Shemoneh Esrei: Blessings 18 & 19: Thanksgiving and Peace
Shemoneh Esrei: 18th Blessing – Thanksgiving
- This blessing is a response – a reflection upon the compassion of G-d toward us.
- This blessing involves many additional portions that go along with the time of the year etc. Example: Chanukkah, Purim, etc.
- This blessing also carries with it the Messianic hope that one day all creation and all men will gratefully acknowledge Him and give thanks to Him.
Scriptures for Modim [Thanksgiving]
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2
So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, will give You thanks forever; we will show forth Your praise to all generations.
Psalms 79:13
Modim [Thanksgiving]
Modim anachnu lach sha’atah hu
We gratefully thank You for it is You,
HaShem Elokeinu v’ Elokei Avoteinu l’olam va’ed
HaShem our G-d, and G-d of our ancestors forever and ever.
Tzur chayeinu magen yish’uenu
Rock of our lives, shield of our salvation
Atah hu l’dor v’dor
You are He – from generation to generation
nodeh l’cha u’naseper t’hilotecha
We will thank you and publish Your praise
al chaiyeinu hamasurim b’yadecha
For our lives, which we have entrusted to Your Hand
v’al nishmoteinu hap’kodot lach
And for our souls, which You keep secure.
v’al nisecha sheb’chol yom imanu
We encounter Your miracles every day
v’al nif’l’oitecha v’tovotecha sheb’chol et
And your wonders and favors in every season --
erev v’voker, v’tzaharayim
Evening, and morning, and afternoon.
Hatov ki lo chalu rachameicha,
You are the Lover whose compassions never fail,
v ’ham’rachem ki lo tamu Chasadecha
and You are the Compassionate One whose lovingkindness knows no bounds.
Me’olam kivinu lach.
Ever will we trust in You.
V’al kulam, Yisbarach v’yitromam shimecha
For all you do, may Your Name be continually blessed and exalted;
Malkeinu tamid l’olam va’ed.
You are our King, now and forever, world without end.
V’chol ha chayim yodecha, selah!
May all living creatures give thanks to You, selah!
V’ihalelu et shim’cha be’emet.
and in truth praise You always
Ha’Ek y’shuateinu v’ezrateinu, selah.
O G-d, our salvation and our help forever, selah!
Baruch Atah HaShem Ha Tov shim’cha
Blessed art Thou, HaShem,
Your very Name radiates goodness;
u’lecha naeh l’hodot.
And to give thanks to You is just and fitting!
Shemoneh Esrei: 19th Blessing – Peace
- The “Sim Shalom” blessing is the last blessing of the Shemoneh Esrei (there are remaining stanzas however).
- This blessing is also a response. It is the response to receiving the Aaronic Blessing from the sons of Aaron. In the days of the Tabernacle and the Temple, it was just before this blessing that the Aaronic priests would pronounce the priestly blessing over the people.
- This blessing was the people’s response to that blessing and thereby blessing G-d for establishing peace and placing His Name upon them.
Scriptures for Sim Shalom [Establish Peace]
Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: "HaShem bless you and keep you; HaShem make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; HaShem lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace."' So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.
Numbers 6:23-27
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27
And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing G-d. Amen.
Luke 24:50-53
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of G-d.
Galatians 6:16
Sim Shalom [Establish Peace]
Sim shalom tovah uv’rachah
Establish peace and blessing
chen v’chesed v’rachamim
Grace, and covenant faithfulness and compassion
aleinu v’al kal Yisrael amecha
Upon us and upon all your people Israel
bar’cheinu Avinu, kuleinu k’echad
Bless us, our Father, one and all,
B’or panecha.
With the Light of Your Countenance.
Ki b’or panecha natatah lanu HaShem Elokeinu
For with the Light of Your Countenance, HaShem our G-d, You gave
Torat Chayim v’ahavat, chesed,
Instructions for living, and love, covenant faithfulness
u’tzdakah, uv’racha, v’rachamim, v’chaiyim, v’shalom
and righteousness, and blessing, and compassions, and life and peace.
V’tov b’eineicha l’varech et am’cha Yisrael
And may it be good in Your eyes to bless your people Israel
b’kol et uv’kol sha’ah bish’lomecha
at every time and every hour with Your Peace
Baruch Atah HaShem
Blessed art Thou, HaShem,
Ham’varech et amo Yisrael bashalom.
Who blesses His People Israel With Peace.