Special Prayers
Special Prayers
Special Prayers
We hope you enjoy our new Masorti Prayer skills website. We are in the process of adding new recordings and resouces. If you don’t find what you are looking for, check back soon or let us know using the Leave Feedback button below.
The page numbers refer to the Authorised Daily Prayer Book edited by Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks z”l
Acheinu: melody composed by Abi Rotenberg
Click here (YouTube)
אַחֵינוּ כָּל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל
הַנְּתוּנִים בְּצָרָה וּבַשִּׁבְיָה
הָעוֹמְדִים בֵּין בַּיָּם וּבֵין בַּיַּבָּשָׁה
הַמָּקוֹם יְרַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם
וְיוֹצִיאֵם מִצָּרָה לִרְוָחָה
וּמֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹרָה
וּמִשִּׁעְבּוּד לִגְאֻלָּה
הַשְׁתָּא בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב
Acheinu kol beit yisrael,
han’tunim b’tzarah uvashivyah,
ha’omdim bein bayam uvein bayabasha
Hamakom Y’racheim Aleihem
v’yotziem mitzara lirvacha
um’afaila l’orah
umishiabud lig’ulah,
hashta ba’agalah uvizman kariv.
Our brothers (and sisters), the entire family of Israel,
all who are in distress or captivity,
whether on the sea or on dry land,
May the Ever-present One have mercy upon them
and bring them out from suffering to relief,
from darkness to light,
from subjugation to redemption,
now, speedily, and soon.
Commentary
Before October 7, you might not have noticed this prayer that has been in our siddurim for over one thousand years. Today, in many Masorti congregations, at synagogues of all denominations, and at Jewish celebrations, it has become an anthem. It’s an incredible example of our ancient tradition finding new relevance in current times.
Psalm 27
אַחַ֤ת שָׁאַ֣לְתִּי מֵֽאֵת־יְהֹוָה֮ אוֹתָ֢הּ אֲבַ֫קֵּ֥שׁ
שִׁבְתִּ֣י בְּבֵית־יְ֭הֹוָה כׇּל־יְמֵ֣י חַיַּ֑י
לַחֲז֥וֹת בְּנֹעַם־יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה וּלְבַקֵּ֥ר בְּהֵֽיכָלֽוֹ
Achat Sha’alti me’eit Adonai, otah avakeish
shivti b’veit Adonai kol y’mei chayai
lachazot b’noam Adonai ulvakeir b’heichalo
Psalm 27 is said from the second day of Rosh Chodesh Elul until Shemini Atzeret. The recording is an extract of the text that is sung out loud in many congregations during this period.