Siddur Spinoza

Modeh Ani

Morning gratitude on waking

Hebrew

מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ, מֶלֶךְ חַי וְקַיָּם, שֶׁהֶחֱזַרְתָּ בִּי נִשְׁמָתִי בְּחֶמְלָה; רַבָּה אֱמוּנָתֶךָ.

English (plain)

I thank You, living and enduring Sovereign, for restoring my soul within me with compassion; abundant is Your faithfulness.

Spinoza Lens

Gratitude here is not a request for supernatural intervention. It is the practice of aligning the mind with reality as it is: being alive again this morning is an invitation to live with clarity, responsibility, and joy in the order of nature.

Traditional Lens (Rashi-era orientation)

Traditional commentators frame waking as a daily renewal of trust between person and Creator. The line "abundant is Your faithfulness" is often read as God’s trust in the human being to use the day well.

Reflect

What is one concrete way you can honor life and truth today?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew text follows the standard line with no wording changes. English wording keeps the traditional meaning and uses simple modern phrasing.

Elohai Neshama (opening line)

Soul, purity, and responsibility

Hebrew

אֱלֹהַי, נְשָׁמָה שֶׁנָּתַתָּ בִּי טְהוֹרָה הִיא.

English (plain)

My God, the soul You have given me is pure.

Spinoza Lens

Purity here can be read as potential: the mind can understand clearly when we are not ruled by fear, resentment, or confusion. The task is to protect that clarity.

Traditional Lens

Traditionally this line affirms that life is entrusted to us from God each day. The prayer sets a tone of gratitude and moral accountability.

Reflect

What would it mean to treat your inner life as something entrusted to you?

Barchu

Public call to begin shared prayer

Hebrew

בָּרְכוּ אֶת יְיָ הַמְּבֹרָךְ. בָּרוּךְ יְיָ הַמְּבֹרָךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.

English (plain)

Bless the Eternal, the One who is blessed. Blessed is the Eternal, the One who is blessed forever and ever.

Spinoza Lens

Barchu is a shared reset. It moves prayer from private mood into a communal frame, where language and ethics are practiced together.

Traditional Lens

Traditionally Barchu marks the formal opening of major sections of communal prayer and establishes a leader-community response rhythm.

Reflect

What helps you move from “my concerns” into shared responsibility?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew uses the standard call-and-response wording. English is a direct, plain translation of that same wording.

Yotzer Or (opening line)

Morning blessing for light and order

Hebrew

יוֹצֵר אוֹר וּבוֹרֵא חֹשֶׁךְ, עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם וּבוֹרֵא אֶת הַכֹּל.

English (plain)

Who forms light and creates darkness, makes peace and creates all.

Spinoza Lens

This line can be read as radical unity: all natural opposites exist within one reality, so wisdom begins by understanding causes instead of dividing the world into rival powers.

Traditional Lens

In daily liturgy this blessing thanks God for the ordered cycles of creation and prepares the mind for Shema.

Reflect

Where can you replace reaction with deeper understanding of what caused a situation?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew keeps the standard opening line. English uses “creates all” to mirror “et hakol” directly.

Ahavah Rabbah (opening line)

Love, Torah, and readiness before Shema

Hebrew

אַהֲבָה רַבָּה אֲהַבְתָּנוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, חֶמְלָה גְדוֹלָה וִיתֵרָה חָמַלְתָּ עָלֵינוּ.

English (plain)

With great love You have loved us, Eternal our God; with great and abundant compassion You have had mercy on us.

Spinoza Lens

Read philosophically, “great love” points to a trustworthy order that makes understanding possible; the response is disciplined learning and ethical action.

Traditional Lens

Traditionally this blessing centers divine love expressed through Torah, education, and covenant life before reciting Shema.

Reflect

What does love look like when it is expressed as steady learning and responsibility?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew follows the standard opening sentence. English keeps classic vocabulary while simplifying sentence flow.

Shema (opening line)

Unity, attention, and commitment

Hebrew

שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, יְיָ אֶחָד.

English (plain)

Hear, Israel: the Eternal is our God, the Eternal is One.

Spinoza Lens

"One" points to indivisible reality, not separate powers competing in the world. To recite Shema this way is to commit to intellectual honesty and ethical living in harmony with that unity.

Traditional Lens

In classical Jewish life, Shema is declaration and discipline: accepting divine unity and binding daily life to that awareness through study, action, and memory.

Reflect

Where do I feel fragmented, and what would "oneness" look like in practice?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew text uses the standard single Shema verse with no wording changes. English wording stays close to common liturgical translation.

Baruch Shem Kevod

The whispered line after Shema

Hebrew

בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.

English (plain)

Blessed is the name of the glory of His sovereignty forever and ever.

Spinoza Lens

The quiet tone can be a practice of humility: after declaring unity, we lower the volume and internalize commitment.

Traditional Lens

Jewish practice generally recites this line softly after Shema on regular days, preserving a long-standing liturgical custom.

