ROSH HASHANAH 5786 SECTION D, PAGE 24
Hillel Goldberg:
I begin my prayer with contradictions: Please, G-d, destroy all of Israel’s enemies; and, please G-d, end the deaths of innocents in Gaza; and, please G-d, release all of the hostages; and please, G-d, heal the wounds of the injured and the bereaved in Israel, Ukraine and elsewhere. I cannot figure out how all this is to be achieved, and so this is my prayer: I put it all on you, O L-rd. Only You can figure it all out and make it all happen — so that we may have peace and safety and harmony in and around the Land of Israel, and for Jews and humanity worldwide.
Steve Mark:
I’ve always felt that Mi Shebeirach is one of the more powerful prayers we share. Today, we especially need that healing.
Between the murder of Charlie Kirk and the latest school shooting in Evergreen, we are all on edge. Toxic political rhetoric has gotten worse, so much so, it seems, that everyone knows someone fed up enough to move to another country. Another country!
We need, I am sure, a dose of healing, with a sprinkle more of tolerance, which can go a long way.
“Grant him/her a complete and speedy recovery — healing of body and healing of soul. And let us say: Amen.”
Larry Hankin:
This New Year, it is better to look ahead than to look back. 5785 was not the best year with the sustained Israel-Hamas war and hostage situation, seemingly endless fighting between Ukraine and Russia, school shootings and political assassinations in the US and growing expressions of anti-Semitism around the world.
Let’s look to the New Year with a focused hope for peace and the resolve to stand up to hate wherever it may be.
We should also take the New Year as a time to remind ourselves of what is right in our lives — family, friends and health.
Lori Aron:
In spite of the hatred, the demonstrations, the anger and the darkness, we pray for peace and light in the world.
I hope this year will bring more closeness, acceptance and lover for all.
Karen Galatz:
L’shanah tovah tikateivu v’teichateimu
Anyada bueno, dulse, i alegre
No matter how you say it, may the New Year bring you and yours health and happiness.
Chaim Goldberg:
For the upcoming year, I pray for the redemption and rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. I pray for peace: physical peace, spiritual peace, and verbal peace. I pray for the physical and psychological well-being of all, but especially for the IDF soldiers, the reservists and their families.
I pray that we are able to debate ideas, not demonize people. I pray that the upcoming election season in Israel somehow gives way to greater unity and not, G-d forbid, greater division.
Jordan Friedman:
Rabbeinu Yonah Gerondi wrote, quoting the Sages (Shabbat 151b and Yalkut Shmuel 121) “whoever is merciful to his fellow creatures will be treated mercifully by Hashem,” and “whoever acts mercifully to the cruel, will ultimately act with cruelty to those who are merciful” (translation, R. Yosef Leibler).
During these days of trepidation and awe, may you be inscribed in the Book of Life for a year of meriting the reward that comes from being merciful toward your fellow creatures. May you find the courage to withhold mercy from the cruel. And, may you be endowed with the wisdom to know which choice is the right one at every turn.
Kathi Handler:
Our rabbis warn us not to exchange cross words.
Wishing only sweetness and peace for the New Year, freedom for the hostages, strength for those who protect us and a change of heart for our enemies.
Marc Angel:
May the memories of our loved ones be a source of blessing, strength and happiness to us. May our aspirations for our future generations be fulfilled with goodness and G-dliness.
May our families today be blessed with faith, courage, peace and prosperity.
May the Alm-ghty give strength to Israel and the Jewish People, may the
Alm-ghty bless us with genuine peace.
We pray for good health and happiness, peace for Israel and all good people everywhere.
Lucy Sullivan:
There is something missing in our World . . . Peace . . . Love . . . and Unity.
We all need to open up our hearts and become one with G-d and the Universe.
Tehilla Goldberg:
I pray the war ends, in strength and security for the people and the land of Israel.
I pray our hostages are returned immediately and alive.
I pray our soldiers remain as safe as possible and will soon rerun home to their civilian lives.
I pray that this season of life, when sadly we have been surrounded by so much pain and desensitization to life, will bring new, wonderful, life- affirming opportunities.
Shana Goldberg:
Last Rosh Hashanah, the Torah reading on the second day hit me differently. We read of Abraham being tested by G-d, told to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac. A tale that speaks of ancient rites and moral dilemmas. I was overwhelmed, for this was no longer theoretical but contemporary.
All the questions — how could Abraham even contemplate sacrificing his child? Why did Isaac submit? Did Abraham and Isaac intend to see it through? — were no longer hypothetical. For the prior year, and now at the cusp of 5786 an additional year has passed since Oct. 7, 2023, parents and children have been sacrificing themselves for the security of Israel and the Jewish people.
Hundreds of Isaacs and thousands of Abrahams — soldiers and their parents; hostages; Oct. 7, 2023 casualties; Oct. 7, 2023 heroes who were murdered defending their friends and families.
“And Isaac spoke to Abraham his father, and he said, ‘My father!’ And he said, ‘Here I am, my son.’ And he said, ‘Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’” (Gen. 22:7).
“Here I am — hineni,” the same one-word answer Abraham has for G-d six verses earlier when he is instructed to undertake this journey. The same one-word answer of the Abrahams and Isaacs among us today.
“And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and he saw, and lo! there was a ram, caught in the thicket by its horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son” (Gen. 22:13).
Please G-d, let our eyes lift up and see the ram! Let the story of Isaac and Abraham be totally relegated to the past as we welcome the Messiah and the redemption of the Jewish People and all of humanity.
