Tuesday 10 Shevat 5783 (01.02.23)
Should Noahides Pray Three Times a Day?
עֶ֤רֶב וָבֹ֣קֶר וְ֭צׇהֳרַיִם אָשִׂ֣יחָה וְאֶֽהֱמֶ֑ה וַיִּשְׁמַ֥ע קוֹלִֽי׃
"During the daily prayers of the evening, morning, and afternoon, I speak and moan of my troubles. He will surely hear my voice."
The Prayers of the Three Jewish Partriarchs
The Jewish people say a prayer three times a day. Tradition teaches that these prayers were actually instituted by the tree jewish patriarchs.
Abraham prayed to G‑d whenever he was in need (Tanhuma, Beshalach), but he made it a rule to pray to G‑d every morning. Thus, Abraham is the father of our Morning Prayer.
From Genesis 24:63 we learn that Isaac prayed in the afternoon (Minchah).
“And Isaac went forth to pray in the field towards evening, and he lifted his eyes and saw, and behold, camels were approaching.”
And Jacob prayed in de evening after he awoke from his sleep and he said:
“G‑d is truly in this place, but I did not know it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of G‑d; this is the gate of heaven.” (Genesis 28:11–17)
Should Noahides also Pray Three Times a Day
Concerning prayer, the Torah states, “And serve Him with all your heart.” The sages explain: “What is the service of the heart? This is prayer.”
A Noahide may pray at any time, using his own words and/or by using a Noahide Prayer Book. It is important to keep a fixed place and a fixed time for this. This may be once a week, once a day or more often.
It is recommended to pray the "Modeh Ani" in the morning. In which a person thanks HaShem for a new day. And the prayer before going to sleep
Modeh Ani
Hebrew:
.מודה אני לפניך מלך חי וקיים, שהחזרת בי נשמתי בחמלה; רבה אמונתך
T
Transliteration: Modeh Ani L’fanecha Melech Chai V’kayam Shehechezarta Bi Nishmati B'chemla Raba Emunatecha
Translation: I offer thanks to You, living and eternal King, for You have mercifully restored my soul within me; Your faithfulness is great.
Bedtime-Prayer
Master of the universe! I hereby forgive anyone who has angered or vexed me, or sinned against me, either physically or financially, against my honor or anything else that is mine, whether accidentally or intentionally, inadvertently or deliberately, by speech or by deed, in this incarnation or in any other – any Israelite; may no man be punished on my account.
May it be Your will, L-rd my G‑d and G‑d of my fathers, that I shall sin no more nor repeat my sins, neither shall I again anger You nor do what is wrong in Your eyes.
The sins I have committed, erase in Your abounding mercies, but not through suffering or severe illnesses.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before You, L-rd, my Strength and my Redeemer.
Prayer form the heart
But don’t lose sight of the fact that the most important ingredient in prayer is the part that comes from your heart.
Sources: Chabad Article: Why Do Jews Pray Three Times a Day? Chabad Article: Modeh Ani song,
Chabad Article: Before Retiring at Night - 10th Step
Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the NoahideAcademy.org website. She contributes for the admin of the website in English and Dutch. She teaches Hebrew to beginners and intermediate students at the Academy.
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