INTERFAITH WISDOM

A siddur is a Jewish prayer book.  The siddur gives structure and order to daily prayer.   It includes prayers, bible readings and suggested meditation.

Jewish law calls for all Jews to pray three time a day - morning, mid-day and night.  Here is what is said before morning prayers: immediately upon awakening:  "I offer thanks to you, living and eternal king, for you have mercifully restored my soul within me, your faithfulness is great."   followed by a ritual washing of hands:  "Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with his commandments, and commanded us with the washing of hands."  and then right before the morning prayers:  "I hereby take it upon myself to fulfill the commandment of loving your fellow as yourself."

The centerpiece of the morning and evening prayers is a declaration of faith called the Shema.  In it's entirety, it includes three readings taken from Deuteronomy and Numbers.  The opening words are a statement that expresses the monotheistic belief of all Jews:  "Hear, O Israel:  God is our Lord, God is one."   This line is recited daily in the morning and evening prayers and before going to bed.
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