord, my God and the God of my forefathers, that it should be considered the commandment of fringes before You as if I had fulfilled it in all its aspects, its details and its intentions, as well as the 613 commandments that are dependent on it. So be it, what we have said.

For putting on Tefillin

Main article Tefillin

Before putting on the hand Tefillin

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותו וצונו להניח תפלן

Transliteraion: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'meetzvotav v'tzeevanu l'haneeah t'fillin.

Translation: Blessed are you, Lord, our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to put on tefillin.

On placement of the Tefillin for the head

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותו וצונו על מצות תפלן

Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh haolam, asher kid'shanu b'meetzvotav v'tzeevanu al meetzvat t'fillin.

Translation: Blessed are you, Lord, our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us regarding the commandment of tefillin.

After tightening the head Tefillin

ברוך שם כבוד מלכותו לעולם ועד

Transliteration: Barukh shaym k'vod malkhuto l'olam va'ed.

Translation: Blessed is the Name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever.

For putting on a Tallit

Main article Tallit

On inspection of the Tzitzit

Main article Tzitzit

ברכי נפשי את ה׳ ה׳ אלהי גדלת מאד הוד והדר לבשת עטה אור כשלמה נוטה שמים כיריעה

Transliteration: Barkhee nafshee et adonai, adonai elohay gadaltah m'od, hode v'hadar lavashtah. Oteh ohr kasalmah, noteh shamayim ka-y'reah.

Translation: Bless, O my soul, you Lord, Lord my God, You are very great; glory and majesty You have worn; donning light as a garment, stretching out the heavens like a curtain.

Before putting on the Tallit

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו להתעטף בציצת

Transliteration: Barukh atah adonai, Ehlohaynu, melekh ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzeevanu l'heet'atayf batzitzit.

Translation: Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to wrap ourselves in fringes.

After wrapping the Tallit around the body

מה יקר חסדך אלהים ובני אדם בצל כנפיך יחסיון ירוין מדשן ביתך ונחל עדניך תשקם כי עמך מקור חיים באורך נראה אור משך חסדך לידעיך וצדקתך לב

Transliteration: Mah yakar Khas'd'khah eloheem uvnay adam b'tzayl k'nahfekhah yekhesahyun. Yir'veeyun mideshen baytekhah v'nakhal adanekhah tashkaym. Kee eem'kha m'kor khayiym, b'or'khah neereh or. M'shokh khas'd'khah l'yod'ekhah, v'tzeed'kaht'khah l'yeesh'ray layv.

Translation: How precious is your kindness, O God! Mankind in the shelter of Your wings takes refuge. They will be sated from the abundance of Your house, and from that stream of Your delights You give them to drink. For with You is the source of life; by Your light may we see light. Extend Your kindness to those who know You, and Your charity to the upright of heart.

Before attaching a Mezuzah

Main article Mezuzah

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו לקבוע מזוזה

Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam asher kid'shanu b'meetzvotav v'tzeevanu leek'boa mezuzah.

Translation: Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to affix a mezuzah.

For ritual washing of hands before eating bread

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו על נטילת ידים

Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam asher kid'shanu b'meetzvotav v'tzeevanu al n'tilat yadayim.

Translation: Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning washing of hands.

Blessing before eating all kinds of bread

This blessing is made only for bread made from one or all of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt.

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם המוציא לחם מן הארץ

Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam ha-motzi lechem min ha-aretz.

Translation: Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe who brings forth bread from the earth.

After eating all kinds of bread

This combined blessing is made only after eating bread (including matza) made from one or all of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt.

Before drinking wine: Borei pri hagefen

This blessing is made for kosher wine made from any kind of grapes only. Wine made from other fruits or other alcohols require a different blessing (known as the Shehakol blessing).

ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם בורא פרי הגפן

Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam, borei p’ree ha-gafen.

Translation: Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

On Immersing in a Mikvah

This blessing is made on immersion in a mikvah (ritual bath), e.g. by a woman following menstruation or when kashering utensils.

Transliteration: Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam asher kid'shanu b'meetzvotav v'tzeevanu al ha-tevillah

Translation: Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning immersion.

Surviving Illness or Danger

The Birchat HaGomel blessing is said after surviving illness, childbirth, or danger.

Transliteration:

Blessing: Baruch ata ha-Shem Elohaynu melech ha-olam ha-gomel lechayavim tovov shegemalani kol tov.

Congregational Response: Amen. Mi shegemalcha (feminine shegemalaich) koll tov hu yigmalcha (feminine yigamalaich) kol tov selah.

Translation:

Blessing: Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who bestows good things on the unworthy, and has bestowed on me every goodness.

Congregational Response: Amen. Who has bestowed on you every goodness, may he continue to bestow on you every goodness. Selah.

Note: Most halakhic authorities hold that the HaGomel blessing must be said publicly, in front of a minyan of 10. It is customary for men to say it after being called to the Torah. Many Orthodox authorities ^* hold that women are also obligated to say the Birchat Hagomel blessing. The blessing is not time-dependent, and it substitutes in part for the todah (Thanksgiving) offering, one of the classes of korbanot (sacrifices) which women were obligated to offer (e.g. after childbirth) in the days of the Temple in Jerusalem. Accordingly, these authorities say that women are eligible to be counted in the minyan of 10 equally with men for the special purpose of the mitzvah of saying the HaGomel blessing and its congregational response publicly.

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