Reflect

How can quiet repetition strengthen your values more than dramatic language?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew keeps the standard liturgical wording. English is intentionally literal, preserving “name,” “glory,” and “forever.”

V'ahavta (full first paragraph)

Whole prayer section: love, teaching, and remembrance

Hebrew

וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת יְיָ אֱלֹהֶיךָ, בְּכָל לְבָבְךָ וּבְכָל נַפְשְׁךָ וּבְכָל מְאֹדֶךָ.

וְהָיוּ הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם, עַל לְבָבֶךָ. וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ, וְדִבַּרְתָּ בָּם, בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ בְּבֵיתֶךָ וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ בַדֶּרֶךְ, וּבְשָׁכְבְּךָ וּבְקוּמֶךָ.

וּקְשַׁרְתָּם לְאוֹת עַל יָדֶךָ, וְהָיוּ לְטֹטָפֹת בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ. וּכְתַבְתָּם, עַל מְזוּזוֹת בֵּיתֶךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶיךָ.

English (plain)

You shall love the Eternal your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

Let these words that I command you today rest on your heart. Teach them to your children. Speak of them when you sit at home, when you walk on the way, when you lie down, and when you rise.

Bind them as a sign on your hand, let them be as frontlets between your eyes, and write them on the doorposts of your house and your gates.

Spinoza Lens

Love of God can be understood as joyful understanding of reality. This line calls for full-person integration: thought, desire, and action aligned with truth.

Traditional Lens

Classical teaching reads this as daily devotion in every state of life, including prosperity and hardship. Love is shown through study, mitzvot, and ethical conduct.

Reflect

What would wholehearted commitment look like in one decision you face today?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew text was expanded from one line to the full first paragraph. English was expanded in parallel to match that full paragraph in straightforward wording.

V'haya Im Shamoa (full second paragraph)

Whole prayer section: attention, consequence, and covenant

Hebrew

וְהָיָה אִם שָׁמֹעַ תִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶל מִצְוֺתַי אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם הַיּוֹם, לְאַהֲבָה אֶת יְיָ אֱלֹהֵיכֶם וּלְעָבְדוֹ בְּכָל לְבַבְכֶם וּבְכָל נַפְשְׁכֶם. וְנָתַתִּי מְטַר אַרְצְכֶם בְּעִתּוֹ, יוֹרֶה וּמַלְקוֹשׁ, וְאָסַפְתָּ דְגָנֶךָ וְתִירֹשְׁךָ וְיִצְהָרֶךָ. וְנָתַתִּי עֵשֶׂב בְּשָׂדְךָ לִבְהֶמְתֶּךָ, וְאָכַלְתָּ וְשָׂבָעְתָּ. הִשָּׁמְרוּ לָכֶם פֶּן יִפְתֶּה לְבַבְכֶם, וְסַרְתֶּם וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים, וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶם לָהֶם. וְחָרָה אַף יְיָ בָּכֶם, וְעָצַר אֶת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְלֹא יִהְיֶה מָטָר, וְהָאֲדָמָה לֹא תִתֵּן אֶת יְבוּלָהּ, וַאֲבַדְתֶּם מְהֵרָה מֵעַל הָאָרֶץ הַטֹּבָה אֲשֶׁר יְיָ נֹתֵן לָכֶם. וְשַׂמְתֶּם אֶת דְּבָרַי אֵלֶּה עַל לְבַבְכֶם וְעַל נַפְשְׁכֶם, וּקְשַׁרְתֶּם אֹתָם לְאוֹת עַל יֶדְכֶם, וְהָיוּ לְטוֹטָפֹת בֵּין עֵינֵיכֶם. וְלִמַּדְתֶּם אֹתָם אֶת בְּנֵיכֶם, לְדַבֵּר בָּם, בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ בְּבֵיתֶךָ וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ בַדֶּרֶךְ, וּבְשָׁכְבְּךָ וּבְקוּמֶךָ. וּכְתַבְתָּם עַל מְזוּזוֹת בֵּיתֶךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶיךָ. לְמַעַן יִרְבּוּ יְמֵיכֶם וִימֵי בְנֵיכֶם עַל הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע יְיָ לַאֲבֹתֵיכֶם לָתֵת לָהֶם, כִּימֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם עַל הָאָרֶץ.

English (plain)

If you truly listen to My commandments that I command you today, to love the Eternal your God and to serve with all your heart and all your soul, then rain will come for your land in its season, early and late, and you will gather grain, wine, and oil. There will be grass for your animals, and you will eat and be satisfied. Be careful lest your heart be misled and you turn to other powers. Then the heavens will close, rain will stop, and the ground will not give produce. Set these words upon your heart and your soul. Bind them as a sign on your hand, and let them be as frontlets between your eyes. Teach them to your children, speak of them at home and on the road, when you lie down and when you rise. Write them on the doorposts of your house and your gates, so that your days and your children's days may be long on the land.

