The Deputy Commander of the Givati Brigade (main combat unit in the Gaza area), literally crying, begged to convey to us, the chareidi tzibbur, that we're not awake enough to the war situation in Gaza and that the fighting is very difficult and dangerous. The terrible situation is that soldiers are being killed each and every night. He emphasized that the main fighting at night starts from 11PM and continues until the morning, but the hardest hours are 2-5AM. He brings his soldiers further and further inward to fight, but he doesn't feel like he has enough support from the יראים ושלמים staying up at night to daven and say Tehillim for the soldiers. He requested that the chareidim take responsibility for organizing minyanim to say Tehillim, especially during those hours. - all the chevre to do is to coordinate prayer opportunities in Israel & around the world and in all our yeshivas.
Whenever the words מתיר אסורים or similar words are said during Davening, please have full כונה and beseech HaShem to grant the hostages a speedy release!
By attending a vigil, a prayer or helping organise the Shabbos Project (or any other such activity) will have a ripple effect to positively influence the outcome of this conflict. Here is a picture of dear Ken from up North, who attended the Manchester vigil (11/10/2023).
Below are the warm words of Rabbi Goldstein, South Africa's chief Rabbi:
At this time of harrowing danger, let us harness the spiritual power of lighting Shabbat candles to pray for Israel. For generations, Jewish women have prayed for their children and families at candle-lighting.
This Friday afternoon, 18 minutes before sunset, after we light our Shabbat candles, let us pray for the families and children, and for the brave soldiers of the State of Israel. At a time when many of us are lost for words we offer you our personal prayer, to recite after you light your Shabbat candles this week.
This is a spiritual war against those who seek to destroy Israel, not because of its borders, but because of what it stands for as the world’s only Jewish state. Our response must be to reaffirm our eternal Jewish values through Shabbat.
Please share this call and accompanying prayer with your mothers, sisters, daughters and grandmothers, and with all your friends and your wider community – and together, let’s counter the darkness by bringing more light into the world.
“The Jewish people are redeemed in the merit of righteous women,” say our sages. In the merit of our prayers and the mitzvah of candle-lighting, may G-d bring security and safety to Israel and comfort to her people.
Prayer at Shabbat Candle-Lighting
Our G-d and the G-d of our forefathers, Rock and Redeemer of Israel, hear my supplication in the merit of Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah, our mothers, and in the merit of lighting the holy Shabbat candles.
Protect and deliver the soldiers of the Israel Defence Forces and Security Forces, and all those engaged in saving lives, from all trouble and sorrow. Strengthen their hands and adorn them with the crown of Your salvation and victory.
I plead with You, Merciful One, in Your vast Majesty, liberate our captives, speedily deliver them from anguish to relief, and return them home to life and peace.
Save our brothers and sisters, our aged, men and women and children all who were wounded at the hands of the cruel enemy. Illuminate your presence for them and send them a complete healing, speedily in our days.
G-d, full of mercy and compassion, provide tranquil rest on the wings of the Divine Presence, for the souls of Your nation, men, women and children, murdered in cold blood, their blood spilled like water. May their eternal rest be in Gan Eden.
L-rd, our G-d, comfort the mourners of Your nation, heal the broken-hearted and bind up their wounds,
Turn Your countenance, oh G-d, to those dwelling in our land, from the border of Lebanon to the Egyptian desert; and spread over them Your shelter of peace, grant them safety, tranquillity and security. Send Your light and truth to the leaders of the State of Israel, her ministers and advisors, and grace them with Your good counsel.
Speedily bring your final redemption to the world, when “death will vanish in life eternal”, when You will “wipe away tears from all faces”, when “nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore… and the earth will be filled with the knowledge of G-d as the waters cover the oceans.” Amen!
Here is the Hebrew text:
אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֶאֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, צוּר יִשְׂרָאֵל וְגוֹאֲלוֹ, אָנָּא שְׁמַע אֶת תְּחִנָּתִי בִּזְכוּת שָׂרָה וְרִבְקָה רָחֵל וְלֵאָה אִמּוֹתֵינוּ וּבִזְכוּת הַדְלָקַת נֵרוֹת שַׁבַּת קֹדֶשׁ.
שְׁמֹר וְהַצֵּל מִכָּל צָרָה וְצוּקָה אֶת חַיָּלֵי צְבָא הַהֲגָנָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל וְאֶת אַנְשֵׁי כֹּחוֹת הַבִּטָּחוֹן וְהַהַצָּלָה, חַזֵּק אֶת יְדֵיהֶם וְעַטְּרֵם בְּכֶתֶר יְשׁוּעָה וּבַעֲטֶרֶת נִצָּחוֹן.
