SELECTED JEWISH PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS This brochure is designed to help Jewish patients and their families and friends during their stay in the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the Presbyterian Medical Center, UPHS. (Note: Hebrew type appearing in the printed brochure cannot be reproduced on this web page.) Morning Prayer I give thanks unto You, Adonai, that, in mercy, You have restored my soul within me. Endless is Your compassion; great is Your faithfulness. I thank You, Adonai, for the rest You have given me through the night and for the breath that renews my body and spirit. May I renew my soul with faith in You, Source of all Healing. Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who renews daily the work of creation. Shema Hear, O Israel: Adonai is our God, Adonai in One! Blessed is God's name; His glorious kingdom is for ever and ever! And you shall love Adonai your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; teach them faithfully to your children, speak of them in your home and on your way, when you lie down and when you rise up. Bind them as a sign upon your hand; let them be a symbol before your eyes. Inscribe them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. For Healing Give ear, Adonai, to my prayer, heed my plea for mercy. In time of trouble I call to You, for You will answer me. When pain and fatigue are my companions, let there be room in my heart for strength. When days and nights are filled with darkness, let the light of courage find its place. Help me to endure the suffering and dissolve the fear. Renew within me the calm spirit of peace. Blessed are You, Adonai, Healer of the Sick. Before Surgery Adonai, You are with me in my moments of strength and of weakness. You know the trembling of my heart as the turning point draws near. Grant wisdom and skill to the mind and hands of those who will operate on me, and those who assist them. Grant that I may return to fullness of life and wholeness of strength, not for my sake alone but for those about me. Enable me to complete my days on earth with dignity and purpose. May I awaken to know the breadth of Your healing power, now and evermore. My spirit I commend to You, my body, too, and all I prize; both when I sleep and when I wake, You are with me; I shall not fear. Psalm 23 Adonai is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters; He restores my soul. He guides me in straight paths for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff--they comfort me. You have prepared a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 121 I lift up my eyes to the mountains; What is the source of my help? My help comes from Adonai, Maker of heaven and earth. God will not let your foot give way; your Guardian will not slumber. Behold! The Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps! Adonai in your Guardian, God is your protection at your right hand. The sun will not strike you by day nor the moon by night. Adonai will guard you from all harm-- Adonai will guard your soul, your going and your coming, now and for ever. Night Prayer Adonai, may it be Your will that I lie down in peace and rise up in peace. Let not my thoughts, my dreams, or my daydreams disturb me. Watch over my family and those I love. O Guardian of Israel, who neither slumbers nor sleeps, I entrust my spirit to You. Thus as I go to sleep, I put myself into Your safekeeping. Grant me a night of rest. Let the healing processes that You have placed into my body go about their work. May I awaken in the morning, refreshed and renewed to face a new tomorrow. Hear, O Israel, Adonai our God, Adonai is One! We praise You, Adonai, Whose shelter of peace is spread over us, over all Your people Israel, over every creation, and over Jerusalem.