Spinoza Lens

This line can be read as moral causality: patterns of living produce social and emotional outcomes. Listening means disciplined attention to what is actually true.

Traditional Lens

In traditional liturgy this paragraph emphasizes covenant responsibility, linking devotion, mitzvot, and communal wellbeing across generations.

Reflect

Where do your daily habits clearly shape long-term outcomes in your life?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew text was expanded from the opening line to the full second paragraph. English was expanded to cover the full paragraph in plain modern wording.

Vayomer (full third paragraph)

Whole prayer section: memory, identity, and embodied reminders

Hebrew

וַיֹּאמֶר יְיָ אֶל מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר. דַּבֵּר אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם וְעָשׂוּ לָהֶם צִיצִת עַל כַּנְפֵי בִגְדֵיהֶם לְדֹרֹתָם, וְנָתְנוּ עַל צִיצִת הַכָּנָף פְּתִיל תְּכֵלֶת. וְהָיָה לָכֶם לְצִיצִת, וּרְאִיתֶם אֹתוֹ וּזְכַרְתֶּם אֶת כָּל מִצְוֺת יְיָ וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֹתָם, וְלֹא תָתוּרוּ אַחֲרֵי לְבַבְכֶם וְאַחֲרֵי עֵינֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם זֹנִים אַחֲרֵיהֶם. לְמַעַן תִּזְכְּרוּ וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֶת כָּל מִצְוֺתָי, וִהְיִיתֶם קְדֹשִׁים לֵאלֹהֵיכֶם. אֲנִי יְיָ אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִי אֶתְכֶם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם לִהְיוֹת לָכֶם לֵאלֹהִים. אֲנִי יְיָ אֱלֹהֵיכֶם.

English (plain)

The Eternal said to Moses: Speak to the people of Israel and tell them to make fringes on the corners of their garments in every generation, and place a blue thread on each fringe. You shall look at it and remember all the commandments of the Eternal and do them, so you do not stray after your heart and your eyes. Remember and perform all My commandments, and be holy to your God. I am the Eternal your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God. I am the Eternal your God.

Spinoza Lens

External reminders can train inner freedom. Practices in time and space help keep values active instead of abstract.

Traditional Lens

This paragraph introduces tzitzit and the command to remember. Traditional teaching treats memory as practical: seeing, recalling, and acting with intention.

Reflect

What visible reminder could help you return to your values each day?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew text was expanded from the opening line to the full third paragraph. English was expanded to mirror the complete paragraph in plain wording.

Amidah (selected core blessings)

Whole prayer section sample: opening praise + holiness

Hebrew

אֲדֹנָי, שְׂפָתַי תִּפְתָּח; וּפִי יַגִּיד תְּהִלָּתֶךָ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם, אֱלֹהֵי יִצְחָק, וֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב. הָאֵל הַגָּדוֹל, הַגִּבּוֹר וְהַנּוֹרָא, אֵל עֶלְיוֹן. אַתָּה גִּבּוֹר לְעוֹלָם אֲדֹנָי, מְחַיֵּה מֵתִים אַתָּה, רַב לְהוֹשִׁיעַ. אַתָּה קָדוֹשׁ, וְשִׁמְךָ קָדוֹשׁ, וּקְדוֹשִׁים בְּכָל יוֹם יְהַלְלוּךָ סֶּלָה.

English (plain)

Eternal One, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. Blessed are You, Eternal our God and God of our ancestors, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, great, mighty, and awesome God Most High. You are mighty forever, giving life and bringing salvation. You are holy, and Your name is holy, and holy ones praise You every day.

Spinoza Lens

The opening blessings can be read as a practice of orientation: first steady speech, then memory, then moral seriousness. Instead of asking for intervention, a Spinozist reading emphasizes training mind and character toward truth and responsibility.

Traditional Lens

In traditional liturgy, these opening blessings establish covenant memory (Avot), divine might (Gevurot), and holiness (Kedushat Hashem) before moving into requests. They set reverence, continuity, and structure for the full Amidah.

Reflect

What values do you want to consciously anchor before asking for anything else?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew text was expanded from one opening line to selected opening blessings. English was expanded in parallel and kept close to traditional meaning.

Amidah (weekday structured full flow)

Opening praise, middle requests, and closing gratitude

Hebrew

אֲדֹנָי שְׂפָתַי תִּפְתָּח וּפִי יַגִּיד תְּהִלָּתֶךָ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם אֱלֹהֵי יִצְחָק וֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב... אַתָּה גִּבּוֹר לְעוֹלָם אֲדֹנָי... אַתָּה קָדוֹשׁ וְשִׁמְךָ קָדוֹשׁ...

