Suggested Prayers in the Wake of the Terrorist Attacks in America
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In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade
Center and the Pentagon, many are seeking appropriate prayers to express
their feelings. I offer these suggestions. Thanks to the rabbi at
AskMoses.com who provided me with many
of these suggestions.
Jews have always relied on Tehillim (Psalms) in times of trouble. For example,
when a relative is sick, people often recite psalms for their welfare. Psalms
can be found in any bible. Some psalms that are particularly appropriate
at this time include Psalm 20, 23, 79, 91 and 123.
Another prayer that will strike a chord with many at this time is Av
Ha-Rachameem. It is a memorial prayer intended for martyrs who died for their
faith; nevertheless, its themes of grief, of honoring the dead, and of faith
that G-d will not allow their murderers to go unpunished are very appropriate
to the mood of this country. I have included the full text of this prayer
in Hebrew, transliteration and English below.
Finally, a prayer for the welfare of our government is certainly in order.
I have included the full text of that prayer in Hebrew, transliteration and
English below.
| Av Ha-Rachameem |
Av ha-rachameem shocheyn m'romeem, b'rachamayv ha-atzoomeem
hu yeef'kod b'rachameem ha-chaseedeem, v'ha-y'shareem, v'ha-t'meemeem,
k'heelot ha-kodesh shemas'ru naf'sham al k'dooshat ha-Shem
Ha-ne'ehaveem v'han'eemeem b'chayayhem uv'motam lo neef'radu.
Meen'shareem kalu umey'arayot gaveyru
la'asot reetzon konam v'cheyfetz tzooram
Compassionate Father Who dwells on high, in His powerful compassion
may he remember with compassion the devout, the upright, and the blameless
ones,
the holy communities who gave their lives for the sanctification of the [Divine]
Name
Those who were beloved and pleasant in their lifetime were not parted in
their death.
They were quicker than eagles and stronger than lions
to do the will of their Creator's will and the wish of their Rock. |
Yeez'c'reym Eloheynu l'tovah eem sh'ar tzadeekay olam.
V-yeenkom l'eyneynu neekmat dam avadayv ha-shafookh.
Ka-katoov b'Torat Moshe, eesh ha-Eloheem,
Ha-r'neenu goyeem amo, kee avadayv yeekom
v'nakam yasheev l'tzrayv;
v'keeper ad'mato amo.
May our G-d remember them for good with the other righteous of the world.
May He bring retribution before our eyes for the spilled blood of His
servants.
As is written in the Torah of Moses, the man of G-d,
"Sing aloud, nations of His people, because He will avenge the blood of His
servants
and He will bring retribution on His adversaries;
and He will expiate His land and His people." (Deuteronomy 32:43) |
V'al y'day avadekha, han'vee'eem, katoov ley'mor
"V'neekeytee, damam lo neekeytee v'Adonay shocheyn b'Tzeeyon."
Uv'keet'vey hakodesh ne'emar,
"Lamah yo'm'ru ha-goyeem, 'ayey Eloheyhem?' Yeevada ba-goyeem
l'eyneynu, neekmat dam avadekha ha-shafookh."
And by the hands of Your servants, the prophets, is written saying,
"Though I cleanse, their bloodshed I will not cleanse when G-d dwells in
Zion." (Joel 4:21)
And in the Holy Writings it is said,
"Why should the nations say, 'Where is their G-d?' Let it be known among
the nations,
before our eyes, the avenging of Your servants' spilled blood." (Psalms 79:10). |
V'omeyr "Kee doreysh dameem otam zakhar;
Lo shakhach tza'a'kat anaveem."
V'omeyr "Yadeen ba-goyeem malay g'veeyot,
Machatz rosh al eretz rabah.
Meenachal ba-derekh yeesh'teh, al keyn yeereem rosh."
And it says "For the Avenger of blood has remembered them;
He has not forgotten the cry of the humble." (Psalms 9:13).
And it says, "He will judge the nations filled with corpses,
He will crush the head of the large land.
From a river along the way he shall drink, therefore he may lift up his head."
(Psalms 110:6-7) |
| Prayer for the Welfare of the Government |
Ha-noteyn t'shu'ah lam'lakheem umem'shalah lan'seekheem,
malkhuto malkhut kol olameem,
ha-potzeh et David, avdo, maykherev ra'ah,
ha-noteyn ba-yam derekh uv'mayeem azeem n'teevah,
hu y'vareykh et ha-nasee, v'et meesh'neyhu, v'et kol saray ha-m'deenot
ha-eylu.
He Who grants victory to kings and dominion to rulers,
Whose kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
Who released David, His servant, from the evil sword,
Who gave a road through the sea and a path through the mighty waters,
may He bless the President, the Vice President, and all the government officers
of this country. |
Melekh mal'khay ha-m'lakheem, b'rachamayv y'chayeym v-yeesh'm'reym
u-meekol tzara v-yagon vanezek.
Yatzeeleym v-yeeteyn b'leebam uv'leyv kol yo'atzeyhem
V'sareyhem la'asot tovot eemanu v'eem kol Yisrael acheynu.
Bee-y'meyhem uv-yameynu, teevasha Y'huda v'Yisrael yeesh'kon lavetach,
uva l'Tzeeyon Go'el. V'kheyn y'hee ratzon.
V'nomar ameyn.
The King Who rules over kings, in His compassion may He sustain them and
protect them
from every trouble, woe and injury.
May he rescue them and put into their heart and into the heart of all their
counsellors
compassion to do good with us and with all Israel, our brothers.
In their days and our days, may Judah be saved and may Israel dwell securely,
and may the Redeemer come to Zion. So may it be his will.
And let us say, Amen. |
© Copyright 5762 (2001), Tracey R
Rich
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