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"Modeh Ani"



"So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, ‘May your Lord, Whom you serve continually, rescue you!’ A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 

Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God, has your Lord, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?’

Daniel answered, ‘Oh king, live forever! My Lord sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in His sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, oh king.’ The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God (Daniel 6:16-23)."

What did Daniel experience when he realized that he was safe? How did Darius respond to the fact that Daniel was still alive? We can use this blessing to rejoice in the fact that we are alive for another day, ready to continue to fight for life and redemption.


By Rabbi Simcha Weinberg
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