Stopping the World to Speak to Hashem
The morning is structured. You wake up, you daven, you begin. The evening is winding down. But the afternoon sits right in the thick of things. You are in the middle of work, errands, the phone ringing, people needing you. And right there, in the busiest part of the day, Hashem asks you to stop and talk to Him.
That is what Mincha is. It is not a tefillah you say when things are calm. It is the tefillah you say when things are anything but calm. The Gemara in Brachos (6b) says something remarkable: a person should always be careful with Mincha, because Eliyahu HaNavi was answered specifically at Mincha time. Of all the tefillos in the day, the one said in the middle of the rush is the one the Gemara singles out.
Before You Say This Tefillah
Before you begin your Mincha, take a moment to let the noise settle. You are about to step out of the rush of the workday and speak to the Ribbono Shel Olam. Mincha is the one tefillah that asks you to interrupt the day itself, and those first quiet seconds before Mincha set the tone for everything that follows.
Master of the Universe, I am stopping in the middle of my day to stand before You. The world is loud and my mind is full, but I know that You hear me even now. Please accept my afternoon tefillah with love. Open my heart so that my words reach You. Let this tefillah rise before You like the afternoon offering of old, and in the zechus of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness, answer me with compassion. G-d of Meir, answer me.
If giving tzedakah, add:
In the zechus of the tzedakah I am giving for Rabbi Meir Baal Haness, please accept my afternoon prayer. Ribbono Shel Olam, I am caring for Your children in Eretz Yisrael. Please hear my voice when I call to You.
Mincha: The Full Service
אַשְׁרֵי יוֹשְׁבֵי בֵיתֶךָ עוֹד יְהַלְלוּךָ סֶּלָה׃
אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁכָּכָה לּוֹ אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁיְהֹוָה אֱלֹהָיו׃
תְּהִלָּה לְדָוִד אֲרוֹמִמְךָ אֱלוֹהַי הַמֶּלֶךְ וַאֲבָרְכָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד׃
בְּכׇל יוֹם אֲבָרְכֶךָּ וַאֲהַלְלָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד׃
גָּדוֹל יְהֹוָה וּמְהֻלָּל מְאֹד וְלִגְדֻלָּתוֹ אֵין חֵקֶר׃
דּוֹר לְדוֹר יְשַׁבַּח מַעֲשֶׂיךָ וּגְבוּרֹתֶיךָ יַגִּידוּ׃
הֲדַר כְּבוֹד הוֹדֶךָ וְדִבְרֵי נִפְלְאֹתֶיךָ אָשִׂיחָה׃
וֶעֱזוּז נוֹרְאוֹתֶיךָ יֹאמֵרוּ וּגְדֻלָּתְךָ אֲסַפְּרֶנָּה׃
זֵכֶר רַב טוּבְךָ יַבִּיעוּ וְצִדְקָתְךָ יְרַנֵּנוּ׃
חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם יְהֹוָה אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וּגְדָל חָסֶד׃
טוֹב יְהֹוָה לַכֹּל וְרַחֲמָיו עַל כׇּל מַעֲשָׂיו׃
יוֹדוּךָ יְהֹוָה כׇּל מַעֲשֶׂיךָ וַחֲסִידֶיךָ יְבָרְכוּכָה׃
כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתְךָ יֹאמֵרוּ וּגְבוּרָתְךָ יְדַבֵּרוּ׃
לְהוֹדִיעַ לִבְנֵי הָאָדָם גְּבוּרֹתָיו וּכְבוֹד הֲדַר מַלְכוּתוֹ׃
מַלְכוּתְךָ מַלְכוּת כׇּל עֹלָמִים וּמֶמְשַׁלְתְּךָ בְּכׇל דּוֹר וָדֹר׃
סוֹמֵךְ יְהֹוָה לְכׇל הַנֹּפְלִים וְזוֹקֵף לְכׇל הַכְּפוּפִים׃
עֵינֵי כֹל אֵלֶיךָ יְשַׂבֵּרוּ וְאַתָּה נוֹתֵן לָהֶם אֶת אׇכְלָם בְּעִתּוֹ׃
פּוֹתֵחַ אֶת יָדֶךָ וּמַשְׂבִּיעַ לְכׇל חַי רָצוֹן׃
צַדִּיק יְהֹוָה בְּכׇל דְּרָכָיו וְחָסִיד בְּכׇל מַעֲשָׂיו׃
קָרוֹב יְהֹוָה לְכׇל קֹרְאָיו לְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יִקְרָאֻהוּ בֶאֱמֶת׃
רְצוֹן יְרֵאָיו יַעֲשֶׂה וְאֶת שַׁוְעָתָם יִשְׁמַע וְיוֹשִׁיעֵם׃
שׁוֹמֵר יְהֹוָה אֶת כׇּל אֹהֲבָיו וְאֵת כׇּל הָרְשָׁעִים יַשְׁמִיד׃
תְּהִלַּת יְהֹוָה יְדַבֶּר פִּי וִיבָרֵךְ כׇּל בָּשָׂר שֵׁם קׇדְשׁוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד׃
וַאֲנַחְנוּ נְבָרֵךְ יָהּ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם הַלְלוּיָהּ׃
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם, אֱלֹהֵי יִצְחָק, וֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב,
הָאֵל הַגָּדוֹל הַגִּבּוֹר וְהַנּוֹרָא, אֵל עֶלְיוֹן, גּוֹמֵל חֲסָדִים טוֹבִים וְקוֹנֵה הַכֹּל,
וְזוֹכֵר חַסְדֵי אָבוֹת, וּמֵבִיא גּוֹאֵל לִבְנֵי בְנֵיהֶם לְמַעַן שְׁמוֹ בְּאַהֲבָה.
מֶלֶךְ עוֹזֵר וּמוֹשִׁיעַ וּמָגֵן.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, מָגֵן אַבְרָהָם.
אַתָּה גִבּוֹר לְעוֹלָם אֲדֹנָי, מְחַיֵּה מֵתִים אַתָּה, רַב לְהוֹשִׁיעַ.
