October 7

We hold in our hearts

every hostage and their families, who are not celebrating freedom.

We pray fervently

for their urgent redemption, and afterwards, their families’ healing.

We grieve

for the fallen hostages, including those whose bodies are still captive.

We yearn

for the end of Hamas’ terror.

We ache

for the Palestinians and hope for the day that they can be governed by leaders worthy of their humanity.

We believe

that Israelis and Palestinians will find a path to a better future.

We rededicate

ourselves to the cause of freedom, without regard for religion, nationality, or identity.

When we recite “Next Year in Jerusalem”

we will imagine the day, speedily, that all hostages are free.

We hold in our hearts

every hostage and their families, who are not celebrating freedom.

We pray fervently

for their urgent redemption, and afterwards, their families’ healing.

We grieve

for the fallen hostages, including those whose bodies are still captive.

We yearn

for the end of Hamas’ terror.

We ache

for the Palestinians and hope for the day that they can be governed by leaders worthy of their humanity.

We believe

that Israelis and Palestinians will find a path to a better future.

We rededicate

ourselves to the cause of freedom, without regard for religion, nationality, or identity.

When we recite “Next Year in Jerusalem”

we will imagine the day, speedily, that all hostages are free.

This invocation, written by two mothers, one Muslim and one Jewish, invites us to take their plea for peace into our hearts and into the world. It has been shared widely by Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie and the Lab/Shul community.

Let us Light Candles for Peace

Two mothers, one plea:

Now, more than ever, during these days of so much crying, on the day that is sacred to both our religions, Friday, Sabbath Eve

Let us light a candle in every home – for peace:

A candle to illuminate our future, face to face,

A candle across borders, beyond fear.

From our family homes and houses of worship

Let us light each other up,

Let these candles be a lighthouse to our spirit

Until we all arrive at the sanctuary of peace.

-by Sheikha Ibtisam Mahameed and Rabba Tamar Elad-Appelbaum

Source of Mercy, the world feels different now. Since that dark day, grief and terror have settled into our bones. We have seen too much suffering, too much loss, too many hearts broken open by pain. Hold us in Your infinite compassion. Teach us how to breathe again in a world that feels forever changed.

We remember every life torn away, every family waiting for news, every soul still held captive in body or in spirit. Bring them home, Holy One. Bring healing to those who mourn, courage to those who despair, and rest to those whose hearts can no longer carry the weight of sorrow.

Plant in us the seeds of peace. Help us see the divine image even in one another’s tears. Spread Your shelter of safety over all who dwell in fear, in Israel and in Gaza, and in every place touched by violence. Oseh shalom bimromav, may the One who makes peace in the heavens make peace for us, for our neighbors, and for this fragile, aching world. Amen.

It’s customary to tear one’s garment or a ribbon at the funeral to signify who is in mourning. As we end the week of shiva, we take a moment to put that garment back together. Like our hearts in this moment, our garment will always bear the mark of its tearing, but with this intention, we begin the process of sewing ourselves together. 

Source of Wholeness, as I tore this garment when my

loved one died, so now I prepare to baste/sew the

tear back together.

This garment will never be the same as it was before

I tore it in the first expression of my shock and grief.

I don’t need a visible reminder of my loss. My life

will go on and it will never be the same without my

beloved.

This mending symbolizes that I put my trust in the One

Who Heals.

May each stitch bring acceptance. May each stitch bring

me closer to a sense of the Oneness of All.

-by Rabbi Janet Madden

—

Originally published in Laments & Kavannot for The Journey, produced for Kavod V’Nichum’s annual North America Chevra Kadisha Conference and shared with author’s permission.

Clip source: The Shomer Collective