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Jewish Prayer

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Even many observant Jews are surprised to discover that there’s a Hebrew blessing recited after one uses the bathroom, but they shouldn’t be. Jews bless everything — food, natural phenomenon, safe arrivals, even waking up. Even the most basic bodily functions are gifts worthy of our gratitude.


Asher Yatzar, informally known as the bathroom prayer, thanks God for the miracle of the human body and its multitude of functions, the failure of any one of which would make life itself impossible. But what about people whose bodies don’t function wondrously, who suffer from pain or disability or chronic illness?


Rabbi Paula Rose was one of those people. Reciting this prayer in the face of an illness that prompted anger at her physical shortcomings eventually opened her up to a deeper truth about her body.

 
How to say it
 

‘If One Should Close When It Should Be Open’
The text of Asher Yatzar describes a body sustained by the regular pulsing of its parts. Composer and drummer Shoshana Jedwab reimagines this blessing as a song of thanksgiving for this sacred rhythm.

 
Where it comes from

How to Say It

Learn the text of this blessing — in English, Hebrew and transliteration.

 
Holiness

The Holiness of the Body

Judaism does not regard the human body as profane or antithetical to a life of holiness. As the container for the human soul, the body is itself holy and must be well cared for.

 

Prayer has been the foundation of Jewish ritual and practice for thousands of years, but you may still wonder how and why to say the prayers in the canon. At My Jewish Learning, we invite you to explore the deeper side of prayer. Each week we'll share a unique exploration of a particular Jewish prayer, plus offer background materials and more to enhance your understanding. In the meantime, you can explore all of MJL's prayer resources here.

 
 
 
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