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Preliminary Morning Service
land of Egypt, the first-born of both man and beast; that is why I sacrifice to the Lord every first-born male animal, but I redeem all my first-born sons. This shall serve as a sign on your hand, and as frontlets between your eyes; for the Lord brought you out of Egypt by a strong hand.”
ADON OLAM[1]
- He is the eternal Lord who reigned
- Before any being was created.
- At the time when all was made by his will,
- He was at once acknowledged as King.
- And at the end, when all shall cease to be,
- The revered God alone shall still be King.
- He was, he is, and he shall be
- In glorious eternity.
- He is One, and there is no other
- To compare to him, to place beside him.
- He is without beginning, without end;
- Power and dominion belong to him.
- He is my God, my living Redeemer,
- My stronghold in times of distress.
- He is my guide and my refuge,
- My share of bliss the day I call.
- To him I entrust my spirit
- When I sleep and when I wake.
- As long as my soul is with my body
- The Lord is with me; I am not afraid.
YIGDAL[2]
1. Exalted and praised be the living God!
- He exists; his existence transcends time.
2. He is One—there is no oneness like his;
- He’s unknowable—his Oneness is endless.
3. He has no semblance—he is bodiless;
- Beyond comparison is his holiness.
4. He preceded all that was created;
- The First he is though he never began.
5. He is the eternal Lord; every creature
- Must declare his greatness and his kingship.
- ↑ אדון עולם treats of God’s omnipotence and providence. This noble hymn has been attributed to various poets, particularly to Solomon ibn Gabirol who flourished in Spain during the eleventh century. It has been part of the morning service since the fifteenth century. It is composed of ten lines, each of which consists of twelve syllables. A single rhyme runs through it.
- ↑ יגדל is a summary of the thirteen principles of faith formulated by Maimonides in his commentary on the Mishnah (Sanhedrin 10:1), This poem was composed by Daniel ben Judah of Rome (fifteenth century). One rhyme runs through all its thirteen lines, each of which consists of sixteen syllables. The variant reading וכל נוצר in the fifth line brings out the full meaning of Maimonides’ fifth principle that God alone must be worshiped. יורה is used here in the sense of יגיד, יספר (see Job 12:7-8; Psalm 145:6-12). In Erubin 65a, יורה is taken as the equivalent of יתפלל.
