Shabbat Parashat Lekh L’kha Gratitude and Blessings!

Dear Friends,

I hope you will join us this Shabbat as we celebrate the bar mitzvah of Reece David. Mazal Tov to Reece and to his entire family! Gratitude and blessings are definitely in the air…

We also mark Veterans Day this weekend and express our gratitude for the many blessings we have been afforded thanks to the service of our veterans.

This week’s Torah portion, Lekh L’kha (Go forth), reminds us of the various journeys we undertake in life. Most importantly, our Torah portion reminds us that our goal as Jewish people and as spiritual descendants of Abraham and of Sarah, is to be as much of a blessing as possible to those around us even as we travel the various paths of life.

Today, I share with you the following Veterans Day Prayer, written by Alden Solovy.

Veterans Day Prayer

G-d of compassion,
G-d of dignity and strength,
Watch over the veterans of the United States
In recognition of their loyal service to our nation.
Bless them with wholeness and love.
Shelter them.
Heal their wounds,
Comfort their hearts.
Grant them peace.

G-d of justice and truth,
Rock of our lives,
Bless our veterans,
These men and women of courage and valor,
With a deep and abiding understanding
Of our profound gratitude.
Protect them and their families from loneliness and want.
Grant them lives of joy and bounty.
May their dedication and honor
Be remembered as a blessing
From generation to generation.

Blessed are You,
Protector and Redeemer,
Our Shield and our Stronghold.

As we celebrate this Shabbat and Reece’s bar mitzvah, and mark Veterans Day, let us remember to be grateful for the blessings we receive and cognizant of the many blessings we may be privileged to share with others along the journey of life.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Gilah Dror