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March 2008
The Morning Prayers, a Personal Interpretation
This interpretation was shared by Leslie Gordon.
The below is an excerpt from the National Center for Jewish Healing’s publication, The Outstretched Arm, Volume 2, Issue 3, Fall 2000/5761 — The Masks of Purim. For copies of any issue of the publication, please contact us at
Prayer Upon Awakening — Modeh/Modah Ani
| Modeh/Modah a-ni l’fanekha | I thank you, God, | |
| meh-lehk hai v’kayahm | Creator of Life, Eternal One, | |
| sheh’heh’heh-zarta bi nish-ma-ti b’hem-la | for restoring my soul with love | |
| rabba eh-mu-na-tehka. | filled with your eternal trust. | |
Thought: O God, You have given me another day to live and struggle through.
Prayer: May I feel connected to the Source of all Being. May I be grateful for my life. Modah Ani, Living Spirit of the Universe, I am thankful for my life, body, soul, for my family, friends, community, and for all nature, I am thankful for my faith in You, Divine Energy of All.
Prayer for the Body — Asher Yatzar (excerpt)
| Ba-rukh Ata Adonai | Blessed are You, | |||
| Eloheinu Me-lekh Ha-olahm | Adonai, our Ruler of the Universe, | |||
| Asher ya-tsar et ha-a-dam b’hokh-mah | who formed human beings with wisdom | |||
| U’va-rah vo n’kah-vim, n’kah-vim | creating pores, orifices and hollows, | |||
| Ha-lu-lim, ha-lu-lim… | openings, channels, and ducts. | |||
Thought: I’m usually not very happy to be in this body when I wake. Sometimes this is my first thought. My body doesn’t usually work well and sometimes hurts. When I remember that my body is my vessel for life, a precious opportunity for me to be in the world, I am grateful.
Prayer: Praised be Yah, the Life Force, Living Spirit of the Universe, who has given me this wondrous body, with all of its strengths and limitations, so that I may experience life and be in this holy world.
Prayer for the Soul — Elohai Neshama (excerpt)
| Elohai | Elohai/my God | |
| n’she-ma she-na-tata bi t’ho-ra hi | The soul You have given me is pure. | |
| A’tah v’ra-tah, A-tah y’tsar-tah | You have created it, You formed it, | |
| A-tah n’fah-tah bi | You breathed it into me, | |
| v’A-tah m’shahm-ra b’kir-bi… | You guard it within me… | |
Prayer: Praised by Yah, Living Spirit of the Universe, May I remember that the spirit and soul You have given me is pure. Though I make mistakes, my essence is good and holy. With each breath, may I have the opportunity for goodness.
These "Spirituality Notes" are excerpts from our monthly E-newsletter. Articles are © JBFCS Rita J. Kaplan Jewish Connections Programs and may be reprinted free of charge as long as this credit line is included.
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