Sung to the tune ofDayeinu:
All we have right now is now
This one moment
Here and now
It is all there truly is
Boy & how!
It's enough (3X)
To live in the present time & space
It's enough (3X)
To be fully present
Living in the yet to be
Is not being truly free
Freedom's living consciously
Girl & how!
It's enough (3X)
To live in the present time & space
It's enough (3X)
To be fully present
Living in the that was then
Is not living truly is zen
Mindfulness is the way, amen!
Gosh & how!
It's enough (3X)
To live in the present time & space
It's enough (3X)
To be fully present
Eigth Night: Rededication
Read aloud: As we light this candle on the 8th night of Chanukah, we remember Eric Garner. May Eric’s memory be for a blessing.
(Recite Chanukah blessings)
Read aloud: With this dedication we are moved by our Jewish values that teach us, “Justice! Justice you shall pursue!” and tonight we take action to carry out the sixth of six demands called for by Ferguson Action organizers.
As Chanukah draws to a close, let us rededicate ourselves to working for racial justice in the coming months and years by making a specific commitment. Spend some time looking into organizations in your community working on issues of racial justice, such as police accountability, racial profiling, and the prison industrial complex, to name a few. What organizations, particularly those led by people of color, are doing this work? What issues are they addressing? How can you support their work? What work can be done in your Jewish community to invite frank conversations—and plans for action— about racism in the Jewish community? Write down two or three ways you commit to take action in the coming months and beyond.
There is a lot happening in a Torah service, more choreography than in preceding prayers, plus a range of opportunities for individuals and groups of congregants to approach in one way or another. But all this, intended though it is to draw us near, can instead yield confusion and distance. Moreover, Jews celebrating a life cycle event at the Torah are often swept into public roles that leave little time for private meditation.
Over the centuries, many opportunities for private, improvisational prayer have become public, fixed recitations. Opening of the Ark is one such moment.
Here is a new prayer, based on "B'rich Shmei" (Blessed is the Name) and other words commonly recited as the Ark is opened. Use it as is, if it speaks to you, and/or use it as a springboard for developing your own words. Regardless the words (or, perhaps, lack thereof), re-capture this precious time by carving out for yourself a few moments to consider: What is your prayer as the Torah enters your midst? To what are you opening?
Here in this Torah service we travel the wilderness in the company of the Ark, stand again at Sinai, and re-enact the process of transmission and interpretation as multiple individuals rise to bring the Torah from script to voice. Time collapses. We join the ageless chorus reciting verses that challenge and comfort, awe and enrage, perplex and command. We feel the presence of Jews who have experienced much, in endurance and in celebration, preserving these words. We feel the call of future Jews depending on us to grasp this Tree of Life and hold it for them.
At this expansive point we pray that our hearts open to the essence of Torah and ask for the gift of God’s good light to guide us through our daily lives.
In this precious, liminal moment, fear and need merge with strength and hope. May we all, particularly those observing lifecycle events at the Torah, emerge from this service with a renewed sense of blessing.
[Take a few moments for considering particular concerns and joys brought to the Torah today.]
Let the divine flow of communication represented here bring to us, and to all whom we touch, peace, mercy, sustenance, and gratitude. Thank you for this good teaching.
Amen
Behold, my God of help,
in whom I trust, and tremble not.
Truly, my strength and melody is yah, The One,
who is for me the source of help.
So draw, in joy, the waters
from the Fount of Help.
all help belongs to You.
Upon your people are your blessings. Let it happen!
With us is The Great One of the Multitudes of Heaven,
Stronghold for us, the God of Jacob. Be it so!
O, Great One of the Multitudes of Heaven,
happy is the human being who trusts in you!
Redeeming One, extend your help.
Our Sovereign, answer us whenever we may call.
The Jews of old had light,
And happiness, and joy, and love
may it be so for us!
La-yihuddim hayta orah vesimkhah vesasson veyikar,
ken tehiyeh lanu.
My cup of Help I raise,
and in The OMNIPRESENT's name
I call.
With the permission of this company:
Feminine:
Barucha At Yah Ruach Ha-olam boret p'ri ha-gafen.
Masculine:
Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech Ha'olam boray p'ri hagafen.
Blessed are you, THE BOUNDLESS ONE, our God, the sovereign of all worlds, who created the fruit of the vine.
