URJ Prayers for this time...

© 2010 Union for Reform Judaism. All rights reserved. © 2010 Union for Reform Judaism. All rights reserved. Prayers and Readings in Response to Natural Disasters Prayers for approaching hurricanes, fires, strength and healing, loss, and embracing life. Prayer for an approaching hurricane by Rabbi Fred Guttman Avinu Shebashamyim: God of the heavens: nature and all that You have created are truly awesome. Often, we; take these wonders for granted. Teach us to cherish all of your gifts. Try as we might, we know that we cannot control the oceans, the mountains, the weather. We also firmly believe that ever since the time of Noah, You do not send floods, make the earth shake, or dispatch weather formations, such as hurricanes, as warnings or punishments. So we ask, as this Hurricane Irene is approaching land and approaching our brothers and sisters, that You shelter all who will be in its path. Watch over everyone, their loved ones, friends, and fellow people, many of whom are preparing to evacuate. Guard them as they prepare, perhaps to leave their homes again. Give them strength, courage, and resolve to ride out this storm; answer their prayers and ours that they be blessed with goodness and be spared from harm. Baruch ata Adonai, Elohanu Melech Haolam she kocho u-gevurato maleh olam. Blessed are You, Source of Life and Nature, whose awesome power and strength fill our world and inspire us to be strong in the face of all of life's difficulties. We Cannot Pray to You We cannot pray to You, O God, to banish war, for You have filled the world with paths to peace, if only we would take them. We cannot pray to You to end starvation, for there is food enough for all, if only we would share it. We cannot merely pray for prejudice to cease, for we might see the good in all that lies before our eyes, if only we would use them. We cannot merely pray "Root out despair," for the spark of hope already waits within the human heart, for us to fan it into flame. We must not ask of You, O God, to take the task that You have given us. We cannot shirk, we cannot flee away, Avoiding obligation for ever. Therefore we pray, O God, for wisdom and will, for courage to do and to become, not only to look on with helpless yearning as though we had no strength. For Your sake and ours speedily and soon, let it be: that our land may be safe, that our lives may be blessed. Adapted from Rabbi Jack Riemer’s New Prayers for the High Holy Days, as it appears in Gates of Repentance, pp. 363-364 Introductory Prayer As we gather this Shabbat, each in our own communities, we are united by the grief and anguish we feel over the destruction of homes and lives by fire this week. We cry out as did Job: Today again my complaint is bitter; My strength is spent on account of my groaning. Would that I knew how to reach God, How to get to God's dwelling place. (Job 23:2-3) We, like Job, are weary from grieving: Grieving for a lost sense of safety in this world. Grieving for homes and memories lost. Grieving for souls extinguished before their time. Grieving for communities that bear witness to the unbearable and must somehow go on. Hear our voice, Eternal God; Have compassion upon us, And accept our prayer with favor and mercy, For You are a God who hears prayer and supplication. We praise You, O God: You hearken to prayer. Adapted from URJ service following September 11 Facing Pain and Despair with Hope and Faith From Psalm 42 Like a hind crying out for springs of water, so my soul cries out for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living El; O, when will I come to appear before God? My tears have been my food, day and night; my enemies taunt me all day, asking, "Where is your God?” My God, my soul is cast down within me as I remember You in the land of the Jordan River and Mount Herman's peaks and the smaller mountain of Sinai. Deep cries out to deep, the sounds of the opened sluices of heaven; all your breakers and your billows have swept over me. By day, Adonai will command chesed/lovingkindness, and at night, God's resting place will be with me; this is my prayer to the Almighty, God of my life. I say to the Almighty, my Rock: "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk in dark gloom, oppressed by enemies?” Crushing my bones, my enemies revile me, taunting me all day with, "Where is your God?” Why so downcast, my soul? Why disquieted within me? Have hope in God! I will yet praise God, my ever-present Help, my God. Translation from Healing of Body, Healing of Soul, ed. Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub Praised Be the Lord of Imperfection Praised be the Lord of Imperfection. Your flaws are everywhere: In the elm's unbalanced foliage                                     and the asymmetric faces of Your creatures. You form the ripping floods                                                      that tear the forests and bend tornadoes in a twisted dance.                                                                                       The lion is blotched with age and mud,                          and the Shabbas silverware lies stained as a reminder. Praised be Your Torah of scratches and scars. Praised be Your discolorations, for they are puzzles and poems of your sacred character. -Danny Siegel To one that is joined to all the living, there is hope -Ecclesiastes 9:4 Gesher Tzar Me'od Kol ha-o-lam ku-lo Gesher tzar me'od (3x) V'ha-i-kar, v'ha-I-kar Lo l'fa-ched, lo l'fached klal The whole world is a very narrow bridge; the important thing is not to be afraid. -Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav ; It is never too late To start over again, To feel again To love again To hope again… (Adapted from Rabbi Harold Schulweis' "It is Never Too Late") It is written: "God is my refuge and my strength, a very present help in time of trouble" (Psalm 46:1). Help us to feel that help. Let Your presence be a light within to dispel the darkness. Let Your nearness, Your silent speech within the heart, be a comfort to us. We pray for the courage to carry on in the face of disappointment, for the wisdom to learn from adversity, for the strength to build a new and better life. Your spirit can transform affliction into salvation; enlighten us, therefore, that we may look to the dawn of a new day with confidence and trust. May hope abide beyond the moment's loss. For You, O God of hope, are our sustaining power, even when we have fallen. Keep us from self-recrimination. Give us peace of mind and contentment of spirit. Amen. We come to you, O God, for Your gracious help. You dwell within our hearts, You feel our distress, You know our pain and how burdened we are. Give us strength to bear our burdens with courage, wisdom, and grace. Help us to be true to our better selves, to discern our real work in life, and to do it with all our might. When we struggle within our own hearts, stay by our side. Then we shall be able to say with Your prophet (Isaiah 40:31): But those who hold fast to the Eternal shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. May our work, and the ties that bind us to family and friends, make life rich in meaning for us, so that each day we live may be yet another step leading us nearer to You. Amen. (Adapted from On the Doorposts of Your House, CCAR) I have called on Your name, O [God], From the depths of the Pit. Hear my plea; Do not shut Your ear To my groan, to my cry! - Lamentations 3:55-56 A Tree A tree spoke to me today. Can you see it? A strange sight, Gnarled and twisted by the fury of the winds and sea. You say, "How can you find beauty in its jagged form?" Ah! But to me its message is more appealing Than the quiet symmetry of a perfect tree. My tree stands on a rocky crag jutting out over the mighty ocean. Its footing seems precarious Yet its roots are twined in and about the rock Enabling it to withstand the storms that come. And come they do - fierce gales that bend the tree back toward the land. Whipping off its branches on the seaward side. Again and again the winds have done their worst. Trying to uproot my tree, trying to tear it from its moorings. Yes, it has had to bend its back but it has never broken; Its green arms can always stretch out to land. The ocean spray has spit upon it, Laughing at the seeming bravery of a single tree. The tree is like a life - yours or mine perhaps. The gales sweep about us Threatening to tear us from our footing. Sometimes they are about us; sometimes within us. And we become twisted and warped, Not able to maintain the beauty God intended for us. Yet as we send down our roots of faith [God's} love and mercy flows through us and heals our scars And helps us to reach out to others arms of help and kindness, Enabling [God's} beauty to still be seen in us, Imperfect though we are. Help us, O God, To be as brave and unswerving as my tree. (Esther Campbell) Freefall If you have one hour of air and many hours to go, you must breathe slowly. If you have one arm's length and many things to care for, you must give freely. If you have one chance to know God and many doubts, you must set your heart on fire. We are blessed. Every day is a chance. We have two arms Fear wastes air. Mark Nepo, from Prayers for Healing, ed. Maggie Oman God Listens Dark is the world for me for all its cities and stars. If not for the certainty that God listens to our cry, who could stand so much misery, so much callousness? (Abraham Joshua Heschel, from I Asked for Wonder, ed. Samuel H. Dresner Adonai, bless me with courage Help me gain strength from You Life has a way of handing us surprises That take an amazing amount of courage to overcome Create in me a clear and steady focus A heart that is filled with the awareness that Adonai is with me On the sunniest day and in the darkest night I will be whatever life demands of me Courage is my knowledge of You. Anita Rosenberg, from WRJ's Covenant of the Soul It has become more difficult To face each day. Tears well up in my eyes My heart aches I feel empty…alone…lost in darkness I stand at the precipice of my future… The path behind me seems to have disappeared and the road before me is twisted I feel I can't traverse it safely. Give me strength to find the light. I am grateful for the love of family and friends Who embrace me In my despair. Help me to feel your love. Instill in me the lifeline of our people Tikvah—Hope. Let me grasp onto it with strong hands Let my grip not loosen. May I feel the support of those who surround me This day. To Your loving hands I commit my spirit— When asleep and awake. You are with me; I shall not fear. Help me, O God, in my time of need. Source unknown A Song for Courage Debbie Perlman, Flames to Heaven: New Psalms for Healing and Praise Reach down for me, O Eternal, To draw me up besides You; Coax me away from anger and fear, Beckoning forward, climbing higher. Grasp tightly as I grope above, Bind my heart to You. Place my hand upon the sturdy branch That eases the climb to You. For You are the sure Hand Beneath my elbow, Guiding my steps as the Blind are guided. You are the Light Shining through dark branches Illuminating the ascent Through strangling vines. You are the steady Voice That recall me from my confusion, And bids me order my days, That I might turn to you in wonder. Recall me, recall me, sing