(In winter: מַשִּׁיב הָרוּחַ וּמוֹרִיד הַגֶּשֶׁם. In summer: מוֹרִיד הַטָּל.)
מְכַלְכֵּל חַיִּים בְּחֶסֶד, מְחַיֵּה מֵתִים בְּרַחֲמִים רַבִּים,
סוֹמֵךְ נוֹפְלִים וְרוֹפֵא חוֹלִים וּמַתִּיר אֲסוּרִים, וּמְקַיֵּם אֱמוּנָתוֹ לִישֵׁנֵי עָפָר.
מִי כָמוֹךָ בַּעַל גְּבוּרוֹת וּמִי דּוֹמֶה לָּךְ, מֶלֶךְ מֵמִית וּמְחַיֶּה וּמַצְמִיחַ יְשׁוּעָה.
וְנֶאֱמָן אַתָּה לְהַחֲיוֹת מֵתִים. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, מְחַיֵּה הַמֵּתִים.
אַתָּה קָדוֹשׁ וְשִׁמְךָ קָדוֹשׁ, וּקְדוֹשִׁים בְּכָל יוֹם יְהַלְלוּךָ סֶּלָה.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, הָאֵל הַקָּדוֹשׁ.
אַתָּה חוֹנֵן לְאָדָם דַּעַת, וּמְלַמֵּד לֶאֱנוֹשׁ בִּינָה.
חָנֵּנוּ מֵאִתְּךָ דֵּעָה בִּינָה וְהַשְׂכֵּל.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, חוֹנֵן הַדָּעַת.
הֲשִׁיבֵנוּ אָבִינוּ לְתוֹרָתֶךָ, וְקָרְבֵנוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ לַעֲבוֹדָתֶךָ, וְהַחֲזִירֵנוּ בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה לְפָנֶיךָ.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, הָרוֹצֶה בִּתְשׁוּבָה.
סְלַח לָנוּ אָבִינוּ כִּי חָטָאנוּ, מְחַל לָנוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ כִּי פָשָׁעְנוּ, כִּי מוֹחֵל וְסוֹלֵחַ אָתָּה.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, חַנּוּן הַמַּרְבֶּה לִסְלֹחַ.
רְאֵה בְעָנְיֵנוּ, וְרִיבָה רִיבֵנוּ, וּגְאָלֵנוּ גְּאֻלָּה שְׁלֵמָה מְהֵרָה לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ, כִּי גּוֹאֵל חָזָק אָתָּה.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, גּוֹאֵל יִשְׂרָאֵל.
רְפָאֵנוּ יְהֹוָה וְנֵרָפֵא, הוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ וְנִוָּשֵׁעָה, כִּי תְהִלָּתֵנוּ אָתָּה.
וְהַעֲלֵה רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה לְכָל מַכּוֹתֵינוּ. (Here insert private request for the sick.)
כִּי אֵל מֶלֶךְ רוֹפֵא נֶאֱמָן וְרַחֲמָן אָתָּה. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, רוֹפֵא חוֹלֵי עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל.
בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ אֶת הַשָּׁנָה הַזֹּאת, וְאֶת כָּל מִינֵי תְבוּאָתָהּ לְטוֹבָה,
וְתֵן (winter: טַל וּמָטָר לִבְרָכָה / summer: בְּרָכָה) עַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה, וְשַׂבְּעֵנוּ מִטּוּבָהּ, וּבָרֵךְ שְׁנָתֵנוּ כַּשָּׁנִים הַטּוֹבוֹת.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, מְבָרֵךְ הַשָּׁנִים.
תְּקַע בְּשׁוֹפָר גָּדוֹל לְחֵרוּתֵנוּ, וְשָׂא נֵס לְקַבֵּץ גָּלֻיּוֹתֵינוּ, וְקַבְּצֵנוּ יַחַד מֵאַרְבַּע כַּנְפוֹת הָאָרֶץ.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, מְקַבֵּץ נִדְחֵי עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל.
הָשִׁיבָה שׁוֹפְטֵינוּ כְּבָרִאשׁוֹנָה, וְיוֹעֲצֵינוּ כְּבַתְּחִלָּה, וְהָסֵר מִמֶּנּוּ יָגוֹן וַאֲנָחָה,
וּמְלֹךְ עָלֵינוּ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה לְבַדְּךָ בְּחֶסֶד וּבְרַחֲמִים, וְצַדְּקֵנוּ בַּמִּשְׁפָּט.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, מֶלֶךְ אוֹהֵב צְדָקָה וּמִשְׁפָּט.
וְלַמַּלְשִׁינִים אַל תְּהִי תִקְוָה, וְכָל הָרִשְׁעָה כְּרֶגַע תֹּאבֵד, וְכָל אוֹיְבֶיךָ מְהֵרָה יִכָּרֵתוּ,
וְהַזֵּדִים מְהֵרָה תְעַקֵּר וּתְשַׁבֵּר וּתְמַגֵּר וְתַכְנִיעַ בִּמְהֵרָה בְיָמֵינוּ.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, שׁוֹבֵר אֹיְבִים וּמַכְנִיעַ זֵדִים.
עַל הַצַּדִּיקִים וְעַל הַחֲסִידִים וְעַל זִקְנֵי עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְעַל פְּלֵיטַת סוֹפְרֵיהֶם, וְעַל גֵּרֵי הַצֶּדֶק, וְעָלֵינוּ,
יֶהֱמוּ רַחֲמֶיךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ, וְתֵן שָׂכָר טוֹב לְכָל הַבּוֹטְחִים בְּשִׁמְךָ בֶּאֱמֶת,
וְשִׂים חֶלְקֵנוּ עִמָּהֶם, וּלְעוֹלָם לֹא נֵבוֹשׁ כִּי בְךָ בָטָחְנוּ.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, מִשְׁעָן וּמִבְטָח לַצַּדִּיקִים.
