May the One who blessed our fathers--Avraham, Yitzhak, Ya’akov,

Moshe, Aharon, David, and Sh’lomo

(and our mothers, Sara, Rivka, Rachel, Leah,

Tzipporah, Miriam, Devorah and Yael),

bless and guard and give aid to our brothers (and sisters)

who are caught up in war,

those who are members of our armed forces

 along with all of those who find themselves in danger and in captivity

 whether on land or on the sea (or in the air). 

May Adonai help them and rescue them and deliver them

because they have put their trust in Adonai.

May Adonai of the Heavenly Hosts shield them--the God of Jacob is their refuge.  Selah. 

The angel of God encamps ‘round those that revere Adonai and rescues them. 

O Israel, have hope in Adonai now and forever more. 

Adonai, redeem the life of Your servants

and none who trust in You will be ashamed. 

Here, the Guardian of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep,

Adonai is their guardian--the protection at their right hand,

and will guard them from all harm--Adonai will guard their lives. 

Blessed will they be, in their going out and in their coming in--each

to their (own) house--with the threefold blessing in the Torah. 

May Adonai bless you and guard you,

May Adonai’s face give light to you, and show you favor,

May Adonai’s face be lifted toward you and bestow upon you (the blessing of) peace. 

May Adonai give strength to us 

May Adonai bless us with peace

For us,

For all Israel,

(and for all the inhabitants of the world) who acknowledge Your name

in the fullness of mercy.

And let us say, Amen.

( translation by Rabbi Cherie Koller-Fox, Interim President, The Academy for Jewish Religion, www.ajrsem.org )

March 28, 2003