my name That I might hear Your welcome; Lift me, turn me, to breathe fresh air Above the forest canopy. Would you discover the mystery of God? Would you discovery the limit of the Almighty? Higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? But if you direct your mind, And spread forth your hands toward Him— You will then put misery out of mind, Consider it as water that has flowed past. Life will be brighter than noon; You will shine, you will be like the morning. You will be secure, for there is hope. Job 11:7-8, 13, 16-18 I have set you, Eternal One, continually before me, ever at my side; I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad and my soul can rejoice, for I am safe in Your presence. For You will not abandon me to death nor send Your faithful one to destruction. You show me the path of life. Your presence brings fullness of joy; enduring happiness is Your gift. From Psalm 16, translation from On the Doorposts of Your House For silver, the crucible; for gold, the furnace; for the heart, the living God. (Proverbs 17:3) Creator of the universe, You gave me life, in which joys and sorrows are commingled in accordance with Your wisdom; and You send death, with its promise of eternal peace. Teach me to accept humbly and courageously whatever burden is laid upon me. Comfort me and all who mourn, and let the light of faith illumine the darkness of our sorrow with the hope of immortality. Strengthen us at all times with an unfailing trust in Your providence. On the Doorposts of Your House The Echo of Your Promise Based on Psalm 77 Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis When I cry my voice trembles with fear When I call out it cracks with anger. How can I greet the dawn with song when darkness eclipses the rising sun To whom shall I turn when the clouds of the present eclipse the rays of tomorrow Turn me around to yesterday that I may be consoled by its memories. Were not the seas split asunder did we not once walk together through the waters to the dry side Did we not bless the bread that came forth from the heavens Did not voice not reach my ears and direct my wanderings The waters, the lightning, the thunder remind me of yesterday's triumphs Let the past offer proof of tomorrow let it be my comforter and guarantor. I have been here before known the fright and found your companionship. I enter the sanctuary again to await the echo of your promise. From Healing of Body, Healing of Soul, ed. Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub Acknowledging the Difficulty of Prayer I have always found prayer difficult. So often it seems like a fruitless game of hide-and-seek where we seek and God hides…Yet I cannot leave prayer alone for long. My need drives me to God. And I have a feeling that God has God's own reasons for hiding, and that finally all my seeking will prove infinitely worthwhile. And I am not sure what I mean by "finding." Some days my very seeking seems a kind of "finding." And, of course, if "finding" means the end of "seeking," it were better to go on seeking. (Leslie D. Weatherhed, Gates of Prayer, CCAR, 1975, page 3) Metaphors Only words that would not be trite in the presence of a dying man, only ideas that would not pale in the face of the rising sun or in the midst of a violent earthquake: "God is One” or: "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts . . .” may be used as metaphors in speaking of God. Worth Saving Prayer may not save us, But prayer makes us worth saving. (Abraham Joshua Heschel, from I Asked for Wonder, ed. Samuel H. Dresner Efficacy of Prayer Prayer is a pathway to God which leads us to feel God's love, Not only in the heavens above but within us and within those about us. If we walk on this path with faith, we will feel God's presence here in this room here in our hearts giving us strength, guidance and hope. "When you call Me, and come and pray to Me I will give heed to you. You will search for Me and find Me, if only you seek Me wholeheartedly.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13) Barukh Atah Adonai, Shomei'ah tefilah. We praise you, O God, who hears prayer. from East End Temple's Service of Healing A Prayer for Prayer: O My God My soul's companion My heart's precious friend I turn to You. I need to close out the noise To rise above the noise The noise that interrupts - The noise that separates - The noise that isolates. I need to hear You again. In the silence of my innermost being, In the fragments of my yearned-for wholeness, I hear whispers of Your presence - Echoes of the past when You were with me When I felt Your nearness When together we walked - When You held me close, embraced me in Your love, laughed with me in my joy. I yearn to hear You again. In your oneness, I find healing. In the promise of Your love, I am soothed. In Your wholeness, I too can become whole again. Please listen to my call- help me find the words help me find the strength within help me shape my mouth, my voice, my heart so that I can direct my spirit and find You in prayer In words only my heart can speak In songs only my soul can sing Lifting my eyes and heart to You. Adonai S'fatai Tiftach -open my lips, precious God, so that I can speak with You again. (Rabbi Sheldon Zimmerman) Readings on Fire Take Our Burnt Offerings, Oh God Rabbi Zoë Klein It is written in Deuteronomy 12:6-7: There you are to bring your burnt offerings and other sacrifices, your tithes and contributions, your votive and freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and flocks. Together with your households you shall feast there before the Lord your God, happy… Torah has no punctuation. Time and circumstance punctuate the text. And this time is apocalyptic sky. And this circumstance is wildfire. And so we read verses 6 and 7 differently: There you are to bring your burnt offerings and other sacrifices, your tithes and contributions, your votive and freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and flocks, together with your households. You shall feast there before the Lord your God, happy… Take our burnt offerings, oh God,           And our other sacrifices. Our tithes and contributions,            Our sorrow and confusion. Take our freewill offerings, And our against-our-will offerings. Take the firstlings of our flocks,            And the rest of the flock as well, Take our forests and lizards,            Inchworms and squirrel nests, Honeybees and pine needles,            Mustard flowers and mossy clearings  Take the mother bird along with her eggs            Not by Flood but by Fire, Take our burnt offerings            Together with our households. Dear God, remember Daniel,           Who walked out of the furnace alive. Dear God, remember Moses,           Who saw the burning bush and survived. Dear God, remember Israel,           Who stood at the foot of the mountain while it was aflame. Dear God remember us,           Who beg in your mercy to be saved. Take our burnt offerings, oh God,           Our heated fury at our loss, Our searing terror and scorching devastation,           Our smoldering fear and charred possessions, Our fevered anguish and smoking grief,           Our fuming remorse and explosive laments, Take our burnt offerings, oh God,           And fan in us a scintilla of gratitude, for family and life, Take our burnt offerings, oh God,           And kindle in us instead an ember of love. Take this burnt offering, oh God,           And spark in us the strength and the will to rebuild. Then we shall feast before the Lord our God, happy.           We shall feast before God and be happy. A Prayer by Rabbi Paul Kipnes Eloheinu velohei avoteinu v'imoteinu, Our God and God of our fathers and mothers, As the flames burn, wreaking havoc upon our forests, our homes, our fire fighters,  our sense of security, We turn to You for comfort and support.  Help us to differentiate between flames of destruction and light that shows us Your way. We know that flames can destroy.  A people decimated once, twice but more,  Having passed through infernos set by humans filled with hate, we remember the destructive abilities of these flames.  Remembering that humans set those fires, we lay the blame at their feet, not Yours.  Keep us far from apocalyptic thoughts, for we know that You ask us to care for this world,  an awesome responsibility. We also know that we can seek You in the flames.  We remember Your Loving Hand, guiding us in our infancy: In a burning bush You spoke to Moses, sending him to lead our people out of slavery, In a pillar of fire You lead our people each day through the wilderness to the Promised Land, With black fire on white fire, You wrote the Torah, our guide for living in this world. Through Your light, we found our way.  Be with us now, these smoke and fire-filled days.  Draw us close to those harmed by these flames, hearing their cry, responding to their needs. Lead us to support those who fight the fires, who care for the displaced,  who bring healing to those suffering. Though our attention spans seem so short, may we be slow to forget those who were in danger. And may we all embrace at least one lesson spoken aloud by so many who - facing the flames - rushed to pack up their valuables:  That memories of love and of time spent with family and friends are priceless, holy and sacred.  This can never be taken away.   As we rush to meet the challenge of living in this imperfect world of ours,  May we slow down enough to cherish those who are truly valuable - kadosh/holy - to us. Baruch Ata Adonai, Hamavdil bein kodesh l'chol.  Blessed are You, O God, who differentiates between the truly valuable and everything else. Biblical Readings on Fire There was a great and mighty wind, splitting mountains and shattering rocks by the power of Adonai; but Adonai was not in the wind. After the wind, an earthquake; but Adonai was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake, fire, but Adonai was not in the fire. And after the fire, a still, small voice. (I Kings 19:11-12) Face-to-face, Adonai spoke with you at the mountain from inside the fire. (Deut. 5:4) But now thus said Adonai— Who created you, O Jacob, who formed you, O Israel; Fear not, for I will redeem you; I have singled you out by name; You are Mine. When you pass through water, I will be with you; Through streams, they shall not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, you shall not be scorched; Through flame, it shall not burn you. For I am Adonai your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1-3) Prayers for Strength and Healing Be with me, God. I feel so lost. I can't seem to escape the dark cloud that is hanging over me today. Help me, God. Give me strength to combat despair and fear. Show me how to put my pain into perspective. Teach me to have faith in the new day that is coming. Thank you, God, for today's blessings, for tomorrow's hope, and for Your abiding love. Amen. Teach me always to believe in my power to return to life, to hope, and to You, God, no matter what pains I have endured, no matter how far I have strayed from You. Give me the strength to resurrect my weary spirit. Revive me, God, so I can embrace life once more in joy, in passion, in peace. Amen. When I feel tainted, God, remind me that I am holy. When I feel weak, teach me that I am strong. When