Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 1

Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 1 — English translation

Translation: Translated by Jay Dinovitser. Section numbers match the Hebrew text above.

1. 1One should strengthen himself like a lion to get up in the morning to serve his creator. He should get up early enough to welcome in the dawn. [And at least not after the Z'man Tefilah (time for praying) in which the congregation prays. Scripture says, "I placed Hashem before me always". This is a great concept in the Torah and is a paramount attribute for the Tzadikim (righteous people) who walk in the way of G-d. For the way in which a person sits, moves around, and carries out his daily activities while he is alone in his house is not the same way he should engage in these activities while standing before a great King. In addition, the way one speaks while amongst those in his home and the conversations he partakes with his relatives is not the same manner in which he would speak while in the presence of a mortal King. Surely when one considers in his mind that the mighty King, The Holy One blessed be his name, where the whole world is filled with his glory, stands before him and sees his deeds, as it states: "If a man will conceal his secrets and I will not see it," states Hashem; immediately the fear and the proper awed train of thought of Hashem will descend upon him and he will always be embarrassed before G-d. And one should not be ashamed before people who mock his service to Hashem. Also, when one is in private and when one lies on his bed, he should know before whom he is lying and immediately his should arise with enthusiasm to serve his Creator and he will get up.]
2. 2One who wishes to get up early and pray before his creator should try to do so at the times when the angels change shifts. This occurs after one third of the night, after two thirds and after the night is over. The prayer that one prays at those times should be concerning the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash (Holy Temple) and on the exile.
3. 3It is proper for every G-d fearing person to be aggravated and worried about the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash.
4. 4It is better for one to say only a few supplications with concentration then to say many supplications without concentration.
5. 5It is a good idea to say the section on the binding of Yitzchak, the section concerning the manna, the ten commandments and the chapter on the burnt offering (עולה 'Olah), gift offering (מנחה Mincha), peace offering (שׁלמים Shelamim), sin offering (חטאת Chatas) guilt offering (אשׁם Asham). [Only when one is alone is it permitted to say the ten commandments whenever one wants but it is forbidden to say them in front of ten or more men.]
6. 6The parshiot korbanot (chapters of the sacrifices) are said only during the day.
7. 7When one finishes the section of the 'Olah, he should say "may it be your will that this should be considered and accepted as if I brought an 'Olah." Similarly, one should say a similar expression after reading the section of the Mincha and the Shelamim since these can be brought by a Nedava (voluntarily).
8. 8One should recite after the sections of the sacrifices the verse "And slaughter it on the side of the altar northward before Hashem"
9. 9There are those who are accustomed to saying the Parsha (chapter) of the Kiur (washing basin) followed by the parsha of the Tamid (continual offering) and then the parsha of the offering of the Kitoret (Spice offering) and the parsha of the making of the Kitoret and its ingredients.

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