אַתָּה חוֹנֵן לְאָדָם דַּעַת... הֲשִׁיבֵנוּ אָבִינוּ לְתוֹרָתֶךָ... סְלַח לָנוּ אָבִינוּ כִּי חָטָאנוּ... רְאֵה נָא בְעָנְיֵנוּ וְרִיבָה רִיבֵנוּ... רְפָאֵנוּ יְיָ וְנֵרָפֵא... בָּרֵךְ עָלֵינוּ אֶת הַשָּׁנָה הַזֹּאת... תְּקַע בְּשׁוֹפָר גָּדוֹל לְחֵרוּתֵנוּ... הָשִׁיבָה שׁוֹפְטֵינוּ כְּבָרִאשׁוֹנָה... וְלִירוּשָׁלַיִם עִירְךָ בְּרַחֲמִים תָּשׁוּב... אֶת צֶמַח דָּוִד עַבְדְּךָ מְהֵרָה תַצְמִיחַ... שְׁמַע קוֹלֵנוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ חוּס וְרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ...

רְצֵה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ בְּעַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל... מוֹדִים אֲנַחְנוּ לָךְ... שִׂים שָׁלוֹם טוֹבָה וּבְרָכָה... יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי פִי... עוֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ.

English (plain)

Eternal One, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. Blessed are You, God of our ancestors... You are mighty forever... You are holy and Your name is holy. This opening section establishes reverence, memory, and moral seriousness.

The middle blessings ask for understanding, repentance, forgiveness, redemption, healing, livelihood, justice, gathering of exiles, rebuilding Jerusalem, renewal of Davidic hope, and attentive hearing of prayer. Weekday Amidah frames these as communal and ethical needs, not only private wishes.

The closing blessings ask for restored service, gratitude, and peace. The section ends by returning speech to humility and a practical commitment to peace in daily life.

Spinoza Lens

This full weekday flow can be read as a training arc: orient the mind, name real human needs, and end with gratitude plus civic peace.

Traditional Lens

The weekday Amidah is classically structured as three opening blessings, thirteen middle requests, and three closing blessings.

Reflect

If your daily prayer had one strongest request right now, which part of the middle blessings would it come from?

Spinoza edit notes

This is a structured full-flow draft: Hebrew preserves recognizable liturgical anchors while middle sections are condensed; English summarizes each block faithfully in plain language.

Oseh Shalom

Closing prayer for peace

Hebrew

עוֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו, הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל; וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן.

English (plain)

May the One who makes peace in the heavens make peace for us and for all Israel; and let us say: Amen.

Spinoza Lens

Peace is not passive. It is the social outcome of justice, understanding, and shared responsibility. This ending turns inner clarity outward toward community.

Traditional Lens

Traditionally recited at moments of conclusion, this line extends prayer beyond the individual and asks for communal wholeness in everyday life.

Reflect

What is one relationship where you can take a concrete step toward peace?

Musaf Kedushah (opening line)

Sanctification in communal voice

Hebrew

כֶּתֶר יִתְּנוּ לְךָ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, מַלְאָכִים הֲמוֹן מַעְלָה.

English (plain)

A crown they give You, Eternal our God, the multitudes of angels above.

Spinoza Lens

The imagery points to shared orientation, not hierarchy anxiety. A community can be unified around truth-seeking, justice, and disciplined joy.

Traditional Lens

In many rites, Musaf Kedushah emphasizes heavenly and earthly sanctification together, with the congregation joining angelic praise.

Reflect

What does “holiness” mean when expressed as collective responsibility?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew uses the standard opening line. English keeps the same meaning in plain words.

U'vnei Yerushalayim (Musaf ending line)

Restoration and communal future

Hebrew

וּבְנֵה יְרוּשָׁלַיִם עִיר הַקֹּדֶשׁ בִּמְהֵרָה בְיָמֵינוּ.

English (plain)

Rebuild Jerusalem, the holy city, speedily in our days.

Spinoza Lens

Rebuilding can be read as social repair: stronger institutions, public trust, education, and justice in shared civic life.

Traditional Lens

This line is classically connected to hope for restoration of Jerusalem and the communal-spiritual center of Jewish life.

Reflect

What is one way to help “rebuild” your community this month?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew uses the standard liturgical line. English is a direct plain-language rendering.

Ashrei (Psalm 145 full)

