קריאת שמע וברכותיה
BLESSINGS UPON THE SHEMA
Only when a minyan is present are the blessing and response below recited. They constitute a formal summons inviting the congregation to an act of collective prayer. The custom of bowing at this juncture rests upon I Chronicles 29:20, "David told the entire assembly, 'Bless now the LORD your God.' The whole assembly blessed the LORD God of their fathers and bent their heads low to the LORD and the King." The Leader recites what follows, bowing at "Bless," rising straight at "the LORD." The congregation replies, then the Leader, bowing at "Bless," rising straight at "the LORD."
Hebrew
בָּרְכוּ
אֶת יְהוָה הַמְּבֹרָךְ.
בָּרוּךְ יְהוָה הַמְּבֹרָךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.
בָּרוּךְ יְהוָה הַמְּבֹרָךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.
Israeli
barechu
et Adonai hamevorach.
baruch Adonai hamevorach le-olam va-ed.
baruch Adonai hamevorach le-olam va-ed.
From here until the Amida, custom is to remain seated, because love, rather than awe, is the prevailing emotion in this portion of the prayers. Talk is forbidden until after the Amida. See table on pages 1293–1295.
Is. 45
Hebrew
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
יוֹצֵר אוֹר וּבוֹרֵא חֹשֶׁךְ
עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם וּבוֹרֵא אֶת הַכֹּל.
Israeli
baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam
yotzer or uvorei choshech
oseh shalom uvorei et hakol.