Unlike the morning Shacharis and afternoon Mincha services which correspond to the two daily communal sacrifices (Tamid), offered in the Temple, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, the evening Maariv service has no counterpart in the Temple service, since sacrifices were never brought at night in the Temple.
The Maariv service was instituted to correspond to the Temple ritual of keeping on the altar the unconsumed parts of sacrifices that had been offered earlier in the day. These parts were kept on the altar at night so that they could be completely consumed by its fire. This ritual was applicable only if there actually were uncon- sumed parts of offerings.
Although the Maariv service was instituted to correspond to this ritual, and may therefore seem to be non-obligatory (see Maseches Berachos 27b), Rabbeinu Yitzchak Alfasi and all the other codifiers have ruled that Maariv has been accepted and hallowed by custom, and is therefore an obligatory service.
The Shema is preceded by two blessings and followed by two other blessings.
❖וְהוּא רַחוּם And He, the Merciful One,
יְכַפֵּר עָוֹן וְלֹא־יַשְׁחִית atones iniquity; and does not destroy.
וְהִרְבָּה לְהָשִׁיב אַפּוֹ He frequently withdraws His anger
וְלֹא־יָעִיר כָּל־חֲמָתוֹ: and does not arouse all His rage.1Psalms 78:38. This verse consists of thirteen Hebrew words. It recalls the “thirteen attributes of Divine mercy” (Exodus 34:6-7). In the evening when man pauses from the rush of his daily activities, he is conscious of having sinned during the day, and thus begins his prayer with this appeal for Divine mercy.—Machzor Vitry Midrash Tanchuma (Pinchos 13) notes that the morning sacrifice (תָּמִיד שֶׁל שַׁחַר) atoned for sins committed during the night, while the afternoon sacrifice (תָּמִיד שֶׁל בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם) atoned for sins committed during the day. Since the evening service does not represent Temple sacrifice, it became customary to recite this verse because it mentions that God “atones iniquity.”— Avudraham
יְהֹוָה הוֹשִׁיעָה Adonoy, deliver [us!]
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ יַעֲנֵֽנוּ בְיוֹם־קָרְ֒אֵֽנוּ: The King will answer us on the day we call.2Psalms 20:10
The Chazzan says:
בָּרְ֒כוּ אֶת יְהֹוָה הַמְ֒בֹרָךְ: Bless Adonoy Who is blessed.
The congregation responds and the Chazzan repeats:
בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה הַמְ֒בֹרָךְ Blessed is Adonoy, Who is blessed
לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: forever and ever.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה Blessed are You, Adonoy,
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם our God, King of the Universe,
אֲשֶׁר בִּדְבָרוֹ מַעֲרִיב עֲרָבִים With His word He brings on evenings,
בְּחָכְמָה פּוֹתֵֽחַ שְׁעָרִים with wisdom He opens the gates3These are the gates of sunrise and sunset through which God, in His infinite wisdom, has divided life on earth into two complementary halves.—Rabbi S.R. Hirsch (of heaven);
וּבִתְבוּנָה and with understanding
מְשַׁנֶּה עִתִּים changes4He alternates the three daily periods—evening, morning, and afternoon.—Avudraham the times
וּמַחֲלִיף אֶת הַזְּ֒מַנִּים and alternates the seasons,
וּמְסַדֵּר אֶת הַכּוֹכָבִים and arranges the stars
בְּמִשְׁמְ֒רוֹתֵיהֶם בָּרָקִֽיעַ in their watches,5The stars appear as watchmen appointed by God to stand guard over the sleeping world below. He also appointed them their places in definite orbits according to His will and for purposes known to Him alone.—S.R. Hirsch in the sky,
כִּרְצוֹנוֹ. according to His will.
בּוֹרֵא יוֹם וָלָֽיְלָה He creates day and night,
גּוֹלֵל אוֹר מִפְּ֒נֵי חֽשֶׁךְ He rolls the light away from before darkness,
וְחֽשֶׁךְ מִפְּ֒נֵי אוֹר and darkness from before light;
וּמַעֲבִיר יוֹם He causes day to pass
וּמֵבִיא לָֽיְלָה and brings night,
וּמַבְדִּיל בֵּין יוֹם וּבֵין לָֽיְלָה and separates between day and night;
יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת שְׁמוֹ: Adonoy of Hosts6His Name ה' צְבָאוֹת means “He Who takes all the infinite variety of hosts and creatures and unites them to act and interact as parts of one unified Universe.— S.R. Hirsch is His Name.
