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.
“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 God bring security and safety to Israel and comfort to her people.
Prayer at Shabbat candle-lighting
Our God and the God 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 Defense Forces and other 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.
God, 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.
Lord, our God, comfort the mourners of Your nation, heal the broken-hearted and bind up their wounds,Turn Your countenance, oh God, 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, tranquility, and security. Send Your light and truth to the leaders of the State of Israel, her ministers and advisers, 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 God as the waters cover the oceans.”Amen.
Rabbi Warren Goldstein is chief rabbi of South Africa, and Gina is rabbanit.