https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-prayers-the-amidah-shemoneh-esrei.xml /articles/essentials-essential-prayers-the-amidah-shemoneh-esrei xml article The Amidah (Shemoneh Esrei) The central prayer of every service — eighteen (now nineteen) benedictions said standing, silently, facing Jerusalem. The New Jew /index.xml Prayer & Liturgy /sections/prayer-liturgy.xml The Amidah (Shemoneh Esrei) /articles/essentials-essential-prayers-the-amidah-shemoneh-esrei.xml https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-prayers-the-amidah-shemoneh-esrei https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-prayers-the-amidah-shemoneh-esrei.json <_xml>https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-prayers-the-amidah-shemoneh-esrei.xml
essentials-essential-prayers-the-amidah-shemoneh-esrei The Amidah (Shemoneh Esrei) The central prayer of every service — eighteen (now nineteen) benedictions said standing, silently, facing Jerusalem. Summary. The Amidah (“standing”) — also called the Shemoneh Esrei (“Eighteen”) — is the central prayer of every Jewish service. Originally eighteen benedictions, a nineteenth (Birkat HaMinim) was added in the late first century. It is recited silently while standing and facing Jerusalem, then often repeated aloud by the prayer leader. The Amidah’s three sections are: praise (the first three berachot), petition (the middle thirteen on weekdays), and thanksgiving (the final three). On Shabbat and festivals, the petitionary middle section is replaced by a single benediction about the holiness of the day. essential essentials amidah shemoneh esrei prayer 2026-07-06T02:19:03.001Z 559 3
prayer-liturgy Prayer & Liturgy
https://pub-73c694f3dc3c4d0ea8f98f090d227a0d.r2.dev/article-images/the-amidah-shemoneh-esrei-mubrnfvw-59364e66.png https://pub-73c694f3dc3c4d0ea8f98f090d227a0d.r2.dev/article-images/the-amidah-shemoneh-esrei-crop-mubs5d0j-6e057ae1-large.png https://pub-73c694f3dc3c4d0ea8f98f090d227a0d.r2.dev/article-images/the-amidah-shemoneh-esrei-crop-mubs5d0j-6e057ae1-thumb.png The Amidah (Shemoneh Esrei) summary Summary. The [Amidah](/glossary.xml#letter-A) (“standing”) — also called the [Shemoneh Esrei](/glossary.xml#letter-S) (“Eighteen”) — is the central prayer of every Jewish service. Originally eighteen benedictions, a nineteenth ([Birkat HaMinim](/glossary.xml#letter-B)) was added in the late first century. It is recited silently while standing and facing Jerusalem, then often repeated aloud by the prayer leader. The Amidah’s three sections are: praise (the first three [berachot](/glossary.xml#letter-B)), petition (the middle thirteen on weekdays), and thanksgiving (the final three). On [Shabbat](/glossary.xml#letter-S) and festivals, the petitionary middle section is replaced by a single benediction about the holiness of the day. Summary. The Amidah (“standing”) — also called the Shemoneh Esrei (“Eighteen”) — is the central prayer of every Jewish service. Originally eighteen benedictions, a nineteenth (Birkat HaMinim) was added in the late first century. It is recited silently while standing and facing Jerusalem, then often repeated aloud by the prayer leader. The Amidah’s three sections are: praise (the first three berachot), petition (the middle thirteen on weekdays), and thanksgiving (the final three). On Shabbat and festivals, the petitionary middle section is replaced by a single benediction about the holiness of the day. heading Structure Structure paragraph The Amidah has three sections. The Amidah has three sections. paragraph Praise ([Shevach](/glossary.xml#letter-S)): [Avot](/glossary.xml#letter-A) (the patriarchs), [Gevurot](/glossary.xml#letter-G) (God’s might, including the resurrection of the dead), [Kedushat HaShem](/glossary.xml#letter-K) (the sanctification of God’s name). Praise (Shevach): Avot (the patriarchs), Gevurot (God’s might, including the resurrection of the dead), Kedushat HaShem (the sanctification of God’s name). paragraph Petition ([Bakashot](/glossary.xml#letter-B)): on weekdays, thirteen petitions covering knowledge, repentance, forgiveness, redemption, healing, prosperity, ingathering