❖אֵל The Almighty,
חַי וְקַיָּם [Who is] living and enduring
תָּמִיד יִמְלֹךְ עָלֵֽינוּ will always reign over us
לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד. forever and ever.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה Blessed are You, Adonoy,
הַמַּעֲרִיב עֲרָבִים: Who brings on evening.
אַהֲבַת עוֹלָם [With] An everlasting love7This prayer is an abbreviated form of the אַהֲבָה רַבָּה prayer in the morning service. It thanks God for the sacred gift of Divine Revelation that He granted Israel. It declares that Torah alone is the eternal heritage of the Jewish people and that all other goods and gifts of life are transitory.— S.R. Hirsch
בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל עַמְּ֒ךָ אָהָֽבְתָּ You loved the House of Israel, Your people.
תּוֹרָה וּמִצְוֹת Torah and commandments,
חֻקִּים וּמִשְׁפָּטִים statutes and laws,
אוֹתָֽנוּ לִמַּֽדְתָּ. You taught us.
עַל כֵּן יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ Therefore, Adonoy, our God,
בְּשָׁכְבֵֽנוּ וּבְקוּמֵֽנוּ when we lie down and when we rise,
נָשִֽׂיחַ בְּחֻקֶּֽיךָ we will discuss Your statutes,
וְנִשְׂמַח and rejoice
בְּדִבְרֵי תַלמוּד תּוֹרָתֶֽךָ in the words of the teachings of Your Torah
וּבְמִצְוֹתֶֽיךָ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד. and in Your commandments forever.
כִּי הֵם חַיֵּֽינוּ For they are our life
וְאֹֽרֶךְ יָמֵֽינוּ and they lengthen our days,
וּבָהֶם נֶהְגֶּה יוֹמָם וָלָֽיְלָה. and on them we will meditate day and night.
❖וְאַהֲבָתְ֒ךָ [May] Your love
אַל תָּסִיר מִמֶּֽנּוּ לְעוֹלָמִים. never be removed from us
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה Blessed are You, Adonoy,
אוֹהֵב עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל: Who loves His people Israel.
The following three words should be said when praying without a minyan:
אֵל מֶֽלֶךְ נֶאֱמָן: (Almighty, faithful King)
שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל Hear, Israel:
יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ יְהֹוָה אֶחָד: Adonoy is our God, Adonoy is One.
The following three lines are to be said silently:
בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם Blessed [is His] Name,
כְּבוֹד מַלְ֒כוּתוֹ Whose glorious kingdom
לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: is forever and ever.
וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ And you shall love Adonoy your God
בְּכָל֯־לְ֯בָבְ֒ךָ with all your heart
וּבְ֒כָל־נַפְשְׁךָ and with all your soul
וּבְ֒כָל־מְאֹדֶֽךָ: and with all your possessions.
וְהָיוּ הַדְּ֒בָרִים הָאֵֽלֶּה And these words
אֲשֶׁר֯ אָ֯נֹכִי מְצַוְּ֒ךָ הַיּוֹם which I command you today,
עַל֯־לְ֯בָבֶֽךָ: shall be upon your heart.
וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם And you shall teach them sharply
לְבָנֶֽיךָ to your children.
וְדִבַּרְתָּ בָּם And you shall discuss them
בְּשִׁבְתְּ֒ךָ בְּבֵיתֶֽךָ when you sit in your house,
וּבְ֒לֶכְתְּךָ בַדֶּֽרֶךְ and when you travel on the road,
וּבְ֒שָׁכְבְּךָ וּבְ֒קוּמֶֽךָ: and when you lie down and when you rise.
וּקְ֒שַׁרְתָּם לְאוֹת And you shall bind them for a sign
עַל֯־יָ֯דֶֽךָ upon your hand,
וְהָיוּ לְטֹטָפֹת and they shall be for totafos
בֵּין עֵינֶֽיךָ: between your eyes.
