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Homeland star Patinkin records prayers for his dog

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LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Mandy Patinkin attends the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

He’s captivated fans with his starring roles in The Princess Bride and Homeland.

But there’s one Mandy Patinkin performance that holds his dog Becky mesmerised – his recital of Jewish prayers before eating.

In a video clip posted on Twitter, the American Jewish star’s family pet is seen sitting patiently as she hears a recording of her owner singing the Ha-motzi blessing for bread traditionally recited at the start of a meal.

Only when the prayer is finished does she go to eat.

The audio recording of Patinkin was being played for Becky by his son Gideon, who was left in charge of her at the family home in upstate New York while his actor father was out of town, taking his first flight since the pandemic began.

Patinkin, 68, recites three prayers in both English and Hebrew for Becky to hear before every meal when he’s at home according to website Kveller: the Mi Sheberach blessing for the sick, the daily Shema and Ha’motzi.

In a post on Instagram at Passover,  Patinkin explained his choice of prayers to recite before Becky eats, saying: "I think the world is in need of healing, and I want her to be healthy, and I want the world to be healthy, and since I feed her two times a day, it's a great time to pray."

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