Feminine:
Barucha At Yah Ruach Ha-olam boret miney besamim.
Masculine:
Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech Ha'olam boray miney besamim.
Blessed are You, REVIVER, our God, the sovereign of all worlds, who creates various spices.
Feminine:
Barucha At Yah Ruach Ha-olam boret me-orey ha-esh.
Masculine:
Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech Ha-olam boray me-orey ha-esh.
Blessed are you, THE RADIANCE, our God, the sovereign of all worlds, who creates the light of fire.
Feminine:
Barucha At Yah Ruach Ha-olam, hamavdilah beyn kodesh lechol beyn or lechoshech beyn yom hashevi'ii lesheshet yemey hama'aseh. Barucha At Yah Ruach Ha-olam hamavdilah beyn kodesh lechol.
Masculine:
Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech Ha-olam hamavdil beyn kodesh lechol beyn or le choshech beyn yom hashevi'i lesheshet yemey ha ma'aseh. Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech Ha-olam hamavdil beyn kodesh lechol.
Blessed are You, THE MANY-NAMED, our God, the sovereign of all worlds, who separates between holy and ordinary, light and dark, the seventh day and the six days of work. Blessed are you, THE INVISIBLE, who separates the holy from the ordinary.
Light the braided Havdalah candle, but don’t say a blessing yet.Thefirst blessing that we say is over the wine. Lift the cup of wine and say:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּֽפֶן
Baruch atah, Adonai, Elohaynu melech ha'olam, boray pri hagafen.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
[A traditional translation.]
-
Holy One of Blessing,Your Presence fills creation,forming the fruit of the vine.
[An alternative translationfrom Vetaher Libenu, a prayerbook created byCongregation Beth El of the Sudbury River Valley.]
The second blessing is over the spices. Lift the spices and say:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא מִינֵי בְשָׂמִים
Baruch atah, Adonai, Elohaynu melech ha'olam, boray minay vesamim.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the universe,who creates species of fragrance.
[A traditional translation.]
After saying the blessing, inhale the sweet smell. Pass around the spicebox so that everybody can inhale the scent deeply.
Sung to the tune ofDayeinu:
All we have right now is now
This one moment
Here and now
It is all there truly is
Boy & how!
It's enough (3X)
To live in the present time & space
It's enough (3X)
To be fully present
Living in the yet to be
Is not being truly free
Freedom's living consciously
Girl & how!
It's enough (3X)
To live in the present time & space
It's enough (3X)
To be fully present
Living in the that was then
Is not living truly is zen
Mindfulness is the way, amen!
Gosh & how!
It's enough (3X)
To live in the present time & space
It's enough (3X)
To be fully present
Eigth Night: Rededication
Read aloud: As we light this candle on the 8th night of Chanukah, we remember Eric Garner. May Eric’s memory be for a blessing.
(Recite Chanukah blessings)
Read aloud: With this dedication we are moved by our Jewish values that teach us, “Justice! Justice you shall pursue!” and tonight we take action to carry out the sixth of six demands called for by Ferguson Action organizers.
As Chanukah draws to a close, let us rededicate ourselves to working for racial justice in the coming months and years by making a specific commitment. Spend some time looking into organizations in your community working on issues of racial justice, such as police accountability, racial profiling, and the prison industrial complex, to name a few. What organizations, particularly those led by people of color, are doing this work? What issues are they addressing? How can you support their work? What work can be done in your Jewish community to invite frank conversations—and plans for action— about racism in the Jewish community? Write down two or three ways you commit to take action in the coming months and beyond.
There is a lot happening in a Torah service, more choreography than in preceding prayers, plus a range of opportunities for individuals and groups of congregants to approach in one way or another. But all this, intended though it is to draw us near, can instead yield confusion and distance. Moreover, Jews celebrating a life cycle event at the Torah are often swept into public roles that leave little time for private meditation.
Over the centuries, many opportunities for private, improvisational prayer have become public, fixed recitations. Opening of the Ark is one such moment.
Here is a new prayer, based on "B'rich Shmei" (Blessed is the Name) and other words commonly recited as the Ark is opened. Use it as is, if it speaks to you, and/or use it as a springboard for developing your own words. Regardless the words (or, perhaps, lack thereof), re-capture this precious time by carving out for yourself a few moments to consider: What is your prayer as the Torah enters your midst? To what are you opening?