וּכְ֒תַבְתָּם And you shall write them
עַל־מְזֻזוֹת בֵּיתֶֽךָ upon the doorposts of your house
וּבִשְׁ֒עָרֶֽיךָ: and upon your gateways.
וְהָיָה And it will be—
אִם־שָׁמֹֽעַ תִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶל־מִצְוֹתַי if you vigilantly obey My commandments
אֲשֶׁר֯ אָ֯נֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְ֒כֶם הַיּוֹם which I command you this day,
לְאַהֲבָה אֶת־יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם to love Adonoy your God,
וּלְ֒עָבְ֒דוֹ and serve Him
בְּכָל־לְבַבְ֒כֶם with your entire hearts
וּבְ֒כָל־נַפְשְׁכֶם: and with your entire souls—
וְנָתַתִּי מְטַר֯־אַ֯רְצְכֶם that I will give rain for your land
בְּעִתּוֹ in its proper time,
יוֹרֶה the early (autumn) rain
וּמַלְקוֹשׁ and the late (spring) rain;
וְאָסַפְתָּ דְגָנֶֽךָ and you will harvest your grain
וְתִירשְׁךָ וְיִצְהָרֶֽךָ: and your wine and your oil.
וְנָתַתִּי עֵֽשֶׂב֯ And I will put grass
בְּ֯שָׂדְ֒ךָ לִבְ֒הֶמְתֶּֽךָ in your fields for your cattle,
וְאָכַלְתָּ וְשָׂבָֽעְתָּ: and you will eat and be satisfied.
הִשָּׁמְ֒רוּ לָכֶם פֶּן֯־יִ֯פְתֶּה לְבַבְ֒כֶם Beware lest your hearts be swayed
וְסַרְתֶּם and you turn astray,
וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֱלֹהִים֯ אֲ֯חֵרִים and you worship alien gods
וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶם לָהֶם: and bow to them.
וְחָרָה אַף־יְהֹוָה בָּכֶם And Adonoy's fury will blaze among you,
וְעָצַר֯ אֶ֯ת־הַשָּׁמַֽיִם and He will close off the heavens
וְלֹּא֯־יִ֯הְיֶה מָטָר and there will be no rain
וְהָאֲדָמָה לֹא תִתֵּן אֶת֯־יְ֯בוּלָהּ and the earth will not yield its produce;
וַאֲבַדְתֶּם֯ מְ֯הֵרָה and you will perish swiftly
מֵעַל הָאָֽרֶץ הַטֹּבָה from the good land
אֲשֶׁר֯ יְ֯הֹוָה נֹתֵן לָכֶם: which Adonoy gives you.
וְשַׂמְתֶּם֯ אֶ֯ת־דְּבָרַי֯ אֵֽ֯לֶּה Place these words of Mine
עַל֯־לְ֯בַבְ֒כֶם וְעַל־נַפְשְׁ֒כֶם upon your hearts and upon your souls,—
וּקְ֒שַׁרְתֶּם֯ אֹ֯תָם לְאוֹת and bind them for a sign
עַלּ־יֶּדְ֒כֶם upon your hands,
וְהָיוּ לְטוֹטָפֹת and they shall be for totafos
בֵּין עֵינֵיכֶם: between your eyes.
וְלִמַּדְתֶּם֯ אֹ֯תָם אֶת־בְּנֵיכֶם And you shall teach them to your sons,
לְדַבֵּר בָּם to speak them
בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ בְּבֵיתֶֽךָ when you sit in your house,
וּבְ֒לֶכְתְּ֒ךָ בַדֶּֽרֶךְ and when you travel on the road,
וּבְ֒שָׁכְבְּ֒ךָ וּבְ֒קוּמֶֽךָ: and when you lie down and when you rise.
וּכְ֒תַבְתָּם And you shall write them
עַל־מְזוּזוֹת בֵּיתֶֽךָ upon the doorposts of your house
וּבִשְׁ֒עָרֶֽיךָ: and upon your gateways.
לְמַֽעַן֯ יִ֯רְבּוּ יְמֵיכֶם In order that your days be prolonged,
וִימֵי בְנֵיכֶם and the days of your children,
עַל הָאֲדָמָה upon the land
אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע יְהֹוָה לַאֲבֹתֵיכֶם which Adonoy swore to your fathers
לָתֵת לָהֶם to give them [for as long]
כִּימֵי הַשָּׁמַֽיִם עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ: as the heavens are above the earth.
