Travelers prayer before an action
Travelers Prayer for the week of 1 Heshvan 5784, written by Rabbi Ariana Katz for Hinenu travelers and all who are heading to DC to say “Jews against genocide.”
Image created by Naomi Weintraub
With help from Mark Gunnery and Meitav
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְפָנֶיךָ יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ ואמותינו, שֶׁתּוֹלִיכֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם וְתַצְעִידֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם וְתַדְרִיכֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם, וְתִסְמְכֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם, וְתַגִּיעֵנוּ לִמְחוֹז חֶפְצֵנוּ לְחַיִּים וּלְשִׂמְחָה וּלְשָׁלוֹם וְתַחְזִירֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם
Y’hi ratzon milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu ve-lohei avoteinu v’imonteinu she-tolichenu l’shalom v’tatz’idenu l’shalom, v’tadrichenu l’shalom, v’tism’chenu l’shalom, v’tagi’enu limchoz cheftzenu l’chayim ul’simha ul’shalom, vtachazireinu lshalom.
May it be Your will, Lord, our God and the God of our ancestors, that You lead us toward peace, guide our footsteps toward peace, and make us reach our desired destination for life, gladness, and peace, and return us in peace.
As we make our way to raise our voices for mercy, to stave off the hand of violence from further destruction, Divine One, protect us. As we gather all our courage and the tools our tradition has gifted us to act for change, ancestors, protect us. As we show up in our heartbreak and lament and rage, my companion travelers, my community, let us say: we will protect us.
וְתַצִּילֵנוּ מִכַּף כָּל אוֹיֵב וְאוֹרֵב וְלִסְטִים וְחַיּוֹת רָעוֹת בַּדֶּרֶךְ, וּמִכָּל מִינֵי פֻּרְעָנֻיּוֹת הַמִּתְרַגְּשׁוֹת לָבוֹא לָעוֹלָם,
V’tatzilenu mi-kaf kol oyev v’orev v’listim v’chayot ra-ot ba-derech, u-mi-kol min-ei pur’aniyot hamitrag’shot la-vo la-olam.
May You rescue us from the hand of every foe, ambush along the way, and from all manner of punishments that assemble to come to earth.
Holy One, shield the people of Gaza as they flee for safety, while bombs fall on them in their escape, untold pain and destruction that have unfolded. Bring healing. Divine, shield us from the hand of police officer and counter protester’s rage along the way, and from all manner of vitriol. Guide our steps, illuminate the path.
וְתִשְׁלַח בְּרָכָה בְּכָל מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֵינוּ. וְתִתְּנֵנוּ לְחֵן וּלְחֶסֶד וּלְרַחֲמִים בְּעֵינֶיךָ וּבְעֵינֵי כָל רֹאֵינוּ, וְתִגְמְלֵנוּ חֲסָדִים טוֹבִים.וְתִשְׁמַע קוֹל תְּפִלָּתֵינוּ. כִּי אל שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה וְתַחֲנוּן אַתָּה.
V’tishlach b’racha b’chol ma’a’se yadeinu v’tit’neinu l’chen ul’chesed ul’rachamim b’einecha uv’einei kol ro-einu vetigmeleinu chasadim tovim v’tishma kol tefilateinu ki el sho-me-ah t’fila v’tachanun ata.
May You send blessing in our handiwork grant us grace, kindness, and mercy in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who see us. and bestow upon us abundant kindness and hearken to the voice of our prayer, May You hear the sound of our humble request because You are God Who hears prayer requests.
May our humble actions call down mercy and justice. May our those whose hearts have been hardened by grief and fear feel their hearts softened by our actions. May the halls of power echo with our prayers of cease fire.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה לפי נוסח ספרד יי שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה:
Baruch ata Adonai sho-me’a t’fila.
Blessed are You, Lord, Who hears prayer.
May our calls for mercy be heard in this world and in the heavens. May the memories of the countless dead be lifted up by our action. May we live to see a free Palestine, a world of peace for all Israelis and Palestinians and all who dwell in the land. Blessed are You, Lord, Who hears prayer.