A person should always be in fear of God,

privately as well as openly,¹

footnotes: ¹ Some people conduct themselves in a God-fearing manner in the presence of others (in public), but in the privacy of their homes, do whatever they please. There are others who do just the opposite. In private they are governed by fear of God, but in the presence of others they are too embarrassed or intimidated to be God-fearing. A Jew must always fear God, in private as well as in public.—Siach Yitzchok

[he should] admit the truth,²

footnotes: ² Acknowledging the truth is fundamental to serving God, and to all human behavior. One who is concerned merely with “winning the argument” will go to any extreme to come out on top. This attitude caused the downfall of the 250 leaders who joined Korach, rather than acknowledge the truth of Moses’ declaration (Numbers 16:2-35).—Siach Yitzchok

and speak truth in his heart,³

footnotes: ³ It is not sufficient to merely acknowledge the truth verbally but one must speak truth in his heart as well. Rashi on the Talmud (Maseches Makos 24a) cites the following incident as an example of how one should speak truth in his heart: A buyer once offered to purchase an article from Rav Safra while he was reciting the Shema. Because he could not indicate his acceptance, the anxious purchaser increased his offer. Rav Safra refused the increment because in his heart he had already accepted the original offer.

and rise early and proclaim:

Lord of all the worlds

and Master of masters!

Not on account of our righteousness

do we offer our supplications before You,

but on account of Your abundant mercy.

What are we? What is our life?

What are our acts of kindness?

What is our righteousness?

What is our deliverance?⁴

footnotes: ⁴ Of ourselves or others.

What is our strength? What is our might?

What can we say before You,

Adonoy, our God and God of our fathers?

Are not all the mighty men

as nothing before You?

Famous men as though they had never been?

The wise as if they were without knowledge?

And men of understanding,

as if they were devoid of intelligence?

For most of their actions are a waste,⁵

footnotes: ⁵ In terms of achievement.—Dover Sholom

and the days of their life

are trivial⁶ in Your presence.

footnotes: ⁶ In terms of time.—Dover Sholom

The superiority of man over the beast

is nil,

for all is futile.

Except the pure soul

which is destined to give an accounting

before the Throne of Your Glory.

All the nations are as nothing before you,

as it is written:

The nations are as a drop of a bucket—

no more than dust upon the scales

are they considered!

Behold, the isles are like the flying dust.⁷

footnotes: ⁷ Isaiah 40:15.

However, we are Your people,

children of Your covenant,

children of Abraham, Your beloved,⁸

footnotes: ⁸ Others translate, “Children of Abraham who loved You.” See commentaries on Isaiah 41:8.

to whom You swore on Mount Moriah;

the seed of Isaac, his only son,

who was bound on top of the altar;

the community of Jacob, Your firstborn,

[whom]—because of Your love for him

and Your joyous delight in him—

You named him Yisrael⁹

footnotes: ⁹ The name Israel symbolizes Jacob’s wandering through history proclaiming the sovereignty of God, while the name Yeshurun indicates his task to fulfill God’s will as revealed to him, and to devote his life to the execution of that which is right in the eyes of God.—S.R. Hirsch

and Yeshurun.¹⁰

footnotes: ¹⁰ Deuteronomy 33:5.

Therefore, we are obligated

to thank You,

to praise You, and to glorify You;

to bless, to sanctify,

and to offer praise and thanks to Your Name.

We are fortunate! How good is our portion!

How pleasant is our destiny!

How beautiful is our heritage!

We are fortunate

we who rise early and stay late

in synagogues and houses of study,

and unify Your Name each day—always

and lovingly say twice:

"Hear Israel, Adonoy is our God,

Adonoy is One."

Blessed [is His] Name,

Whose glorious kingdom

is forever and ever.

And you shall love Adonoy your God¹¹

footnotes: ¹¹ Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

with all your heart

and with all your soul

and with all your possessions.

And these words

which I command you today,

shall be upon your heart.

And you shall teach them sharply

to your children.

And you shall discuss them

when you sit in your house,

and when you travel on the road,

and when you lie down and when you rise.

And you shall bind them for a sign

upon your hand,

and they shall be for totafos

between your eyes.

And you shall write them

upon the doorposts of your house

and upon your gateways.

You existed

before the world was created.

You exist [in the same way]

now that the world has been created.

You exist in this world,

and You will exist in the World-to-Come.

Sanctify Your Name

upon those who hallow Your Name,

and sanctify Your Name in Your world.

And through Your deliverance

You will be exalted¹²

footnotes: ¹² According to other versions, the text is translated, “You will be exalted,” since the Hebrew reads תָּרוּם.

and You will uplift our power,

and deliver us speedily

for the sake of Your Name.

Blessed is He who sanctifies His Name

among the multitudes.

You are Adonoy, our God,

in heaven and on earth,

and in the highest heavens.

In truth, You are First,¹³

footnotes: ¹³ We refer to God as “First” to preclude the notion that anything existed before Him, but not to assert that He has a beginning.—Kuzari

and You are Last.¹⁴

footnotes: ¹⁴ Similarly, “Last” is used only to repudiate the idea that there is an end to His existence, not to fix a term for Him.—Kuzari

And besides You there is no God.

Gather the scattered who hope in You

from the four corners of the earth.

Let all mankind recognize and know

that You alone are the God¹⁵

footnotes: ¹⁵ Elohim is a descriptive term which signifies God as ruler or judge.—Kuzari

over all the kingdoms of the earth.

You made the heavens,

the earth,

the sea, and all that is in them.

Who is there among all Your handiwork,

among the heavenly or earthly creatures,

that can say to You, "What are You doing?"

and what are you making

Our father in Heaven, living and eternal [One]

deal graciously and kindly with us

for the sake of your great name

[which is] mighty and awesome

which is called upon us¹⁶

footnotes: ¹⁶ The Jewish people are called “God’s People” and their name Israel, ׳שר-אל—officers of God, includes God’s Name.

and fulfill for us, Adonoy, our God

that which is written:

the promise you made to us

through Zephaniah, your prophet

as it is said:

‘At that time, I will bring you in

and at that time, I will gather you:

for I will make you renowned and praised

among all the peoples of the earth,

when I bring back your captivity

before your eyes,' said Adonoy.¹⁷

footnotes: ¹⁷ Zephanyah 3:20.