Who would have thought a few weeks ago when I began this blog that shul would be cancelled? Closing a synagogue essentially closes the doors to community and comfort but it only one cog in the wheel of closures that are being used as an arsenal of weapons against a tiny but virulent common enemy.
I began this blog as a way to reflect on the process of saying kaddish, but I believe that it can be so much more than that. I am planning to continue this blog as a way to process on prayer, on everyday events and even saying kaddish at this crazy time.
For today I am sharing something that I received today as part of an email to the community.
Rabbi S, of a local modern orthodox synagogue sent out a kaddish that can be recited if there is not a minyan. I post this today for myself, for my brothers and perchance someone else looks at this post looking for an alternative in these trying times to glorify, magnify and hallow.
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom in this Shabbat where we begin our quest to creatively build a community without walls, without ceilings, without limits.
Here is a toast to our success. Stay healthy.
I have looked up the three passages that the Sefer Hasidim suggests. Here they are:
עַתָּ֕ה יִגְדַּל־נָ֖א כֹּ֣חַ אֲדֹנָ֑י כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּ֖רְתָּ לֵאמֹֽר׃
Therefore, I pray, let my Lord’s forbearance be great, as You have declared, saying,
הִתְגַּדִּלְתִּי֙ וְהִתְקַדִּשְׁתִּ֔י וְנ֣וֹדַעְתִּ֔י לְעֵינֵ֖י גּוֹיִ֣ם רַבִּ֑ים וְיָדְע֖וּ כִּֽי־אֲנִ֥י יְהוָֽה׃ (ס)
Thus will I manifest My greatness and My holiness, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations. And they shall know that I am the LORD.
יְהִ֤י שֵׁ֣ם יְהוָ֣ה מְבֹרָ֑ךְ מֵֽ֝עַתָּ֗ה וְעַד־עוֹלָֽם׃
Let the name of the LORD be blessed now and forever.
_________________________________________________________________________
I found this kavannah on the web. It is by Wayne Dosick and written in 2003 in memory of his father, Hyman Dosick, Z"L. I discovered it in an article from The Forward, called "For the Solitary Mourner: A Prayer of Godly Praise
Kavannah Before Kaddish*
In the Name of God, Source of All Being:I call upon the Heavenly Hosts,who surround the Place of Glory;And I call upon the Archangels,who fashion and shape the universe;And I call upon the Angels,who serve the Divine will;And I call upon the Guides and the MasterGuides,who watch over me and protect me;And I ask you All:Be with me now,and give power to my words. In the Name of God, Source of All Becoming:I say to my [choose one or more: holy, revered, beloved, devoted, sweet] [father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, husband or wife] [his or her name]:In every place and in every space in this great cosmos, it is known and revealed that you have left your Earthly bodyand this physical world.God has called you home.I remain ever-glad and ever-grateful for the Divine-gift of your life, and though my heart still yearns for your physical presence,with love, with honor, and with blessing, I give you back to God, and release you to eternity. I celebrate your soul-journey to the Light —to that awesome place of revelation and knowing, of redemption and salvation,of peace and harmony, of grace, and compassion, and infinite love. I am comforted and enheartened knowing that you dwell in God’s Sheltering Presence, immersed in God’s Holy Spirit. For, with God, it is safe, and sweet, and good.To the Name of God, Source of All Blessing: I come before You at that most sacred and wondrous place where Heaven and Earth touch.I stand with all those of the Divine Assembly,and with all who desire to do holy work,to speak these words that echo through there, and here, and everywhere,through then, and now, and forever;these words of hope and promise,transformation, and evolution,faith and love.To You, O God, I speak these ancient and ageless words of praise and glory,to Your Great and Holy Name.Yitgadal v’yitkadash sh’may raba…*
Comments