וְלִירוּשָׁלַיִם עִירְךָ בְּרַחֲמִים תָּשׁוּב, וְתִשְׁכּוֹן בְּתוֹכָהּ כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתָּ,
וּבְנֵה אוֹתָהּ בְּקָרוֹב בְּיָמֵינוּ בִּנְיַן עוֹלָם, וְכִסֵּא דָוִד מְהֵרָה לְתוֹכָהּ תָּכִין.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, בּוֹנֵה יְרוּשָׁלָיִם.
אֶת צֶמַח דָּוִד עַבְדְּךָ מְהֵרָה תַצְמִיחַ, וְקַרְנוֹ תָּרוּם בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ, כִּי לִישׁוּעָתְךָ קִוִּינוּ כָּל הַיּוֹם.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, מַצְמִיחַ קֶרֶן יְשׁוּעָה.
שְׁמַע קוֹלֵנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ, חוּס וְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ, וְקַבֵּל בְּרַחֲמִים וּבְרָצוֹן אֶת תְּפִלָּתֵנוּ.
כִּי אֵל שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלּוֹת וְתַחֲנוּנִים אָתָּה, וּמִלְּפָנֶיךָ מַלְכֵּנוּ רֵיקָם אַל תְּשִׁיבֵנוּ.
(Here insert any personal request.)
כִּי אַתָּה שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלַּת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּרַחֲמִים. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה.
רְצֵה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ בְּעַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל וּבִתְפִלָּתָם, וְהָשֵׁב אֶת הָעֲבוֹדָה לִדְבִיר בֵּיתֶךָ,
וְאִשֵּׁי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּתְפִלָּתָם בְּאַהֲבָה תְקַבֵּל בְּרָצוֹן, וּתְהִי לְרָצוֹן תָּמִיד עֲבוֹדַת יִשְׂרָאֵל עַמֶּךָ.
וְתֶחֱזֶינָה עֵינֵינוּ בְּשׁוּבְךָ לְצִיּוֹן בְּרַחֲמִים. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, הַמַּחֲזִיר שְׁכִינָתוֹ לְצִיּוֹן.
מוֹדִים אֲנַחְנוּ לָךְ, שָׁאַתָּה הוּא יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד, צוּר חַיֵּינוּ, מָגֵן יִשְׁעֵנוּ אַתָּה הוּא.
לְדוֹר וָדוֹר נוֹדֶה לְּךָ וּנְסַפֵּר תְּהִלָּתֶךָ, עַל חַיֵּינוּ הַמְּסוּרִים בְּיָדֶךָ, וְעַל נִשְׁמוֹתֵינוּ הַפְּקוּדוֹת לָךְ,
וְעַל נִסֶּיךָ שֶׁבְּכָל יוֹם עִמָּנוּ, וְעַל נִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ וְטוֹבוֹתֶיךָ שֶׁבְּכָל עֵת, עֶרֶב וָבֹקֶר וְצָהֳרָיִם.
הַטּוֹב כִּי לֹא כָלוּ רַחֲמֶיךָ, וְהַמְרַחֵם כִּי לֹא תַמּוּ חֲסָדֶיךָ, מֵעוֹלָם קִוִּינוּ לָךְ.
וְעַל כֻּלָּם יִתְבָּרַךְ וְיִתְרוֹמַם שִׁמְךָ מַלְכֵּנוּ תָּמִיד לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, הַטּוֹב שִׁמְךָ וּלְךָ נָאֶה לְהוֹדוֹת.
שִׂים שָׁלוֹם טוֹבָה וּבְרָכָה, חֵן וָחֶסֶד וְרַחֲמִים, עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל עַמֶּךָ.
בָּרְכֵנוּ אָבִינוּ כֻּלָּנוּ כְּאֶחָד בְּאוֹר פָּנֶיךָ, כִּי בְאוֹר פָּנֶיךָ נָתַתָּ לָּנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ תּוֹרַת חַיִּים וְאַהֲבַת חֶסֶד, וּצְדָקָה וּבְרָכָה וְרַחֲמִים וְחַיִּים וְשָׁלוֹם.
וְטוֹב בְּעֵינֶיךָ לְבָרֵךְ אֶת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּכָל עֵת וּבְכָל שָׁעָה בִּשְׁלוֹמֶךָ.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, הַמְבָרֵךְ אֶת עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּשָּׁלוֹם.
יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי פִי וְהֶגְיוֹן לִבִּי לְפָנֶיךָ, יְהֹוָה צוּרִי וְגֹאֲלִי׃
אֱלֹהַי, נְצֹר לְשׁוֹנִי מֵרָע, וּשְׂפָתַי מִדַּבֵּר מִרְמָה. וְלִמְקַלְלַי נַפְשִׁי תִדֹּם, וְנַפְשִׁי כֶּעָפָר לַכֹּל תִּהְיֶה.
פְּתַח לִבִּי בְּתוֹרָתֶךָ, וּבְמִצְוֹתֶיךָ תִּרְדּוֹף נַפְשִׁי. וְכָל הַחוֹשְׁבִים עָלַי רָעָה, מְהֵרָה הָפֵר עֲצָתָם וְקַלְקֵל מַחֲשַׁבְתָּם.
עֲשֵׂה לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ, עֲשֵׂה לְמַעַן יְמִינֶךָ, עֲשֵׂה לְמַעַן קְדֻשָּׁתֶךָ, עֲשֵׂה לְמַעַן תּוֹרָתֶךָ.
לְמַעַן יֵחָלְצוּן יְדִידֶיךָ, הוֹשִׁיעָה יְמִינְךָ וַעֲנֵנִי.
יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי פִי וְהֶגְיוֹן לִבִּי לְפָנֶיךָ, יְהֹוָה צוּרִי וְגֹאֲלִי׃
(Step three paces back, then say:) עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו, הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן׃
(See siddur for full Tachanun text — said immediately after Chazaras Hashatz on weekdays, excluding Rosh Chodesh, Chol HaMoed, erev Yom Tov, and other non-tachanun days.)
(After Tachanun, continue with Uva L'Tzion, Kaddish Shalem, and Aleinu as printed in the siddur.)
(Full Ashrei — see Tehillim 145 page for complete transliteration.)
