Judaism
Judaism is the faith and way of life of the Jewish people, centred on one God and the Torah. Many Jews avoid writing or saying God's name casually and use titles such as Hashem.
Many voices: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist and secular Jewish communities practise differently.
Learn more in Faiths & Traditions
Prayers, Mantras & Chants
Traditional textPsalm 23 — The Lord Is My ShepherdHebrew Scriptures / Christian tradition · Psalm 23Read the prayer
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
- Attribution:
- Attributed to King David
- Source:
- Psalm 23
- Version:
- English: King James Version (1611). Spanish: Reina-Valera 1909. Both are public domain.
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Traditional textPsalm 91 — Under the Shadow of the AlmightyHebrew Scriptures / Christian tradition · Psalm 91Read the prayer
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
- Attribution:
- A psalm of the Hebrew Bible
- Source:
- Psalm 91
- Version:
- English: King James Version (1611). Spanish: Reina-Valera 1909. Both are public domain.
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Traditional textPsalm 121 — I Will Lift Up Mine EyesHebrew Scriptures / Christian tradition · Psalm 121Read the prayer
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
- Attribution:
- A Song of Ascents of the Hebrew Bible
- Source:
- Psalm 121
- Version:
- English: King James Version (1611). Spanish: Reina-Valera 1909. Both are public domain.
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Traditional textThe Shema (first lines)Jewish — central declaration of faith · Deuteronomy 6:4–5Read the prayer
Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
- Attribution:
- Torah, Book of Deuteronomy
- Source:
- Deuteronomy 6:4–5
- Version:
- English: Jewish Publication Society Tanakh (1917), public domain. Spanish: Reina-Valera 1909 (a Christian translation), public domain.
Note: Many Jews say it in Hebrew (Shema Yisrael…) and avoid pronouncing the divine name. Learn liturgical practice from your community or a siddur.
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Traditional textThe Priestly BlessingJewish (Birkat Kohanim), also used in Christian worship · Numbers 6:24–26Read the prayer
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee; The LORD make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
- Attribution:
- Torah, Book of Numbers
- Source:
- Numbers 6:24–26
- Version:
- English: JPS Tanakh (1917), public domain. Spanish: Reina-Valera 1909, public domain.
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