I am shattered, assure me that I can heal. When I am weary, renew my spirit. When I am lost, show me that you are near. Amen. May God heal you, body and soul. May your pain cease, May your strength increase, May your fears be released, May blessings, love and joy surround you. Amen. -Rabbi Naomi Levy Talking to God: Personal Prayers for Times of Joy, Sadness, Struggle and Celebration God, make me brave for life: oh, braver than this. Let me straighten after pain, as a tree straightens after the rain, Shining and lovely again. God, make me brave for life: much braver than this. As the blown grass lifts, let me rise from sorrow with quiet eyes, Knowing Thy way is wise. God, make me brave, life brings such blinding things. Help me to keep my sight; help me to see aright That out of doubt comes light. -Author unknown, from Prayers for Healing, ed. Maggie Oman Healing is both an exercise and an understanding And yet not of the will nor of the intention It is a wisdom and a deeper knowledge of the daily swing of life and death in all creation. There is defeat to overcome and acceptance of living to be established and always there must be hope. Not the hope of healing but the hope which informs the coming moment and gives it reason. The hope which is each person's breath the certainty of love and of loving. Death may live in the living And healing rise in the dying for whom the natural end is part of the gathering and the harvest to be expected To know healing is to know that all life is one. From the East End Temple's Service of Healing Mi Shebeirach Mi Shebeirach avoteinu, M'kor hab'rachah l'imoteinu. May the Source of Strength, Who blessed the ones before us, Help us find the courage, to make our lives a blessing, And let us say - Amen. Mi Shebeirach imoteinu, M'kor hab'rachah la'avoteinu. Bless those in need of healing, with r'fuah sh'leima. The renewal of body, the renewal of spirit. And let us say - Amen. (Words and music by Debbie Friedman) Mi Shebeirach Mi she-beir-ach a-vo-tei-nu Avraham, Yitzchak v'Yaakov, V'i-mo-tei-nu Sarah, Rivkah, Leah, v' Rachel, Hu y'va-rech vi-ra-pei et ha-cho-lim ha-ei-leh. Ha-Ka-dosh Ba-ruch Hu yi-ma-lei ra-cha-mim a-lei-hem, L'ha-cha-li-mam u-l'ra-po-tam, l'ha-cha-zi-kam u-l'ha-cha-yo-tam, V'yish-lach la-hem m'he-ra r'fu-ah sh'lei-mah, R'fu-at ha-ne-fesh u-r'fu-at ha-guf, B'toch sh'ar cho-lei Yis-ra-el, Hash-ta ba-a-ga-la u-viz-man ka-riv. V'no-mar a-men. May the One who blessed our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, And our mothers Sarah, Rebecca, Leah and Rachel, bless and heal these ones who are injured, ill, or sick at heart. May the Holy One of blessing be filled with compassion for them, To restore and heal, strengthen and enliven, and quickly send them a complete healing, A healing of soul and a healing of body, among all others who are stricken, Speedily, soon, and without delay. And let us say: Amen. Prayer for a Loss O God, my need is great as I sink into the deep despair and pain of loss. Help me face each hour so that I do not submit to the seemingly endless days and nights of darkness and loneliness. Remind me that life is a journey and death is a destination so that I may heal and regain the essence and appreciation of that which is good and beautiful in life. Grant me health of body and spirit. Give my heart courage and make me whole again. Set my soul free and let me remember the love in the past so that I can give thanks to you for the memories of happy times we had together. Praise to you, God, Healer of the sick at heart. Please hear my prayer and comfort me. Maryann Fenster, from WRJ's Covenant of the Soul Embracing Life Earth, ourselves, breathe and awaken, leaves are stirring, all things moving, new day coming, life renewing. -Pawnee prayer from Prayers for Healing, ed. Maggie Oman Blessed art Thou, oh Lord, every day, Because every day is precious. Every day is a lifetime mirroring all life itself. Thank you for the morning when I feel fresh and young And wake to the beauty all around me. Thank you for the afternoon when the sun is high Suspended in triumph above a work-a-day world. Thank you for the evening when the shadows cast a sheltering palm above the universe Permitting it to pause ready for the dark. Thank you for the night with the ever-present stars To remind me that darkness is never absolute. Thank you for the calm that is restorative, Not a mindless obliteration of reality Thank you for the sleep that heals and strengthens And fills my heart with hope for a new tomorrow. Marcia H., Twelve Steps to Jewish Recovery O God Give me strength to forget Evils over and done, History's fall and fouls, Yesterday's frozen hope. And give me strength to keep watch For fair weather after a stormy day, Incense of flowers And quiet waves. Give me strength to wait and time to hope: Until the last day Strength to keep watch and rejoice As doves are hatched and babes are born As flowers bud and blossom And visions break out and grow. Give me strength, O God. Eliezer Bugatin, from On the Doorposts of Your House Closing Songs Tefilat Haderech May we be blessed as we go on our way May we be guided in peace May we be blessed with health and joy May this our blessing, amen. May we be sheltered by wings of peace May we be kept in safety and in love May grace and compassion find their way to every heart May this be our blessing, amen. Amen, may this be our blessing, amen. -Debbie Friedman Beyado afkid ruchi, B'eit ishan v'a-ira. V'im ruchi g'viyati, Adonai li, v'lo ira. Into Your hands I entrust my spirit, When I sleep and when I wake; And with my spirit, my body also; You are with me; I shall not fear. Comments left on this website are monitored. By posting a comment you are in agreement with Terms & Conditions. Prayers for approaching hurricanes, fires, strength and healing, loss, and embracing life. Prayer for an approaching hurricane by Rabbi Fred Guttman Avinu Shebashamyim: God of the heavens: nature and all that You have created are truly awesome. Often, we; take these wonders for granted. Teach us to cherish all of your gifts. Try as we might, we know that we cannot control the oceans, the mountains, the weather. We also firmly believe that ever since the time of Noah, You do not send floods, make the earth shake, or dispatch weather formations, such as hurricanes, as warnings or punishments. So we ask, as this Hurricane Irene is approaching land and approaching our brothers and sisters, that You shelter all who will be in its path. Watch over everyone, their loved ones, friends, and fellow people, many of whom are preparing to evacuate. Guard them as they prepare, perhaps to leave their homes again. Give them strength, courage, and resolve to ride out this storm; answer their prayers and ours that they be blessed with goodness and be spared from harm. Baruch ata Adonai, Elohanu Melech Haolam she kocho u-gevurato maleh olam. Blessed are You, Source of Life and Nature, whose awesome power and strength fill our world and inspire us to be strong in the face of all of life's difficulties. We Cannot Pray to You We cannot pray to You, O God, to banish war, for You have filled the world with paths to peace, if only we would take them. We cannot pray to You to end starvation, for there is food enough for all, if only we would share it. We cannot merely pray for prejudice to cease, for we might see the good in all that lies before our eyes, if only we would use them. We cannot merely pray "Root out despair," for the spark of hope already waits within the human heart, for us to fan it into flame. We must not ask of You, O God, to take the task that You have given us. We cannot shirk, we cannot flee away, Avoiding obligation for ever. Therefore we pray, O God, for wisdom and will, for courage to do and to become, not only to look on with helpless yearning as though we had no strength. For Your sake and ours speedily and soon, let it be: that our land may be safe, that our lives may be blessed. Adapted from Rabbi Jack Riemer’s New Prayers for the High Holy Days, as it appears in Gates of Repentance, pp. 363-364 Introductory Prayer As we gather this Shabbat, each in our own communities, we are united by the grief and anguish we feel over the destruction of homes and lives by fire this week. We cry out as did Job: Today again my complaint is bitter; My strength is spent on account of my groaning. Would that I knew how to reach God, How to get to God's dwelling place. (Job 23:2-3) We, like Job, are weary from grieving: Grieving for a lost sense of safety in this world. Grieving for homes and memories lost. Grieving for souls extinguished before their time. Grieving for communities that bear witness to the unbearable and must somehow go on. Hear our voice, Eternal God; Have compassion upon us, And accept our prayer with favor and mercy, For You are a God who hears prayer and supplication. We praise You, O God: You hearken to prayer. Adapted from URJ service following September 11 Facing Pain and Despair with Hope and Faith From Psalm 42 Like a hind crying out for springs of water, so my soul cries out for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living El; O, when will I come to appear before God? My tears have been my food, day and night; my enemies taunt me all day, asking, "Where is your God?” My God, my soul is cast down within me as I remember You in the land of the Jordan River and Mount Herman's peaks and the smaller mountain of Sinai. Deep cries out to deep, the sounds of the opened sluices of heaven; all your breakers and your billows have swept over me. By day, Adonai will command chesed/lovingkindness, and at night, God's resting place will be with me; this is my prayer to the Almighty, God of my life. I say to the Almighty, my Rock: "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk in dark gloom, oppressed by enemies?” Crushing my bones, my enemies revile me, taunting me all day with, "Where is your God?” Why so downcast, my soul? Why disquieted within me? Have hope in God! I will yet praise God, my ever-present Help, my God. Translation from Healing of Body, Healing of Soul, ed. Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub Praised Be the Lord of Imperfection Praised be the Lord of Imperfection. Your flaws are everywhere: In the elm's unbalanced foliage                                     and the asymmetric faces of Your creatures. You form the ripping floods                                                      that tear the forests and bend tornadoes in a twisted dance.                                                                                       