Prayers for the IDF and the State of Israel

Recently we have seen four Jewish teens and one Arab teen laid to rest. Everyone will agree that there was no reason for these children to die! Now, tens of IDF soldiers and hundreds of Hamas terrorists have died~with no sign of an end. Can there ever be peace? Will the hatred ever cease long enough to allow life to continue?

The first victim was nineteen year old Shelly Dadon, on her way to a job interview~strangled by the Arab cab driver who picked her up. The world (and even our own press) barely mentioned it. The police avoided saying it was "nationalistic" even when the terrorist was arrested and admitted his crime. Let's not stir up trouble~right?

Next, three boys, Eyal Yifrach~19, Gilad Shaar~16, and Naftali Frenkel~16~on their way home from Yeshiva~were kidnapped and shot multiple times. Their bodies were dumped in a shallow grave in an empty field.

The world witnessed the vile "three-finger salute" and "handing out of sweets" by the Arabs as they celebrated what they called "The Three Shalits".

Of course, the world response was that it was the fault of the victims. Arab members in the Israeli Knesset claim the terrorists "were justified"~yet they are allowed to keep their seats because we are "democratic".

Finally, the horrific kidnapping and murder of an Arab teen, Abu Khdeir. When the body of the young boy was found, shock and horror echoed around the country. But more than that, the world was now up in arms and frothing...such hypocrisy!

All of Israel is horrified at the murder of the Arab teen. From politicians to the father of one of the murdered Jewish boys, all have sent condolences to the family. Security forces worked quickly and have made arrests. The government promises the harshest punishment for the crime. Conversely, the terrorists that killed the three Jewish teens are believed to have been assisted to safety~there has been no help from Hamas or the PA in the matter.

That murder of this degree could be perpetrated by Jews has been a wound to the entire country. Even though it has now been stated that the perpetrator is mentally ill, we as Jews say, there is no excuse~This Is Not Our Way!

But to the world at large, this is not good enough. You see, when an Arab is murdered it is an international crisis. When Jews are murdered...not so much. Now, once again our country is in turmoil, bombarded with rockets~forcing children to spend the summer in bomb shelters, riots, arson, cars blown up, blocked roads with Jews being pulled from their vehicles and beaten, Joseph's Tomb firebombed (again), and on and on~Every Day~It Never Ends! Through it all, the world fails to see that it is the Arabs who walk freely and without fear, wherever they please~but if Jews take a wrong turn into an Arab neighbourhood they risk being lynched!

Israel's politicians have no choice but to stop the attacks. Would you live with constant rockets falling on your community? Do you know what it is like to be riding home on public transport when an air-raid siren sounds? I Do! The tram stops~everyone is forced to crouch on the floor~there are too many on board to evacuate and look for shelter. Iron Dome prevented any damage~but I can tell you, It Was Not Pleasant! Now consider of the people in the south of Israel who face this dilemma All Day and Night, Every Day and Night! There are children in the schools who have never known life without the "Sever Adom" (Code Red) alarm. They play in play areas that are in fact, decorated bomb shelters. Many of them suffer PTSD and still wet their pants from trauma. Would you live like that?

Now, Hamas is popping out of tunnels to kill and kidnap, and indeed this weekend we saw another soldier~Lt. Hadar Goldin, only twenty-three years old, along with two other soldiers killed in a surprise ambush just hours after a supposed cease-fire was declared.

Initially it was reported the Lt. Goldin was kidnapped, but we have now heard that he was killed in action. Meanwhile, terrorists are popping up and infiltrating communities in the south and along the coast of Israel while rockets rain down.

As the IDF continues to root out this death-cult of terror, we can only pray~Pray that those in charge can find a way to stop the violence, Pray the enemy will decide to try negotiations instead of terror, bombs, murders and kidnapping. Moreover, We Pray for the Safety of the Boys and Girls in the IDF who will be facing an enemy that relishes their blood and pain. Pray for the safety of those who go into battle with the knowledge that they must be more humane than those who lust for their blood and suffering and only want them dead. Pray for Mashiach to come and stop the killing on all sides~too many have died already.

Below is a song for the IDF, followed by the "Prayer for the IDF" and the "English Translation of the Chief Rabbinate's Traditional (1948) Prayer for the State of Israel. Finally, a beautiful rendition of the "Prayer for the State of Israel" by IDF Chief Cantor, Lt. Col. Shai Abramson.  The world is upside down~All We Can Do Is Pray!

Hu Yivarech~Prayer for the Soldiers of the Israel Defence Forces

For Those Who Wish to Pray...

"Prayer for the IDF"

He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob~

May He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Forces, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our God, from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah,
on the land, in the air, and on the sea.

May the Almighty cause the enemies who rise up against us
to be struck down before them. 

May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighters from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness,
and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor.

May He lead our enemies under our soldiers’ sway and 
May He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. 

And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: 

For it is the Lord your God, 
Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you.

Now let us respond...Amen
 

Here is the English Translation of the Chief Rabbinate's Traditional (1948) Prayer for the State of Israel:

Our Father in heaven, Protector and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel, the dawn of our deliverance. Shield it beneath the wings of Your love; spread over it Your canopy of peace; send Your light and Your truth to its leaders, officers, and counselors, and direct them with Your good counsel.
 

Strengthen the defenders of our Holy Land; grant them, our God, salvation and crown them with victory. Establish peace in the land, and everlasting joy for its inhabitants. Remember our brethren, the whole house of Israel, in all the lands of their dispersion. Speedily bring them to Zion, Your city, to Jerusalem Your dwelling-place, as it is written in the Torah of Your servant Moses: 
  
“Even if you are dispersed in the uttermost parts of the world, from there the Lord your God will gather and fetch you. The Lord your God will bring you into the land which your ancestors possessed, and you shall possess it; and God will make you more prosperous and more numerous than your ancestors.”

Unite our hearts to love and revere Your name, and to observe all the precepts of Your Torah. Speedily send us Your righteous Messiah of the House of David, to redeem those waiting for Your salvation. Shine forth in Your glorious majesty over all the inhabitants of Your world. Let everything that breathes proclaim:

 “The Lord God of Israel is King; His majesty rules over all”...Amen...Selah

Prayer for the State of Israel by IDF Chief Cantor, Lt. Col. Shai Abramson
***TURN ON CAPTIONS FOR TRANSLATION