Rabbi Jess Says Rabbi-ish Things: Praying Today

Praying isn’t like rubbing a lamp  whereupon a genie appears and grants our wish. Prayer can feel pointless and leave us cold, or can be incredibly comforting and transformative. It hits us all differently and often evolves over time. When we pray classic set texts, we connect both to our ancestors who have uttered those words for thousands of years, and to others around us who are also praying those exact same pages. That’s a kind of magic, a power that derives from the collective values that a past, present, and future global community are treasuring. 

We are also encouraged by our sages to compose our own prayers, as many as we want, as often as we like. To set intentions, to vent to a power greater than us, to restate to ourselves what we need to hear and ultimately shift our emotions and spiritual energy.  Here is one that I know I’ve been needing to say a lot quite recently! I offer it in case you do, too. 

A Prayer Before Reading the News (by Rabbi Irwin Kellwer, 2016)

Elohai neshamah shanatata bi tehorah hi.

My God, the soul you have placed in me is pure and vulnerable. I am afraid that looking at today's news will be painful. Encircle me in a robe of light so that I can witness the wounds of the world without being wounded myself. Let me learn what I need to know in order to be of my greatest use, without being overwhelmed by despair. I feel your protective light now as I open myself to the world’s suffering and the world’s joys. Amen.