The lion is blotched with age and mud,                          and the Shabbas silverware lies stained as a reminder. Praised be Your Torah of scratches and scars. Praised be Your discolorations, for they are puzzles and poems of your sacred character. -Danny Siegel To one that is joined to all the living, there is hope -Ecclesiastes 9:4 Gesher Tzar Me'od Kol ha-o-lam ku-lo Gesher tzar me'od (3x) V'ha-i-kar, v'ha-I-kar Lo l'fa-ched, lo l'fached klal The whole world is a very narrow bridge; the important thing is not to be afraid. -Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav ; It is never too late To start over again, To feel again To love again To hope again… (Adapted from Rabbi Harold Schulweis' "It is Never Too Late") It is written: "God is my refuge and my strength, a very present help in time of trouble" (Psalm 46:1). Help us to feel that help. Let Your presence be a light within to dispel the darkness. Let Your nearness, Your silent speech within the heart, be a comfort to us. We pray for the courage to carry on in the face of disappointment, for the wisdom to learn from adversity, for the strength to build a new and better life. Your spirit can transform affliction into salvation; enlighten us, therefore, that we may look to the dawn of a new day with confidence and trust. May hope abide beyond the moment's loss. For You, O God of hope, are our sustaining power, even when we have fallen. Keep us from self-recrimination. Give us peace of mind and contentment of spirit. Amen. We come to you, O God, for Your gracious help. You dwell within our hearts, You feel our distress, You know our pain and how burdened we are. Give us strength to bear our burdens with courage, wisdom, and grace. Help us to be true to our better selves, to discern our real work in life, and to do it with all our might. When we struggle within our own hearts, stay by our side. Then we shall be able to say with Your prophet (Isaiah 40:31): But those who hold fast to the Eternal shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. May our work, and the ties that bind us to family and friends, make life rich in meaning for us, so that each day we live may be yet another step leading us nearer to You. Amen. (Adapted from On the Doorposts of Your House, CCAR) I have called on Your name, O [God], From the depths of the Pit. Hear my plea; Do not shut Your ear To my groan, to my cry! - Lamentations 3:55-56 A Tree A tree spoke to me today. Can you see it? A strange sight, Gnarled and twisted by the fury of the winds and sea. You say, "How can you find beauty in its jagged form?" Ah! But to me its message is more appealing Than the quiet symmetry of a perfect tree. My tree stands on a rocky crag jutting out over the mighty ocean. Its footing seems precarious Yet its roots are twined in and about the rock Enabling it to withstand the storms that come. And come they do - fierce gales that bend the tree back toward the land. Whipping off its branches on the seaward side. Again and again the winds have done their worst. Trying to uproot my tree, trying to tear it from its moorings. Yes, it has had to bend its back but it has never broken; Its green arms can always stretch out to land. The ocean spray has spit upon it, Laughing at the seeming bravery of a single tree. The tree is like a life - yours or mine perhaps. The gales sweep about us Threatening to tear us from our footing. Sometimes they are about us; sometimes within us. And we become twisted and warped, Not able to maintain the beauty God intended for us. Yet as we send down our roots of faith [God's} love and mercy flows through us and heals our scars And helps us to reach out to others arms of help and kindness, Enabling [God's} beauty to still be seen in us, Imperfect though we are. Help us, O God, To be as brave and unswerving as my tree. (Esther Campbell) Freefall If you have one hour of air and many hours to go, you must breathe slowly. If you have one arm's length and many things to care for, you must give freely. If you have one chance to know God and many doubts, you must set your heart on fire. We are blessed. Every day is a chance. We have two arms Fear wastes air. Mark Nepo, from Prayers for Healing, ed. Maggie Oman God Listens Dark is the world for me for all its cities and stars. If not for the certainty that God listens to our cry, who could stand so much misery, so much callousness? (Abraham Joshua Heschel, from I Asked for Wonder, ed. Samuel H. Dresner Adonai, bless me with courage Help me gain strength from You Life has a way of handing us surprises That take an amazing amount of courage to overcome Create in me a clear and steady focus A heart that is filled with the awareness that Adonai is with me On the sunniest day and in the darkest night I will be whatever life demands of me Courage is my knowledge of You. Anita Rosenberg, from WRJ's Covenant of the Soul It has become more difficult To face each day. Tears well up in my eyes My heart aches I feel empty…alone…lost in darkness I stand at the precipice of my future… The path behind me seems to have disappeared and the road before me is twisted I feel I can't traverse it safely. Give me strength to find the light. I am grateful for the love of family and friends Who embrace me In my despair. Help me to feel your love. Instill in me the lifeline of our people Tikvah—Hope. Let me grasp onto it with strong hands Let my grip not loosen. May I feel the support of those who surround me This day. To Your loving hands I commit my spirit— When asleep and awake. You are with me; I shall not fear. Help me, O God, in my time of need. Source unknown A Song for Courage Debbie Perlman, Flames to Heaven: New Psalms for Healing and Praise Reach down for me, O Eternal, To draw me up besides You; Coax me away from anger and fear, Beckoning forward, climbing higher. Grasp tightly as I grope above, Bind my heart to You. Place my hand upon the sturdy branch That eases the climb to You. For You are the sure Hand Beneath my elbow, Guiding my steps as the Blind are guided. You are the Light Shining through dark branches Illuminating the ascent Through strangling vines. You are the steady Voice That recall me from my confusion, And bids me order my days, That I might turn to you in wonder. Recall me, recall me, sing my name That I might hear Your welcome; Lift me, turn me, to breathe fresh air Above the forest canopy. Would you discover the mystery of God? Would you discovery the limit of the Almighty? Higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? But if you direct your mind, And spread forth your hands toward Him— You will then put misery out of mind, Consider it as water that has flowed past. Life will be brighter than noon; You will shine, you will be like the morning. You will be secure, for there is hope. Job 11:7-8, 13, 16-18 I have set you, Eternal One, continually before me, ever at my side; I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad and my soul can rejoice, for I am safe in Your presence. For You will not abandon me to death nor send Your faithful one to destruction. You show me the path of life. Your presence brings fullness of joy; enduring happiness is Your gift. From Psalm 16, translation from On the Doorposts of Your House For silver, the crucible; for gold, the furnace; for the heart, the living God. (Proverbs 17:3) Creator of the universe, You gave me life, in which joys and sorrows are commingled in accordance with Your wisdom; and You send death, with its promise of eternal peace. Teach me to accept humbly and courageously whatever burden is laid upon me. Comfort me and all who mourn, and let the light of faith illumine the darkness of our sorrow with the hope of immortality. Strengthen us at all times with an unfailing trust in Your providence. On the Doorposts of Your House The Echo of Your Promise Based on Psalm 77 Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis When I cry my voice trembles with fear When I call out it cracks with anger. How can I greet the dawn with song when darkness eclipses the rising sun To whom shall I turn when the clouds of the present eclipse the rays of tomorrow Turn me around to yesterday that I may be consoled by its memories. Were not the seas split asunder did we not once walk together through the waters to the dry side Did we not bless the bread that came forth from the heavens Did not voice not reach my ears and direct my wanderings The waters, the lightning, the thunder remind me of yesterday's triumphs Let the past offer proof of tomorrow let it be my comforter and guarantor. I have been here before known the fright and found your companionship. I enter the sanctuary again to await the echo of your promise. From Healing of Body, Healing of Soul, ed. Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub Acknowledging the Difficulty of Prayer I have always found prayer difficult. So often it seems like a fruitless game of hide-and-seek where we seek and God hides…Yet I cannot leave prayer alone for long. My need drives me to God. And I have a feeling that God has God's own reasons for hiding, and that finally all my seeking will prove infinitely worthwhile. And I am not sure what I mean by "finding." Some days my very seeking seems a kind of "finding." And, of course, if "finding" means the end of "seeking," it were better to go on seeking. (Leslie D. Weatherhed, Gates of Prayer, CCAR, 1975, page 3) Metaphors Only words that would not be trite in the presence of a dying man, only ideas that would not pale in the face of the rising sun or in the midst of a violent earthquake: "God is One” or: "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts . . .” may be used as metaphors in speaking of God. Worth Saving Prayer may not save us, But prayer makes us worth saving. (Abraham Joshua Heschel, from I Asked for Wonder, ed. Samuel H. Dresner Efficacy of Prayer Prayer is a pathway to God which leads us to feel God's love, Not only in the heavens above but within us and within those about us. If we walk on this path with faith, we will feel God's presence here in this room here in our hearts giving us strength, guidance and hope. "When you call Me, and come and pray to Me I will give heed to you. You will search for Me and find Me, if only you seek Me wholeheartedly.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13) Barukh Atah Adonai, Shomei'ah tefilah. We praise you, O God, who hears prayer. from East End Temple's Service of Healing A Prayer for Prayer: O My God My soul's companion My heart's precious friend I turn to You. I need to close out the noise To rise above the noise The noise that interrupts - The noise that separates - The noise that isolates. I need to hear You again. In the silence of my innermost being, In the fragments of my yearned-for wholeness, I hear whispers of Your presence - Echoes of the past when You were with me When I felt Your nearness When together we walked - When You held me close, embraced me in Your love, laughed with me in my joy. I yearn to hear You again. In your oneness, I find healing. In the promise of Your love, I am soothed. In Your wholeness, I too can become whole again. Please listen to my call- help me find the words help me find the strength within help me shape my mouth, my voice, my heart so that I can direct my spirit and find You in prayer In words only my heart can speak In songs only my soul can sing Lifting my eyes and heart to You. Adonai S'fatai Tiftach -open my lips, precious God, so that I can speak with You again. (Rabbi Sheldon Zimmerman) Readings on Fire Take Our Burnt Offerings, Oh God Rabbi Zoë Klein It is written in Deuteronomy 12:6-7: There you are to bring your burnt offerings and other sacrifices, your tithes and contributions, your votive and freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and flocks. Together with your households you shall feast there before the Lord your God, happy… Torah has no punctuation. Time and circumstance punctuate the text. And this time is apocalyptic sky. And this circumstance is wildfire. And