How many times have you heard the saying, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life?" A lot? Me too. But like all sayings, it has meaning to it. As traditional Jews, the first thing we do when we wake up (before we get out of bed) is begin the Modeh Ani; a short, two-line prayer which opens by referring to Adonai as the eternal and living creator. It goes on to say that sleep was a minor death, in which our soul spent the night with G-d. It concludes by thanking the Divine for returning our soul back to us in a pure state, allowing us to live another day. Its also cool to know that G-d's proper name (Adonai / YHVH) isnt used in this prayer because the Rabbis believed it improper to speak G-d's name before ritually washing the hands.
Another morning prayer, Elohai Neshama, goes on to speak about how our souls are given back to us:
Elohai neshama shenatata bi t'horah hi.
My G-d - the soul You have given me is pure.
You created it, You formed it, You breathed it into me, You guard it within me. You will, in the future, take it from me, and restore it to me at a future time. So long as this soul is within me, I thank You, Adonai, My G-d, G-d of my ancestors, Master of all creation, Sovereign of all souls. Praised are You, Adonai, Who restores the soul to the lifeless and exhausted.
Jewish belief is one that teaches us that our souls are always pure because they are a direct extension from G-d. Without G-d, our souls would not be able to sustain a physical form. So each morning, let us remember to always give thanks for a new day of love, a new day of peace and a new day of life.
Another morning prayer, Elohai Neshama, goes on to speak about how our souls are given back to us:
Elohai neshama shenatata bi t'horah hi.
My G-d - the soul You have given me is pure.
You created it, You formed it, You breathed it into me, You guard it within me. You will, in the future, take it from me, and restore it to me at a future time. So long as this soul is within me, I thank You, Adonai, My G-d, G-d of my ancestors, Master of all creation, Sovereign of all souls. Praised are You, Adonai, Who restores the soul to the lifeless and exhausted.
Jewish belief is one that teaches us that our souls are always pure because they are a direct extension from G-d. Without G-d, our souls would not be able to sustain a physical form. So each morning, let us remember to always give thanks for a new day of love, a new day of peace and a new day of life.
Baruch HaBa B'Shem Adonai
{Blessed is the Name of Adonai}