Here in this Torah service we travel the wilderness in the company of the Ark, stand again at Sinai, and re-enact the process of transmission and interpretation as multiple individuals rise to bring the Torah from script to voice. Time collapses. We join the ageless chorus reciting verses that challenge and comfort, awe and enrage, perplex and command. We feel the presence of Jews who have experienced much, in endurance and in celebration, preserving these words. We feel the call of future Jews depending on us to grasp this Tree of Life and hold it for them.
At this expansive point we pray that our hearts open to the essence of Torah and ask for the gift of God’s good light to guide us through our daily lives.
In this precious, liminal moment, fear and need merge with strength and hope. May we all, particularly those observing lifecycle events at the Torah, emerge from this service with a renewed sense of blessing.
[Take a few moments for considering particular concerns and joys brought to the Torah today.]
Let the divine flow of communication represented here bring to us, and to all whom we touch, peace, mercy, sustenance, and gratitude. Thank you for this good teaching.
Amen
Behold, my God of help,
in whom I trust, and tremble not.
Truly, my strength and melody is yah, The One,
who is for me the source of help.
So draw, in joy, the waters
from the Fount of Help.
all help belongs to You.
Upon your people are your blessings. Let it happen!
With us is The Great One of the Multitudes of Heaven,
Stronghold for us, the God of Jacob. Be it so!
O, Great One of the Multitudes of Heaven,
happy is the human being who trusts in you!
Redeeming One, extend your help.
Our Sovereign, answer us whenever we may call.
The Jews of old had light,
And happiness, and joy, and love
may it be so for us!
La-yihuddim hayta orah vesimkhah vesasson veyikar,
ken tehiyeh lanu.
My cup of Help I raise,
and in The OMNIPRESENT's name
I call.
With the permission of this company:
Feminine:
Barucha At Yah Ruach Ha-olam boret p'ri ha-gafen.
Masculine:
Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech Ha'olam boray p'ri hagafen.
Blessed are you, THE BOUNDLESS ONE, our God, the sovereign of all worlds, who created the fruit of the vine.
Feminine:
Barucha At Yah Ruach Ha-olam boret miney besamim.
Masculine:
Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech Ha'olam boray miney besamim.
Blessed are You, REVIVER, our God, the sovereign of all worlds, who creates various spices.
Feminine:
Barucha At Yah Ruach Ha-olam boret me-orey ha-esh.
Masculine:
Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech Ha-olam boray me-orey ha-esh.
Blessed are you, THE RADIANCE, our God, the sovereign of all worlds, who creates the light of fire.
Feminine:
Barucha At Yah Ruach Ha-olam, hamavdilah beyn kodesh lechol beyn or lechoshech beyn yom hashevi'ii lesheshet yemey hama'aseh. Barucha At Yah Ruach Ha-olam hamavdilah beyn kodesh lechol.
Masculine:
Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech Ha-olam hamavdil beyn kodesh lechol beyn or le choshech beyn yom hashevi'i lesheshet yemey ha ma'aseh. Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech Ha-olam hamavdil beyn kodesh lechol.
Blessed are You, THE MANY-NAMED, our God, the sovereign of all worlds, who separates between holy and ordinary, light and dark, the seventh day and the six days of work. Blessed are you, THE INVISIBLE, who separates the holy from the ordinary.
Light the braided Havdalah candle, but don’t say a blessing yet.Thefirst blessing that we say is over the wine. Lift the cup of wine and say:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּֽפֶן
Baruch atah, Adonai, Elohaynu melech ha'olam, boray pri hagafen.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
[A traditional translation.]
-
Holy One of Blessing,Your Presence fills creation,forming the fruit of the vine.
[An alternative translationfrom Vetaher Libenu, a prayerbook created byCongregation Beth El of the Sudbury River Valley.]
The second blessing is over the spices. Lift the spices and say:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא מִינֵי בְשָׂמִים
Baruch atah, Adonai, Elohaynu melech ha'olam, boray minay vesamim.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the universe,who creates species of fragrance.
[A traditional translation.]
After saying the blessing, inhale the sweet smell. Pass around the spicebox so that everybody can inhale the scent deeply.
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