Boruch atoh Hashem, Elokeinu veiloihei avoiseinu, Elokei Avrohom, Elokei Yitzchok, veiloihei Ya'akoiv,
ho'Eil hagodoil hagibor v'hanoiro, Eil elyoin, goimeil chasodim toivim v'koineih hakoil,
v'zoicheir chasdei ovos, umeivi goi'eil livnei v'neihem l'ma'an sh'moi b'ahavoh.
Melech oizeir umoishia umogein.
Boruch atoh Hashem, Mogein Avrohom.
Atoh gibor l'oilom Adoinoi, m'chayeih meisim atoh, rav l'hoishia.
(winter: Mashiv horu'ach umorid hageshem. summer: Moirid hatol.)
M'chalkeil chayim b'chesed, m'chayeih meisim b'rachamim rabim,
soimeich noiflim v'roifei choilim umatir asurim, umkayeim emunoso lisheinei ofor.
Mi chomoicho ba'al g'vuros umi doimeh loch, Melech meimis umchayeh umatzmi'ach y'shuoh.
V'ne'emon atoh l'hachayos meisim. Boruch atoh Hashem, m'chayeih hameisim.
Atoh kodoish v'shimcho kodoish, ukdoishim b'chol yoim y'hal'lucho selo.
Boruch atoh Hashem, ho'Eil hakodoish.
Atoh choinein l'odom da'as, umlameid le'enoish binoh.
Choneinu mei'it'cho dei'oh binoh v'haskeil.
Boruch atoh Hashem, choinein hada'as.
Hashiveinu ovinu l'sorosecho, v'korveinu malkeinu la'avoidosecho, v'hachazireinu bisshuvoh sh'leimo l'fonecho.
Boruch atoh Hashem, horotzeh bisshuvoh.
S'lach lonu ovinu ki chotonu, m'chal lonu malkeinu ki foshonu, ki moicheil v'soileach otoh.
Boruch atoh Hashem, chanun hamarbeh lislo'ach.
R'eih v'onyeinu, v'rivoh riveinu, ug'oleinu g'uloh sh'leimoh m'heiroh l'ma'an sh'mecho, ki goi'eil chozok otoh.
Boruch atoh Hashem, Goi'eil Yisroeil.
R'fo'einu Hashem v'neirofei, hoishi'einu v'nivoshei'oh, ki s'hilosseinu otoh.
V'ha'aleih r'fuoh sh'leimoh l'chol makoiseinu. (Here insert private request for the sick.)
Ki Eil Melech roifei ne'emon v'rachamon otoh. Boruch atoh Hashem, roifei choilei amoi Yisroeil.
Boreich oleinu Hashem Elokeinu es hashono hazois, v'es kol minei sevuosoh l'toivoh,
v'sein (winter: tal umotor livrochoh / summer: b'rochoh) al p'nei ho'adomoh, v'sab'einu mituvoh, uvoreich sh'nosseinu kashonim hatoivos.
Boruch atoh Hashem, m'voreich hashonim.
T'ka b'shoifor godoil l'cheiruseinu, v'so neis l'kabeitz goluyoseinu, v'kabtzeinu yachad mei'arba kanfois ho'oretz.
Boruch atoh Hashem, m'kabeitz nidchei amoi Yisroeil.
Hoshivoh shofteinu k'vorishoinoh, v'yoi'atzeinu k'vat'chiloh, v'hoseir mimenu yogoin va'anochoh,
umloich oleinu atoh Hashem l'vad'cho b'chesed uvrachamim, v'tzad'keinu bamishpot.
Boruch atoh Hashem, Melech oiheiv tz'dokoh umishpot.
V'lamalshinim al t'hi sikvoh, v'chol horishoh k'rega toi'veid, v'chol oiv'echo m'heiroh yikoreisu,
v'hazeidim m'heiroh s'akeir us'shabeir usmageir v'sachnia bimheiroh v'yomeinu.
Boruch atoh Hashem, shoveir oiv'vim umachnia zeidim.
Al hatzadikim v'al hachasidim v'al ziknei am'cho beis Yisroeil, v'al p'leitas soifreihem, v'al geirei hatzedek, v'oleinu,
yehemu rachamecho Hashem Elokeinu, v'sein sochor toiv l'chol habotchim b'shimcho be'emes,
v'sim chelkeinu imohem, ul'oilom loi neivoish ki v'cho votochnu.
Boruch atoh Hashem, mish'on umivtoch latzadikim.
V'lirusholoyim ir'cho b'rachamim toshuv, v'sishkoin b'soichoh ka'asher dibarto,
uv'neih oisoh b'koroiv b'yomeinu binyan oilom, v'chisei Dovid m'heiroh l'soichoh tochin.
Boruch atoh Hashem, boineh Yerusholoyim.
Es tzemach Dovid avd'cho m'heiroh satzmi'ach, v'karnoi torum bishu'osecho, ki lishu'os'cho kivinu kol hayoim.
Boruch atoh Hashem, matzmi'ach keren y'shu'oh.
Sh'ma koileinu Hashem Elokeinu, chus v'racheim oleinu, v'kabeil b'rachamim uvrotzoin es t'filoseinu.
Ki Eil shoimei'a t'filos v'sachanunim otoh, umilfonecho malkeinu reikom al t'shiveinu.
(Here insert any personal request.)
Ki atoh shoimei'a t'filas am'cho Yisroeil b'rachamim. Boruch atoh Hashem, shoimei'a t'filoh.
R'tzeih Hashem Elokeinu b'am'cho Yisroeil uvisfilosom, v'hoshev es ho'avoidoh lidvir beisecho,
v'ishei Yisroeil usfilosom b'ahavoh s'kabeil b'rotzoin, ust'hi l'rotzoin tomid avoidas Yisroeil amecho.
V'secheziynoh eineinu b'shuv'cho l'Tzion b'rachamim. Boruch atoh Hashem, hamachazir sh'chinosoi l'Tzion.
Modim anachnu loch, sho'atoh hu Hashem Elokeinu veiloihei avoiseinu l'oilom vo'ed, tzur chayeinu, mogein yish'einu atoh hu.
