Shemoneh Esrei: Blessings 1 & 2:Patriarchs & G-d’s Might
Shemoneh Esrei: 1st Blessing - Patriarchs
- If the Sh’ma is the “knock on the door” to the Holy of Holies; then the Shemoneh Esrei, is G-d “opening the door.” We enter into the Holy of Holies with praise on our lips, and worship as our purpose.
- The first blessing of the Amidah is to bless G-d that He is the G-d of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is upon the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that 100% of the covenants of promise were made.
- Without the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob there would be no redemption for any man.
- In the blessing, we are reminding the King of the Universe that we approach Him humbly – as descendants of those to whom He made the promises.
- In blessing the G-d of Abraham, the G-d of Isaac, and the G-d of Jacob, we also identify ourselves with the relationship that they had with the Almighty. He was their friend. He was their shield. He was their defender.
Scriptures for Avot
“After these things the word of the L-RD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
Genesis 15:1
“So G-d heard their groaning, and G-d remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And G-d looked upon the children of Israel, and G-d acknowledged them.”
Exodus 2:24-25
“The Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” Says the L-RD. ‘As for Me,’ says the L-RD, ‘this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,’ says the L-RD, ‘from this time and forevermore.’”
Isaiah 59:20-21
“And if you are Messiah’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Galatians 3:29
Avot
Baruch Atah HaShem, Elokeinu v'Elokei Avoteinu
Blessed art Thou, L-RD Our G-d, and G-d of our fathers
Elokei Avraham, Elokei Yitzchak, v'Elokei Ya'akov
G-d of Abraham, G-d of Isaac, and G-d of Jacob
Ha Ek ha Gadol, ha Gibor, v'Han'roah, Ek Ekyon
The great, mighty G-d awesome, supreme G-d
Gomel chasadim tovim,
Who bestows good things upon those He loves,
v'koneh hakol,
and Who creates all things,
v'zocher chasdei avot,
Who remembers our ancestors' acts of covenant love,
u'mayvi Goel livnei v'neihem
and Who brings a Redeemer to their children's children
l'ma'an Sh'mo b'ahavah
for the sake of His Name, and out of love
Melech Ozer u‘Moshiach u‘Magen
O King, Helper, Messiah/Savior, and Shield/Defender
Baruch Atah HaShem, Magen Avraham
Blessed art Thou, L-RD, Shield of Abraham
Shemoneh Esrei: 2nd Blessing - G-d’s Might
- Principle to our faith is not only the belief in the resurrection of the dead, but that G-d is the one Who resurrects the dead. This is an expression of His might.
- The resurrection of the dead plays prominent in our declaring our faith in the G-d of Salvation.
- The first disciples must have been prayed this prayer in awe after the resurrection of Yeshua.
Scriptures for G’vurot
And when John had heard in prison about the works of Messiah, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Yeshua answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Matthew 11:2-5
The L-RD upholds all that fall, and raises up all who are bowed down.
Psalms 145:14
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Messiah is not risen. And if Messiah is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
1Corinthians 15:13-14
G’vurot
Atah gibor l’olam HaShem
You are eternally mighty, My L-rd!
m’chayeh metim atah rav l’hoshia
You bring the dead back to life, Captain of our Salvation
M’chalkel chayim b’chesed
Who sustains the living with covenant love
m’chayeh metim b’rachamim rabim
Who resurrects the dead with overflowing compassion
somech nof’lim v’rofe cholim u’matir asurim
Who lifts up the fallen, and heals the sick, Who sets captives free
um’kayem emunato lishenei afar
and is faithful to those who fall asleep in the dust
Mi chamocha Ba’al g’vurot
Who is like You, Master of Miracles?
Umi dome lach, Melech memit um’chayeh,
And Who is comparable to You, O King, Who causes death, then restores life,
u’matz’miach y’shuah
and Who causes Salvation to rise up
v’ne’eman atah l’hachai’ot metim
and Who can be trusted to resurrect the dead
Baruch Atah HaShem,
Blessed art Thou, L-RD
m’chai’yeh ha metim.
In You the Dead have life.