Traditions
Prayers
Hebrew text with vowels, transliteration and an original translation. Wording may differ between rites (Ashkenazi, Sephardi and others).
- Avinu MalkeinuThe litany of petitions “Our Father, our King” for the High Holidays, the Ten Days of Repentance and fast days.אָבִינוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ
- HaMotziThe blessing over bread before a meal – on Shabbat and festivals over two challot.הַמּוֹצִיא
- Havdalah blessingsThe blessings at the end of Shabbat over wine, fragrant spices and a flame, which separate the holy from the ordinary.הַבְדָּלָה
- Friday night KiddushThe sanctification of Shabbat over a cup of wine on Friday evening: the verses on the seventh day of creation and the blessing of the day.קִדּוּשׁ לֵיל שַׁבָּת
- Modeh AniA short morning thanksgiving on waking for the return of the soul; the first words of the day.מוֹדֶה אֲנִי
- Blessings over the Chanukah lightsTwo blessings recited when lighting the hanukkiah on each night of Hanukkah, with Shehecheyanu added on the first night.בִּרְכוֹת הַדְלָקַת נֵר חֲנֻכָּה
- Blessing over the lulavThe blessing over the four species (lulav, etrog, myrtle, willow) on the festival of Sukkot.עַל נְטִילַת לוּלָב
- Blessing over the Shabbat candlesThe blessing said when lighting candles on Friday before sunset, which begins Shabbat in the home.הַדְלָקַת נֵרוֹת שַׁבָּת
- ShehecheyanuA blessing of gratitude for having lived to reach a new moment: at the start of festivals, over new fruit or new clothing.שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ
- Shema YisraelThe central declaration of faith in the one God (Deuteronomy 6:4–9), recited morning and evening and before sleep.שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל
