Standing Before Hashem Each Morning
The Shacharis Amidah is the central tefillah of the morning service — the moment when a Yid reaches the culmination of the buildup of Pesukei D’Zimrah and Krias Shema, plants both feet together, and stands in humility directly before the Creator of the universe. Known also as the Shemoneh Esrei (literally “eighteen,” though the tefillah now contains nineteen brachos) or simply “the Amidah” (the standing tefillah), this is considered by Chazal to be the pinnacle of daily avodah. The Gemara in Brachos 26b teaches that Avraham Avinu instituted the morning tefillah, and the Rambam (Hilchos Tefillah 1:1) identifies the Shemoneh Esrei as the fulfillment of the Torah’s commandment to serve Hashem with the heart.
The Hebrew word Amidah means “standing,” reflecting the halachic requirement to recite this tefillah while standing with feet together, as the malachim (angels) are described in Yechezkel 1:7. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 95:1) codifies this posture as an essential element. The Shemoneh Esrei consists of nineteen brachos organized into three sections: three brachos of praise (shevach), thirteen brachos of petition (bakashah), and three brachos of hoda’ah (thanksgiving). The original eighteen brachos were composed and arranged by the Anshei Knesses HaGedolah during the early Second Temple period. A nineteenth bracha — Birkas HaMinim — was added later by Rabban Gamliel and his beis din in Yavneh, as described in Brachos 28b. Despite the addition, the tefillah retains its traditional name Shemoneh Esrei.
The Gemara presents two complementary frameworks for the origin of Shacharis. One view traces the morning tefillah to Avraham Avinu, based on the pasuk in Bereishis 19:27: “Vayashkem Avraham baboker el hamakom asher amad sham es pnei Hashem.” The Gemara understands “amad” here as a term of tefillah. A second view ties Shacharis to the korban tamid shel shachar, the daily morning offering in the Beis HaMikdash. In the absence of the korbanos, tefillah serves as the avodah of the lips, echoing the verse “u’neshalmah parim sefaseinu” in Hoshea 14:3. Chazal thus preserve both frameworks: the Avos as the spiritual foundation of tefillah, and the korban tamid as the model for its fixed time and structure.
The Shacharis Amidah is recited after the conclusion of Krias Shema and its brachos. The individual davens silently, followed by the chazaras hashatz — the public repetition by the shaliach tzibbur — which includes Kedushah. The time for the Shacharis Amidah extends from netz hachamah (sunrise) until the end of the fourth sha’ah zmanis, with a b’dieved extension until chatzos. Men are obligated in the Shacharis Amidah as a daily requirement. In practice, most poskim rule that women should daven at least Shacharis and Mincha, including the Shemoneh Esrei.
Before You Daven the Shacharis Amidah
Before you take your three steps forward, take a breath. You are about to stand directly in front of Hashem. Not alongside a community. Not through the voice of a chazzan. Just you and Him. Let that land. Let everything else — the phone, the to-do list, the conversation you had before shul — fall away. You are crossing a threshold. Here is what you should have in mind:
Ribono Shel Olam, in a moment I am going to stand before You. Help me feel that. Help me whisper these brachos sincerely. Let my heart be open when I ask for refuah, parnassah, for the rebuilding of Yerushalayim, for peace. Do not let me say the words on autopilot. I need You to hear me, and I need me to hear myself. Elokah d’Meir aneni.
The Shacharis Amidah — All 19 Brachos
1. Avos (Patriarchs)
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.
2. Gevuros (Powers)
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.
3. Kedushas HaShem (Holiness of the Name)
אַתָּה קָדוֹשׁ וְשִׁמְךָ קָדוֹשׁ, וּקְדוֹשִׁים בְּכָל יוֹם יְהַלְלוּךָ סֶּלָה.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, הָאֵל הַקָּדוֹשׁ.
4. Binah (Understanding)
אַתָּה חוֹנֵן לְאָדָם דַּעַת, וּמְלַמֵּד לֶאֱנוֹשׁ בִּינָה.
חָנֵּנוּ מֵאִתְּךָ דֵּעָה בִּינָה וְהַשְׂכֵּל.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, חוֹנֵן הַדָּעַת.
5. Teshuvah (Return)
הֲשִׁיבֵנוּ אָבִינוּ לְתוֹרָתֶךָ, וְקָרְבֵנוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ לַעֲבוֹדָתֶךָ, וְהַחֲזִירֵנוּ בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵמָה לְפָנֶיךָ.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, הָרוֹצֶה בִּתְשׁוּבָה.