Whole prayer section: praise, trust, and daily dependence

Hebrew

תְּהִלָּה לְדָוִד. אֲרוֹמִמְךָ אֱלוֹהַי הַמֶּלֶךְ, וַאֲבָרְכָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד. בְּכָל יוֹם אֲבָרְכֶךָּ, וַאֲהַלְלָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד. גָּדוֹל יְיָ וּמְהֻלָּל מְאֹד, וְלִגְדֻלָּתוֹ אֵין חֵקֶר. דּוֹר לְדוֹר יְשַׁבַּח מַעֲשֶׂיךָ, וּגְבוּרֹתֶיךָ יַגִּידוּ. הֲדַר כְּבוֹד הוֹדֶךָ, וְדִבְרֵי נִפְלְאֹתֶיךָ אָשִׂיחָה. וֶעֱזוּז נוֹרְאֹתֶיךָ יֹאמֵרוּ, וּגְדֻלָּתְךָ אֲסַפְּרֶנָּה. זֵכֶר רַב טוּבְךָ יַבִּיעוּ, וְצִדְקָתְךָ יְרַנֵּנוּ. חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם יְיָ, אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וּגְדָל חָסֶד. טוֹב יְיָ לַכֹּל, וְרַחֲמָיו עַל כָּל מַעֲשָׂיו. יוֹדוּךָ יְיָ כָּל מַעֲשֶׂיךָ, וַחֲסִידֶיךָ יְבָרֲכוּכָה. כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתְךָ יֹאמֵרוּ, וּגְבוּרָתְךָ יְדַבֵּרוּ. לְהוֹדִיעַ לִבְנֵי הָאָדָם גְּבוּרֹתָיו, וּכְבוֹד הֲדַר מַלְכוּתוֹ.

מַלְכוּתְךָ מַלְכוּת כָּל עֹלָמִים, וּמֶמְשַׁלְתְּךָ בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדֹר. סוֹמֵךְ יְיָ לְכָל הַנֹּפְלִים, וְזוֹקֵף לְכָל הַכְּפוּפִים. עֵינֵי כֹל אֵלֶיךָ יְשַׂבֵּרוּ, וְאַתָּה נוֹתֵן לָהֶם אֶת אָכְלָם בְּעִתּוֹ. פּוֹתֵחַ אֶת יָדֶךָ, וּמַשְׂבִּיעַ לְכָל חַי רָצוֹן. צַדִּיק יְיָ בְּכָל דְּרָכָיו, וְחָסִיד בְּכָל מַעֲשָׂיו.

קָרוֹב יְיָ לְכָל קֹרְאָיו, לְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יִקְרָאֻהוּ בֶאֱמֶת. רְצוֹן יְרֵאָיו יַעֲשֶׂה, וְאֶת שַׁוְעָתָם יִשְׁמַע וְיוֹשִׁיעֵם. שׁוֹמֵר יְיָ אֶת כָּל אֹהֲבָיו, וְאֵת כָּל הָרְשָׁעִים יַשְׁמִיד. תְּהִלַּת יְיָ יְדַבֶּר פִּי, וִיבָרֵךְ כָּל בָּשָׂר שֵׁם קָדְשׁוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.

English (plain)

A praise of David: I will lift You up, my God and Sovereign, and bless Your name forever. Every day I will bless You and praise Your name forever. The Eternal is great and deeply praiseworthy; greatness has no end. Generation to generation praises Your works and tells Your mighty acts. They speak of the splendor of Your majesty and I reflect on Your wonders. They tell of Your awesome power, and I recount Your greatness. They declare the memory of Your abundant goodness and sing of Your justice. The Eternal is gracious and compassionate, patient and rich in kindness. The Eternal is good to all, and mercy rests on all creation. All Your works thank You; the faithful bless You. They speak of the glory of Your reign and tell of Your strength, making known to humanity Your power and the splendor of Your kingdom.

Your kingdom is for all ages. The Eternal supports all who fall and lifts all who are bent low. All eyes look to You, and You give food at the right time. You open Your hand and satisfy every living being. The Eternal is just in all ways and kind in all deeds.

The Eternal is near to all who call in truth. God fulfills the desire of those who revere, hears their cry, and helps them. The Eternal guards all who love God, and destroys wickedness. My mouth speaks the praise of the Eternal, and all flesh blesses God’s holy name forever.

Spinoza Lens

Full Ashrei is a daily exercise in attention: reality is lawful, interdependent, and sustained through patterns we can learn to notice.

Traditional Lens

Psalm 145 is central to daily prayer and is recited with emphasis on trust, praise, and dependence on divine provision.

Reflect

Which line in Ashrei best names what you need this week: trust, patience, gratitude, or courage?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew was expanded from one verse to the full Psalm 145 liturgical core. English now mirrors the full flow in simplified modern language.

Hashkiveinu (opening line)

Evening trust and protection

Hebrew

הַשְׁכִּיבֵנוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ לְשָׁלוֹם, וְהַעֲמִידֵנוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ לְחַיִּים.

English (plain)

Lay us down in peace, Eternal our God, and raise us up, our Sovereign, to life.

Spinoza Lens

Evening prayer can become emotional hygiene: releasing fear, restoring clarity, and preparing the mind for renewal.

Traditional Lens

Hashkiveinu is a classic Maariv blessing asking for peace, protection, and a secure transition from day to night.

Reflect

What one worry can you consciously release before sleep tonight?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew uses the standard opening line. English stays close to standard meaning in plain wording.

