Every morning, a set of 15 blessings is recited to express our thanks to God for all the things that we, as healthy human beings, are capable of doing.

Ba’ruch Ah’tah Ah’doh’nai Eh’lo’hay’nu Melech ha’o’lam oh’zayr Yisrael big’vu’rah.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who girds Israel with strength.

The Children of Israel have played a unique role in history, which is perhaps best seen in Mark Twain’s famous quote noting the “immprtality” of the Jewish people. Many nations have sought to destroy the Children of Israel, and most of them no longer exist (Babylonians, Syrian-Greeks, Romans, etc.) It takes great strength and fortitude to maintain a unique identity against the onslaught of other popular civilizations and cultures–a strength that is a gift from God.

–Translation reproduced with permission from The Koren Sacks Siddur,
© Koren Publishers Jerusalem Ltd.