L'dor vodor nodeh l'cho unsapeir t'hilosecho, al chayeinu ham'surim b'yodecho, v'al nishmoiseinu hap'kudos loch,
v'al nisecho sheb'chol yoim imonu, v'al nifl'oisecho v'toivoisecho sheb'chol eis, erev vovoiker v'tzohoroyim.
Hatoiv ki loi cholu rachamecho, v'hamracheim ki loi samu chasodecho, mei'oilom kivinu loch.
V'al kulom yisborach v'yisromom shimcho malkeinu tomid l'oilom vo'ed.
Boruch atoh Hashem, hatoiv shimcho ulcho no'eh l'hoidois.
Sim sholoim toivoh uvrochoh, chein vochesed v'rachamim, oleinu v'al kol Yisroeil amecho.
Bor'cheinu ovinu kulonu k'echod b'oir ponecho, ki v'oir ponecho nosato lonu Hashem Elokeinu toiras chayim v'ahavas chesed, utzdokoh uvrochoh v'rachamim v'chayim v'sholoim.
V'toiv b'einecho l'voreich es am'cho Yisroeil b'chol eis uvchol sho'oh bishloimecho.
Boruch atoh Hashem, hamvoreich es amoi Yisroeil bashoiloim.
Yihiyu l'rotzoin imrei fi v'hegyoin libi l'fonecho, Hashem tzuri v'goi'ali.
Elokai, n'tzoir l'shoini meiro, usfosai midabeir mirmo. V'limkal'lai nafshi sidoim, v'nafshi ke'ofor lakoil tihyeh.
P'sach libi b'soirosecho, uv'mitzvoisecho tirdoif nafshi. V'chol hachoishvim olai ro'oh, m'heiroh hofeir atzosom v'kalkeil machshavtom.
Asei l'ma'an sh'mecho, asei l'ma'an y'mincho, asei l'ma'an k'dushosecho, asei l'ma'an Toirosecho.
L'ma'an yeichol'tzun y'didecho, hoishi'oh y'mincho va'aneini.
Yihiyu l'rotzoin imrei fi v'hegyoin libi l'fonecho, Hashem tzuri v'goi'ali.
(Step three paces back, then say:) Oiseh sholoim bimroimov, hu ya'aseh sholoim oleinu v'al kol Yisroeil, v'imru Omein.
(Full Ashrei — see Tehillim 145 page for complete transliteration.)
Baruch ata Hashem, Elokeinu veilohei avoteinu, Elokei Avraham, Elokei Yitzchak, veilohei Ya'akov,
ha'El hagadol hagibor v'hanora, El elyon, gomel chasadim tovim v'koneh hakol,
v'zocher chasdei avot, umeivi go'el livnei v'neihem l'ma'an sh'mo b'ahava.
Melech ozer umoshia umagen.
Baruch ata Hashem, Magen Avraham.
Ata gibor l'olam Adonai, m'chayei metim ata, rav l'hoshia.
(winter: Mashiv haru'ach umorid hageshem. summer: Morid hatal.)
M'chalkel chayim b'chesed, m'chayei metim b'rachamim rabim,
somech noflim v'rofei cholim umatir asurim, umkayem emunato lisheinei afar.
Mi chamocha ba'al g'vurot umi domeh lach, Melech memit umchayeh umatzmi'ach y'shu'a.
V'ne'eman ata l'hachayot metim. Baruch ata Hashem, m'chayei hametim.
Ata kadosh v'shimcha kadosh, uk'doshim b'chol yom y'hal'lucha sela.
Baruch ata Hashem, ha'El hakadosh.
Ata chonen l'adam da'at, umlamed le'enosh bina.
Choneinu me'it'cha de'a bina v'haskel.
Baruch ata Hashem, chonen hada'at.
Hashiveinu avinu l'toratecha, v'karveinu malkeinu la'avodatecha, v'hachazireinu bit'shuva sh'lema l'fanecha.
Baruch ata Hashem, harotzeh bit'shuva.
S'lach lanu avinu ki chatanu, m'chal lanu malkeinu ki fashanu, ki mochel v'solei'ach ata.
Baruch ata Hashem, chanun hamarbeh lisloach.
R'eh v'onyeinu, v'riva riveinu, ug'aleinu g'ula sh'lema m'hera l'ma'an sh'mecha, ki go'el chazak ata.
Baruch ata Hashem, Go'el Yisrael.
R'fa'einu Hashem v'neirafei, hoshi'einu v'nivashei'a, ki t'hilatenu ata.
V'ha'aleh r'fu'a sh'lema l'chol makoteinu. (Here insert private request for the sick.)
Ki El Melech rofei ne'eman v'rachaman ata. Baruch ata Hashem, rofei cholei amo Yisrael.
Barech aleinu Hashem Elokeinu et hashana hazot, v'et kol minei t'vu'ata l'tova,
v'ten (winter: tal umatar livracha / summer: b'racha) al p'nei ha'adama, v'sab'einu mituva, uvarech sh'nateinu kashanim hatovot.
Baruch ata Hashem, m'varech hashanim.
T'ka b'shofar gadol l'cheiruteinu, v'sa neis l'kabetz galuyoteinu, v'kabtzeinu yachad me'arba kanfot ha'aretz.
Baruch ata Hashem, m'kabetz nidchei amo Yisrael.
Hashiva shoft'einu k'varishona, v'yo'atzeinu k'vat'chila, v'haser mimenu yagon va'anacha,
umloch aleinu ata Hashem l'vad'cha b'chesed uv'rachamim, v'tzad'kenu bamishpat.
Baruch ata Hashem, Melech ohev tz'daka umishpat.
V'lamalshinim al t'hi tikva, v'chol harisha k'rega tovad, v'chol oyvecha m'hera yikaretu,
v'hazedim m'hera t'aker ut'shaber ut'mager v'tachnia bim'hera v'yameinu.
Baruch ata Hashem, shover oyvim umachnia zedim.
Al hatzaddikim v'al hachasidim v'al ziknei am'cha beit Yisrael, v'al p'leitat sofreihem, v'al gerei hatzedek, v'aleinu,
yehemu rachamecha Hashem Elokeinu, v'ten sachar tov l'chol habot'chim b'shimcha be'emet,
v'sim chelkeinu imahem, ul'olam lo nevosh ki v'cha vatachnu.