so we read verses 6 and 7 differently: There you are to bring your burnt offerings and other sacrifices, your tithes and contributions, your votive and freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and flocks, together with your households. You shall feast there before the Lord your God, happy… Take our burnt offerings, oh God,           And our other sacrifices. Our tithes and contributions,            Our sorrow and confusion. Take our freewill offerings, And our against-our-will offerings. Take the firstlings of our flocks,            And the rest of the flock as well, Take our forests and lizards,            Inchworms and squirrel nests, Honeybees and pine needles,            Mustard flowers and mossy clearings  Take the mother bird along with her eggs            Not by Flood but by Fire, Take our burnt offerings            Together with our households. Dear God, remember Daniel,           Who walked out of the furnace alive. Dear God, remember Moses,           Who saw the burning bush and survived. Dear God, remember Israel,           Who stood at the foot of the mountain while it was aflame. Dear God remember us,           Who beg in your mercy to be saved. Take our burnt offerings, oh God,           Our heated fury at our loss, Our searing terror and scorching devastation,           Our smoldering fear and charred possessions, Our fevered anguish and smoking grief,           Our fuming remorse and explosive laments, Take our burnt offerings, oh God,           And fan in us a scintilla of gratitude, for family and life, Take our burnt offerings, oh God,           And kindle in us instead an ember of love. Take this burnt offering, oh God,           And spark in us the strength and the will to rebuild. Then we shall feast before the Lord our God, happy.           We shall feast before God and be happy. A Prayer by Rabbi Paul Kipnes Eloheinu velohei avoteinu v'imoteinu, Our God and God of our fathers and mothers, As the flames burn, wreaking havoc upon our forests, our homes, our fire fighters,  our sense of security, We turn to You for comfort and support.  Help us to differentiate between flames of destruction and light that shows us Your way. We know that flames can destroy.  A people decimated once, twice but more,  Having passed through infernos set by humans filled with hate, we remember the destructive abilities of these flames.  Remembering that humans set those fires, we lay the blame at their feet, not Yours.  Keep us far from apocalyptic thoughts, for we know that You ask us to care for this world,  an awesome responsibility. We also know that we can seek You in the flames.  We remember Your Loving Hand, guiding us in our infancy: In a burning bush You spoke to Moses, sending him to lead our people out of slavery, In a pillar of fire You lead our people each day through the wilderness to the Promised Land, With black fire on white fire, You wrote the Torah, our guide for living in this world. Through Your light, we found our way.  Be with us now, these smoke and fire-filled days.  Draw us close to those harmed by these flames, hearing their cry, responding to their needs. Lead us to support those who fight the fires, who care for the displaced,  who bring healing to those suffering. Though our attention spans seem so short, may we be slow to forget those who were in danger. And may we all embrace at least one lesson spoken aloud by so many who - facing the flames - rushed to pack up their valuables:  That memories of love and of time spent with family and friends are priceless, holy and sacred.  This can never be taken away.   As we rush to meet the challenge of living in this imperfect world of ours,  May we slow down enough to cherish those who are truly valuable - kadosh/holy - to us. Baruch Ata Adonai, Hamavdil bein kodesh l'chol.  Blessed are You, O God, who differentiates between the truly valuable and everything else. Biblical Readings on Fire There was a great and mighty wind, splitting mountains and shattering rocks by the power of Adonai; but Adonai was not in the wind. After the wind, an earthquake; but Adonai was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake, fire, but Adonai was not in the fire. And after the fire, a still, small voice. (I Kings 19:11-12) Face-to-face, Adonai spoke with you at the mountain from inside the fire. (Deut. 5:4) But now thus said Adonai— Who created you, O Jacob, who formed you, O Israel; Fear not, for I will redeem you; I have singled you out by name; You are Mine. When you pass through water, I will be with you; Through streams, they shall not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, you shall not be scorched; Through flame, it shall not burn you. For I am Adonai your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1-3) Prayers for Strength and Healing Be with me, God. I feel so lost. I can't seem to escape the dark cloud that is hanging over me today. Help me, God. Give me strength to combat despair and fear. Show me how to put my pain into perspective. Teach me to have faith in the new day that is coming. Thank you, God, for today's blessings, for tomorrow's hope, and for Your abiding love. Amen. Teach me always to believe in my power to return to life, to hope, and to You, God, no matter what pains I have endured, no matter how far I have strayed from You. Give me the strength to resurrect my weary spirit. Revive me, God, so I can embrace life once more in joy, in passion, in peace. Amen. When I feel tainted, God, remind me that I am holy. When I feel weak, teach me that I am strong. When I am shattered, assure me that I can heal. When I am weary, renew my spirit. When I am lost, show me that you are near. Amen. May God heal you, body and soul. May your pain cease, May your strength increase, May your fears be released, May blessings, love and joy surround you. Amen. -Rabbi Naomi Levy Talking to God: Personal Prayers for Times of Joy, Sadness, Struggle and Celebration God, make me brave for life: oh, braver than this. Let me straighten after pain, as a tree straightens after the rain, Shining and lovely again. God, make me brave for life: much braver than this. As the blown grass lifts, let me rise from sorrow with quiet eyes, Knowing Thy way is wise. God, make me brave, life brings such blinding things. Help me to keep my sight; help me to see aright That out of doubt comes light. -Author unknown, from Prayers for Healing, ed. Maggie Oman Healing is both an exercise and an understanding And yet not of the will nor of the intention It is a wisdom and a deeper knowledge of the daily swing of life and death in all creation. There is defeat to overcome and acceptance of living to be established and always there must be hope. Not the hope of healing but the hope which informs the coming moment and gives it reason. The hope which is each person's breath the certainty of love and of loving. Death may live in the living And healing rise in the dying for whom the natural end is part of the gathering and the harvest to be expected To know healing is to know that all life is one. From the East End Temple's Service of Healing Mi Shebeirach Mi Shebeirach avoteinu, M'kor hab'rachah l'imoteinu. May the Source of Strength, Who blessed the ones before us, Help us find the courage, to make our lives a blessing, And let us say - Amen. Mi Shebeirach imoteinu, M'kor hab'rachah la'avoteinu. Bless those in need of healing, with r'fuah sh'leima. The renewal of body, the renewal of spirit. And let us say - Amen. (Words and music by Debbie Friedman) Mi Shebeirach Mi she-beir-ach a-vo-tei-nu Avraham, Yitzchak v'Yaakov, V'i-mo-tei-nu Sarah, Rivkah, Leah, v' Rachel, Hu y'va-rech vi-ra-pei et ha-cho-lim ha-ei-leh. Ha-Ka-dosh Ba-ruch Hu yi-ma-lei ra-cha-mim a-lei-hem, L'ha-cha-li-mam u-l'ra-po-tam, l'ha-cha-zi-kam u-l'ha-cha-yo-tam, V'yish-lach la-hem m'he-ra r'fu-ah sh'lei-mah, R'fu-at ha-ne-fesh u-r'fu-at ha-guf, B'toch sh'ar cho-lei Yis-ra-el, Hash-ta ba-a-ga-la u-viz-man ka-riv. V'no-mar a-men. May the One who blessed our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, And our mothers Sarah, Rebecca, Leah and Rachel, bless and heal these ones who are injured, ill, or sick at heart. May the Holy One of blessing be filled with compassion for them, To restore and heal, strengthen and enliven, and quickly send them a complete healing, A healing of soul and a healing of body, among all others who are stricken, Speedily, soon, and without delay. And let us say: Amen. Prayer for a Loss O God, my need is great as I sink into the deep despair and pain of loss. Help me face each hour so that I do not submit to the seemingly endless days and nights of darkness and loneliness. Remind me that life is a journey and death is a destination so that I may heal and regain the essence and appreciation of that which is good and beautiful in life. Grant me health of body and spirit. Give my heart courage and make me whole again. Set my soul free and let me remember the love in the past so that I can give thanks to you for the memories of happy times we had together. Praise to you, God, Healer of the sick at heart. Please hear my prayer and comfort me. Maryann Fenster, from WRJ's Covenant of the Soul Embracing Life Earth, ourselves, breathe and awaken, leaves are stirring, all things moving, new day coming, life renewing. -Pawnee prayer from Prayers for Healing, ed. Maggie Oman Blessed art Thou, oh Lord, every day, Because every day is precious. Every day is a lifetime mirroring all life itself. Thank you for the morning when I feel fresh and young And wake to the beauty all around me. Thank you for the afternoon when the sun is high Suspended in triumph above a work-a-day world. Thank you for the evening when the shadows cast a sheltering palm above the universe Permitting it to pause ready for the dark. Thank you for the night with the ever-present stars To remind me that darkness is never absolute. Thank you for the calm that is restorative, Not a mindless obliteration of reality Thank you for the sleep that heals and strengthens And fills my heart with hope for a new tomorrow. Marcia H., Twelve Steps to Jewish Recovery O God Give me strength to forget Evils over and done, History's fall and fouls, Yesterday's frozen hope. And give me strength to keep watch For fair weather after a stormy day, Incense of flowers And quiet waves. Give me strength to wait and time to hope: Until the last day Strength to keep watch and rejoice As doves are hatched and babes are born As flowers bud and blossom And visions break out and grow. Give me strength, O God. Eliezer Bugatin, from On the Doorposts of Your House Closing Songs Tefilat Haderech May we be blessed as we go on our way May we be guided in peace May we be blessed with health and joy May this our blessing, amen. May we be sheltered by wings of peace May we be kept in safety and in love May grace and compassion find their way to every heart May this be our blessing, amen. Amen, may this be our blessing, amen. -Debbie Friedman Beyado afkid ruchi, B'eit ishan v'a-ira. V'im ruchi g'viyati, Adonai li, v'lo ira. Into Your hands I entrust my spirit, When I sleep and when I wake; And with my spirit, my body also; You are with me; I shall not fear. Comments left on this website are monitored. By posting a comment you are in agreement with Terms & Conditions.

