Morning Prayers from Mishkan T'filah (a Reform Siddur)
One of the smartest things I’ve done in awhile is to get a smaller-size siddur (prayerbook) for travel, or at least to keep at my office. I love the heft of the larger size for home use, but this light, pocket-size siddur is wonderful to carry with me.
While I’m not sure if I’m exactly using it “right” per se, I particularly gravitate to the following prayers in the Weekday and Shabbat Morning Blessings:
“Modah ani”: I have a piece of art in my bathroom with this prayer on it, so I am reminded when I’m getting ready in the morning to recite this beautiful and short prayer of gratitude to really set the tone for my day.
Modah ani l’fanecha (I offer Thanks to You)
Melech chai v’kayam (ever-living Sovereign)
she-hechezarata bi nishmati b’chemlah, (that You have restored my soul to me in mercy)
rabbah emunatecha (How great is your Trust).
“There is a Grace”: I like this short, yet beautiful reflection in English that focuses on hope and renewal each day.
There is a Grace that every dawn renews,
A loveliness making every morning fresh.
We will endure, we will prevail -
We, the Children of Hope,
Children on the One
Who crowds the heavens with stars,
Endows the earth with glory,
And fills the mind with wonder!
“My Soul came to me pure”: This is another short blessing that grounds me in my purpose, to advocate for social justice and to learn “the art of sacred living”.
My Soul came to me pure,
drawn from the reservoir of the Holy,
All the time it remains with me.
I am thankful for its thirst
for compassion and justice.
Let my eyes behold the beauty of all creatures;
let my hands know the privilege of righteous deeds.
Barch ata, Adonai, asher b’yado nefesh kol chai v’ruach kol b’sar ish.
“As I awaken”: This prayer is another beautiful prayer that invites
As I awaken, let this be my thought:
may my day be filled with acts of lovingkindness.
Let me be drawn to learning and discernment,
and may my actions be shaped by mitzvot.
Keep me from iniquity, disgrace and sin;
May I not be overwhelmed by temptation or despair.
Distance me from evil people and false friends.
Let me cultivate a life of goodness.
May my hands reach out in kindness,
And I will serve God through acts of righteousness.
Today and every day, may I merit Your mercy,
by living my life with compassion and love.
Holy One of Blessing, draw me to Your words;
teach me the art of sacred living.
Baruch ata, Adonai, ham’lameid chasadim tovim l’amo Yisrael.
Nisim B’chol Yom (for Daily Miracles) - I love these short bracha (blessings) that have been recited by Jews all over the world for centuries. They are grounding, and feel like a connection to history. Here is a selection of my favourites to recite daily:
Baruch atah, Adonai (Praise to You, Adonai/LORD)
Eloheinu, Melech haolam, (Sovereign of the Universe)
she-asani b’tzelem Elohim (who make me in the image of God).
Baruch atah, Adonai (Praise to You, Adonai/LORD)
Eloheinu, Melech haolam, (Sovereign of the Universe)
she-asani bat chorin (who has made me free).
Baruch atah, Adonai (Praise to You, Adonai/LORD)
Eloheinu, Melech haolam, (Sovereign of the Universe)
she-asani Yisrael (who has made me a Jew).
Baruch atah, Adonai (Praise to You, Adonai/LORD)
Eloheinu, Melech haolam, (Sovereign of the Universe)
ozeir Yisrael bigvurah (who girds Israel with strength).
Baruch atah, Adonai (Praise to You, Adonai/LORD)
Eloheinu, Melech haolam, (Sovereign of the Universe)
oteir Yisrael b-tifarah (who crowns Israel with splendour).
This last bracha I learned in my Jewish Feminist class in university, and is a play on a prayer men recite in morning prayers.
Baruch atah, Adonai (Praise to You, Adonai/LORD)
Eloheinu, Melech haolam, (Sovereign of the Universe)
she-asani isha (who has made me a woman).
“I am a Jew” - This final morning prayer helps cultivate focus and direction for the day ahead, always being mindful of why I feel called and choose to be Jewish. NOTE: In this prayer, “Israel” refers to the Jewish people, not necessarily the county.
I am a Jew because
the faith of Israel demands no abdication of my mind.
I am a Jew because
the faith of Israel requires all the devotion of my heart.
I am a Jew because
in every place where suffering weeps, the Jew weeps.
I am a Jew because
at every time when despair cries out, the Jew hopes.
I am a Jew because
the word of Israel is the oldest and the newest.
I am a Jew because
Israel’s promise in the universal promise.
I am a Jew because
for Israel, the world is not completed; we are completing it.
I am a Jew because
for Israel, humanity is not completed; we are creating it.
I am a Jew because
Israel places humanity and its unity
above the nations and above Israel itself.
I am a Jew because above humanity, image of the divine Unity,
Israel places the unity which is divine.
Amen.