Kaddish Shalem

Whole prayer section: magnifying holiness in public voice

Aramaic/Hebrew

יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא. בְּעָלְמָא דִּי בְרָא כִרְעוּתֵהּ, וְיַמְלִיךְ מַלְכוּתֵהּ, בְּחַיֵּיכוֹן וּבְיוֹמֵיכוֹן וּבְחַיֵּי דְכָל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן. יְהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ לְעָלַם וּלְעָלְמֵי עָלְמַיָּא. יִתְבָּרַךְ וְיִשְׁתַּבַּח וְיִתְפָּאַר וְיִתְרוֹמַם וְיִתְנַשֵּׂא וְיִתְהַדָּר וְיִתְעַלֶּה וְיִתְהַלָּל, שְׁמֵהּ דְּקֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא. לְעֵלָּא מִן כָּל בִּרְכָתָא וְשִׁירָתָא, תֻּשְׁבְּחָתָא וְנֶחֱמָתָא, דַּאֲמִירָן בְּעָלְמָא, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן. תִּתְקַבַּל צְלוֹתְהוֹן וּבָעוּתְהוֹן דְּכָל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, קֳדָם אֲבוּהוֹן דִּי בִשְׁמַיָּא, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן. יְהֵא שְׁלָמָא רַבָּא מִן שְׁמַיָּא, וְחַיִּים עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן. עוֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו, הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן.

English (plain)

Magnified and sanctified be God’s great name in the world that God created according to divine will. May divine sovereignty be established in your lifetime and in the lifetime of all Israel, soon and quickly. Let God’s great name be blessed forever and ever. Blessed, praised, glorified, exalted, lifted up, honored, elevated, and acclaimed be the name of the Holy One, beyond all blessings and songs, praises and consolations. May the prayers of all Israel be accepted before their Parent in heaven. May abundant peace from heaven and life be upon us and upon all Israel. May the One who makes peace on high make peace upon us and upon all Israel.

Spinoza Lens

Kaddish names greatness without asking for miracles. It trains communal language toward dignity, peace, and shared moral aspiration.

Traditional Lens

Kaddish has many forms in Jewish prayer and often marks transitions, communal sanctification, and memory.

Reflect

How can your words in public spaces raise dignity rather than increase fear?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew/Aramaic follows the common Shalem form. English condenses repeated honor-language while preserving the sequence and meaning.

Birkat Kohanim (full)

Whole prayer section: blessing, light, and peace

Hebrew

יְבָרֶכְךָ יְיָ וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ. יָאֵר יְיָ פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ. יִשָּׂא יְיָ פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם.

English (plain)

May the Eternal bless you and guard you. May the Eternal shine divine face toward you and be gracious to you. May the Eternal lift divine face toward you and place peace upon you.

Spinoza Lens

This blessing can be heard as a social ethic: protection, grace, and peace are built through just relationships and steady care.

Traditional Lens

Birkat Kohanim is one of the most beloved biblical blessings and appears widely in synagogue and home life.

Reflect

Who needs you to be an agent of blessing and peace this week?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew includes the complete three-verse biblical blessing. English keeps full verse coverage with plain wording.

Shabbat Kiddush (opening lines)

Sanctifying time over wine

Hebrew

וַיְכֻלּוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ, וְכָל צְבָאָם. וַיְכַל אֱלֹהִים בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי, מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן.

English (plain)

The heavens and the earth were completed, and all their array. God completed on the seventh day the work that had been done. Blessed are You, Eternal, Creator of the fruit of the vine.

Spinoza Lens

Kiddush can frame time as intentional rather than automatic. Stopping to bless wine marks a chosen rhythm: attention, gratitude, and communal dignity.

Traditional Lens

Kiddush over wine is central to welcoming Shabbat and festivals, linking creation, covenant memory, and sacred rest.

Reflect

What weekly ritual could help you turn time into something more intentional?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew includes selected standard opening lines from Friday night Kiddush. English follows those lines in plain wording.

Borei Pri Hagafen

Blessing over wine or grape juice

Hebrew

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן.

English (plain)

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.

Spinoza Lens

A short blessing can function as a cognitive reset: gratitude before consumption, and awareness that joy is strongest when shared wisely.

Traditional Lens

This berakhah is the standard blessing for wine and grape juice in meals, Kiddush, and many ceremonial moments.

Reflect

What changes when you pause for gratitude before celebration?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew uses the standard blessing text. English is a direct plain-language rendering.

HaMotzi

Blessing over bread

Hebrew

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ.

English (plain)

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.

Spinoza Lens

Bread blessing can train causal awareness: food depends on land, labor, weather, community, and mutual obligation.

Traditional Lens

HaMotzi marks the start of bread-based meals and anchors Jewish practice of gratitude for sustenance.

Reflect

Who and what made this meal possible that you usually overlook?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew uses the standard blessing text. English keeps the same meaning in plain wording.