As we travel along the road...

I said to you, "Have no dread or fear of them." 

Deuteronomy 1:29

Awhile ago I was driving on one of the highways here in Phoenix, when the van in front of me was cut-off by a large truck attempting to merge out of it's lane. As I slammed on my brakes, the van spun across the lanes of pavement and eventually came to a stop. Other drivers and I began corralling our vehicles to merge traffic away from the accident. No sooner had I put my car in park, did I jump out to join others in helping. One woman called 9-1-1 from her cell phone, while myself and another gentleman ran towards the van: he to the driver, and myself to open the door of the van to see who was inside. 

As I opened the door of the damaged van, a young girl, around four or five was in a car-seat, strapped in tight. She lifted her blue eyes toward me, enlarged with fear and insecurity at the stranger who was reaching for her seat. Clenched in her hands was a stuffed animal, tears were rolling down her face. I saw other drivers had stopped and I called for another gentleman to help me get her out of the van, we all smelled fuel. Myself and another young woman who had stopped carried her over to the side of the road while the paramedics and police finally arrived on scene and tended to her mother. We kept talking to her, trying to keep her entertained until they were ready to take both to the hospital to be checked out. Luckily neither suffered grave injuries. 

I don't believe I'll soon forget that girl's look of fear, as we tried to maintain our composure, of realizing what had just happened. I recalled thinking, "If I had only left my home a second earlier, I could have been in that spot." The fear of waiting to learn what her mother's injuries were, of how serious the accident was or was not. I remember that feeling fear and the adrenaline that surged through my body. That true sense of being afraid. We all have fear. We all live with fear. Some moments are as great (and unfortunately more so) than a car accident, or losing a job, or a friend, and many others. 

As Moses begins delivering his speeches to the Israelite people on the border of Eretz Yisrael, he reminds the Israelites of when they succumbed to fear, and subsequently lost faith. The fact that this reminder is given at the beginning of the final book of the Torah, is an interesting one. As the "I" in the Bible here is changed from that of G-d's to that of Moshe's, he reminds us of our deviances but more importantly, reminds us of when we were afraid. 

The preceding books of Exodus, Numbers and Leviticus are filled with moments when the Israelites lost their faith, when the fear of their apparent unsure fate overwhelmed them.As humans, it seems as no more do we have free will, do we unanimously enjoin fear in our lives. Whether it be fear of losing a job, losing a friend, or countless other phobias, we all experience fear. Perhaps we even experience fear as much as we do "free will." It may not be "car accident" level moments every time (Baruch Hashem that they aren't) but we all reach that plateau when being afraid, when that fear begins to filter even deeper into our thoughts and hearts. 

