Aleinu: The Power and the Pride

It was with these words that a young nation marched triumphantly around fallen walls of their enemy, and with these words that they prepared to take the depth and glory they had beheld at the foot of Har Sinai and adapt it to this new frontier, living as humans in this land they had been given.

And when they were exiled from the land, they were allowed to take this prayer with them, given the privilege of reciting it not just on the holiest days of the year, but three times each day. Its message would remind them of their purpose and destiny, allowing them to stand tall and proud.

Now, as then, when a Jew says Aleinu, the Holy One and His celestial entourage come to listen: it provides the strength and clarity to endure - and to sing along the journey, until that happy day when He will be One and His Name will be One!