Asher Yatzar

Whole blessing: gratitude for the functioning body

Hebrew

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר יָצַר אֶת הָאָדָם בְּחָכְמָה, וּבָרָא בוֹ נְקָבִים נְקָבִים חֲלוּלִים חֲלוּלִים. גָּלוּי וְיָדוּעַ לִפְנֵי כִסֵּא כְבוֹדֶךָ, שֶׁאִם יִסָּתֵם אֶחָד מֵהֶם אוֹ אִם יִפָּתֵחַ אֶחָד מֵהֶם, אִי אֶפְשַׁר לְהִתְקַיֵּם וְלַעֲמֹד לְפָנֶיךָ אֲפִלּוּ שָׁעָה אַחַת. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, רוֹפֵא כָל בָּשָׂר וּמַפְלִיא לַעֲשׂוֹת.

English (plain)

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who formed the human being with wisdom and created within us many openings and passages. It is revealed and known before Your throne of glory that if one of them were blocked or one of them were opened beyond proper function, we could not endure and stand even for a short time. Blessed are You, Eternal, healer of all flesh, who acts wondrously.

Spinoza Lens

This blessing is radical realism: spiritual life starts with embodied life. Gratitude here is grounded in biological dependence.

Traditional Lens

Asher Yatzar is a foundational blessing of bodily gratitude in daily Jewish practice, recited many times in ordinary life.

Reflect

How might your spiritual practice become healthier if it began with care for your body?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew uses the full standard blessing text. English keeps full content with plain language and minimal added interpretation.

Birkat HaMazon (first blessing)

Gratitude after eating bread

Hebrew

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַזָּן אֶת הָעוֹלָם כֻּלּוֹ בְּטוּבוֹ.

English (plain)

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who nourishes the whole world in goodness.

Spinoza Lens

Post-meal blessing encourages causal awareness: nourishment is not “automatic,” but the outcome of systems, people, and nature working together.

Traditional Lens

Birkat HaMazon is the central Jewish practice of thanking God after a bread meal, grounded in Torah and expanded by rabbinic tradition.

Reflect

What changes when gratitude comes after enjoyment, not only before it?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew uses the opening line of the first blessing (“HaZan”). English follows that line directly with minimal interpretation.

Nerot Shabbat

Blessing for Shabbat candles

Hebrew

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֺתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת.

English (plain)

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who has made us holy through commandments and commanded us to kindle the Shabbat light.

Spinoza Lens

Lighting candles can be framed as an intentional transition: from speed to presence, from scattered attention to relational time.

Traditional Lens

Candle lighting welcomes Shabbat into the home and marks the beginning of sacred time through a concrete, repeatable act.

Reflect

What ritual helps you make a real boundary between ordinary time and sacred time?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew follows the standard candle-lighting blessing wording. English keeps the same sentence structure and meaning.

HaMavdil

Havdalah line for transitions

Hebrew

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַמַּבְדִּיל בֵּין קֹדֶשׁ לְחוֹל.

English (plain)

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who separates between holy and ordinary.

Spinoza Lens

Distinction is a spiritual skill. HaMavdil invites us to choose healthy boundaries and bring intention into transitions, not just beginnings.

Traditional Lens

This Havdalah blessing closes Shabbat and teaches that sacred rhythms are preserved through clear separations in time.

Reflect

Where in your week do you need a cleaner boundary so your values stay intact?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew uses the concise standard Havdalah line. English mirrors “holy and ordinary” to keep the contrast explicit.

Shehecheyanu

Blessing for reaching a new season or moment

Hebrew

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה.

English (plain)

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this time.

Spinoza Lens

Shehecheyanu celebrates duration and presence. It invites a rational joy rooted in being alive now, not in fantasy about control.

Traditional Lens

This blessing is recited at festivals, first-time mitzvah moments, and meaningful new experiences to mark gratitude for arrival in time.

Reflect

What milestone in your life deserves a conscious blessing right now?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew uses the standard blessing text. English is a direct and plain rendering.

Adon Olam (full)

Whole poem: eternity, trust, and courage

Hebrew

אֲדוֹן עוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר מָלַךְ, בְּטֶרֶם כָּל יְצִיר נִבְרָא. לְעֵת נַעֲשָׂה בְחֶפְצוֹ כֹּל, אֲזַי מֶלֶךְ שְׁמוֹ נִקְרָא. וְאַחֲרֵי כִּכְלוֹת הַכֹּל, לְבַדּוֹ יִמְלֹךְ נוֹרָא. וְהוּא הָיָה וְהוּא הוֹוֶה, וְהוּא יִהְיֶה בְתִפְאָרָה. וְהוּא אֶחָד וְאֵין שֵׁנִי, לְהַמְשִׁיל לוֹ לְהַחְבִּירָה. בְּלִי רֵאשִׁית בְּלִי תַכְלִית, וְלוֹ הָעֹז וְהַמִּשְׂרָה. וְהוּא אֵלִי וְחַי גֹּאֲלִי, וְצוּר חֶבְלִי בְּעֵת צָרָה. וְהוּא נִסִּי וּמָנוֹס לִי, מְנָת כּוֹסִי בְּיוֹם אֶקְרָא. בְּיָדוֹ אַפְקִיד רוּחִי, בְּעֵת אִישַׁן וְאָעִירָה. וְעִם רוּחִי גְוִיָּתִי, יְיָ לִי וְלֹא אִירָא.