6. Selichah (Forgiveness)
סְלַח לָנוּ אָבִינוּ כִּי חָטָאנוּ, מְחַל לָנוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ כִּי פָשָׁעְנוּ, כִּי מוֹחֵל וְסוֹלֵחַ אָתָּה.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, חַנּוּן הַמַּרְבֶּה לִסְלֹחַ.
7. Ge'ulah (Redemption)
רְאֵה בְעָנְיֵנוּ, וְרִיבָה רִיבֵנוּ, וּגְאָלֵנוּ גְּאֻלָּה שְׁלֵמָה מְהֵרָה לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ, כִּי גּוֹאֵל חָזָק אָתָּה.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, גּוֹאֵל יִשְׂרָאֵל.
8. Refuah (Healing)
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.
9. Birkas HaShanim (Years / Sustenance)
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.
10. Kibbutz Galuyos (Ingathering of Exiles)
תְּקַע בְּשׁוֹפָר גָּדוֹל לְחֵרוּתֵנוּ, וְשָׂא נֵס לְקַבֵּץ גָּלֻיּוֹתֵינוּ, וְקַבְּצֵנוּ יַחַד מֵאַרְבַּע כַּנְפוֹת הָאָרֶץ.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, מְקַבֵּץ נִדְחֵי עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל.
11. Birkas HaDin (Restoration of Justice)
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.
12. Birkas HaMinim (Against slanderers)
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.
13. Tzaddikim (The Righteous)
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.
14. Binyan Yerushalayim (Rebuilding Jerusalem)
וְלִירוּשָׁלַיִם עִירְךָ בְּרַחֲמִים תָּשׁוּב, וְתִשְׁכּוֹן בְּתוֹכָהּ כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתָּ,
וּבְנֵה אוֹתָהּ בְּקָרוֹב בְּיָמֵינוּ בִּנְיַן עוֹלָם, וְכִסֵּא דָוִד מְהֵרָה לְתוֹכָהּ תָּכִין.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, בּוֹנֵה יְרוּשָׁלָיִם.
15. Malchus Beis David (Kingship of David)
אֶת צֶמַח דָּוִד עַבְדְּךָ מְהֵרָה תַצְמִיחַ, וְקַרְנוֹ תָּרוּם בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ, כִּי לִישׁוּעָתְךָ קִוִּינוּ כָּל הַיּוֹם.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, מַצְמִיחַ קֶרֶן יְשׁוּעָה.
16. Shema Koleinu (Hear our Prayer)
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.
17. Avodah (Temple Service)
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.
18. Hoda'ah (Thanksgiving — Modim)
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.
19. Sim Shalom (Peace)
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.
וְעָרְבָה לַיהֹוָה מִנְחַת יְהוּדָה וִירוּשָׁלַיִם כִּימֵי עוֹלָם וּכְשָׁנִים קַדְמֹנִיּוֹת׃
Closing — Elokai Netzor
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 back three paces, then say:) עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו, הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן.
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁיִּבָּנֶה בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ בִּמְהֵרָה בְיָמֵינוּ, וְתֵן חֶלְקֵנוּ בְּתוֹרָתֶךָ.
וְשָׁם נַעֲבָדְךָ בְּיִרְאָה כִּימֵי עוֹלָם וּכְשָׁנִים קַדְמֹנִיּוֹת׃
Boruch Atoh Ado-noy Elokeinu vEilokei avoiseinu, Elokei Avrohom, Elokei Yitzchok, vEilokei Yaakoiv, ho'Keil hagodoil hagiboir v'hanoiro, Keil elyoin, goimeil chasodim toivim v'koineh hakoil, v'zoicheir chasdei ovois, umeivi goieil livnei v'neihem l'maan sh'moi b'ahavoh. Melech oizeir umoishia umogein. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, mogein Avrohom.
Atoh giboir l'oilom Ado-noy, m'chayeih meisim Atoh, rav l'hoishia. (Winter: Mashiv horuach umoirid hageshem. Summer: Moirid hatol.) M'chalkeil chayim b'chesed, m'chayeih meisim b'rachamim rabim, soimeich noiflim v'roifei choilim umatir asurim, um'kayeim emunosoi lisheinei ofor. Mi chomoicho baal g'vurois umi doimeh loch, melech meimis um'chayeh umatzmiach y'shuo. V'ne'emon Atoh l'hachayois meisim. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, m'chayeih hameisim.
Atoh kodoish v'shimcho kodoish, uk'doishim b'chol yoim y'haleluchoh selo. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, ho'Keil hakodoish.
Atoh choinein l'odom daas, um'lameid le'enoish bino. Choneinu mei'it'cho dei'oh bino v'haskeil. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, choinein hadoas.
Hashiveinu Ovinu l'Toirosecho, v'korveinu Malkeinu laavoidosecho, v'hachazireinu bis'shuvo sh'leimo l'fonecho. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, horoitzeh bis'shuvo.
S'lach lonu Ovinu ki chotonu, m'chal lonu Malkeinu ki foshonu, ki moicheil v'soileiach Atoh. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, chanun hamarbeh lisloiach.
R'eih v'onyeinu, v'rivo riveinu, ug'oleinu g'ulo sh'leimo m'heiro l'maan sh'mecho, ki goieil chozok Atoh. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, goieil Yisroel.
R'fo'einu Ado-noy v'neirofei, hoishi'einu v'nivoshei'o, ki t'hiloseinu Atoh. V'haaleh r'fu'o sh'leimo l'chol makoiseinu. (Here insert a private request for the sick.) Ki Keil melech roifei ne'emon v'rachamon Atoh. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, roifei choilei amoi Yisroel.
Boreich oleinu Ado-noy Elokeinu es hashono hazois, v'es kol minei t'vuosoh l'toivo, v'sein (winter: tal umotor livrocho / summer: b'rocho) al p'nei ho'adomo, v'sab'einu mituvoh, uvoreich sh'noseinu kashonim hatoivois. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, m'voreich hashonim.
T'ka b'shoifor godoil l'cheiruseinu, v'so neis l'kabeitz goluyoiseinu, v'kab'tzeinu yachad mei'arba kanfois ho'oretz. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, m'kabeitz nidchei amoi Yisroel.
Hoshivo shoif'teinu k'vorishoino, v'yoiatzeinu k'vatchilo, v'hoseir mimenu yogoin vaanocho, um'loich oleinu Atoh Ado-noy l'vad'cho b'chesed uv'rachamim, v'tzad'keinu bamishpot. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, melech oiheiv tz'doko umishpot.
V'lamalshinim al t'hi sikvo, v'chol horish'o k'rega toiveid, v'chol oiy'vecho m'heiro yikoreisu, v'hazeidim m'heiro s'akeir us'shabeir us'mageir v'sachnia bim'heiro v'yomeinu. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, shoiveir oiy'vim umachnia zeidim.
Al hatzadikim v'al hachasidim v'al ziknei am'cho beis Yisroel, v'al p'leitas soif'reihem, v'al geirei hatzedek, v'oleinu, yehemu rachamecho Ado-noy Elokeinu, v'sein sochor toiv l'chol haboit'chim b'shimcho be'emes, v'sim chelkeinu imohem, ul'oilom loi neivoish ki v'cho botochnu. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, mish'on umivtoch latzadikim.
V'lirusholayim ir'cho b'rachamim toshuv, v'sishkoin b'soichoh kaasher dibarto, uv'neh oisoh b'koroiv b'yomeinu binyan oilom, v'chisei Dovid m'heiro l'soichoh tochin. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, boineh Y'rusholoyim.
Es tzemach Dovid av'd'cho m'heiro satzmiach, v'karnoi torum bishuosecho, ki lishuos'cho kivinu kol hayoim. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, matzmiach keren y'shuo.
Sh'ma koileinu Ado-noy Elokeinu, chus v'racheim oleinu, v'kabeil b'rachamim uv'rotzoin es t'filoseinu. Ki Keil shoimeia t'filois v'sachanunim Atoh, umil'fonecho Malkeinu reikom al t'shiveinu. (Here insert any personal request.) Ki Atoh shoimeia t'filas am'cho Yisroel b'rachamim. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, shoimeia t'filo.
R'tzeih Ado-noy Elokeinu b'am'cho Yisroel uvis'filosom, v'hosheiv es ho'avoido lid'vir beisecho, v'ishei Yisroel us'filosom b'ahavo s'kabeil b'rotzoin, us'hi l'rotzoin tomid avodas Yisroel amecho. V'sechezeno eineinu b'shuv'cho l'Tziyoin b'rachamim. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, hamachazir sh'chinosoi l'Tziyoin.