וַֽיֹּאמֶר֯ יְהֹוָה אֶ֯ל־משֶׁה לֵּאמֹר: And Adonoy spoke to Moses saying:
דַּבֵּר֯ אֶ֯ל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל Speak to the children of Israel,
וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם and tell them
וְעָשׂוּ לָהֶם צִיצִת to make for themselves fringes
עַל־כַּנְ֒פֵי בִגְ֒דֵיהֶם on the corners of their garments
לְדֹרֹתָם throughout their generations;
וְנָתְ֒נוּ עַל־צִיצִת and they will place with the fringes
הַכָּנָף֯ of each corner
פְּ֯תִיל תְּכֵֽלֶת: a thread of blue.
וְהָיָה לָכֶם לְצִיצִת And it will be to you for fringes,
וּרְ֒אִיתֶם֯ אֹ֯תוֹ and you will look upon it
וּזְ֒כַרְתֶּם֯ and you will remember
אֶ֯ת־כָּל־מִצְוֹת֯ יְ֯הֹוָה all the commandments of Adonoy,
וַעֲשִׂיתֶם֯ אֹ֯תָם and you will perform them;
וְלֹא תָתֽוּרוּ אַחֲרֵי לְבַבְ֒כֶם and you will not turn aside after your hearts
וְאַחֲרֵי עֵינֵיכֶם and after your eyes
אֲשֶׁר֯־אַ֯תֶּם זֹנִים֯ אַ֯חֲרֵיהֶם: which cause you to go astray.
לְמַֽעַן תִּזְכְּרוּ In order that you will remember
וַעֲשִׂיתֶם֯ אֶ֯ת־כָּל־מִצְוֹתָי and perform all My commandments;
וִהְיִיתֶם קְדשִׁים לֵאלֹהֵיכֶם: and you will be holy unto your God.
אֲנִי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם֯ I am Adonoy, your God,
אֲ֯שֶׁר הוֹצֵֽאתִי אֶתְ֒כֶם֯ Who brought you out
מֵּאֶֽרֶץ מִצְרַֽיִם of the land of Egypt
לִהְיוֹת לָכֶם לֵאלֹהִים֯ to be your God:
אֲ֯נִי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם֯: I am Adonoy, your God—
You must be careful to connect the last words of Shema, ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶם (Adonoy, your God), with the word אֶמֶת (is true) without pause or interruption so that these three words form one sentence, meaning “Adonoy your God is true” (Maseches Berachos 13a).
אֱ֯מֶת —is true—
The chazan repeats:
יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם֯ אֱ֯מֶת: Adonoy, your God, is true.
This is the first of the two berachos that follow the Shema.
וֶאֱמוּנָה כָּל זֹאת —and faithful is all this,8All that we have affirmed in the Shema, is true and trustworthy.—Etz Yosef
וְקַיָּם עָלֵֽינוּ and it is permanently established with us
כִּי הוּא יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ that he is Adonoy, our God,
וְאֵין זוּלָתוֹ and there is nothing besides Him,
וַאֲנַֽחְנוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל עַמּוֹ: and that we, Israel, are His people.
הַפּוֹדֵֽנוּ [He] Who liberated us
מִיַּד מְלָכִים from the hand of kings,9He redeemed us from Pharaoh, and saved us from Sichon and Og in the days of Moses and from the thirty-one kings in the days of Joshua.—Etz Yosef
מַלְכֵּֽנוּ הַגּוֹאֲלֵֽנוּ [is] our King, Who redeemed us
מִכַּף כָּל הֶעָרִיצִים: from the grasp of all the tyrants.10“Tyrants” include Amalek and others who wanted to destroy us.—Etz Yosef
הָאֵל [He is] the Almighty
הַנִּפְרָע לָֽנוּ Who exacts payment [punishment]
מִצָּרֵֽינוּ from our oppressors,11The Malbim says that “oppressors” (צָרֵינוּ) refers to those who actively persecute us whereas “enemies” (אוֹיְבֵינוּ) refers to those who would rejoice over our misfortune without necessarily contributing to our downfall in an outright manner.