אָנָּא רַחוּם, בְּרֹב גְּאוֹנְךָ, שַׁחְרֵר אֶת שְׁבוּיֵינוּ, הוֹצִיאֵם מְהֵרָה מִצָּרָה לִרְוָחָה וְהַחֲזִירֵם הַבַּיְתָה לְחַיִּים וּלְשָׁלוֹם.
הוֹשַׁע אוֹתָם וְאֶת אַחֵינוּ וְאַחְיוֹתֵינוּ, זְקֵנִים וּזְקֵנוֹת, נָשִׁים, אֲנָשִׁים וְטַף, שֶׁנִּפְצְעוּ בִּידֵי הַצּוֹרֵר הָאַכְזָרִי. הָאֵר פָּנֶיךָ אֲלֵיהֶם וּשְׁלַח לָהֶם רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה בִּמְהֵרָה בְּיָמֵינוּ.
אֵל מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, הַמְצֵא מְנוּחָה נְכוֹנָה עַל כַּנְפֵי הַשְּׁכִינָה לְנִשְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי עַמְּךָ, אֲנָשִׁים וְנָשִׁים, יְלָדִים וִילָדוֹת, שֶׁנִּרְצְחוּ בְּדָם קַר וְדָמָם נִשְׁפַּךְ כַּמַּיִם בִּידֵי הַצּוֹרְרִים. בְּגַן עֵדֶן תְּהֵא מְנוּחָתָם.
נַחֵם ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ אֶת אֲבֵלֵי עַמְּךָ, רְפָא לִשְׁבוּרֵי לֵב וַחֲבֹשׁ לְעַצְּבוֹתָם.
שָׂא ה' פָּנֶיךָ אֶל כָּל יוֹשְׁבֵי אַרְצֵנוּ, מִגְּבוּל הַלְּבָנוֹן וְעַד מִדְבַּר מִצְרַיִם, וּפְרֹשׂ עֲלֵיהֶם סֻכַּת שָׁלום וְשַׁלְוָה וְהַשְׁקֵט וָבֶטַח, וּשְׁלַח אוֹרְךָ וַאֲמִתְּךָ לְרָאשֵׁי הַמְּדִינָה, לְשָׂרֶיהָ וּלְיוֹעֲצֶיהָ וְתַקְּנֵם בְּעֵצָה טוֹבָה מִלְּפָנֶיךָ.
מְהֵרָה תַצְמִיחַ לָנוּ גְאֻלָּה שְׁלֵמָה וְהַרְאֵנוּ בְּקִיּוּם דִּבְרֵי נְבִיאֶךָ: "בִּלַּע הַמָּוֶת לָנֶצַח, וּמָחָה ה׳ אֱלֹהִים דִּמְעָה מֵעַל כָּל פָּנִים", "לֹא יִשָּׂא גוֹי אֶל גּוֹי חֶרֶב וְלֹא יִלְמְדוּ עוֹד מִלְחָמָה" וּ"מָלְאָה הָאָרֶץ דֵּעָה אֶת אֲדֹנָי כַּמַּיִם לַיָּם מְכַסִּים". אָמֵן.
For all you need to know about how to light Shabbat candles with the blessing, click here.
With prayers for good tidings from the East.
An invitation to the Shabbos Table - in French:
Cette guerre est en lien avec ce que nous sommes et ce que nous défendons. Alors que nos ennemis cherchent à détruire Israël et que l’antisémitisme monte dans les capitales du monde, c’est un appel au monde Juif.
Vous organisez un / des événement(s) pour le Chabbat Mondial? Envoyez-nous un message par e-mail: yaacov@theshabbosproject.com ou par WhatsApp au 00972555003183.
STRONGER TOGETHER!
10 years of Keeping it Together!
Let’s once again join hands with Jews in more than 1,500 cities across the world – to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Shabbat Project.
I’ve been so moved by the energy and spirit that has driven this social movement over the past decade. That excitement, that overwhelming sense of joy and celebration, is because the idea at its heart is so compelling. Shabbat. A fortress of love and togetherness. An island of tranquillity. A sanctuary of meaning. A counterforce to the great challenges of the modern world. An ancient idea as relevant today as it’s ever been. A God-given gift.
On 3-4 November, let’s light up the world with Shabbat – and make this 10th Shabbat Project the biggest yet!
Here’s to Keeping it Together!
Chief Rabbi Warren and Gina Goldstein