Moidim anachnu loch, sho'atoh hu Ado-noy Elokeinu vEilokei avoiseinu l'oilom vo'ed, tzur chayeinu, mogein yish'einu Atoh hu. L'doir vodoir noideh l'cho un'sapeir t'hilosecho, al chayeinu ham'surim b'yodecho, v'al nishmoiseinu hap'kudois loch, v'al nisecho sheb'chol yoim imonu, v'al nifl'oisecho v'toivoisecho sheb'chol eis, erev vovoiker v'tzohorayim. Hatoiv ki loi cholu rachamecho, v'hamracheim ki loi tamu chasodecho, mei'oilom kivinu loch. V'al kulom yisborach v'yisroimam shimcho Malkeinu tomid l'oilom vo'ed. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, hatoiv shimcho ul'cho noeh l'hoidois.
Sim sholoim toivo uvrocho, chein vochesed v'rachamim, oleinu v'al kol Yisroel amecho. Bor'cheinu Ovinu kulonu k'echod b'oir ponecho, ki v'oir ponecho nosato lonu Ado-noy Elokeinu Toiras chayim v'ahavas chesed, utz'doko uvrocho v'rachamim v'chayim v'sholoim. V'toiv b'einecho l'voreich es am'cho Yisroel b'chol eis uv'chol sho'o bishloimecho. Boruch Atoh Ado-noy, ham'voreich es amoi Yisroel basholoim. (Closing verse:) V'orvo l'Ado-noy minchas Y'hudo virusholayim kimei oilom uch'shonim kadmoiniyois.
Yih'yu l'rotzoin imrei fi v'hegyoin libi l'fonecho, Ado-noy tzuri v'goiali. Elokai, n'tzoir l'shoini meiro, us'fosai midabeir mirmo. V'limkal'lai nafshi sidoim, v'nafshi ke'ofor lakoil tih'yeh. P'sach libi b'Toirosecho, uv'mitzvosecho tirdoif nafshi. V'chol hachoish'vim olai ro'o, m'heiro hofeir atzosom v'kalkeil machashavtom. Asei l'maan sh'mecho, asei l'maan y'minecho, asei l'maan k'dushosecho, asei l'maan Toirosecho. L'maan yeichol'tzun y'didecho, hoishio y'min'cho vaaneini. Yih'yu l'rotzoin imrei fi v'hegyoin libi l'fonecho, Ado-noy tzuri v'goiali. (Step back three paces:) Oiseh sholoim bim'roimov, hu yaaseh sholoim oleinu v'al kol Yisroel, v'imru omein. Y'hi rotzoin mil'fonecho Ado-noy Elokeinu vEilokei avoiseinu sheyiboneh beis hamikdosh bim'heiro v'yomeinu, v'sein chelkeinu b'Toirosecho. V'shom naavod'cho b'yir'o kimei oilom uch'shonim kadmoiniyois.
Baruch Atah Ado-nai Elokeinu v'Elokei avoteinu, Elokei Avraham, Elokei Yitzchak, v'Elokei Ya'akov, ha'Kel ha'gadol ha'gibor v'hanora, Kel elyon, gomel chasadim tovim v'koneh hakol, v'zocher chasdei avot, umevi go'el livnei v'neihem l'ma'an sh'mo b'ahavah. Melech ozer umoshia umagen. Baruch Atah Ado-nai, magen Avraham.
Atah gibor l'olam Ado-nai, m'chayeh metim Atah, rav l'hoshia. (Winter: Mashiv haru'ach umorid hageshem. Summer: Morid hatal.) M'chalkel chayim b'chesed, m'chayeh metim b'rachamim rabim, somech noflim v'rofei cholim umatir asurim, um'kayem emunato lisheinei afar. Mi chamocha ba'al g'vurot umi domeh lach, melech memit um'chayeh umatzmiach y'shua. V'ne'eman Atah l'hachayot metim. Baruch Atah Ado-nai, m'chayeh hametim.
Atah kadosh v'shimcha kadosh, uk'doshim b'chol yom y'hal'lucha selah. Baruch Atah Ado-nai, ha'Kel hakadosh.
Atah chonen l'adam da'at, um'lamed le'enosh binah. Chaneinu me'it'cha de'ah binah v'haskel. Baruch Atah Ado-nai, chonen hada'at.
Hashiveinu Avinu l'toratecha, v'karveinu Malkeinu la'avodatecha, v'hachazireinu bit'shuvah sh'leimah l'fanecha. Baruch Atah Ado-nai, harotzeh bit'shuvah.
S'lach lanu Avinu ki chatanu, m'chal lanu Malkeinu ki fashanu, ki mochel v'solei'ach Atah. Baruch Atah Ado-nai, chanun hamarbeh lislo'ach.
