Prayer for the End of Life that our Offspring Continue to Walk the Torah Path

Parashat Vayechi

Prayer for the End of Life
that our Offspring Continue to Walk the Torah Path

 
Life on earth is only temporary and short.
In the end, the children will our soul escort.

 
Let us not leave this world before confessing,
and imparting the children with our blessing.

 
May we merit organizing all that we possess,
avoiding leaving behind a burdensome mess.

 
Hashem help us impart love of G-d to our dependents!
What could be a greater value for all our descendants?

 
Help the children feel that they to the family belong.
Make peace between them, so they will always get along.

 
May they and their children learn history, English and math.
Yet, let their main effort be to excel on the Torah path! 

 
May they be balanced, modest, and kind,
slow to anger, soft-spoken, and refined! 

 
Let them be devoted to pursuing the truth of the Torah,
igniting and shining their light like the candles of the menorah!

 
May they find suitable, compatible spouses,
with whom to settle in comfortable houses! 

 
Help ensure that our children’s basic needs are perpetually met!
May they preserve everything that we have built with our blood and sweat!

 
Please G-d that they will tend to every tree that we have planted,
and keep taking care of the garden that they will be granted!

 
Let them find their garden lush and enchanting, 
continuing their own building and planting!

 
Please help our children succeed in their endeavors.
May their descendants keep the Torah forever!

 
Guide them to interact with the world as Your shaliach!
May they merit living to greet the light of Mashiach!

Based on the Book of Bereishit Chapter 48 and 49

Prayer for Reconciliation, Unity and Peace Within the Family

Parashat Vayigash

Prayer for Reconciliation, Unity, and Peace Within the Family 

So many beautiful families are sadly split apart.

Sentiments of love and peace I yearn to impart.

 

Why do our vital relationships have to be so askew?

Hashem, please help us to heal, so we can start anew!

Truth is to see the whole picture from A to Z

For that, we need to be moving from ‘me’ to ‘we.’

 

Hashem, help open our perception beyond the narrow lies,

so we can relate and regard each other with refreshed eyes.

 

Guide us to become good daughters, wives, sisters, and mothers,   

to relate seamlessly and get along with our sisters and brothers.

 

Hashem, help us repair our essential family bond,

so we can show love to every one of whom we are fond.

 

On our path to healing our relationship’s hurtful breach,

help us stir away from satiric, insensitive speech.

Rectified communication is such a vital art.

Teach us to speak clearly, directly from our heart.

 

Purify our ears from anything we may have misheard.

Let us realize that the ‘offence’ may never have occurred. 

 

May we resolve misunderstandings and clean out old pain,

so that our arduous efforts to reconcile won’t be in vain!

 

Help us realize that painful interaction comes to release

old festering wounds, so that the soreness can finally cease.

 

Who has appointed us to become prosecutor and judge?

Let us remove the slightest tinge of resentment and grudge!

 

Why must we carry the burden of aversion and spite,

when letting it go clears away the obstacles to unite.

 

Refine our hearts from every negative emotion and lack of love,

Remember we are only human, and we need help from the One Above.   

Based on the Book of Bereishit Chapter 45 verse 3-7

 

ספר בראשית פרק מה פסוק ג

וַיֹּאמֶר יוֹסֵף אֶל אֶחָיו אֲנִי יוֹסֵף הַעוֹד אָבִי חָי וְלֹא יָכְלוּ אֶחָיו לַעֲנוֹת אֹתוֹ כִּי נִבְהֲלוּ מִפָּנָיו:

(ד) וַיֹּאמֶר יוֹסֵף אֶל אֶחָיו גְּשׁוּ נָא אֵלַי וַיִּגָּשׁוּ וַיֹּאמֶר אֲנִי יוֹסֵף אֲחִיכֶם אֲשֶׁר מְכַרְתֶּם אֹתִי מִצְרָיְמָה:

(ה) וְעַתָּה אַל תֵּעָצְבוּ וְאַל יִחַר בְּעֵינֵיכֶם כִּי מְכַרְתֶּם אֹתִי הֵנָּה כִּי לְמִחְיָה שְׁלָחַנִי אֱלֹהִים לִפְנֵיכֶם:... (ז) וַיִּשְׁלָחֵנִי אֱלֹהִים לִפְנֵיכֶם לָשׂוּם לָכֶם שְׁאֵרִית בָּאָרֶץ וּלְהַחֲיוֹת לָכֶם לִפְלֵיטָה גְּדֹלָה

“Then Yosef said to his brothers, ‘I am Yosef. Is my father still alive?’ but his brothers could not answer him because they were startled by his presence. Then Yosef said to his brothers, ‘Please come closer to me,’ and they drew closer. And he said, ‘I am your brother Yosef, whom you sold into Egypt. But now do not be grieved, nor angry with yourselves that you sold me here; for it was to preserve life that G-d sent me before you G-d sent me before you to make for you a remnant in the land, and to preserve you alive for a great deliverance” (Bereishit 45:5,7).

