Aleinu

Aleinu

Aleinu (Hebrew: עָלֵינוּ‎, "it is our duty") is a Jewish prayer that is traditionally recited at the conclusion of each of the three daily prayer services. It is also recited during the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. The prayer is a declaration of the unique relationship between the Jewish people and God, and it emphasizes the hope for the future recognition of God's sovereignty by all humanity.

History

The Aleinu prayer is believed to have been composed by Joshua after the conquest of Jericho, although some traditions attribute its authorship to the Men of the Great Assembly. It was originally part of the Rosh Hashanah Musaf service, but over time it was incorporated into the daily liturgy.

Structure and Content

Aleinu consists of two main paragraphs. The first paragraph praises God for choosing the Jewish people and for their unique role in the world. It emphasizes the distinctiveness of the Jewish faith and the rejection of idolatry. The second paragraph expresses a hope for the future, when all humanity will recognize and worship the one true God.

First Paragraph

The first paragraph of Aleinu begins with the words "It is our duty to praise the Master of all, to ascribe greatness to the Creator of the beginning." It continues by contrasting the Jewish people's worship of God with the practices of other nations, who "bow to vanity and emptiness and pray to a god who cannot save."

Second Paragraph

The second paragraph, known as "Al Kein," expresses a vision of the future when "the world will be perfected under the sovereignty of the Almighty." It includes the hope that "every knee will bend and every tongue will swear loyalty" to God.

Liturgical Use

Aleinu is recited at the conclusion of the Shacharit, Mincha, and Maariv services. It is also included in the Musaf service on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. In some communities, it is recited standing, and the congregation bows at certain points in the prayer.

Variations

There are slight variations in the text of Aleinu between different Jewish communities. The Ashkenazi and Sephardi versions differ slightly in wording, particularly in the second paragraph. Additionally, some communities have restored a line that was historically censored due to persecution, which refers to the emptiness of other religions.

Significance

Aleinu is significant not only for its content but also for its role in the daily affirmation of Jewish faith and identity. It serves as a reminder of the Jewish people's mission and their hope for a future where God's presence is recognized by all.

See Also

• Jewish prayer
• Rosh Hashanah
• Yom Kippur
• Musaf