This prayer is recited at the conclusion of each of the services. In it, we affirm that we feel supremely privileged to be a part of the chosen nation of Hashem, and we look ahead toward the future when all the nations of the world will unite in serving Him.

Teshuvas HaGaonim and Kol Bo record a tradition that this prayer was originally expressed by Joshua ben Nun, after he led the Jews into the land of Israel. The commentators, notably Iyun HaTefillah, write that there are passages in it which reflect this. For example, we say, "But we bend our knees, bow and acknowledge our thanks before the King Who reigns over kings." This statement is particularly appropriate in Israel, the land in which the Jews are taught to ascend together three times each year to the Temple and to bow before Hashem. Similarly, later in Aleinu we say of Hashem, "The throne of his honor is in the heavens above." This too reflects the fact that it was composed in Israel, for the land of Israel itself is described as the throne of Hashem in this world.

And so, important as this prayer is, it was never expressed by the Jews until they entered the land of Israel.

Copyright (c) 1998 by Rabbi Levi Langer

Courtesy of www.JewishAmerica.com
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