PARSHAT VAYIGASH from TAL CHERMON

By Rav Shlomo Aviner, translated by Bracha Slae

 

ספר בראשית פרק מה פסוק יד וַיִּפֹּל עַל צַוְּארֵי בִנְיָמִן אָחִיו וַיֵּבְךְּ וּבִנְיָמִן בָּכָה עַל צַוָּארָיו:

(טו) וַיְנַשֵּׁק לְכָל אֶחָיו וַיֵּבְךְּ עֲלֵהֶם וְאַחֲרֵי כֵן דִּבְּרוּ אֶחָיו אִתּוֹ:

“He fell on his brother Binyamin’s neck, and he wept, and Binyamin wept on his neck” (Bereishit 45:14). “And he wept - over the two Temples which would be built on Binyamin’s portion, and would be destroyed, and Binyamin wept over the Mishkan of Shiloh which would be built on Yosef’s land and would ultimately be destroyed” (Rashi, ibid.).

Why are the brothers crying now, at the time of their great joy, over the future destruction? And why is each one crying over the misfortune of the other and not over his own? We know that the Temples were destroyed because of baseless hatred (Yoma 9:2). Now when Binyamin and Yosef were reunited, they realized that the separation they had suffered was caused by baseless hatred, and they immediately foresaw the future Destruction, another result of baseless hatred. That is why they cried. That same baseless hatred that had caused them so much suffering would also be the source of future calamities.

 

The cure for baseless hatred is to promote the growth of mutual love until his friend’s pain hurts him more than his own does. Therefore, each brother wept over the others misfortune, teaching us that what was most important to each one was what happened to the other. This was despite the fact that the Temple of Binyamin could not have been built until the Mishkan of Yosef had been destroyed. Nevertheless, Binyamin would have preferred that his Mikdash not even be built if it entailed the destruction of his brother’s. 

Love is the cure for baseless hatred. 

1997 Ateret Cohanim | The Jerusalem Reclamation Project | All Rights Reserved

Prayer for Peaceful Sleep and Sweet Dreams

Parashat Mikeitz

Prayer for Peaceful Sleep and Sweet Dreams

 
The sun has set, and the stars are shining bright.
Now is the time to pray for sleeping well tonight.
 
Hashem will You please remain my faithful shield,  
to free me from effects of the electromagnetic field.
 
Help me to turn off my computer along with my phone,
and their enticing, addictive powers to disown.
 
Support me to get ready for bed at the perfect time,
to sleep enough without the need for an alarm or chime.
 
Free me from restless, worried, distracting thoughts.
Calm me from anything that makes me feel distraught.  
 
Help remove annoying insects and mosquitoes that fly around,
So, our sleep won’t be disturbed by their buzzing and wining sound.
 
Let my family and I easily fall soundly asleep!
 Facilitate everyone’s sleep to be restful and deep!
 
You know how much we all need this peaceful rest,
so, we will awake with energy to serve You best.
 
Allow us to sleep soundly the entire night,
so, we can awake before the morning light.
 
Help me truly forgive anyone who may have hurt me,
Remind me how they serve as a mirror for me to see.  
 
Protect me from nightmares and from disturbing dreams!
Grant me safe and clear visions of delightful streams!
 
Let all my dreams be so sweet, so pure and so clean!
Help me remember them, so I their lessons can glean!
 
Let not Your subtle loving messages be misunderstood!
Strengthen my ability to interpret all dreams for good!
 
Like Yosef, Your revelations I yearn to receive.
In Your ways of holiness, I desire to cleave.

Based on Bereishit Chapter 41 which describes Pharaoh’s dreams and Yosef’s interpretations. 

Prayer for Soothing Troubles and Enjoying a Tranquil Life

Parashat Vayeshev

Prayer for Soothing Troubles and Enjoying a Tranquil Life

 
Only You Hashem, know how many troubles I’ve been through,
the many sorrows, struggles, and trials that in my life accrue.
 
Please Hashem I pray that You help my distress to soothe.
I need a break, and only You can make my life smooth.
 
I am tired of confrontations, glitches, and strife.
I long to be just an ordinary surrendered wife.
 
