Dear Temple Israel of Catskill Family,

I am drawing down from the heavens and praying like I have never prayed before. I’m praying for the souls of those who have died that they be surrounded by the arms of the Divine and kept safe. I am praying for the remaining hostages that they be released immediately into the arms of their loved ones. I am praying for every person, that we may all know peace and each of us become ambassadors of peace, spreading goodness wherever we go. Please join me if you could use the comfort of community and a safe space to share your feelings and thoughts. 

Meanwhile I am sharing a prayer for peace that speaks deeply to me.

In prayer for peace for every person on this planet,

Rabbi Zoe

Rabbi Nachman’s Prayer for Peace

May it be Your will,
Holy One, our God, our ancestors’ God,
that you erase war and bloodshed from the world
and in its place draw down
a great and glorious peace
so that nation shall not lift up sword against nation
neither shall they learn war any more.

Rather, may all the inhabitants of the earth
recognize and deeply know
this great truth:
that we have not come into this world
for strife and division
nor for hatred and rage, 
nor provocation and bloodshed.

We have come here only
to encounter You,
eternally blessed One.

And so,
we ask your compassion upon us;
raise up, by us, what is written:

I shall place peace upon the earth
and you shall lie down safe and undisturbed
and I shall banish evil beasts from the earth
and the sword shall not pass through your land.
but let justice come in waves like water
and righteousness flow like a river,
for the earth shall be full
of the knowledge of the Holy One
as the waters cover the sea.

So may it be.
And we say:
Amen.