Now that the IDF has launched Operation Pillar of Defense (officially called מבצע עמוד ענן in Hebrew – literally “Operation Pillar of Smoke”) in response to the enemy’s vicious and relentless assault on innocent Israeli civilians, the Rav of our community has asked that one say a chapter of Tehillim after davening and recite the following prayer for our beleaguered brothers and sisters in the South as well as the brave soldiers of the IDF:
אחינו כל בית ישראל, הנתונים בצרה ובשביה, העומדים בין בים ובין ביבשה, המקום ירחם עליהם ויוציאם מצרה לרווחה, ומאפילה לאורה ומשעבוד לגאולה, השתא בעגלא ובזמן קריב. ונאמר אמן.
Our brothers, the entire House of Israel, who are held in distress and captivity, whether they are on the sea or on dry land:
May the Makom have mercy on them and bring them from distress to relief, from darkness to light, from subjugation to redemption - now, speedily, and very soon. And let us say: Amen.
As always, for up-to-the-minute, accurate reporting of the day’s events, be sure to check out Jameel and friends’ excellent live coverage.
May we soon be privileged to enjoy besurot tovot, yeshu’ot v’nechamot (good tidings, salvation, and consolation).
pillar of cloud (cloud pillar?), not smoke. but i must say, pillar of defense sounds better.
ReplyDeletesara g - Thanks for commenting! You're absolutely right. "Pillar of Cloud" (or "Cloud Pillar") is a better literal translation. But since the name is apparently a reference to the Amud HeAnan in the midbar, I felt that "Pillar of Smoke" is a more traditional translation. And yes, I'm also very impressed that someone in an official capacity had the sense to use "Pillar of Defense!" :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd a good night to all...
"May we soon be privileged to enjoy besurot tovot, yeshu’ot v’nechamot (good tidings, salvation, and consolation."--Amen!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for the translation of the prayer--my mother was sent a not very good translation and she really wanted a better one (now she has it).
Whatever the pillar, may everyone involved be safe, complete the mission, and achieve the goals.
ReplyDeleteJameel – Thank you for all your incredible efforts! I hope you were able to get some rest over Shabbat.
ReplyDeleteLaura – I’m glad I could help.
Leora – Amen!