This prayer is recited while standing. It dates back to at least the 3rd century. This Aleinu marks the conclusion of the service. It is an affirmation of our relationship to God and a hope for unity. We bow when we read the words, “v’anachnu korim” and stand back up straight when we read “u’modim”.
עָלֵֽינוּ לְשַׁבֵּֽחַ לַאֲדוֹן הַכֹּל, לָתֵת גְּדֻלָּה לְיוֹצֵר בְּרֵאשִׁית, שֶׁלֹּא עָשָֽׂנוּ כְּגוֹיֵי הָאֲרָצוֹת, וְלֹא שָׂמָֽנוּ כְּמִשְׁפְּחוֹת הָאֲדָמָה, שֶׁלֹא שָׂם חֶלְקֵֽנוּ כָּהֶם, וְגֹרָלֵֽנוּ כְּכָל הֲמוֹנָם.
Aleinu l’shabei-ach laadon hakol, lateit g’dulah l’yotzeitr b’reishit, shelo asanu k’goyei haarotzot, vlo samanu kmishp’chot haadamah. Shelo sam chelkeinu kaham, v
goraleinu k’chol hamonam.
Let us now praise the Sovereign of the universe, and proclaim the greatness of the Creator who has set us apart form the their families of the earth, giving us a destiny unique among the nations.
וַאֲנַֽחְנוּ כּוֹרְעִים וּמִשְׁתַּחֲוִים וּמוֹדִים, לִפְנֵי מֶֽלֶךְ, מַלְכֵי הַמְּלָכִים, הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא.
Vaanachnu kor’im umishtachavim umodim, lifnei Melech mal’chei hamlachim HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
We bend the knee and bow, acknowledging the supreme Sovereign, the Holy One of Blessing.
וַאֲנַֽחְנוּ כּוֹרְעִים וּמִשְׁתַּחֲוִים וּמוֹדִים, לִפְנֵי מֶֽלֶךְ, מַלְכֵי הַמְּלָכִים, הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא.
V’ne-emar, vhayah Adonai l’Melech al kol haaretz. Bayom hahu yih’yeh Adonai echad ush’mo echad.
Thus it has been said, Adonai will be Sovereign over all the earth. On that day, Adonai will be one, and God’s Name will b e one.
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Melody performed with the permission from the artist, Solomon Sulzer.