וְהַמְ֒שַׁלֵּם גְּמוּל and brings retribution
לְכָל אֹיְ֒בֵי נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ: on all those who are enemies of our soul.
הָעֹשֶׂה גְדוֹלוֹת He does great things12“Great things” refers to the way God rules according to the laws of nature and “wonders” refers to those things that are classified as miracles.—Siach Yitzchak
עַד אֵין חֵֽקֶר beyond comprehension,
נִסִּים וְנִפְלָאוֹת עַד אֵין מִסְפָּר: miracles and wonders without number.
הַשָּׂם נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ בַּחַיִּים He sustains our soul in life13Not only does God sustain our souls in exile but He also sustains our physical wellbeing.—Siach Yitzchak
וְלֹא נָתַן לַמּוֹט רַגְלֵֽנוּ and does not allow our feet to slip.
הַמַּדְרִיכֵֽנוּ He makes us tread
עַל בָּמוֹת אֹיְ֒בֵֽינוּ upon the high places of our enemies,
וַיָּֽרֶם קַרְנֵֽנוּ and exalts our strength
עַל כָּל שׂוֹנְ֒אֵֽינוּ: over all who hate us.
הָעֹֽשֶׂה לָּֽנוּ נִסִּים He performed miracles for us
וּנְקָמָה בְּפַרְעֹה and vengeance upon Pharaoh,
אוֹתוֹת וּמוֹפְ֒תִים signs and wonders
בְּאַדְמַת בְּנֵי חָם: in the land of the Hamites.
הַמַּכֶּה בְעֶבְרָתוֹ He slew in His wrath,
כָּל בְּכוֹרֵי מִצְרָֽיִם all the firstborn of Egypt,
וַיּוֹצֵא אֶת עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל and brought out His people, Israel,
מִתּוֹכָם from their midst
לְחֵרוּת עוֹלָם: to everlasting14The redemption from Egypt is the source for all later redemptions; it is the source from which our final and total salvation will spring. We became free, never again to taste the bitterness of spiritual or physical bondage.—Sfas Emes freedom.
הַמַּעֲבִיר בָּנָיו He led His children
בֵּין גִּזְרֵי through the divided parts of
יַם סוּף the Sea of Reeds,
אֶת רוֹדְ֒פֵיהֶם וְאֶת שׂוֹנְ֒אֵיהֶם their pursuers and their enemies
בִּתְהוֹמוֹת טִבַּע: He drowned in its depths.
וְרָאוּ בָנָיו גְּבוּרָתוֹ And His children saw His mighty power—
שִׁבְּ֒חוּ וְהוֹדוּ לִשְׁמוֹ. they praised and gave thanks to His Name,
❖וּמַלְכוּתוֹ His sovereignty
בְרָצוֹן קִבְּ֒לוּ עֲלֵיהֶם they willingly accepted;
משֶׁה וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל Moses and the children of Israel
לְךָ עָנוּ שִׁירָה בְּשִׂמְחָה רַבָּה sang unto You with great joy,
וְאָמְ֒רוּ כֻלָּם: and they all said:
מִי כָמֹֽכָה בָּאֵלִם יְהֹוָה “Who is like You among the mighty, Adonoy!
מִי כָּמֹֽכָה Who is like You?
נֶאְדָּר בַּקֹּֽדֶשׁ [You are] adorned in holiness,
נוֹרָא תְהִלֹּת עֹֽשֵׂה פֶלֶא: awesome in praise, performing wonders”15Exodus 15:11
❖מַלְכוּתְךָ רָאוּ בָנֶֽיךָ Your children beheld Your sovereignty
בּוֹקֵֽעַ יָם לִפְנֵי משֶׁה when You divided the sea before Moses.
זֶה אֵלִי עָנוּ “This is my God,”16Exodus 15:2 they exclaimed,
וְאָמְ֒רוּ: and declared,
יְהֹוָה יִמְלֹךְ לְעֹלָם וָעֶד: “Adonoy will reign forever and ever.”17Exodus 15:18
❖וְנֶאֱמַר And it is said,
כִּי פָדָה יְהֹוָה אֶת יַעֲקֹב “For Adonoy has liberated Jacob
וּגְאָלוֹ and redeemed him
מִיַּד חָזָק מִמֶּֽנּוּ. from a hand, mightier than his.”18Jeremiah 31:10
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה Blessed are You, Adonoy
גָּאַל יִשְׂרָאֵל: Who has redeemed Israel.
