Rabbi 360

With hearts broken over the ongoing violence in Gaza, especially with the news this week of the most recent killing of humanitarian aid workers, my friend and hevruta Rabbi Andy Vogel and I used our weekly study time to collaborate and compose this prayer for the moment. I plan to share it with my community, and I invite you to use it as you desire.

אלֹהֵינוּ אֱלֹהֵי כָל בָּשָׂר
יוֹצְ֒רֵֽנוּ יוֹצֵר בְּרֵאשִׁית
Eloheinu, Elohei chol basar,
Yotzreinu, Yotzer bereshit
Our God, God of all human beings,
Who created each person with a spark of the Divine,

We pray for the urgent protection of human life.

May we recall that You give life to all, and sustain all life through Your love,
and may we remember Your instruction to us
that preserving life is our highest duty in our service to You,
אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה אֹתָ֛ם הָאָדָ֖ם וָחַ֣י בָּהֶ֑ם,
that we fulfill our humanity in the safeguarding of human life. (Lev. 18:5)

So, we pray:
May the destruction of innocent life come to an end.
May the ruin that comes from war cease now.
May each life be treated as a sacred treasure, as You have intended.

In a time of growing darkness, grant us the strength to be beacons of light,
defenders of the vulnerable, and champions of justice.
May our hearts be filled with compassion, our minds with wisdom,
and our hands with action,
as we strive to safeguard the dignity and well-being of all Your children.

May none stand idly by the blood of any other.

For we know that
the lives, security and peace of us all –
Jew, Muslim and Christian;
Israeli and Palestinian,
are bound up with each other, all as one.
We are all one and connected.

So, may we fulfill the words of the Psalms:
ס֣וּר מֵ֭רָע וַעֲשֵׂה־ט֑וֹב בַּקֵּ֖שׁ שָׁל֣וֹם וְרׇדְפֵֽהוּ
“Turn away from harm and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:15)

May peace and justice fill Your world.
May we be among those who speak out and resist evil.
And may we be among those who make peace and pursue justice.

Amen.