R'eh v'onyeinu, v'rivah riveinu, ug'aleinu g'ulah sh'leimah m'heirah l'ma'an sh'mecha, ki go'el chazak Atah. Baruch Atah Ado-nai, go'el Yisrael.
R'fa'einu Ado-nai v'neirafei, hoshi'einu v'nivashei'ah, ki t'hilateinu Atah. V'ha'aleh r'fu'ah sh'leimah l'chol makoteinu. (Here insert a private request for the sick.) Ki Kel melech rofei ne'eman v'rachaman Atah. Baruch Atah Ado-nai, rofei cholei amo Yisrael.
Barech aleinu Ado-nai Elokeinu et hashanah hazot, v'et kol minei t'vu'atah l'tovah, v'ten (winter: tal umatar livrachah / summer: b'rachah) al p'nei ha'adamah, v'sab'einu mituvah, uvarech sh'nateinu kashanim hatovot. Baruch Atah Ado-nai, m'varech hashanim.
T'ka b'shofar gadol l'cheiruteinu, v'sa nes l'kabetz galuyoteinu, v'kab'tzeinu yachad me'arba kanfot ha'aretz. Baruch Atah Ado-nai, m'kabetz nidchei amo Yisrael.
Hashivah shof'teinu k'varishonah, v'yo'atzeinu k'vat'chilah, v'haser mimenu yagon va'anachah, um'loch aleinu Atah Ado-nai l'vad'cha b'chesed uv'rachamim, v'tzad'keinu bamishpat. Baruch Atah Ado-nai, melech ohev tz'dakah umishpat.
V'lamalshinim al t'hi tikvah, v'chol harish'ah k'rega toveid, v'chol oy'vecha m'heirah yikareitu, v'hazeidim m'heirah t'aker ut'shaber ut'mager v'tachnia bim'heirah v'yameinu. Baruch Atah Ado-nai, shover oy'vim umachnia zeidim.
Al hatzadikim v'al hachasidim v'al ziknei am'cha beit Yisrael, v'al p'leitat sof'reihem, v'al geirei hatzedek, v'aleinu, yehemu rachamecha Ado-nai Elokeinu, v'ten sachar tov l'chol habot'chim b'shimcha be'emet, v'sim chelkeinu imahem, ul'olam lo neivosh ki v'cha batachnu. Baruch Atah Ado-nai, mish'an umivtach latzadikim.
V'lirushalayim ir'cha b'rachamim tashuv, v'tishkon b'tochah ka'asher dibarta, uv'neh otah b'karov b'yameinu binyan olam, v'chisei David m'heirah l'tochah tachin. Baruch Atah Ado-nai, boneh Y'rushalayim.
Et tzemach David av'd'cha m'heirah tatzmiach, v'karno tarum bishu'atecha, ki lishu'at'cha kivinu kol hayom. Baruch Atah Ado-nai, matzmiach keren y'shu'ah.
Sh'ma koleinu Ado-nai Elokeinu, chus v'rachem aleinu, v'kabel b'rachamim uv'ratzon et t'filateinu. Ki Kel shomei'a t'filot v'tachanunim Atah, umil'fanecha Malkeinu reikam al t'shiveinu. (Here insert any personal request.) Ki Atah shomei'a t'filat am'cha Yisrael b'rachamim. Baruch Atah Ado-nai, shomei'a t'filah.
R'tzeh Ado-nai Elokeinu b'am'cha Yisrael uvit'filatam, v'hashev et ha'avodah lid'vir beitecha, v'ishei Yisrael ut'filatam b'ahavah t'kabel b'ratzon, ut'hi l'ratzon tamid avodat Yisrael amecha. V'techezenah eineinu b'shuv'cha l'Tziyon b'rachamim. Baruch Atah Ado-nai, hamachazir sh'chinato l'Tziyon.
Modim anachnu lach, sha'atah hu Ado-nai Elokeinu v'Elokei avoteinu l'olam va'ed, tzur chayeinu, magen yish'einu Atah 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'tzohorayim. 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 Atah Ado-nai, hatov shimcha ul'cha na'eh l'hodot.
Sim shalom tovah uvrachah, 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 Ado-nai Elokeinu torat chayim v'ahavat chesed, utz'dakah uvrachah v'rachamim v'chayim v'shalom. V'tov b'einecha l'varech et am'cha Yisrael b'chol et uv'chol sha'ah bishlomecha. Baruch Atah Ado-nai, ham'varech et amo Yisrael bashalom. (Closing verse:) V'arvah l'Ado-nai minchat Y'hudah virushalayim kimei olam uch'shanim kadmoniyot.
