Aleinu with explanations in English

 

The prayer Aleinu (“It is our duty to praise”) is the closing prayer of the morning, afternoon and evening services. It consists of two prayers, Aleinu and V’al Kein. Some believe Aleinu was written by Tanna Rav in 3rd century Babylonia for Rosh Hashanah services. During the verse, “va-anachnu korim” (we bend the knee), many people bend the knees and then bow at the waist toward the ark. This is symbolic of bowing to God and being humbled in his presence. Lyrics Transliteration: Aleinu le'shabeiach la'adon hakol, lateit gedulah leyotzeir bereshit, she'lo asanu ke'goyei ha'aratzot, ve'lo samanu ke'mishpechot ha'adamah, she'lo sam chelkeinu kahem, ve'goraleinu ke'chol hamonam. Va'anachnu korim, u'mishtachavim, u'modim, lifnei melech, malchei ham'lachim, hakadosh baruch Hu. She'hu noteh shamayim, ve'yoseid aretz, u'moshav yikaro bashamayim mi-ma'al, u'sh'chinat u-zo be'gavhei me'romim. Hu Eloheinu, ein od. Emet malkeinu, efes zulato. Kakatuv be'torato, ve'yadata hayom, ve'hashevota Eil le'vavecha. Ki Adonai, Hu ha-Elohim, bashamayim mi-ma'al, ve'al ha'aretz mi-tachat. Ein od. Kakatuv be'toratecha: "Adonai yimloch le'olam va'ed." Ve'ne'emar: "Ve'haya Adonai le'melech al kol ha'aretz, bayom hahu yihiyeh Adonai echad, u'shemo echad."