The first three blessings of the Amidah are devoted to praise of G-d and defining our
relationship with Him.
- 1.Shield of Abraham
(History)
In the first blessing, we introduce ourselves to G-d and define ourselves as His
faithful followers. We reemphasize our history and lineage, identifying ourselves as the
descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. As we again affirm our covenant with G-d, we
beg His protection based on this covenant.
- 2.Restores the Dead to Life
(Power)
In the second blessing, we again recognize the unique power of G-d. We extol
His greatness in giving and sustaining life, healing the sick, freeing the captive, and
raising the fallen. We speak of G-d's great mercy, and of life after death ("Blessed art
Thou, Lord, who makes the dead live"). In this blessing, we once again praise G-d the
Creator of all things and humbly accept G-d's great power over all living things.
- 3.Sanctification
In the third blessing, we emphasize the holiness of G-d. By proclaiming G-d's
holiness, we are emphasizing his separateness from us. In Bereshith (Genesis) it is stated
that the human being is created in G-d's image. This means that, of all G-d's creations,
only the human being is capable of attaining holiness. However, lest we become vain, we
must constantly remind ourselves that the holiest of humans can never become as holy as
G-d. In this third blessing, we once again affirm the supreme holiness of G-d and
remember that, in His holiness, G-d is separate from us. During the repetition of the
Amidah, a special prayer called the Kedushah is recited, which further expands on the
holiness of G-d.
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