Baruch ata Hashem, mish'an umivtach latzaddikim.
V'lirushalayim ir'cha b'rachamim tashuv, v'tishkon b'tocha ka'asher dibarta,
uv'neh ota b'karov b'yameinu binyan olam, v'chisei David m'hera l'tocha tachin.
Baruch ata Hashem, boneh Yerushalayim.
Et tzemach David avd'cha m'hera tatzmi'ach, v'karno tarum bishu'atecha, ki lishu'at'cha kivinu kol hayom.
Baruch ata Hashem, matzmi'ach keren y'shu'a.
Sh'ma koleinu Hashem Elokeinu, chus v'rachem aleinu, v'kabel b'rachamim uv'ratzon et t'filateinu.
Ki El shomea t'filot v'tachanunim ata, umil'fanecha malkeinu reikam al t'shiveinu.
(Here insert any personal request.)
Ki ata shomea t'filat am'cha Yisrael b'rachamim. Baruch ata Hashem, shomea t'fila.
R'tzei Hashem Elokeinu b'am'cha Yisrael uvitfilatam, v'hashev et ha'avoda lidvir beitecha,
v'ishei Yisrael ut'filatam b'ahava t'kabel b'ratzon, ut'hi l'ratzon tamid avodat Yisrael amecha.
V'techezena eineinu b'shuv'cha l'Tziyon b'rachamim. Baruch ata Hashem, hamachazir sh'chinato l'Tziyon.
Modim anachnu lach, sha'ata hu Hashem Elokeinu velohei avoteinu l'olam va'ed, tzur chayeinu, magen yish'einu ata hu.
L'dor vador nodeh l'cha un'saper t'hilatecha, al chayeinu ham'surim b'yadecha, v'al nishmoteinu hap'kudot lach,
v'al nisecha sheb'chol yom imanu, v'al nifl'otecha v'tovotecha sheb'chol et, erev vavoker v'tzahorayim.
Hatov ki lo chalu rachamecha, v'hamracheim ki lo tamu chasadecha, me'olam kivinu lach.
V'al kulam yitbarach v'yitromam shimcha malkeinu tamid l'olam va'ed.
Baruch ata Hashem, hatov shimcha u'l'cha na'eh l'hodot.
Sim shalom tova uv'racha, chen vachesed v'rachamim, aleinu v'al kol Yisrael amecha.
Bar'cheinu avinu kulanu k'echad b'or panecha, ki v'or panecha natata lanu Hashem Elokeinu torat chayim v'ahavat chesed, utz'daka uv'racha v'rachamim v'chayim v'shalom.
V'tov b'einecha l'varech et am'cha Yisrael b'chol et uv'chol sha'a bishlomecha.
Baruch ata Hashem, ham'varech et amo Yisrael bashalom.
Yihiyu l'ratzon imrei fi v'hegyon libi l'fanecha, Hashem tzuri v'go'ali.
Elokai, n'tzor l'shoni meira, us'fatai midaber mirma. V'limkal'lai nafshi tidom, v'nafshi ke'afar lakol tihyeh.
P'tach libi b'Toratecha, uv'mitzvotecha tirdof nafshi. V'chol hachoshvim alai ra'ah, m'hera hafer atzatam v'kalkel machashavtam.
Aseh l'ma'an sh'mecha, aseh l'ma'an y'minecha, aseh l'ma'an k'dushatecha, aseh l'ma'an Toratecha.
L'ma'an yechaltzun y'didecha, hoshi'a y'mincha va'aneni.
Yihiyu l'ratzon imrei fi v'hegyon libi l'fanecha, Hashem tzuri v'go'ali.
(Step three paces back, then say:) Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya'aseh shalom aleinu v'al kol Yisrael, v'imru Amen.
Opening — Ashrei (Tehillim 145)
"Happy are those who dwell in Your house; they will forever praise You, Selah. Happy is the people for whom this is so; happy is the people whose G-d is Hashem. A psalm of praise by David…" — the full Tehillim 145 is recited here; see the Hebrew panel for the complete text.
Chatzi Kaddish — said by the Shaliach Tzibbur
Avos (Patriarchs)
Blessed are You, Hashem, our G-d and G-d of our fathers, G-d of Avraham, G-d of Yitzchak, and G-d of Yaakov —
the great, mighty, and awesome G-d, G-d Most High, who bestows beneficial kindnesses and creates all,
who remembers the kindnesses of the forefathers and brings a redeemer to their children's children, for His Name's sake, with love.
King, Helper, Savior, and Shield.
Blessed are You, Hashem, Shield of Avraham.
Gevuros (Powers)
You are eternally mighty, my L-rd, the Resuscitator of the dead are You, abundantly able to save.
(In winter: He makes the wind blow and the rain descend. In summer: He makes the dew descend.)
He sustains the living with kindness, resuscitates the dead with abundant mercy,
supports the fallen, heals the sick, releases the confined, and maintains His faith to those asleep in the dust.
Who is like You, O Master of mighty deeds, and who is comparable to You, King Who causes death and restores life and makes salvation sprout!
And You are faithful to resuscitate the dead. Blessed are You, Hashem, Who resuscitates the dead.
Kedushas HaShem (Holiness of the Name)
You are holy and Your Name is holy, and the holy ones praise You every day, forever.
Blessed are You, Hashem, the holy G-d.
Binah (Understanding)
You graciously endow man with wisdom and teach insight to a frail human.
Graciously endow us from Yourself with wisdom, insight, and discernment.
Blessed are You, Hashem, gracious Giver of wisdom.
Teshuvah (Return)
Bring us back, our Father, to Your Torah, and bring us close, our King, to Your service, and return us in complete repentance before You.
Blessed are You, Hashem, Who desires repentance.
Selichah (Forgiveness)
Forgive us, our Father, for we have erred; pardon us, our King, for we have willfully sinned — for You pardon and forgive.
Blessed are You, Hashem, the gracious One Who pardons abundantly.