of exiles, restoration of judges, the destruction of heretics, the righteous, Jerusalem, the Davidic kingship, and acceptance of prayer. On Shabbat and festivals, these are replaced by a single benediction about the holiness of the day. Petition (Bakashot): on weekdays, thirteen petitions covering knowledge, repentance, forgiveness, redemption, healing, prosperity, ingathering of exiles, restoration of judges, the destruction of heretics, the righteous, Jerusalem, the Davidic kingship, and acceptance of prayer. On Shabbat and festivals, these are replaced by a single benediction about the holiness of the day. paragraph Thanksgiving ([Hoda’ah](/glossary.xml#letter-H)): [Avodah](/glossary.xml#letter-A) (worship and the restoration of the Temple service), [Modim](/glossary.xml#letter-M) (thanksgiving), [Sim Shalom](/glossary.xml#letter-S) or [Shalom Rav](/glossary.xml#letter-S) (peace). Thanksgiving (Hoda’ah): Avodah (worship and the restoration of the Temple service), Modim (thanksgiving), Sim Shalom or Shalom Rav (peace). heading How It Is Said How It Is Said paragraph The Amidah is recited standing, with feet together (in imitation of the angels in [Yechezkel 1:7](https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.1.7)), facing Jerusalem (or, in Jerusalem, facing the Temple Mount). The opening bracha is recited with a slight bow at Baruch and standing erect at Atah. The middle of the Modim benediction includes a bow. The whole prayer is said silently — quiet enough that the worshiper hears himself but no one else hears him ([Talmud Berachot 24b](https://www.sefaria.org/Berakhot.24b)). The Amidah is recited standing, with feet together (in imitation of the angels in Yechezkel 1:7), facing Jerusalem (or, in Jerusalem, facing the Temple Mount). The opening bracha is recited with a slight bow at Baruch and standing erect at Atah. The middle of the Modim benediction includes a bow. The whole prayer is said silently — quiet enough that the worshiper hears himself but no one else hears him (Talmud Berachot 24b). heading Chazarat HaShatz — The Repetition Chazarat HaShatz — The Repetition paragraph In services with a [minyan](/glossary.xml#letter-M) (the quorum of ten Jewish adults required for public prayer), the silent Amidah is followed by a repetition by the [shaliach tzibbur](/glossary.xml#letter-S) (prayer leader). The repetition includes the [Kedushah](/glossary.xml#letter-K), the responsive sanctification of God’s name, drawn from [Yeshayahu 6:3](https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.6.3) and [Yechezkel 3:12](https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.3.12), in which the congregation joins in the angels’ praise: kadosh kadosh kadosh — “holy, holy, holy.” On the High Holy Days, the repetition includes additional liturgical poetry ([piyyutim](/glossary.xml#letter-P)) including the famous [Unetaneh Tokef](/glossary.xml#letter-U). In services with a minyan (the quorum of ten Jewish adults required for public prayer), the silent Amidah is followed by a repetition by the shaliach tzibbur (prayer leader). The repetition includes the Kedushah, the responsive sanctification of God’s name, drawn from Yeshayahu 6:3 and Yechezkel 3:12, in which the congregation joins in the angels’ praise: kadosh kadosh kadosh — “holy, holy, holy.” On the High Holy Days, the repetition includes additional liturgical poetry (piyyutim) including the famous Unetaneh Tokef. heading When and How Often When and How Often paragraph The Amidah is recited at every service: [Shacharit](/glossary.xml#letter-S) (morning), [Mincha](/glossary.xml#letter-M) (afternoon), [Ma’ariv](/glossary.xml#letter-M) (evening). On Shabbat, festivals, and [Rosh Chodesh](/glossary.xml#letter-R) (the new month), there is also a [Musaf](/glossary.xml#letter-M) (additional) Amidah, corresponding to the additional Temple sacrifice for those days. On [Yom Kippur](/glossary.xml#letter-Y) there is also a [Ne’ilah](/glossary.xml#letter-N) (closing) Amidah at the end of the day. The Amidah is recited at every service: Shacharit (morning), Mincha (afternoon), Ma’ariv (evening). On