Yih'yu l'ratzon imrei fi v'hegyon libi l'fanecha, Ado-nai tzuri v'go'ali. Elokai, n'tzor l'shoni meira, us'fatai midaber mirmah. V'limkal'lai nafshi tidom, v'nafshi ke'afar lakol tih'yeh. P'tach libi b'toratecha, uv'mitzvotecha tirdof nafshi. V'chol hachosh'vim alai ra'ah, m'heirah 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 yeichal'tzun y'didecha, hoshi'ah y'min'cha va'aneini. Yih'yu l'ratzon imrei fi v'hegyon libi l'fanecha, Ado-nai tzuri v'go'ali. (Step back three paces:) Oseh shalom bim'romav, hu ya'aseh shalom aleinu v'al kol Yisrael, v'imru amen. Y'hi ratzon mil'fanecha Ado-nai Elokeinu v'Elokei avoteinu sheyibaneh beit hamikdash bim'heirah v'yameinu, v'ten chelkeinu b'toratecha. V'sham na'avad'cha b'yir'ah kimei olam uch'shanim kadmoniyot.
Blessed are You, Lord our God and God of our fathers, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob — the great, mighty, and awesome God, God Most High, who bestows acts of loving-kindness and creates all, who remembers the kindnesses of the fathers and brings a redeemer to their children's children, for the sake of His Name, with love. King, Helper, Savior, and Shield. Blessed are You, Lord, Shield of Abraham.
You are eternally mighty, my Lord; You resurrect the dead and are abundantly able to save. (Winter: He makes the wind blow and the rain fall. Summer: He brings down the dew.) He sustains the living with loving-kindness, resurrects the dead with abundant mercy, supports the fallen, heals the sick, frees the captive, and keeps faith with those who sleep in the dust. Who is like You, Master of mighty deeds, and who can be compared to You — King who brings death and restores life and causes salvation to flourish. And You are faithful to resurrect the dead. Blessed are You, Lord, who resurrects the dead.
You are holy and Your Name is holy, and holy ones praise You every day, forever. Blessed are You, Lord, the holy God.
You graciously endow man with knowledge and teach mankind understanding. Graciously grant us from Yourself knowledge, understanding, and insight. Blessed are You, Lord, gracious Giver of knowledge.
Bring us back, our Father, to Your Torah; draw us near, our King, to Your service; and return us in complete repentance before You. Blessed are You, Lord, who desires repentance.
Forgive us, our Father, for we have sinned; pardon us, our King, for we have transgressed; for You pardon and forgive. Blessed are You, Lord, gracious One who pardons abundantly.
Look upon our affliction, take up our cause, and redeem us speedily with a complete redemption for the sake of Your Name; for You are a mighty Redeemer. Blessed are You, Lord, Redeemer of Israel.
Heal us, Lord, and we shall be healed; save us and we shall be saved, for You are our praise. Bring complete healing for all our afflictions. (Here one may add a private prayer for the sick.) For You are God, the faithful and compassionate King and Healer. Blessed are You, Lord, who heals the sick of His people Israel.
Bless for us, Lord our God, this year and all its varieties of produce for good; grant (winter: dew and rain for a blessing / summer: a blessing) upon the face of the earth, satisfy us from its goodness, and bless our year like the good years. Blessed are You, Lord, who blesses the years.
Sound the great shofar for our freedom, raise a banner to gather our exiles, and gather us together from the four corners of the earth. Blessed are You, Lord, who gathers in the dispersed of His people Israel.
Restore our judges as in earliest times, and our counselors as at the beginning; remove from us sorrow and groaning, and reign over us — You, Lord, alone — with kindness and mercy, and vindicate us in justice. Blessed are You, Lord, the King who loves righteousness and justice.
For the slanderers let there be no hope, and may all wickedness perish in an instant; may all Your enemies be swiftly cut off, and may You speedily uproot, smash, cast down, and humble the insolent, swiftly in our days. Blessed are You, Lord, who breaks enemies and humbles the insolent.
Upon the righteous, the pious, the elders of Your people the House of Israel, the remnant of their scholars, the righteous converts, and upon us — may Your mercy be aroused, Lord our God. Grant good reward to all who sincerely trust in Your Name, and place our lot among them; may we never be shamed, for in You we have trusted. Blessed are You, Lord, Support and Assurance of the righteous.
And to Jerusalem, Your city, may You return with mercy, and dwell within it as You have spoken; rebuild it soon, in our days, as an everlasting structure, and speedily establish within it the throne of David. Blessed are You, Lord, Builder of Jerusalem.
