El Malei Rahamim, God, full of compassion, who transcends all worlds and yet is close to the brokenhearted, we cry out to you in this devastating and destabilizing moment, as is written in our sacred Writings, “We pour our hearts out like water before Your presence, and we raise our hands to You over the lives of Your innocent ones” (Lamentations 2:19).
Matir assurim, God who liberates captives, watch over and be with those who have been callously and cruelly abducted – soldier and civilian, man, woman, and child. Have compassion upon them, and bring them from suffering to relief, from darkness to light, and from subjugation to redemption, ensuring their swift and safe return home (Mahzor Vitry, Shabbat 199:3). Somekh nof’lim, God who lifts the fallen, send comfort and strength to the bereaved families and friends of those who have been brutally and brazenly murdered; let the souls of our lost loved ones find perfect peace in Your eternal embrace, bind them to us in the bonds of everlasting life, and help us ensure their memories endure as a source of blessing. Rofei holim, God who heals the sick and injured, send a full and speedy recovery to the wounded, and grant all those providing care strength and wisdom, resources and resilience.
Tzur Yisra’el v’Go-alo, Rock and Redeemer of Israel, shield all our brothers and sisters in our holy land with the serene shelter of Your sukkah of peace, as was written in the manner of David, Your servant, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, May those who love her rest tranquil, May there be peace within your walls, tranquility in your palaces, For the sake of my family and friends, let me please pray for your peace, for the sake of the dwelling place of The Infinite our God, let me seek your good” (Psalm 122:6-9).
Adonai tzeva’ot, Infinite One of Multitudes, guard and protect those who defend our brothers and sisters in our holy land, granting them courage and clarity, and equipping them to overcome and subdue those who would harm, and then hide behind, the innocent. Ribbono shel Olam, Sovereign and Teacher of the world, shine the light of Your truth to Israel’s leaders, officers, and advisers, guiding them to see Your image in all people, aligning them Your standard of righteousness, and planting in them “the precepts of liberty, justice, and peace taught by” Your prophets, so that they may advance the age when “bow and sword and battle will be banished from the land, and all may lie down secure.” (Israeli Declaration of Independence; Hosea 2:20).
Hovev amim, Lover of all peoples, ready us to rescue our holy land from the spilling of blood, remembering that You have called upon us as Your children to safeguard one another and to dwell together in peace. Steady us with Your spirit, so that together we may make “justice roll down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream” (Amos 5:24), and speedily bring about the day when “when nation will not raise up sword against nation, and they will never again learn war” (Isaiah 2:4).
And let us say, Amen.
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