English (plain)

Master of the universe, who reigned before any form was created. When all was made by divine will, that name was called Sovereign. After all things end, God alone still reigns in awe. God was, is, and will be in glory. God is one, with no second for comparison or companionship. Without beginning and without end, to God belong strength and authority. God is my God and living redeemer, the rock of my portion in times of distress. God is my banner and refuge, my cup when I call. Into God’s hand I entrust my spirit when I sleep and when I wake. With my spirit and my body, the Eternal is with me; I will not fear.

Spinoza Lens

Adon Olam can be read as trust in the enduring order of reality. Courage grows when fear loosens and understanding deepens.

Traditional Lens

This medieval poem is widely used to open or close services and is cherished for its compact theology and emotional strength.

Reflect

What fear becomes smaller when you remember you are part of something larger than yourself?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew includes the full common ten-line version. English follows full line coverage with compact plain wording.

Mi Chamocha

Wonder, liberation, and trust

Hebrew

מִי כָמֹכָה בָּאֵלִם יְיָ, מִי כָּמֹכָה נֶאְדָּר בַּקֹּדֶשׁ, נוֹרָא תְהִלֹּת, עֹשֵׂה פֶלֶא.

English (plain)

Who is like You among the mighty, Eternal One? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praise, doing wonders?

Spinoza Lens

The poetry points to awe before reality itself. Wonder is not anti-rational; it is the emotional force that can drive deeper understanding and ethical courage.

Traditional Lens

This verse comes from the Song at the Sea, linking prayer to collective memory of liberation and to trust in divine care through history.

Reflect

Where in your life do you need more wonder and less cynicism right now?

Aleinu (first paragraph full)

Whole prayer section: purpose, difference, and hope

Hebrew

עָלֵינוּ לְשַׁבֵּחַ לַאֲדוֹן הַכֹּל, לָתֵת גְּדֻלָּה לְיוֹצֵר בְּרֵאשִׁית, שֶׁלֹּא עָשָׂנוּ כְּגוֹיֵי הָאֲרָצוֹת, וְלֹא שָׂמָנוּ כְּמִשְׁפְּחוֹת הָאֲדָמָה, שֶׁלֹּא שָׂם חֶלְקֵנוּ כָּהֶם, וְגוֹרָלֵנוּ כְּכָל הֲמוֹנָם.

וַאֲנַחְנוּ כּוֹרְעִים וּמִשְׁתַּחֲוִים וּמוֹדִים, לִפְנֵי מֶלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְּלָכִים הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא. שֶׁהוּא נוֹטֶה שָׁמַיִם וְיוֹסֵד אָרֶץ, וּמוֹשַׁב יְקָרוֹ בַּשָּׁמַיִם מִמַּעַל, וּשְׁכִינַת עֻזּוֹ בְּגָבְהֵי מְרוֹמִים.

הוּא אֱלֹהֵינוּ אֵין עוֹד. אֱמֶת מַלְכֵּנוּ אֶפֶס זוּלָתוֹ, כַּכָּתוּב בְּתוֹרָתוֹ: וְיָדַעְתָּ הַיּוֹם וַהֲשֵׁבֹתָ אֶל לְבָבֶךָ, כִּי יְיָ הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים בַּשָּׁמַיִם מִמַּעַל וְעַל הָאָרֶץ מִתָּחַת, אֵין עוֹד.

English (plain)

It is our duty to praise the Master of all, to give greatness to the Creator of the beginning, who has not made our calling like the nations of the lands, nor placed us like other families.

We bend, bow, and give thanks before the Sovereign over all sovereigns, the Holy One. God stretches out the heavens and establishes the earth; divine majesty is above and divine presence is in the heights.

This is our God; there is no other. True is our Sovereign, none besides. As written in Torah: know this day and return it to your heart, that the Eternal is God in heaven above and on earth below; there is no other.

Spinoza Lens

This paragraph can be read as a call to loyalty without arrogance: commit to your covenant path while remembering all reality is one.

Traditional Lens

Aleinu closes services by shifting from individual requests to national memory and universal theological claim.

Reflect

How can you hold strong identity and deep humility at the same time?

Spinoza edit notes

Hebrew was expanded from one line to the full first paragraph. English now follows the complete paragraph with concise plain-language phrasing.

What this is

Core prayers (expanded draft)

My Siddur (Select your own collection)

Shacharit (Morning Service)

Morning foundations

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Reflect

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Call to prayer and pre-Shema blessings

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Shema flow

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Amidah and peace

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Hebrew