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From Generation to Generation

September, 2012

Part of the repetition of the Amidah, L'Dor Va-Dor is a line that is sung during Jewish prayer services.

Some synagogues have the additional custom of singing this verse during a bat or bar mitzvah. The family members may join the child on the bimah or at the front of the congregation as a Torah scroll is passed from generation to generation, from grandparents to parents to the bar or bat mitzvah child.

L'dor va-dor na-geed gad'lekh-ha
ul'netz-akh netz-akh-eem ke'dooshat'kha nak'deesh
v'sheev-cha-kha El-o-hei-nu mee-pee-nu lo ya-moosh lay'o-lam va-ed.

 We shall declare Your greatness through all generations,
hallow Your greatness to all eternity.
Your praise will never leave our lips.
(A traditional translation.)

To all generations we will declare Your greatness,
and for all eternity proclaim Your holiness.
Your praise, O God, shall never depart form our lips.
(An alternative translation.)

Practice on your own with the audio:

And download From Generation to Generation (pdf), with the English, Hebrew and transliteration for the blessing.

Hebrew for "son of the commandments." In modern Jewish practice, Jewish boys come of age at 13. When a boy comes of age, he is officially a bar mitzvah and considered an adult. The term is commonly used as a short-hand for the bar mitzvah's coming-of-age ceremony and/or celebration. The female equivalent is "bat mitzvah." Hebrew for "daughter of the commandments." In modern Jewish practice, Jewish girls come of age at 12 or 13. When a girl comes of age, she is officially a bat mitzvah and considered an adult. The term is commonly used as a short-hand for the bat mitzvah's coming-of-age ceremony and/or celebration. The male equivalent is "bar mitzvah." Tefilat Amidah, Hebrew for "The Standing Prayer," is the central prayer of Jewish liturgy. It is recited during every prayer service. Traditionally it's recited individually in silence, then repeated aloud as a congregation; some congregations omit the silent recitation and/or abbreviate the repetition. The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), or the scroll that contains them. The elevated area or platform in a synagogue, from which Torah is read. Worship service leaders, such as clergy, may lead services from the bimah as well.
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