Ma Tovu

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Ma Tovu (Hebrew for "O How Good" or "How Goodly") is a prayer in Judaism, expressing reverence and awe for synagogues and other places of worship.

The prayer begins with Numbers 24:5, where Balaam, sent to curse the Israelites, is instead overcome with awe at God and the Israelites' houses of worship. Its first line of praise is a quote of Balaam's blessing and is thus the only prayer commonly used in Jewish services that was written by a non-Jew. The remainder of the text is derived from passages in Psalms relating to entering the house of worship and preparation for further prayer (Psalms 5:8; 26:8; 95:6; and 69:14). In this vein is the prayer recited by Jews upon entering the synagogue.

Hebrew text

מה טבו אהליך יעקב, משכנותיך ישראל. (1 ^{Numbers 24:5}

ואני ברב חסדך אבוא ביתך אשתחוה אל היכל קדשך ביראתך. (2 ^{Psalms 5:8}

3) .ה׳ אהבתי מעון ביתך, ומקום משכן כבודך ^{Psalms 26:8}

ואני אשתחוה ואכרעה, אברכה לפני ה׳ עשי. (4 ^{Psalms 95:6 (adapted)}

5) .ואני, תפלתי לך ה׳, עת רצון, אלהים ברב חסדך, ענני באמת ישעך ^{Psalms 69:14}

Transliteration

Ma tovu ohalekha Ya'akov, mishk'notekha Yisra'el.
Va'ani b'rov hasd'kha, avo veytekha,
Eshtahaveh el heikhal kodsh'kha b'yir'atekha.

Va'ani t'filati l'kha Adonai et ratzon.
Elohim b'rov hasdekha aneini b'emet yish'ekha.

English translation

How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel!
As for me, O God abounding in grace,
I enter your house to worship with awe in Your sacred place.
To You, Eternal One, goes my prayer: may this be a time of your favor.
In Your great love, O God, answer me with Your saving truth.

External links

Jewish prayer

List of Jewish prayers and blessings

Shacharit

Preparation	Birkot hashachar Akeida Offerings

Pesukei dezimra	Mizmor Shir (Psalm 30) Barukh she'amar Songs of thanksgiving (Hodu Psalm 100) Yehi kevod Hallel (Ashrei Psalms 146 147 148 149 150) Baruch Adonai L'Olam Vayivarech David Atah Hu Adonai L'Vadecha Az Yashir Yishtabach

Core prayers	Barechu Yotzer ohr Ahava rabbah Shema Emet Vayatziv Amidah Kedushah

Conclusion	Tachanun Torah reading^1, 2, 3 Ashrei Psalm 20 Uva letzion Aleinu Shir shel yom Kaddish Ein Keloheinu⁴

Mincha

Maariv

Barechu
Maariv Aravim
Ahavat Olam
Shema
Emet V'Emunah
Hashkiveinu
Baruch Adonai L'Olam
Half Kaddish
Amidah
Full Kaddish
Aleinu
Mourner's Kaddish

Shabbat / Holiday additions

Seasonal additions

Other prayers

^{1 On Shabbat.}
^{2 On holidays.}
^{3 On Mondays and Thursdays.}
^{4 Only on Shabbat and holidays, according to Nusach Ashkenaz in the diaspora.}
^{5 On fast days.}
^{6 Daily in Israel.}

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