OU TARYAG Shemoneh Esrei #2 – Gevuros (Might)

(PLEASE LEARN THIS FOR A REFUA SHELAMA FOR YOSEF SHALOM BEN CHAYA MUSHA)As we will see in Mitzvah #433, there is an obligation for us to try to get closer to God through prayer. To help us fulfill this, our Sages established a prayer to be recited thrice-daily, corresponding to the prayers of our Forefathers. This prayer is called the Amidah (because it is recited standing); the weekday version is also called Shemoneh Esrei, the Eighteen Benedictions (although a nineteenth has since been added). Once a week for nineteen weeks, we will review the contents of the 19 blessings of “Shemoneh Esrei.” The theme of the second blessing is God’s might or power, which He expresses through reviving or resuscitating people and things. Other kings – indeed, any person – has the ability to kill. Only God has the ability to restore. In this blessing, we acknowledge that God supports those who are falling, frees those who are captive and heals those who are sick. Just as He enables us to awaken from sleep each day, He will ultimately cause the deceased to arise and, just as He causes seeds to sprout, so will He cause our salvation to sprout. (While not the theme of this blessing, Moshiach – the Messiah – is often likened to a seedling. Accordingly, causing our salvation to sprout is an apt metaphor.)