This is the second of the benedictions that follow the Sh'ma.
הַשְׁכִּיבֵֽנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ לְשָׁלוֹם Adonoy our God; make us lie down in peace,
וְהַעֲמִידֵֽנוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ לְחַיִּים our King, raise us again
טוֹבִים וּלְשָׁלוֹם to good life,19Undisturbed peace, and strength for a new day of vigorous living are the gifts that night brings and for which we pray to God.— S.R. Hirsch and peace
וּפְרוֹשׂ עָלֵֽינוּ סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמֶֽךָ Spread over us the shelter of Your peace,
וְתַקְּ֒נֵֽנוּ and direct us to better ourselves
בְּעֵצָה טוֹבָה מִלְּ֒פָנֶֽיךָ through Your good counsel;20We particularly ask of Him at night to bless us with wise counsel. Daytime is the time for achievement, but the rest that comes with nightfall is made to allow man to compose his thoughts. By virtue of the complete relaxation it affords, sleep endows the mind and spirit with renewed vigor. We pray therefore for Divine aid so that our nightly rest will help us take wise counsel and affirm worthy resolution for future days.—Avudraham and Siach Yitzchak
וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ מְהֵרָה לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶֽךָ. and deliver us speedily for Your Name's sake.
וְהָגֵן בַּעֲדֵֽנוּ וְהָסֵר מֵעָלֵֽינוּ Shield us, and remove from us21Shield us from trouble before it comes, and remove it from us if it has already come.—Siach Yitzchak
אוֹיֵב דֶּֽבֶר וְחֶֽרֶב enemies, pestilence, sword,
וְרָעָב וְיָגוֹן famine and sorrow.
וְהָסֵר שָׂטָן מִלְּ֒פָנֵֽינוּ Remove the adversary22The Hebrew word שָׂטָן (Satan) used in the Prayer Book refers to the Evil Impulse, the lower passions which are a hindrance to man’s pursuit of the nobler aims in life. It is against the dominance of this impulse that the Jew prays. The “adversary,” therefore, is any person, spirit, or Evil Impulse that seduces us to do wrong.— Dover Sholom and others from before us
וּמֵאַחֲרֵֽינוּ and from behind us,
וּבְצֵל כְּנָפֶֽיךָ תַּסְתִּירֵֽנוּ. and shelter us in the shadow of Your wings.
כִּי אֵל For, Almighty,
שׁוֹמְ֒רֵֽנוּ וּמַצִּילֵֽנוּ אָֽתָּה You are our Protector and Rescuer,
כִּי אֵל For, Almighty
מֶֽלֶךְ חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם אָֽתָּה. You are a gracious and merciful King.
וּשְׁמוֹר צֵאתֵֽנוּ וּבוֹאֵֽנוּ Guard our going out and our coming in
לְחַיִּים וּלְשָׁלוֹם for life and peace
מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם. for now forever.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה Blessed are You, Adonoy,
שׁוֹמֵר עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל לָעַד: Who guards His people Israel forever.
The following prayer was originally a compilation of eighteen verses instituted during the Gaonic era as a substitute for the Shemoneh Esrei. According to Avudraham, the Shemoneh Esrei was omitted because of decrees issued against the Jews that banned them from participating in the Evening Service. These eighteen verses, adopted in place of the Shemoneh Esrei, have remained a part of the Maariv service. Some Halachic commentaries maintain that these verses should not be included in Maariv, because they constitute an interruption between the final blessing after Shema and the Shemoneh Esrei.
בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה לְעוֹלָם Blessed is Adonoy forever,
אָמֵן וְאָמֵן: Amein and Amein!23Psalms 89:53
בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה מִצִּיּוֹן Blessed is Adonoy from Zion
שֹׁכֵן יְרוּשָׁלָֽםִ Who dwells in Jerusalem,
הַלְ֒לוּיָהּ: Praise God.24Psalms 135:21
בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים Blessed is Adonoy, God,
אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל God of Israel
עֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת לְבַדּוֹ: Who alone performs wonders.25Psalms 72:18
וּבָרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹדוֹ לְעוֹלָם Blessed is the Name of His glory forever
וְיִמָּלֵא כְבוֹדוֹ אֶת כָּל הָאָֽרֶץ and may His glory fill the whole earth;
אָמֵן וְאָמֵן: Amein and Amein!26Psalms 72:19
יְהִי כְבוֹד יְהֹוָה לְעוֹלָם The Glory of Adonoy will endure forever;
יִשְׂמַח יְהֹוָה בְּמַעֲשָׂיו: Adonoy will rejoice in His works.27Psalms 104:31
יְהִי שֵׁם יְהֹוָה מְבֹרָךְ The Name of Adonoy will be blessed
מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם: from now forever.28Psalms 113:12.
כִּי לֹא יִטּשׁ יְהֹוָה אֶת עַמּוֹ For Adonoy will not cast off His people,
בַּעֲבוּר שְׁמוֹ הַגָּדוֹל for the sake of His great Name,
כִּי הוֹאִיל יְהֹוָה because Adonoy has determined
לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶתְכֶם לוֹ לְעָם: to make you His people.29I Samuel 12:22
וַיַּרְא כָּל הָעָם And all the people saw it
וַיִּפְּ֒לוּ עַל פְּנֵיהֶם וַיֹּאמְ֒רוּ and they fell on their faces, and proclaimed,
יְהֹוָה הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים “Adonoy, He is God!
יְהֹוָה הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים: Adonoy, He is God!”30I Kings 18:39. This verse describes the reaction of the people when they saw the miracle performed by God on behalf of Elijah on Mount Carmel when he disproved and ridiculed the false prophets of Baal.
וְהָיָה יְהֹוָה לְמֶֽלֶךְ And Adonoy will be King
עַל כָּל הָאָֽרֶץ over the whole earth;
בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה יְהֹוָה אֶחָד on that day Adonoy will be One
וּשְׁמוֹ אֶחָד: and His Name One.31Zechariah 14:9
יְהִי חַסְדְּ֒ךָ יְהֹוָה עָלֵֽינוּ Adonoy, may Your kindness be upon us
כַּאֲשֶׁר יִחַֽלְנוּ לָךְ: as we have hoped for You.32Psalms 33:22
הוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ Deliver us, Adonoy, our God,
וְקַבְּ֒צֵֽנוּ מִן הַגּוֹיִם gather us from the nations
לְהוֹדוֹת לְשֵׁם קָדְשֶֽׁךָ to give thanks to Your Holy Name,
לְהִשְׁתַּבֵּֽחַ בִּתְהִלָּתֶֽךָ: to be extolled in Your praise.33I Chronicles 16:35
כָּל גּוֹיִם אֲשֶׁר עָשִֽׂיתָ All the nations which You have made
יָבֹֽאוּ וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ will come and bow down
לְפָנֶֽיךָ אֲדֹנָי before You, my Master,
וִיכַבְּ֒דוּ לִשְׁמֶֽךָ: and they will give honor to Your Name.34Psalms 86:9
כִּי גָדוֹל אַתָּה וְעֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת For You are great and do wondrous things,
אַתָּה אֱלֹהִים לְבַדֶּֽךָ: You alone are God.35Psalms 86:10
וַאֲנַֽחְנוּ And we,
עַמְּ֒ךָ וְצֹאן מַרְעִיתֶֽךָ Your people, the sheep of Your pasture,
נוֹדֶה לְּךָ לְעוֹלָם will give thanks to You forever,
לְדוֹר וָדוֹר from generation to generation
נְסַפֵּר תְּהִלָּתֶֽךָ: we will recount Your praise.36Psalms 79:13
בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה בַּיּוֹם Blessed is Adonoy by day,
בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה בַּלָּֽיְלָה Blessed is Adonoy by night,
בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה בְּשָׁכְבֵֽנוּ Blessed is Adonoy when we lie down,
בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה בְּקוּמֵֽנוּ: Blessed is Adonoy when we rise.