Please Hashem grant me just a little respite.
What’s wrong with living simply and politely?
 
Will we ever completely comprehend,
for what purpose in this world, we were sent?
 
Yes, I am keenly aware that every single test,
is from You, Hashem, all designed for my best.
 
I don’t want to sound like an ungrateful complainer.
Perceiving the blessings in my life is a no-brainer.
 
I’m thankful for being healthy, and for my supportive spouse,
for food on the table, and for living securely in our house. 
 
Although I don’t believe that I deserve all of this,
I am still yearning for more serenity and bliss.
 
The best way to overcome depressing worry and fear,
is by experiencing Your presence so real and so near.
 
Therefore, open my eyes to see beyond the surface that confine.
So, my life can become filled with consciousness of the Divine.
 
Let me behold every greeting flower petal as Your extension!
Help me awaken my soul to connect with the inner dimension!
 
Knowing that nothing is perfect until Your house is built,
is it too much to ask for, getting my prayers fulfilled?
 
Tell me Hashem how can I start anew and do things right,
to enjoy a life of celebration, gladness, and light.  

Based on Bereishit Chapter 37: verse 1 and 2 with Rashi

ספר בראשית פרק לז פסוק א וַיֵּשֶׁב יַעֲקֹב בְּאֶרֶץ מְגוּרֵי אָבִיו בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן:

(ב) אֵלֶּה תֹּלְדוֹת יַעֲקֹב יוֹסֵף בֶּן שְׁבַע עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה הָיָה רֹעֶה אֶת אֶחָיו בַּצֹּאן וְהוּא נַעַר אֶת בְּנֵי בִלְהָה וְאֶת בְּנֵי זִלְפָּה נְשֵׁי אָבִיו וַיָּבֵא יוֹסֵף אֶת דִּבָּתָם רָעָה אֶל אֲבִיהֶם:

“Ya’acov dwelt in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Ya’acov: when Yosef was seventeen years old, being a shepherd, he was with his brothers with the flocks, and he was a youth, [and was] with the sons of Bilhah and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Yosef brought evil tales about them to their father” (Bereishit 37:1-2).

 

רש"י על בראשית פרק לז פסוק ב

נדרש בו וישב ביקש יעקב לישב בשלוה קפץ עליו רוגזו של יוסף צדיקים מבקשים לישב בשלוה אומר הקב"ה לא דיין לצדיקים מה שמתוקן להם לעוה"ב אלא שמבקשים לישב בשלוה בעוה"ז:

…It is further expounded upon [as follows]: “dwelt” (verse 1) When Ya’acov sought to dwell in tranquility, the troubles of Yosef sprang upon him. The righteous seek to dwell in tranquility. Said the Holy One, blessed be He, “What is prepared for the righteous in the world to come is not sufficient for them, but they seek [also] to dwell in tranquility in this world!” (Rashi, Bereishit 37:2).

Prayer for Overcoming Inner Enemies, and Rising to Become My Very Best

 Parashat Vayislach

Prayer for Overcoming Inner Enemies, and Rising to Become my Very Best  

 
Hashem help me face my shadow side,
that dark part of me that I prefer to hide.
 
Those harmful feelings of worry and fear,
that makes me forget that You are always near.
 
Sometimes when things are hard You feel so far away.
Please help me have faith to keep facing another day!
 
I know its only my own lowliness that blocks my view.
Please cleanse the lens of my eye so my vision can renew!
 
Hashem help grant me focus and strength,    
to keep praying sincerely in great length.
 
Remove those awful, negative, spiderweb thoughts,
within whose net my mind so easily gets caught.
 
Help me get out of my heavy head and into my feet!
Allow me to keep dancing through life to Your holy beat!
 
Guide me to always yearn to do Your will,
while finding true happiness and feeling chill.
 
Lift me up from feeling lonely and blue.
Let me sense Your presence in everything I do!
 
You didn’t create me to care about myself alone.
Help me put the welfare of others before my own!
 
Guide me always do my very best,
to gracefully welcome every guest.
 
Teach me to become a giving wellspring of loving care,
supporting the needy and lifting people out of despair.  
 
Whatever I experience through life’s flows and ebbs,
let the awareness of Your Presence permeate my steps!
 
Strengthen me to keep going and never give up!
Show me how to always see the fullness of my cup!

