The Prayer of Chana

Whoever recites this every day will merit to emerge from debt and bring closer the coming of Mashiach ben David

(1) And Chana prayed and said: "My heart exults in Hashem, my horn is raised high through Hashem; my mouth opens wide against my enemies, for I rejoice in Your salvation.

(2) There is none holy like Hashem, for there is none besides You, and there is no rock like our God.

(3) Do not multiply speaking so exceedingly proudly; let no arrogance come from your mouth, for Hashem is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.

(4) The bows of the mighty are broken, and the stumbling are girded with strength.

(5) Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, and the hungry have ceased [to hunger]; while the barren woman has borne seven, and she who has many children has become forlorn.

(6) Hashem brings death and gives life; He brings down to the grave and raises up.

(7) Hashem makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and He also lifts up.

(8) He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap, to seat them with nobles, and He will make them inherit a throne of glory; for the pillars of the earth are Hashem's, and He has set the world upon them.

(9) He will guard the feet of His pious ones, but the wicked shall be silenced in darkness, for not by strength shall man prevail.

(10) Hashem—His adversaries will be shattered; upon them He will thunder in the heavens. Hashem will judge the ends of the earth; He will give strength to His king, and raise the horn of His anointed."

"And Chana prayed" - from here we learn that women are obligated in prayer, for Chana prayed the eighteen blessings [of the Amidah].

Language of the Verse | Language of the Blessing
"My horn is raised high through Hashem" | Shield of Abraham
"Hashem brings death and gives life" | Revives the dead
"There is none holy like Hashem" | The Holy God
"For Hashem is a God of knowledge" | You graciously grant knowledge
"And the stumbling (in their iniquities) are girded with strength" | Who desires teshuvah (repentance)
"He brings down to the grave and raises up" | Who pardons abundantly
"For I rejoice in Your salvation" | Redeemer of Israel
"He raises the poor from the dust" | Healer of the sick
"Those who were full with bread" | Blesses the years
"He will guard the feet of His pious ones" | Gathers the dispersed of His people Israel
"Hashem will judge the ends of the earth" | Loves righteousness and justice
"But the wicked shall be silenced in darkness" | Subdues the arrogant
"He will give strength to His king" | Builder of Jerusalem
"And raise the horn of His anointed" | The sprout of David
"And there is no rock like our God" | Hears prayer
"Do not multiply speaking so exceedingly proudly" | That You alone we shall serve in awe *(Who restores His Shechinah [Divine Presence] to Zion)*
"Let no arrogance come from your mouth" | Whose Name is Good and to Whom it is fitting to give thanks
"He will give strength to His king" | Maker of peace
(Yalkut Shimoni)

*During the time of the Holy Temple, they would conclude the blessing of 'Retzeh' (Accept) instead of 'Who restores His Shechinah (Divine Presence) to Zion', with "That You alone we shall serve in awe" or 'Who accepts the service of His people Israel with love' (Rashi, Berachos 11b). There are Rishonim (early commentators) who appear to have had this version as well. Even today, in the Mussaf prayer of the Festivals during the Chazzan's repetition, we say this after "V'te'erav" (And may it be pleasing).

"And Chana prayed" - from here we learn that women are obligated in prayer, for Chana prayed the eighteen blessings [of the Amidah].

BS"D 830

THE PRAYER OF CHANA