כִּי בְיָדְ֒ךָ For in Your hand
נַפְשׁוֹת הַחַיִּים וְהַמֵּתִים are the souls of the living and the dead:
אֲשֶׁר בְּיָדוֹ [as it is written]: for in His hand
נֶֽפֶשׁ כָּל חָי is the soul of every living thing,
וְרֽוּחַ כָּל בְּשַׂר אִישׁ: and the spirit of every human being.37Job 12:10
בְּיָדְ֒ךָ אַפְקִיד רוּחִי In Your hand, I commit my spirit;
פָּדִֽיתָה אוֹתִי You have liberated me
יְהֹוָה אֵל אֱמֶת: Adonoy, Almighty of truth.
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַֽיִם Our God in heaven,
יַחֵד שִׁמְךָ reveal the unity of Your Name,
וְקַיֵּם מַלְכוּתְ֒ךָ תָּמִיד preserve Your kingdom always
וּמְלֹךְ עָלֵֽינוּ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: and reign over us forever and ever.
יִרְאוּ עֵינֵֽינוּ May our eyes behold,
וְיִשְׂמַח לִבֵּֽנוּ וְתָגֵל נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ our heart rejoice, and our soul exalt
בִּישׁוּעָתְ֒ךָ בֶּאֱמֶת in Your true deliverance,
בֶּאֱמֹר לְצִיּוֹן when it will be said to Zion:
מָלַךְ אֱלֹהָֽיִךְ: “Your God has begun His reign.”
יְהֹוָה מֶֽלֶךְ יְהֹוָה מָלָךְ “Adonoy is King, Adonoy was King
יְהֹוָה יִמְלֹךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: Adonoy will reign for ever and ever”
❖כִּי הַמַּלְכוּת שֶׁלְּ֒ךָ הִיא For the kingdom is Yours
וּלְעֽוֹלְ֒מֵי עַד תִּמְלֹךְ בְּכָבוֹד and to all eternity, You will reign in glory;
כִּי אֵין לָֽנוּ מֶֽלֶךְ אֶלָּא אָֽתָּה: for we have no king except You.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה Blessed are You,
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ בִּכְבוֹדוֹ the King in His glory,
תָּמִיד יִמְלוֹךְ עָלֵֽינוּ will always reign over us
לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד forever and ever,
וְעַל כָּל מַעֲשָׂיו: and over all His creation.
The Chazzan recites the following half-Kaddish
יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא Exalted and sanctified be His great Name
בְּעָלְ֒מָא דִּי בְרָא in the world which He created
כִרְ֒עוּתֵהּ according to His will
וְיַמְלִיךְ מַלְ֒כוּתֵהּ and may He rule His kingdom
וְיַצְמַח פּוּרְקָנֵהּ bring forth His redemption
וִיקָרֵב (קֵץ) מְשִׁיחֵהּ. and hasten the coming of His Mashiach.
בְּחַיֵּיכוֹן וּבְ֒יוֹמֵיכוֹן In your lifetime and in your days,
וּבְ֒חַיֵּי and in the lifetime
דְכָל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, of the entire House of Israel,
בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְ֒מַן קָרִיב speedily and in the near future—
וְאִמְ֒רוּ אָמֵן and say Amein.
יְהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ May His great Name be blessed
לְעָלַם וּלְ֒עָלְ֒מֵי עָלְ֒מַיָּא forever and for all eternity.
יִתְבָּרַךְ וְיִשְׁתַּבַּח Blessed and praised,
וְיִתְפָּאַר וְיִתְרוֹמַם וְיִתְנַשֵּׂא glorified, and exalted and uplifted,
וְיִתְהַדָּר וְיִתְעַלֶּה וְיִתְהַלָּל honored and elevated and extolled
שְׁמֵהּ דְקוּדְשָׁא, בְּרִיךְ הוּא be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He;
לְעֵֽלָּא (בעשי"ת וּלְעֵֽלָּא מִכָּל) above (Ten Days of Penitence: far above)
מִן כָּל בִּרְ֒כָתָא וְשִׁירָתָא, all the blessings and hymns,
תֻּשְׁבְּחָתָא וְנֶחֱמָתָא, praises and consolations
דַּאֲמִירָן בְּעָלְ֒מָא, וְאִמְ֒רוּ אָמֵן: which we utter in the world—and say Amein.