Shabbat, festivals, and Rosh Chodesh (the new month), there is also a Musaf (additional) Amidah, corresponding to the additional Temple sacrifice for those days. On Yom Kippur there is also a Ne’ilah (closing) Amidah at the end of the day. heading Where Denominations Diverge Where Denominations Diverge paragraph All denominations retain the Amidah as the central prayer. Conservative and [Reform](/glossary.xml#letter-R) [siddurim](/glossary.xml#letter-S) include the [imahot](/glossary.xml#letter-I) (matriarchs — Sarah, Rivka, Rachel, Leah) in the first benediction alongside the avot; [Orthodox](/glossary.xml#letter-O) does not. Reform has modified the gevurot benediction, replacing the resurrection language with “who gives eternal life”; Conservative retains the traditional language. Reform omits the petition for the restoration of the sacrificial service; Orthodox retains it. All denominations retain the Amidah as the central prayer. Conservative and Reform siddurim include the imahot (matriarchs — Sarah, Rivka, Rachel, Leah) in the first benediction alongside the avot; Orthodox does not. Reform has modified the gevurot benediction, replacing the resurrection language with “who gives eternal life”; Conservative retains the traditional language. Reform omits the petition for the restoration of the sacrificial service; Orthodox retains it. heading Sources Sources paragraph [Mishnah Berachot 4:1–7](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Berakhot.4.1-7); [Talmud](/glossary.xml#letter-T) Bavli, [Berachot 26b–33a](https://www.sefaria.org/Berakhot.26b-33a). Mishnah Berachot 4:1–7; Talmud Bavli, Berachot 26b–33a. paragraph [Talmud Bavli](/glossary.xml#letter-T), [Megillah 17b](https://www.sefaria.org/Megillah.17b). Talmud Bavli, Megillah 17b. paragraph [Rambam](/glossary.xml#letter-R), [Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Tefillah 1](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah,_Prayer_and_the_Priestly_Blessing.1). Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Tefillah 1. paragraph [Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 89–127](https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh,_Orach_Chayim.89-127). Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 89–127. paragraph Yechezkel 1:7; Yeshayahu 6:3. Yechezkel 1:7; Yeshayahu 6:3. paragraph [The Weekday Amidah: Prayers, Structure, and Practice](https://exploringjudaism.org/prayers-and-practices-of-the-weekday-amidah/) — Rabbinical Assembly. The Weekday Amidah: Prayers, Structure, and Practice — Rabbinical Assembly. paragraph [What Is the Amidah? - Understanding the Shemoneh Esrei](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3834226/jewish/What-Is-the-Amidah.htm) — Chabad.org. What Is the Amidah? - Understanding the Shemoneh Esrei — Chabad.org. paragraph [Why Pray With Our Feet Together?](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3404353/jewish/Why-Pray-With-Our-Feet-Together.htm) — Chabad.org. Why Pray With Our Feet Together? — Chabad.org. heading Further Reading Further Reading paragraph Reuven Hammer, Entering Jewish Prayer. Reuven Hammer, Entering Jewish Prayer. paragraph [Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz](/glossary.xml#letter-A), A Guide to Jewish Prayer. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, A Guide to Jewish Prayer. paragraph My People’s Prayer Book, vol. 2: The Amidah (Lawrence Hoffman, ed.). My People’s Prayer Book, vol. 2: The Amidah (Lawrence Hoffman, ed.). essentials-essential-questions-who-is-a-jew Who is a Jew? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-who-is-a-jew.xml essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god What Does Judaism Teach About God? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god.xml essentials-essential-questions-do-jews-believe-in-an-afterlife Do Jews Believe in an Afterlife? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-do-jews-believe-in-an-afterlife.xml essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus Why Do Jews Not Believe in Jesus? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus.xml going-deeper-deeper-prayers-birkat-hamazon-the-grace-after-meals Birkat Hamazon: The Grace After Meals deeper /articles/going-deeper-deeper-prayers-birkat-hamazon-the-grace-after-meals.xml Adin Steinsaltz עדין שטיינזלץ Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz (1937–2020) produced a monumental Hebrew translation and commentary on the entire Babylonian Talmud, later rendered into English, opening the Talmud to a generation of learners without a yeshiva background. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Amidah עֲמִידָה Literally 'standing' — the central prayer of every Jewish service, recited standing and traditionally facing Jerusalem. It is also called the Shemoneh Esrei ('Eighteen'), after the original count of its weekday blessings. essentials-essential-prayers-the-amidah-shemoneh-esrei Avodah עֲבוֹדָה Literally 'service' or 'work' — the worship of God, especially prayer, and one of the three pillars on which, Pirkei Avot teaches, the world stands. It also names the Yom Kippur liturgy recalling the High Priest's Temple service. essentials-essential-facts-the-three-pillars-torah-avodah-gemilut-chasadim Avot אָבוֹת 'Fathers' — the Patriarchs Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, and the name of the first blessing of the Amidah, which invokes them. Pirkei Avot, the Mishnah's tractate of ethical teachings, shares the name. Birkat HaMinim בִּרְכַּת הַמִּינִים The blessing 'against the heretics' added to the Amidah in the late first century, bringing its count of weekday blessings from eighteen to nineteen. Gevurot גְּבוּרוֹת The second blessing of the Amidah, praising God's might — including the power to revive the dead — and carrying the seasonal mentions of rain and dew. Hoda'ah הוֹדָאָה Thanksgiving — the closing section of the Amidah, in which the worshipper bows in gratitude for the daily miracles of ordinary life. Kedushah קְדוּשָׁה The responsive "sanctification" added during the leader's repetition of the Amidah, in which the congregation echoes the angels' threefold "Holy, holy, holy." Kedushat HaShem קְדוּשַׁת הַשֵּׁם "The holiness of the Name" — the Amidah's third blessing, on God's holiness; more broadly, the duty to sanctify God's name through one's conduct. Ma'ariv מַעֲרִיב The evening prayer service — the third of the three daily services, built around the Shema and the Amidah. going-deeper-deeper-prayers-the-three-daily-services Mincha מִנְחָה The afternoon prayer service, the shortest of the three daily services; its name recalls the afternoon grain offering brought in the Temple. going-deeper-deeper-prayers-the-three-daily-services Modim מוֹדִים The thanksgiving blessing near the end of the Amidah, at which the community bows in gratitude; on Hanukkah and Purim the Al Hanissim passage is added here. Musaf מוּסָף The 'additional' service recited after the morning service on Shabbat, festivals, and Rosh Chodesh, corresponding to the extra offering brought in the Temple on those days. Ne'ilah נְעִילָה Literally 'locking (of the gates)' — the final, most intense service of Yom Kippur, recited as the fast ends and the day's gates of prayer close. Orthodox Judaism Orthodox Judaism holds Halacha as fully binding and the Shulchan Aruch as its canonical code; it spans Haredi and Hasidic communities as well as Modern Orthodoxy, and is the starting point from which this Field Guide is written, even as it engages seriously with other denominations. how-to-use-this-field-guide Rambam רמב״ם Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (1138–1204), known by the acronym Rambam and in the Latin West as Maimonides, was the towering rationalist codifier and philosopher of medieval Judaism — author of the legal code Mishneh Torah and the philosophical Guide for the Perplexed. His formulation of God's unity and incorporeality remains foundational to Jewish theology across denominations. essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god Reform Judaism Reform Judaism treats Halacha as a source of values and meaning rather than binding law, emphasizing individual autonomy, ethical monotheism, and tikkun olam; it was the first movement to fully recognize