© 2002 United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula
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Our G-d and the G-d of our Ancestors
G-d of Abraham, G-d of Isaac and G-d of Jacob,
We remember Your relationship with us- the word you commanded for a
thousand generations.
The deal you cut with Abraham, your oath to Isaac, that you established for Jacob as a law, an everlasting BRIS-relationship, saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan, the lot of your heritage".
O L-rd; The Jewish Nation- Klal Yisrael is in terrible distress. Waves of animosity crash against us from all sides. Violent and tragic death have become a daily reality.
We are all aware of the teachings of our sages that "When someone comes to kill you, you must arise and kill him first." It is this rule of self-defense that is most basic to human existence.
We are also aware of the Jewish teaching that tells us that "One who is compassionate to the cruel is ultimately cruel to the compassionate." Yet the task that confronts us is extremely painful. We are not concerned with those who would deny us our right to self-defense. Our conscience does not trouble us when we hear that members of the Nobel committee wish to revoke the Peace Prize given to Shimon Peres; while a man who sends women, children and ambulances into our cities to explode and kill innocents is pitied and encouraged. Perhaps we are disappointed in some of our fellow men's refusal to see clearly. But our consciences are clear.
Yet, L-rd, the task pains us. For we are a nation that from its inception, through Abraham, has taught its children and indeed the whole world to keep Your way, doing TZEDAKA, charity, and MISHPAT, justice. We are a nation that on a daily basis concludes its blessings and prayers with a request for a renewed infusion of SHALOM, peace. Ribono shel Olam, Master of the World, you have many means at Your disposal. On our end, Help us do our utmost to remember that the last fifty-four years have been so much more than yet another European colonization experiment doomed to fail, G-d forbid. Help us remember the very real and undeniable relationship we have with the Land of Israel and Yerushalayim- Jerusalem. Amidst all the death, do not let us forget our millennia-long dedication to life and its preservation. We of course can never forget that Netzach, Victory, for this young state and for the Jewish people it houses, has never meant anything less than survival. Yet in our drive for victory in war, let us not relinquish our history of compassion.
And L-rd, on your end, turn the hearts of those who have resorted to death so that they feel remorse and can then turn towards life. Bring Simcha- Joy- L'Artzecha- to Your land, V'Sasson- and exuberance- L'Irecha- to your city Jerusalem. Bring to fruition the hope of King David- Hashem Oz L'Amo Yitein, G-d will give strength, resolve, to His nation, Hashem Yivarech es Amo BaShalom, G-d will bless his nation with peace.