A Prayer for Japan

Mar 15, 2011 at 12:20 PM | Posted by Rabbi Joshua

The situation in Japan only seems to be getting worse. The eathquakes and tsunami last week devastated the country, leaving thousands dead and many, many more wounded and trapped. Now we also have the possible threat of a nuclear disaster to add to the mix. If Japan ever needed our prayers and support it is certainly now.

Mechon Hadar posted a prayer, written by Rabbi Shai Held, for those suffering in Japan on their website. I would greatly encourage us to use (or adapt) the text of this prayer while praying for Japan both within our own private davening, and in our services this coming Shabbat:

Ruler of Creation, Master of the World

אבינו שבשמים, אדון כל המעשים, רבון כל העולמים

Have mercy on all those who are suffering from the raging waters and the storming waves.

רחם על כל אלה הסובלים מן המים הגועשים והגלים הרועשים


Have compassion on Your creatures - Look, O Lord, and see their distress; Listen, God, and hear their cries.

חמול על מעשיך - הביטה יי וראה צרתם, האזינה אלוהים ושמע צעקתם.


Strengthen the hands of those who would bring relief, comfort the mourners; Heal, please, the wounded.

חזק את ידי המצילים, נחם את האבלים, רפא נא לפצועים.


Grant us wisdom and discernment to know our obligations, and open our hearts so that we may extend our hands to the devastated.

חָננו בינה והשכל לידע את חובותינו, ופתח את לבינו למען נושיט יד אל הנדכּאים.


Bless us so that we may walk in Your ways, "compassionate ones, children of compassionate ones."

ברכינו אלוהינו ונלך בדרכיך, רחמנים בני רחמנים.

Grant us the will and the wisdom to prevent future disaster and death;

תן בנו אומץ וחכמה למען נמנע אסון ומות.

Prevent plague from descending upon Your earth, and fulfill Your words,


מנע מגיפה בעולמיך, וקיים מאמריך

"Never again shall there be another flood to destroy the earth."

וְלֹא־יִהְיֶה עוֺד מַבּוּל לְשַׁחֵת הָא

Amen. So may it be your will.

אמן. כן יהי רצון



Giving

There are also a number of ways to donate to help the victims in Japan. Here are a few recommended resources:






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1 Responses to A Prayer for Japan

  1. David Lazarus Says:
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 11:50:00 AM EDT

    Wonderful meditation helping us turn our hearts towards the only source of comfort in these situations. I put together a prayer using some scriptures that I think also expresses something of challenge to find hope in this tragedy. Pray it here: http://abbalazarus.blogspot.com/2011/03/prayer-for-japan.html

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