Speedily cause the offshoot of David Your servant to flourish, and raise his horn through Your salvation, for we hope for Your salvation all day long. Blessed are You, Lord, who causes the horn of salvation to flourish.
Hear our voice, Lord our God; have pity and compassion on us, and accept our prayer with mercy and favor. For You are God who hears prayers and supplications; do not turn us away empty-handed from before You, our King. (Here one may add any personal request.) For You hear the prayer of Your people Israel with mercy. Blessed are You, Lord, who hears prayer.
Be favorable, Lord our God, toward Your people Israel and their prayer, and restore the service to the Holy of Holies of Your House. Accept with love and favor the fire-offerings of Israel and their prayer, and may the service of Your people Israel always be favorable to You. May our eyes behold Your return to Zion in mercy. Blessed are You, Lord, who restores His Presence to Zion.
We thankfully acknowledge that You are the Lord our God and God of our fathers forever; Rock of our lives, Shield of our salvation are You, from generation to generation. We thank You and recount Your praise — for our lives entrusted into Your hand, for our souls placed in Your charge, for Your miracles that are with us every day, and for Your wonders and favors at all times: evening, morning, and noon. The Good One — for Your mercies never cease; the Compassionate One — for Your kindnesses never end; from of old we have placed our hope in You. For all these, may Your Name be blessed and exalted, our King, continually, forever and ever. Blessed are You, Lord — the Good is Your Name, and to You it is fitting to give thanks.
Grant peace, goodness, and blessing, grace, kindness, and mercy upon us and upon all Israel, Your people. Bless us, our Father, all as one, with the light of Your face; for by the light of Your face You gave us, Lord our God, a Torah of life and love of kindness, righteousness, blessing, mercy, life, and peace. And may it be good in Your eyes to bless Your people Israel at every time and in every hour with Your peace. Blessed are You, Lord, who blesses His people Israel with peace. (Closing verse:) And may the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasing to the Lord, as in days of old and former years.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart find favor before You, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. My God, guard my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking deceit. To those who curse me, may my soul be silent; let my soul be like dust to all. Open my heart to Your Torah, and let my soul pursue Your commandments. As for all who plot evil against me, swiftly annul their counsel and frustrate their design. Act for the sake of Your Name; act for the sake of Your right hand; act for the sake of Your holiness; act for the sake of Your Torah. That Your beloved ones may be delivered, save with Your right hand and answer me. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart find favor before You, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Step back three paces:) He who makes peace in His heights, may He make peace upon us and upon all Israel; and say, Amen. May it be Your will, Lord our God and God of our fathers, that the Holy Temple be rebuilt speedily in our days, and grant us our portion in Your Torah. And there we will serve You with reverence as in days of old and former years.
How to Say This Tefillah
The Shacharis Amidah is recited as part of the morning Shacharis service, following Krias Shema and its brachos. The ideal time to begin the Shemoneh Esrei is immediately after sunrise, known as davening k’vasikin (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 89:1). The latest l’chatchilah time is the end of the fourth sha’ah zmanis — the first third of the halachic day. B’dieved, one may still daven Shacharis until chatzos, though the merit of davening within the proper time is lost.
The procedure requires standing with both feet together, facing toward Yerushalayim. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 95:1-2) details the required posture: feet together, eyes directed downward, in a humble servant-like posture. Before beginning, one takes three steps forward, symbolizing an approach to Hashem’s presence.
The Shemoneh Esrei is recited in a whisper — audible to oneself but not to others. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 101:2) states that one should hear one’s own words but that those standing nearby should not be able to hear them. This practice derives from Channah’s tefillah in Shmuel I 1:13, which the Gemara (Brachos 31a) uses as the model for silent tefillah. Key kavanah points during the Shacharis Amidah include: bowing at the beginning and end of the first bracha (Avos), bowing at the beginning and end of the eighteenth bracha (Modim), and concentrating especially during the bracha of Shome’a Tefillah — the sixteenth bracha — where personal requests may be inserted.
After completing the nineteenth bracha and the personal tefillah of Elokai netzor, one takes three steps backward (left foot first, then right, then left), bows to the left, right, and center while reciting the appropriate words, and remains in place until the shaliach tzibbur begins the repetition or until a brief pause has elapsed. The three steps backward symbolize taking leave of Hashem’s presence, as a servant departing from a king. If a person unintentionally missed the Shacharis Amidah entirely, the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 108:1) rules that he should daven two Shemoneh Esreis at Mincha — the first for Mincha and the second as tashlumin for the missed Shacharis.