Based on Bereishit Chapter 32 

ספר בראשית פרק לב פסוק ז

וַיָּשֻׁבוּ הַמַּלְאָכִים אֶל יַעֲקֹב לֵאמֹר בָּאנוּ אֶל אָחִיךָ אֶל עֵשָׂו וְגַם הֹלֵךְ לִקְרָאתְךָ וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת אִישׁ עִמּוֹ:

(ח) וַיִּירָא יַעֲקֹב מְאֹד וַיֵּצֶר לוֹ וַיַּחַץ אֶת הָעָם אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ וְאֶת הַצֹּאן וְאֶת הַבָּקָר וְהַגְּמַלִּים לִשְׁנֵי מַחֲנוֹת:

“The angels returned to Ya’acov, saying, ‘We came to your brother, to Esau, and he is also coming toward you, and four hundred men are with him.’ Ya’acov became very frightened and was distressed; so he divided the people who were with him and the flocks and the cattle and the camels into two camps” (Bereishit 32:7-8).8

ספר בראשית פרק לב פסוק י

וַיֹּאמֶר יַעֲקֹב אֱלֹהֵי אָבִי אַבְרָהָם וֵאלֹהֵי אָבִי יִצְחָק הָשֵׁם הָאֹמֵר אֵלַי שׁוּב לְאַרְצְךָ וּלְמוֹלַדְתְּךָ וְאֵיטִיבָה עִמָּךְ:

(יא) קָטֹנְתִּי מִכֹּל הַחֲסָדִים וּמִכָּל הָאֱמֶת אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ אֶת עַבְדֶּךָ כִּי בְמַקְלִי עָבַרְתִּי אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּן הַזֶּה וְעַתָּה הָיִיתִי לִשְׁנֵי מַחֲנוֹת: (יב) הַצִּילֵנִי נָא מִיַּד אָחִי מִיַּד עֵשָׂו כִּי יָרֵא אָנֹכִי אֹתוֹ פֶּן יָבוֹא וְהִכַּנִי אֵם עַל בָּנִים:

“Then Ya’acov said, ‘O G-d of my father Avraham and G-d of my father Yitzchak, Hashem, Who said to me, ‘Return to your land and to your birthplace, and I will do good to you.’ I have become small from all the kindnesses and from all the truth that You have rendered Your servant, for with my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. Now deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I am afraid of him, lest he comes and strikes me, [and strike] a mother with children” (Bereishit 32:10-12).

ספר בראשית פרק לב פסוק כה וַיִּוָּתֵר יַעֲקֹב לְבַדּוֹ וַיֵּאָבֵק אִישׁ עִמּוֹ עַד עֲלוֹת הַשָּׁחַר:

(כו) וַיַּרְא כִּי לֹא יָכֹל לוֹ וַיִּגַּע בְּכַף יְרֵכוֹ וַתֵּקַע כַּף יֶרֶךְ יַעֲקֹב בְּהֵאָבְקוֹ עִמּוֹ:

“Ya’acov was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn. When he saw that he could not prevail against him, he touched the socket of his hip, and the socket of Ya’acov's hip became dislocated as he wrestled with him” (Bereishit 32:25-26).6

Malbim, Bereishit 32:25: Ya’acov’s struggle is between good and evil in the world, between spirituality and materialism. Hashem created this world in opposites, but the human being consists of both body and soul, good and evil. Our purpose is to let our good overpower our evil – to let our body serve his soul. When Israel keeps Torah and Mitzvot, then Edom, our enemies will surrender. There are upper powers that conduct everything that exists in the world. Just as on the individual level of the human being, we have both an evil and a good inclination, that rule the intellect and soul, as well as the power of the animal soul and materialism, thus there is an upper power, called איש/Ish, which is the general holiness that guards Israel. There is also the general power, which is in charge of evil – is Sam…, Esau’s angel, who always aims at tempting and enticing. Its whole raison de vivre is to cause Israel to sin. Otherwise, this power has no existence at all. Before Ya’acov could confront Esau in person he had to confront the power of Esau, which is hence his own yetzer hara, hence the general yetzer hara of the world which is Esau’s angel. In his struggle against his own yetzer hara Ya’acov was able to strip himself of his body until his essence (soul) remained alone. The איש/ish which fought with him refers to Ya’acov’s own physicality, which would not let him strip himself of his body. Chazal teach that they brought up dust to the throne of glory this means that this was an inner struggle, which reached all the way to the root of emunah, for Esau’s angel wanted to separate Ya’acov from his root of emunah. However, the power of evil was unable to prevail over Ya’acov, for Ya’acov was able to overcome his physicality with the immense power of his soul.  

