Why can Modeh Ani be said before washing the hands?

It does not mention God's name, so it may be said straight away on waking, before netilat yadayim.

What does a woman say?

“Modah ani lefanecha…” – the feminine form of the first word; everything else is unchanged.

Where does Modeh Ani come from?

It appears in the 16th-century work Seder HaYom by Rabbi Moshe ben Machir and from there entered all prayer books.

Modeh Ani מודה אני

Modeh Ani is said immediately on waking, while still in bed – even before washing the hands.

What it means

A short thank-you: we acknowledge God, the living and eternal King, for returning our soul to us in the morning, and praise His great faithfulness.

Summary (our own explanation, not a translation)

Notes

Because it contains no name of God, it may be said before netilat yadayim (washing the hands).
A woman says “Modah ani”; the rest of the text is the same.
It is often the first prayer taught to young children.

Hebrew text

מודה אני

כשיעור משנתו קודם שיטול ידיו יאמר

מוֹדֶה אֲנִי האשה אומרת: מודָה לְפָנֶיךָ מֶלֶךְ חַי וְקַיָּם שֶהֶחֱזַרְתָּ בִּי נִשְׁמָתִי בְחֶמְלָה, רַבָּה אֱמוּנָתֶךָ:

Transliteration (Sephardic pronunciation)

Generated automatically from the vocalized Hebrew (Sephardic / modern Israeli pronunciation); it is an aid to reading and may differ slightly from your community's pronunciation.

Mode ani lefanecha melech chai vekayam shehechezarta bi nishmati vechemla, raba emunatecha.

English translation

When waking up from sleep, before washing hands, one should say:

I am thankful before You, living and enduring King, for you have mercifully restored my soul within me. Great is Your faithfulness.

Frequently asked questions

Why can Modeh Ani be said before washing the hands?: It does not mention God's name, so it may be said straight away on waking, before netilat yadayim.
What does a woman say?: “Modah ani lefanecha…” – the feminine form of the first word; everything else is unchanged.
Where does Modeh Ani come from?: It appears in the 16th-century work Seder HaYom by Rabbi Moshe ben Machir and from there entered all prayer books.

Sources and licences

Hebrew text: סידור עדות המזרח, מהדורת תורת אמת (Torat Emet 357), כפי שהועלה לספריא (Sefaria) – נחלת הכלל (Public Domain).
Translation: Siddur Edot HaMizrach – Sefaria Community Translation – CC0.
Transliteration: generated automatically by this site.
Introduction, notes, summary and FAQ: original text of this site.

This prayer on our Hebrew site · All prayers

For learning and general information only. Customs differ between communities; for halachic questions ask your rabbi.