Moses begins speaking and points out our history, where and when we have taken perhaps not the highest road available to us. He recounts the many times the Israelites lost faith throughout their journey from Egypt, and therefore, when I would offer: they encountered fear, doubt and despair. In his speeches and teachings in Deuteronomy, Moses constantly refers back to our past, and reminds us ways to grow from where we've come. Constantly we are reminded of our heritage and release (at G-d's hand) from bondage in Egypt. While walking towards the future, lying on the border of the land promised to ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we are pointed to and reminded of our past, of our short-fallings. 

However, while it's important to remember our past, Byrd Bagget, a motivational speaker reminds us to "Look at life through the windshield, not the rear-view mirror." The past makes us who we are, but sometimes it may hinder our forward progress. What I think is most important to draw from is to not let our past allow us to fear. 

Fear is one of those things that we make a mountain out of. Just as we sometimes fixate too much on that rearview mirror, sometimes we focus too much on that mountain outside, that we loose track of our path. It isn't always easy to overlook the scenery, whether its the mountain that's been there, or its the one we've "created." But what's important is our ability to move past those mountains, to not only work past the scenery around us now, but to be able to look ahead: to find courage, even when our path is astray, or difficult to see. 

It's easier said than done. Ask anyone, anywhere and I am sure you will find that we all have had those bridges to cross that were difficult and trying. But that's what life is! Rabbi Nachman of Bretslov is renowned for this quote: 

כל העולם כולו גשר צר מאוד, והעיקר - לא לפחד כלל

Kol haolam kulo gesher tzar m'od, v'haikar: lo lefacheid klal. 

The entire world is but a narrow bridge, but the key is to not fear. 

Life is a difficult mess at times. We may suffer from multiple desires of the heart, a medical problem, a lack or loss of faith in G-d or in others, et cetera ad infinitum (too infinity). The key, as Nachman reminds us, is to not be afraid. Sometimes, it is difficult. Loved ones or ourselves face harm, we get hurt- physically and emotionally. I'll offer a perhaps an easier alternative: try not to fear. Try not to let fear overwhelm us. There are instances when immense fear can strengthen us, as in that car accident. But they key is to not allow it to impair our actions. 

Life is a scary bridge at times. Some of us are looking down at whats below, or in the middle of that bridge, feeling it sway in the wind. Life is a "long and winding road" as Paul McCartney wrote it, surrounded by hills, valleys and mountains and other scenery. What we face is whether we will be moved internally by that bridge swaying, or the perhaps intimidating scenery we can sometimes place in our way. As Moses reminded us of our fear and our past, let us learn to remember where we've come from, but more importantly, remember where we are going, and how to get there. 

I'll leave with a reminder from someone else as well, and a meditation from the prayer R'tzei, which asks for the acceptance of our worship. 

Can I learn to question my doubts even as I have learned to mistrust so much that once seemed clear? I pray that my doubting spirit may learn to entertain hope. And I pray to become free: free to think my thoughts, free to feel, free to love, and free to praise and give thanks for life. May I make of my life an act of reverence- a prayer: the prayer that is its own answer. 

 Gates of Prayer: The New Union Prayerbook

Copyright 1971, The Central Conference of American Rabbis 

The journey of life which we find ourselves on is not a straight line, and it isn't easy. What we strive for and yearn for, is to remain true to our beliefs, to our hopes and to one day find ourselves surrounded in peace. 

L'shalom, 

Sean S 

My Journey to the Rabbinate

Sean E Samitt

My Journey to the Rabbinate

Had someone told me at my Bar Mitzvah that one day I would seriously be considering becoming a Rabbi, my response would have been uncontrollable laughter followed with many naïve reasons as to why “I would never do that.” I’m not sure what turned me off about it. Nevertheless, hineini, here I am wholeheartedly considering it. I’d like to share with you my journey here.

* * *

At my Bar Mitzvah, my father reminded both our family and guests just how fond of Hebrew school I was. He quipped of the days of dragging me to Tempe Israel of Northern Westchester. What few of our guests had realized was that my father’s metaphorical humor was not so much a metaphor as much of a reflection of the day he did literally have to drag me out of the car and pull and push me into the building. I vaguely recall his lectures in the car rides to Temple Israel, explaining why I needed to go.

Having been adopted by my parents at seven months from Paraguay, I was raised more as a “cultural” or secular Jew. My family and I were members of a Reform congregation in Croton, New York. As my Christian friends would speak of those members of their churches who only went to services for Christmas and Easter, we were the Jewish versions, and for many years I only recalled attending one High Holy Day service on Yom Kippur.

The apparent animosity I held for Judaism was not due to a lack of interest or desire, but more just a lack of a connection. I in fact did enjoy the ideas that my religious schoolteachers were hoping to convey to my classmates and I. I endured as much religious school fever as my classmates did. The grueling hours spent on Sundays and Tuesday afternoons. I didn’t mind the subject, but the fact that I was sitting locked in a classroom while my non-Jewish friends were out playing soccer and basketball didn’t help anyone’s attempts to help me want to grow spiritually and religiously. To my mind, going to school for long periods of time would cause hair to recede and a bald spot where one would place a kippah (because of this I would actually refuse to wear one for about a year and a half).

I would sit in the sanctuary for afternoon T’filah and count the pages remaining in the service. I knew Hebrew, I was taught vague meanings of the prayers, but it just didn’t click for me. I would recite the prayers by rote and not gain anything meaningful. I would sit in the pews and wonder if that was really all there was. At the time, I didn’t have a connection. I was there because my parents expected me to become a Bar Mitzvah but if it were up to me, I would have been out on the basketball courts with my friends those Tuesdays.

I remember my Bar Mitzvah quite well. I was up early that morning polishing off my chants and going over the brachot I would be helping lead in a few hours. My parasha was Ki Teitzei and I was able to form some connections to the portion and create a meaningful D’var Torah. Yet even though I understood the Hebrew and I was able to draw some parallels to teach from, I had a difficult time understanding why exactly I was there.

During the ceremony, many times Rabbi Jaech and Cantor Sher pointed out how we were there, that the Torah had been passed “l’dor v’dor” from generation to generation of the Children of Israel, the Scrolls containing the “Story of our people’s life from Sinai until now.” We read of the teachings and insights gained from our ancestors’ history. One thing that my Cantor told us that day did resonate. He said, “May you remember what you learned this day, how you learned it, and most importantly why you learned it. And as your journeys continue, and whether those journeys lead you or you lead them, remember what you accomplished and that will help you overcome and obstacle or challenge that lies in your way.”

I’m not sure why that was one of the things that actually did remain in the back of my head from that day. Rabbi Jaech wrapping me in my tallis that morning, and realizing that the shawl that was being draped over my shoulders was more than just a piece of cloth meant to fulfill an ancient commandment, but that it was my late grandfather’s: the one he was married to my grandmother in. He had been gone for years, but that moment I remembered my parents taking me to see him in the hospital, his eyes no longer able to see. I remember he held me and used his fingers and touch to “see” his grandson, playing with my toes, fingers and face.

Rabbi Jaech shared with us the blessing of the Jewish people:

Y’varechecha Adonai v’yishmarecha

May G-d bless you, and keep you.

Ya’eir Adonai panav eilecha, v’kuneka

May G-d’s light shine upon you and be gracious to you.

Yisa Adoani panav eilecha v’yasem l’cha Shalom. 

May G-d be with you always, and may He grant you peace. 

Hearing those words, I was half asleep. Yet, there was a meaning to them. Little did I know the hard work of my teachers and clergy would be another stepping stone in my journey. I thought I was finally finished. On that wet, rainy afternoon in September of 2006, as I walked with the rest of my friends to the bus to my party, I thought it was one of the last times I would step into a sanctuary.

* * *

My Bar Mitzvah was just one of the first experiences I would have with my Jewish identity. In school I was bullied and beat up because I was Jewish. It was a few months later, and I couldn’t understand what would cause someone to have such a large animosity against a people to become violent. I had hardly gone to synagogue, why me? There were other kids who were Jewish in my school. While I don’t think I was beat up for a reason other than that I had a chai around my neck, a desire to understand more about the label I apparently had began to develop.

As I left middle school, my family picked up and left New York for the wild, Wild West. I was a strong math student with a passion for flying. Enter: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. That was my goal, to earn wings and fly. As my family and I traveled across the country to Prescott, Arizona, more instances of anti-Semitism cropped up as we traveled through the small rural, Christian-dominated towns of the “Heartland.” Most notably: someone’s van in Prescott. Silently signs were hung such as “Hitler was right,” or “The Jews must go.” Again, the lack of attachment to Judaism resonated in my mind and heart.

