“It is a positive commandment from the Torah (the Five Books of Moses) to pray every day…A person should speak to Hashem (G-d) and ask for what he needs…However, after the Jewish people were exiled from their land and scattered to many countries, their languages became mixed up…When they would try to speak, many people could no longer express themselves clearly in prayer…Then Ezra, a great Jewish leader from the time of the Second Temple, and his court of sages, established the 18 blessings of the Amidah (the main daily prayer)…These blessings include requests for all the main things a person might want, and for everything the community needs…This way, every person, even someone who cannot find the right words, can still say each blessing and express his or her prayers properly.”

Rambam (Maimonides), Laws of Prayer, Chapter 1, Laws 1–4

The middle blessings of Shemoneh Esrei, the requests, are where we bring our essential needs before Hashem. The Anshei Knesses HaGedolah decided that these six Geula requests belong there alongside health, parnassah, and forgiveness. That is not a coincidence, it is a halachic statement about what a Jew actually needs:

The Anshei Knesses HaGedolah built six Geula requests into the daily Shemoneh Esrei. Not as an addition. As a definition of what every Jew needs.

These requests sit in the middle blessings of Shemoneh Esrei, the section reserved for our most pressing personal and communal needs. Shemoneh Esrei is the moment a Jew stands before the King of all kings, where every word is calculated. What the Sages chose to include there is a statement of priorities.

“Speedily cause the descendant of King David Your servant to flourish.”

Moshiach is not a distant hope. It is woven into the fabric of daily Jewish life.

“For we hope for Your salvation all day.”
This means: “Hashem, we keep hoping and waiting for You to save us, not just once in a while, but all day long.”

“May our eyes behold Your return to Jerusalem (also called Zion) in mercy.”
This means: “Hashem, please let us actually see You bring Your presence back to Jerusalem – with kindness and mercy.”

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These are the actual words we say three times a day, even on Shabbos and Jewish holidays:

Sources: Hisvadayus 5742:2, p. 674; Hisvadayus 5744:3, p. 1684

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Quick Check

1. Where do the six Geula requests appear in the daily prayers?

A) At the beginning of Shemoneh Esrei
B) In the middle blessings of Shemoneh Esrei
C) After the Shema
D) Only on Shabbos

Show Answer

✓ Answer: B — The middle blessings are reserved for our most pressing needs, and the Sages placed the Geula requests there deliberately.

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2. How many specific requests for Moshiach are in Shemoneh Esrei?

A) Two
B) Three
C) Six
D) Eighteen

Show Answer

✓ Answer: C — Six Geula requests, placed alongside health, parnassah, and forgiveness as essential needs.

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3. What does including Moshiach in Shemoneh Esrei tell us?

A) It is a nice addition for special occasions
B) It is optional for most Jews
C) Moshiach is considered an essential need, not a distant hope
D) It was added later by the Rambam

Show Answer

✓ Answer: C — The Sages’ decision to include it in the middle blessings is a halachic statement about what every Jew essentially needs.

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