patrilineal descent and ordain women as rabbis. how-to-use-this-field-guide Rosh Chodesh רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ The 'head of the month' — the minor festival marking the new moon and the start of each Hebrew month, with its own additions to the liturgy. Shabbat שַׁבָּת The seventh day — the weekly day of rest from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall, marked by candle lighting, kiddush, festive meals, and rest from creative work. where-to-start-your-first-shabbat Shacharit שַׁחֲרִית The morning prayer service — the longest of the three daily services, built around the Shema and the Amidah. going-deeper-deeper-prayers-the-three-daily-services Shalom Rav שָׁלוֹם רָב 'Abundant peace' — the blessing for peace that concludes the evening Amidah in the Ashkenazi rite. Shemoneh Esrei שְׁמוֹנֶה עֶשְׂרֵה 'Eighteen' — the traditional name for the Amidah, the standing prayer at the heart of every service; a nineteenth blessing was added in antiquity, but the name remains. essentials-essential-prayers-the-amidah-shemoneh-esrei Sim Shalom שים שלום 'Grant peace' — the closing blessing of the Amidah, a prayer for peace, goodness, and blessing upon all Israel. It is also the name of a widely used Conservative siddur. Talmud תלמוד The vast rabbinic work — the Mishnah together with the Gemara's discussion of it — that develops the Oral Torah into Jewish law and thought. It is the central text of Jewish study after the Bible itself. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Talmud Bavli תלמוד בבלי The Babylonian Talmud, completed around 500 CE in the academies of Babylonia — the more extensive of the two Talmuds and the authoritative one for Jewish law. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Unetaneh Tokef ונתנה תוקף The awe-filled High Holiday prayer — 'who shall live and who shall die' — declaring that repentance, prayer, and tzedakah temper the severity of the decree. Yom Kippur יום כיפור The Day of Atonement — the holiest day of the Jewish year, a 25-hour fast devoted to prayer, confession, and repair of one's relationships with God and with other people. holidays-yamim-noraim-yom-kippur bakashot בַּקָּשׁוֹת 'Requests' — the petitionary blessings that form the long middle section of the weekday Amidah, asking for wisdom, health, livelihood, and redemption. berachah בְּרָכָה A blessing — the short formula beginning 'Baruch Atah Adonai' ('Blessed are You, Lord') with which Jews mark food, mitzvot, and moments of wonder (plural: berachot). imahot אִמָּהוֹת The Matriarchs — Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel, and Leah; many communities now name them alongside the Patriarchs in the Amidah's opening blessing. minyan מִנְיָן The quorum of ten adult Jews required for certain communal prayers, including Kaddish and the public Torah reading. In Orthodox practice the count is ten men; egalitarian communities count all adults. piyyut פִּיּוּט A liturgical poem — one of the artful hymns woven into the prayers, especially on the High Holidays and festivals. The plural is piyyutim. shaliach tzibbur שְׁלִיחַ צִבּוּר 'The emissary of the congregation' — the person who leads the community in prayer. shevach שֶׁבַח Praise — the name for the opening section of the Amidah, whose first three blessings praise God before any request is made. siddur סידור The Jewish prayer book (plural siddurim), from a root meaning 'order' — it arranges the daily, Shabbat, and festival prayers in their fixed sequence. where-to-start-your-first-siddur parent Prayer & Liturgy /sections/prayer-liturgy.xml related Who is a Jew? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-who-is-a-jew.xml related What Does Judaism Teach About God? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god.xml related Do Jews Believe in an Afterlife? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-do-jews-believe-in-an-afterlife.xml related Why Do Jews Not Believe in Jesus? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus.xml related Birkat Hamazon: The Grace After Meals /articles/going-deeper-deeper-prayers-birkat-hamazon-the-grace-after-meals.xml