Prayer for Protection and a Successful Journey When Leaving the Land

Parashat Vayeitzei

Prayer for Protection and a Successful Journey When Leaving the Land 
 

Hashem, please shield me under Your protective hand. 

You know how much I fear leaving the holy land! 

But it is Your will that I honor my father and mother,

just as Ya’acov did when he ran away from his brother. 

Please send Your angels to watch over me through high and low!

Let me feel safe and sound, wherever in the world I need to go!

Protect me from exposure to the virus or any threatening germ!

May the Covid test result arrive in time for my flight to confirm! 

Keep the synthetic perfumes far away from me. 

Grant me the energy to keep going wherever I be!

Let me bring happiness to everyone I hold dear,

reconnecting with them all, whether far or near!

Allow me to sleep soundly and receive a holy dream!

Guide me on my journey to stay balanced and not extreme!

On all my arduous stops grant me all my basic needs,

including kosher green smoothies with edible weeds! 

Just as the twinkled stars shimmer in Your sky,

Let me sparkle Your holy light from on high!  

Wherever You guide my steps, may I reflect Your light!

Let me inspire everyone with Your words so bright!  

May my modest, colorful scarves motivate women on my way!

May they open themselves to receive the messages I relay!  

Infuse me with holiness and let my spiritual needs be met! 

Keep me focused on never the Land of Israel to forget!

Let me accomplish my tasks overseas and reach my goal,

for the holy land will always be the home of my soul. 

It is not easy passing the tests wherever I roam.

Please send Your angels to bring me safely back home!

Based on Bereishit Chapter 28: 

ספר בראשית פרק כח פסוק ז וַיִּשְׁמַע יַעֲקֹב אֶל אָבִיו וְאֶל אִמּוֹ וַיֵּלֶךְ פַּדֶּנָה אֲרָם:

“Then Ya’acov listened to his father and his mother, and he went to Padan aram” (Bereishit 28:7).

ספר בראשית פרק כח פסוק י וַיֵּצֵא יַעֲקֹב מִבְּאֵר שָׁבַע וַיֵּלֶךְ חָרָנָה:

“Ya’acov left Beer sheba, and he went to Haran” (Bereishit 28:10).

ספר בראשית פרק כח פסוק יב 

וַיַּחֲלֹם וְהִנֵּה סֻלָּם מֻצָּב אַרְצָה וְרֹאשׁוֹ מַגִּיעַ הַשָּׁמָיְמָה וְהִנֵּה מַלְאֲכֵי אֱלֹהִים עֹלִים וְיֹרְדִים בּוֹ:

“Then he dreamed and behold! a ladder set up on the ground and its top reached to heaven; and behold, angels of G-d were ascending and descending upon it” (Bereishit 28:12).

ספר בראשית פרק כח פסוק טו וְהִנֵּה אָנֹכִי עִמָּךְ וּשְׁמַרְתִּיךָ בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר תֵּלֵךְ וַהֲשִׁבֹתִיךָ אֶל הָאֲדָמָה הַזֹּאת כִּי לֹא אֶעֱזָבְךָ עַד אֲשֶׁר אִם עָשִׂיתִי אֵת אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתִּי לָךְ: 

“Behold, I am with you, and I will guard you wherever you go, and I will restore you to this land, for I will not forsake you until I have done what I have spoken concerning you” (Bereishit 28:15).

ספר בראשית פרק כח פסוק כ 

וַיִּדַּר יַעֲקֹב נֶדֶר לֵאמֹר אִם יִהְיֶה אֱלֹהִים עִמָּדִי וּשְׁמָרַנִי בַּדֶּרֶךְ הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי הוֹלֵךְ וְנָתַן לִי לֶחֶם לֶאֱכֹל וּבֶגֶד לִלְבֹּשׁ: כא) וְשַׁבְתִּי בְשָׁלוֹם אֶל בֵּית אָבִי וְהָיָה הָשֵׁם לִי לֵאלֹהִים:

כב) וְהָאֶבֶן הַזֹּאת אֲשֶׁר שַׂמְתִּי מַצֵּבָה יִהְיֶה בֵּית אֱלֹהִים וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר תִּתֶּן לִי עַשֵּׂר אֲעַשְּׂרֶנּוּ לָךְ:

“Ya’acov uttered a vow, saying, ‘If G-d will be with me, and He will guard me on this way, upon which I am going, and He will give me bread to eat and a garment to wear; 21 And if I return in peace to my father's house, and Hashem will be my G-d; 

22 Then this stone, which I have placed as a monument, shall be a house of G-d, and everything that You give me, I will surely tithe to You” (Bereishit 28:20-22).