I began high school at Tri-city Prep, a school of two hundred students. As my family began settling into our new lives in Prescott, my father got in touch with the local Jewish synagogue, Temple B’rith Shalom. In school, I found myself being the only Jew, and found my peers having a myriad of questions from their predominantly Christian community. So I began searching for answers. My dad had suggested us going to a service or two. My curiosity was peaking and, alas, I couldn’t drive and go somewhere else, so I donned a kippah and went along.

The Friday night service we went to was a choir service, filled with music and the congregation joining in song over the ancient texts. My dad and I began remembering the prayers that both of us had learned in our preparations for becoming b’nai mitzvah. The siddur began to connect me to those afternoons in Croton, New York. But the music stopped me from counting pages. Soon after that service, my dad insisted I join the choir, so I did.

* * *

Joining the choir forced me to relearn the prayers and Hebrew that I had allowed myself to forget. The melodies brought a different meaning to the texts I had wrestled with when I was in religious school. It was as if the words of the siddur had come alive. I was no longer just reciting. I was reading the prayers, concentrating on what I was singing or reading. I developed a sense of praying in the moment. This kavanah and ruach I had not experienced before.

As my time with the choir continued, so did my curiosity, delving into various books and actually paying attention to the various Torah portions throughout the year. Eventually, at the direction of Gwenda Krochock, or choir director, I began singing some solos and call and response prayers. The music leads me to a new state of kavanah, and I was enjoying the new experiences I was having with what only a year or two prior had been a dry, dull afternoon spent in school.

            Soon Temple B’rith Shalom welcomed Rabbi Berkowitz back into the rabbinate, and while he was hesitant at first, entertained my voice at services and would invite me to sing solos during Friday’s Kabbalat Shabbat services. As my voice and repertoire developed, slowly I began singing more often, making more and more trips from my seat in the congregation up to the bimah. During the oneg, the congregants would always tell me that I should become a cantor, and that my voice was quite good for an untrained teenager.

I remember one Kabbalat Shabbat service rather vividly: I had been signing a couple of pieces solo or as a lead when Rabbi Berkowitz came up to me prior to services. He told me that he was feeling a little under the weather and his words went something like this: “Do you remember the Reader’s Kaddish and the V’ahavta from your Bar Mitzvah?” I hesitantly said yes, wondering what he had up his sleeve, and wondering if I actually did remember the whole thing. His next question was: “Why don’t you grab a tallis and join me on the bimah.” And so it began…

I would occasionally come up to the bimah to lead a prayer or two, and within a few months I found myself just sitting on the bimah, helping lead almost every prayer, and enjoying it. The words of the siddur were becoming engrained in my mind and heart, and I began hoping to share the spirit and ruach that prayers and being Jewish gave to me with the congregation through my voice.

In school I began to see that my Jewish identity was one that would not be separated from Sean Samitt, whether for the good or the bad. Teachers and peers wanted to know more of my faith and beliefs; usually to learn, but occasionally to argue and belittle my incongruence with being a Christian. I recall a couple of instances where the divide truly did exist between my peers and I.

Having grown up in New York in an area with no less than five synagogues within a 20-minute drive from my house, and a high population of Jewish families, most New York school districts would close for any Jewish High Holy Days which fell during the week due to the high level of absences of families observing the holidays. When we moved to Arizona, it was a shock to find out that I would need to take a personal absence to attend synagogue and observe those days. Although at the end those absences did not count against me, it was still a shock.

I was involved in many school activities at my high school, and I remember once being asked, “well, you [Jews] still believe in Jesus and the Bible, right?” The student who had asked was entirely serious. I'm sure you can only imagine my response. 

But as I kept going through high school, my dreams and desires kept pushing me towards Embry-Riddle. As I began studying there, I realized that although I did enjoy flying, that I was not a physical candidate to fly, and then changed my studies to Aerospace Engineering. That path was not right still and I again changed my major and still felt that I was not doing something that I would love or enjoy. 

Ultimately I decided to end my time at ERAU. That was a hard realization to come to. Personally, I had to conclude and accept that my dreams had changed, and had not been as concrete as I thought they were. And in addition, I had to then share that with my family. We had moved and left our life in New York, with Riddle being a factor in that decision.

So I enrolled myself in community college to keep myself in school. As what I was working for in school had taken a break, I began spending more time at synagogue, singing more often at services and helping out with the religious school: teaching music, working with the kids on Sundays and helping out with the youth group. My Jewish identity continued to grow stronger. 

As I began wondering what was next, I was starting to see some sort of picture of something in social work or psychology, not really considering the rabbinate. I had constantly repeated to myself that I was just "not that type of person," that I was spiritually interested in Judaism and had a desire to spread the ruach and kavanah that I experienced through prayer and music with others; but I did not see myself as someone who would consider becoming a member of clergy. 

As I kept on questioning myself, members of B'rith Shalom would continue telling me that I should become a cantor or rabbi. I would hear it, but I wouldn't listen to it, it felt more like my grandmother was telling me what to wear to school, rather than getting ideas for a career.

But slowly, as I started asking myself what I wanted to do, the answers were starting to come, at least what I thought were the answers. After one of the Shabbat services, I found myself sitting at a coffee shop just simply asking myself: "well why not?" And... I couldn't come up with any answer. To this day I still don't have an answer as to why I shouldn't. I began this inner struggle with myself to understand what I wanted, not what my family or congregation wanted. 

Upon talking to other rabbis, some had mentioned that their path to the rabbinate was a “calling” or something Divine. Although I am not sure I would say it is a “calling” in that sense, I do feel as if this has happened for a reason and that I am meant to choose this path. Rabbi Nina Perlmutter pointed out to me that she knew she had to do it when she couldn’t stop thinking about becoming a rabbi. And that is where I am now. 

It isn't really me looking to find a career or a way to make money after college, but just wanting to find what I want to do. And what I have found is that I want to serve and help others, spiritually and emotionally and physically. And I don't see other options, I don't see myself being happy doing anything but that. It is a true desire to serve and grow and lead. 

I could become a doctor or a social worker or a teacher, but I feel that although I could do any of those, that rabbi is one that sticks out. That when I look into the other "careers" my mind just drifts back to the rabbinate. 

My reasoning comes down to this: 

·       I love being Jewish. I truly do (which I would think is a good thing in this case).

·       I love the culture of Judaism. The sense of community of that extended family. Even though all families are annoying and there's always the uncle who talks too much, or the grandmother, or the mother-in-law, etc. that can drive you nuts. They are still always there. That sense of support is always meaningful and important to me. 

·       I love the teachings Judaism offers us. Life is hard and trying and difficult. And no one has all the answers, but the sages and rabbis sometimes knew what they where talking about. And what they have said has meaning to our lives even today.

One of my favorite sayings is one from Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. He writes: 

כּלל לפחד לא והעקר מאד צר גשר כּלוֹ העוֹלם כּל

"Kol haolam kulo gesher tzar m'od. V'haikar lo lefacheid klal."  

The whole world is a very narrow bridge. The main thing, the key, is to not fear. 

That speaks a lot to me. And to what we need to do. Things aren't easy and can be tough but sometimes we just need to keep faith in something. Not even a god (although that is part of my belief) but just faith in friends and family or whatever or whomever and just keep fighting and go on. 

The history, passion, music and liturgy have meaning to me now.

The Hebrew--- eh, still not too fond of that. But I recall someone saying that loving something means doing what you hate regardless. 

The most important thing in my experience is just that sense of compassion. From my Bar Mitzvah I was talking about Ki Teitzei, where we are reminded to care for the fatherless, the widow and the stranger. And we are reminded of that constantly. And that alone is a very important thing to always think of others. The sense of compassion that we are expected to uphold.

I hope to one-day just help to repair the world, Tikkun Olam. Even if not the entire world: just one person. The sages taught that if you kill one person it is as if you have killed the world, but if you save one person it is as if you saved a whole world. 

I have a burning desire inside to help others. My friends, my family, even though I’m sure I drive them nuts. Anyone. Just to help, whether it’s doing something or just talking or listening. I yearn to keep the flame alive that has withered at the winds of time. So for now I will keep contemplating and thinking. 

I do hope, and I do think this is true, that in two years time I will find myself in rabbinical school. I cannot get it out of my mind or heart.

 L'shalom, In peace, 

Sean E Samitt