Ge'ulah (Redemption)
See our affliction, take up our cause, and redeem us with a complete redemption speedily for Your Name's sake, for You are a powerful Redeemer.
Blessed are You, Hashem, Redeemer of Yisrael.
Refuah (Healing)
Heal us, Hashem, and we will be healed; save us, and we will be saved — for You are our praise.
Bring complete recovery for all our ailments. (Here one may insert a personal request for a sick person by name.)
For You are G-d, King, faithful and merciful Healer. Blessed are You, Hashem, Healer of the sick of His people Yisrael.
Birkas HaShanim (Years / Sustenance)
Bless on our behalf, Hashem our G-d, this year and all its varieties of produce for the good.
Bestow (in winter: dew and rain for blessing / in summer: blessing) upon the face of the earth, satisfy us from Your bounty, and bless our year like the good years.
Blessed are You, Hashem, Who blesses the years.
Kibbutz Galuyos (Ingathering of Exiles)
Sound the great shofar for our freedom, raise the banner to gather our exiles, and gather us together from the four corners of the earth.
Blessed are You, Hashem, Who gathers the dispersed of His people Yisrael.
Birkas HaDin (Restoration of Justice)
Restore our judges as of old and our counselors as at the beginning, and remove from us sorrow and sighing.
Reign over us, Hashem, You alone, with kindness and mercy, and justify us in judgment.
Blessed are You, Hashem, the King Who loves righteousness and judgment.
Birkas HaMinim (Against slanderers)
For slanderers let there be no hope, and let all wickedness perish in an instant, and may all Your enemies be swiftly cut off.
Swiftly uproot, smash, cast down, and humble the wicked, in our days.
Blessed are You, Hashem, Who breaks enemies and humbles the wicked.
Tzaddikim (The Righteous)
Upon the righteous, the devout, the elders of Your people the House of Yisrael, the remnant of their scholars, the righteous converts, and upon us —
may Your mercies be aroused, Hashem our G-d, and give a good reward to all who sincerely trust in Your Name.
Place our lot with them, and may we never be put to shame, for we trust in You.
Blessed are You, Hashem, Support and Security of the righteous.
Binyan Yerushalayim (Rebuilding Jerusalem)
To Jerusalem, Your city, return in mercy, and dwell within it as You have spoken.
Rebuild it soon, in our days, as an everlasting edifice, and speedily establish the throne of David within it.
Blessed are You, Hashem, Builder of Jerusalem.
Malchus Beis David (Kingship of David)
The offspring of Your servant David may You speedily cause to sprout, and raise his glory with Your salvation — for we hope for Your salvation all day.
Blessed are You, Hashem, Who causes the horn of salvation to sprout.
Shema Koleinu (Hear our Prayer)
Hear our voice, Hashem our G-d, have pity and compassion on us, and accept our prayer with mercy and favor —
for You are a G-d Who hears prayers and supplications; do not turn us away, our King, empty-handed from before You.
(Here you may insert any personal request — this is the place Chazal designated for your own needs.)
For You hear the prayer of Your people Yisrael with mercy. Blessed are You, Hashem, Who hears prayer.
Avodah (Temple Service)
Be favorable, Hashem our G-d, toward Your people Yisrael and their prayer, and restore the service to the Holy of Holies of Your House,
and accept with love and favor the fire-offerings of Yisrael and their prayer, and may the service of Your people Yisrael always be favorable to You.
May our eyes behold Your return to Zion in mercy. Blessed are You, Hashem, Who restores His Presence to Zion.
Hoda'ah (Thanksgiving — Modim)
We thankfully acknowledge that You are Hashem our G-d and G-d of our fathers forever, our Rock, the Rock of our lives and Shield of our salvation.
From generation to generation we thank You and recount Your praise — for our lives entrusted in Your hand, and our souls committed to You,
for Your miracles that are with us every day, and for Your wonders and kindnesses at every moment — evening, morning, and noon.
O Good One, for Your mercies are never exhausted, and the Merciful One, for Your kindnesses never fail — forever have we placed our hope in You.
For all these, may Your Name, our King, be blessed and exalted always, forever and ever.
Blessed are You, Hashem, Your Name is "Good" and to You it is fitting to give thanks.
Sim Shalom (Peace)
Establish peace, goodness, blessing, grace, kindness, and compassion upon us and upon all Yisrael Your people.
Bless us, our Father, all of us as one, with the light of Your countenance; for with the light of Your countenance You gave us, Hashem our G-d, a Torah of life, a love of kindness, righteousness, blessing, compassion, life, and peace.
And may it be good in Your eyes to bless Your people Yisrael at all times and every hour with Your peace.
Blessed are You, Hashem, Who blesses His people Yisrael with peace.
Closing — Yihiyu L'ratzon · Elokai Netzor · Oseh Shalom
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before You, Hashem, my Rock and my Redeemer.
My G-d, guard my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking deceit. To those who curse me, let my soul be silent; and let my soul be like dust to everyone.
Open my heart to Your Torah, and let my soul pursue Your commandments. As for all those who plan evil against me, speedily nullify their counsel and frustrate their design.
Do it for the sake of Your Name; do it for the sake of Your right hand; do it for the sake of Your holiness; do it for the sake of Your Torah.
That Your beloved ones may be rescued, save with Your right hand and answer me.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before You, Hashem, my Rock and my Redeemer.
(Step three paces back, then say:) He Who makes peace in His heights, may He make peace upon us and upon all Yisrael — and say: Amen.
Tachanun (weekdays only)
Tachanun is said after Chazaras Hashatz on weekdays, excluding Rosh Chodesh, Chol HaMoed, erev Yom Tov, and other non-tachanun days. See your siddur for the full text.
Closing — Aleinu L'Shabe'ach
After Tachanun, continue with Uva L'Tzion, Kaddish Shalem, and Aleinu as printed in the siddur.
Shema Koleinu is the sixteenth bracha of the Shemoneh Esrei, and it sits near the end of the personal requests. After asking for health, parnasah, redemption, and everything else, this bracha gathers it all together and simply asks: Hashem, please hear me. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 119:1) explains that this bracha is the place in the Amidah where a person may add any personal request in their own words. It is where your own heart speaks. At Mincha, standing before Hashem in the middle of the busiest hours of the day, this bracha of Mincha carries a special weight.
