30/08/2024
Just before Shabbat enters here in the Land of Israel, here are two Jewish prayers for the safe return of our hostages to their loved ones:
אַחֵינוּ כָּל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, הַנְּתוּנִים בְּצָרָה וּבַשִּׁבְיָה,
הָעוֹמְדִים בֵּין בַּיָּם וּבֵין בַּיַּבָּשָׁה,
הַמָּקוֹם יְרַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם, וְיוֹצִיאֵם מִצָּרָה לִרְוָחָה,
וּמֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹרָה, וּמִשִּׁעְבּוּד לִגְאֻלָּה,
הַשְׁתָּא בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב.
For all our family of the House of Israel, fellow Jews who face anguish and captivity,
whether on sea or on land:
May the Divine have compassion upon them, and bring them from distress to relief,
from darkness to light, from subjugation to redemption,
now, speedily, soon, and let us say: Amen
Shomer Yisrael, Guardian of Israel,
We call out to You with fervent plea and prayer to bless and protect the civilian men, women, and children brutally kidnapped by Hamas and held captive in Gaza, along with the members of Israel’s Defense Forces missing in action or held captive.
May it be Your will, speedily and soon, to bring them out from darkness and the shadow of death. May the Holy One of Blessing break their bonds, deliver them from their distress, and release them swiftly back to the loving embrace of their dear ones.
Do all that must be done so that relief, rescue, and long life may be the lot of every one of the soldiers and the civilians who have been taken hostage.
Act on their behalf, Lord. Take up their cause without delay, so that You fulfill through them Your verse from Isaiah: “Those redeemed by the Lord will return; they will enter Zion with singing, and everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
So may it be Your will, and let us say: Amen.
