Session+2

Welcome! Thank you to those who have been able to post. if you haven't posted recently, give it a try!

This week, I want to hone in on a specific prayer that addresses some of what was discussed in the previous session. It is the birchot hashachar, literally, the morning blessings. If you are a synagogue go-er, it is the first prayer we say both on Saturday and Sunday morning, on page 65 in the shabbat siddur and on page 10 in the weekday siddur. It doesn't need to be said with a minyan so it is a great prayer to say at home if you are trying to incorporate prayer into your daily routine.

Historically, this prayer goes back to the time of the Talmud. The Rabbis of the talmud articulated many of these blessings, some that we have in our siddur today. The idea then, was that each blessing was said as the specific action was taken.

Here are a few questions as you look at this text:

Praised are You, Adonai Our God, Sovereign of the Universe who enables God's creatures to distinguish between night and day Praised are You, Adonai Our God, Sovereign of the Universe who made me in God's image Praised are You, Adonai Our God, Sovereign of the Universe who made me a Jew Praised are You, Adonai Our God, Sovereign of the Universe who made me free Praised are You, Adonai Our God, Sovereign of the Universe who gives sight to the blind Praised are You, Adonai Our God, Sovereign of the Universe who clothes the naked Praised are You, Adonai Our God, Sovereign of the Universe who releases the bound Praised are You, Adonai Our God, Sovereign of the Universe who raises the downtrodden Praised are You, Adonai Our God, Sovereign of the Universe who creates the heavens and the earth Praised are You, Adonai Our God, Sovereign of the Universe who provides for all my needs Praised are You, Adonai Our God, Sovereign of the Universe who guides us on our paths Praised are You, Adonai Our God, Sovereign of the Universe who strengthens the people Israel with courage Praised are You, Adonai Our God, Sovereign of the Universe who crowns the people Israel with glory Praised are You, Adonai Our God, Sovereign of the Universe who restores vigor to the weary

1. Why is the standard blessing formula used-Blessed are You Adonai Our God, Sovereign of the Universe...

2. As you read through the "fixed" collection of prayers, ask yourselves, why are these the blessings that are highlighted? What would you add? How would you add intention to your prayers and your actions after reciting these morning blessings?