How to Daven the Amidah — A Practical Guide
The Amidah is said standing, silently, facing Yerushalayim (in the Diaspora: east). Feet together, eyes closed or lowered onto the siddur. You are standing before the King.
- Three steps back, then three forward — before starting, take three steps backward and three steps forward to approach the King.
- Bowing during Shemoneh Esreh (Ashkenazic custom):
- At “Baruch” — bend the knees.
- At “Atah” — bow at the waist.
- At “Hashem” — straighten up before saying the Name.
Follow this pattern for:
1. the opening “Baruch” of Shemoneh Esreh
2. the closing “Baruch Atah Hashem, Magen Avraham”.
3. the closing “Baruch Atah Hashem, Hatov Shimcha…”.
- Bow during Modim (bracha 18, Hoda’ah) — bow, without bending, at “Modim…”, straighten at Hashem’s Name.
3. Do not bow for other brachos — only Avos and Modim have mandated bows. If you bow more than three times during Amidah without a reason, it is not the proper way.
4. Personal requests — you may insert your own bakashos:
- In Shema Koleinu; and if a request pertains to a specific bracha, it may be inserted there as well, before the conclusion of that bracha. For example: for healing in Refa’einu; for parnassah in Birkas HaShanim.
- Elokai Netzor — Personal requests may be added there, before the second “Yihiyu l’ratzon” and before stepping back.
5. Three steps back at the end — finishing Elokai Netzor:
- Say “Yihiyu l’ratzon” a second time.
- Take three steps back, beginning with the left foot, then the right, then the left.
- Bow left at “Oseh shalom bimromav”.
- Bow right at “Hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu”.
- Bow center at “V’al kol Yisrael, v’imru”.
- Then wait a little a few steps before returning forward.
Sources: Brachos 34a · Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 113 (bowing) · OC 123 (stepping back).
Give Tzedakah in the Zechus of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness
The Shacharis Amidah positions a Yid at the beginning of the day in the most intimate possible relationship with Hashem — standing silently before Him, whispering requests that only the two of them share. This private audience is the spiritual foundation of the entire day. When we carry the avodah of the Shemoneh Esrei forward through an act of tzedakah, we complete the circuit: the inward devotion of tefillah meets the outward devotion of sustaining another person.
Rabbi Meir Baal Haness understood that tefillah and tzedakah are not separate acts but two expressions of the same emunah. His promise — that whoever gives to the poor of Eretz Yisroel in his zechus and calls out Eloka D’Meir Aneini — is essentially a call to combine the Shemoneh Esrei’s petition with a tangible act of giving.
Rabbi Meir Baal Haness Charities, founded in 1799, continues distributing funds to Torah scholars, widows, orphans, and needy families throughout Eretz Yisroel. When a person gives tzedakah that helps meet the full range of another Jew’s physical needs — food, shelter, clothing, stability, and dignity — that act can stand as a powerful zechus for their own tefillos. The nineteen brachos of the Amidah encompass every dimension of human need: knowledge, teshuvah, healing, parnassah, geulah, justice, and peace. Tzedakah reaches many of those same needs in lived, tangible form, caring for people where they are lacking. In that sense, tzedakah and tefillah work together as a complete avodah: one turns to Hashem in prayer for every need, while the other becomes Hashem’s instrument in helping meet those needs for others. By addressing the needs of others so broadly and compassionately, a person gives greater weight to their own tefillah, asking for rachamim while actively showing rachamim.
Give Tzedakah in the Zechus of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness
Frequently Asked Questions About Shacharis Shemoneh Esrei
A Blessing for Your Morning Davening
The Shacharis Amidah is where the day truly begins — not with the alarm clock, not with the commute, but with nineteen brachos spoken in a whisper to the One who holds all outcomes in His hands. Every morning, across every continent and every time zone, Yidden plant their feet together, close their eyes, and enter this quiet conversation with the Creator. The words are ancient, but the needs are as present as this morning’s worry, this morning’s hope, this morning’s unspoken tefillah.
In the zechus of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness, may you be blessed with tefillos that ascend, brachos that descend, and the clarity to recognize Hashem’s hand in every answer. May each of your nineteen brachos tomorrow morning feel a little more alive, a little more yours. May your Shemoneh Esrei not only ask Hashem for things — may it also change you. And may the day that follows carry the stillness of those few whispered minutes all the way through.
You can submit a prayer request to the scholars of Tiberias 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 tefillah.