How to Daven Mincha
Mincha is said in the afternoon, from a half-hour after midday until sunset. Many bnei Torah daven at work, in a shul near the office, or at home during a break. The exact window shifts with the season, so it helps to check a local zmanim chart for Mincha gedolah and Mincha ketanah. The key is that you stop what you are doing. That is the whole point. The world does not pause for you. You pause for Hashem.
Mincha begins with Ashrei, drawn primarily from Tehillim 145, followed by the half-Kaddish, and then the silent Shemoneh Esrei. After the Amidah of Mincha, Tachanun is added on weekdays when it is said, and the service concludes with Aleinu. On Shabbos and fast days, the order changes slightly, but the heart of Mincha is always the Amidah.
Before you begin your Mincha, set your kavanah. You might say quietly to yourself, “Hashem, I am stepping away from everything to stand before You. Accept this tefillah with love.” Bring whatever is weighing on you into the Mincha Amidah. When you reach Shema Koleinu, that is the moment to open your heart completely. Say whatever you need to say, in Hebrew or in your own words.
Tefillah and tzedakah go together. When you daven Mincha and also give tzedakah in the zechus of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness, you are joining your voice to your actions. You are not just asking Hashem with words. You are asking Him while your hands are busy with chesed. That combination has moved Shamayim for generations of Yidden. After your Mincha, you may add, Elokah d’Meir aneni.
Give Tzedakah in the Zechus of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness
The Gemara (Avodah Zarah 18a-18b) tells us that the sister-in-law of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness was held captive by the Romans. There was no human way out. Rabbi Meir bribed her guard with a large sum and taught him to call out “Elokah d’Meir aneni” if he were ever caught — and through the zechus of the tzaddik, she was freed. A person trapped in a place of danger was brought to safety through the power of tefillah and the zechus of a tzaddik.
When you give tzedakah in the zechus of Rabbi Meir alongside your Mincha, you are not davening in the merit of Rabbi Meir. You are asking Hashem to hear your Mincha in the combined zechus of this great tzaddik and your own act of chesed. It is your Mincha rising together with your giving.
Rabbi Meir Baal Haness Charities was founded in 1799. The talmidei chachamim at Rabbi Meir’s grave in Teveria daven on behalf of those who reach out to them. The charity supports bnei Torah, almanos, yesomim, and aniyim in Eretz Yisrael. When you give, you are sustaining Torah learning and helping families who depend on that support. Your tzedakah and your Mincha are brought before Hashem together.
Making Mincha Part of Your Day
Davening Mincha every day is itself a form of hishtadlus. You are training yourself to stop, to step away from whatever is consuming you, and to remember that Hashem is running the world. That Mincha pause can give you strength and clarity for the rest of the day.
Set a consistent time. If you work in an office, find a quiet room or a nearby shul with a Mincha minyan. If you work from home, set an alarm so the afternoon window does not slip away. The point is to make it real, to build Mincha into the structure of your day rather than hoping you will remember.
Maintaining kavanah during Mincha can be difficult because you are pulled in by everything you were doing five minutes ago. Start small. Focus on one bracha of Mincha at a time. Shema Koleinu is a good place to focus your kavanah during Mincha, as it is a simple, heartfelt plea to Hashem.
Speak with a rav or mentor to learn more about Mincha. Many find that learning the meaning behind each bracha of the Mincha Amidah transforms their davening from a routine obligation into a real conversation with Hashem. You may also want to review a broader daily prayers hub to see where Mincha fits alongside Shacharis and Maariv.
Mincha is the afternoon tefillah, said daily between midday and sunset. It consists of Ashrei, the half-Kaddish, and the silent Shemoneh Esrei Amidah. On certain days, Tachanun is added to Mincha. It takes only a few minutes and can be said wherever you are.
The Gemara in Brachos (6b) teaches that a person should be especially careful with Mincha because Eliyahu HaNavi was answered at that hour. Davening Mincha in the middle of a busy day, when you could be doing a hundred other things, shows Hashem that your tefillah matters to you more than everything else pressing for your attention.
Rabbi Meir was one of the greatest of the Tannaim. The Gemara tells us that when his sister-in-law was captured by the Romans, he bribed her guard to release her, and taught the guard that if he were ever caught, he should cry out 'Elokah d'Meir aneni' — and indeed, when the guard was later brought to the gallows, those words saved his life. Giving tzedakah in his zechus alongside your Mincha is asking Hashem to hear your Mincha in the combined merit of this tzaddik and your own act of chesed. Rabbi Meir Baal Haness Charities supports bnei Torah, almanos, yesomim, and aniyim in Eretz Yisrael.
Shema Koleinu is the sixteenth bracha of the Shemoneh Esrei. It gathers all of your personal requests together and asks Hashem to hear your voice. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 119:1) teaches that this bracha is where a person may add any personal tefillah in their own words, making it an intimate moment of Mincha and of the Amidah.
Yes. Hashem hears tefillah in every language, including Mincha. While the Shulchan Aruch encourages davening Mincha in Lashon Hakodesh when possible, speaking to Hashem in your own words is always valid. Use the transliteration above if you want to say the Hebrew Mincha text, or read the English with kavanah.
A Blessing for Your Afternoon
When you stand for the Mincha Amidah in the middle of the day, know that this small pause for Mincha truly reaches Shamayim.
May Hashem hear your voice every time you stop for Mincha. May your afternoon tefillah be like the offering of Eliyahu on Har HaCarmel, answered with clarity and closeness. May the words of Shema Koleinu in your Mincha open a door between you and the Ribbono Shel Olam that stays open long after you finish davening. And may you feel, deep in your heart, that stopping the world to daven Mincha was the most important thing you did today.
You can submit a Mincha prayer request to the scholars at Rabbi Meir’s grave Teveria at no cost. They will daven for you by name through Rabbi Meir Baal Haness Charities. And if you would like to give tzedakah in Rabbi Meir’s zechus as well, your kindness will rise together with your Mincha tefillah.