May 9, 2008
A revised prayer for Israel
As the over 5000 year-old nation of Israel celebrates the 60th anniversary of its return to sovereignty in its ancestral homeland after 2000 years of rule by foreign powers, Israeli commentator Uri Orbach composed a not so tongue in cheek prayer based on the prayer for the State of Israel said in many synagogues world wide. It opens asking
Our Father in Heaven, Rock and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel, the first manifestation of the approach of our redemption. Shield it from its own ministers, leaders, advisors, contractors, merchants, celebrities, beggars, journalists, and bureaucrats, and bestow Your light and truth upon its statesmen, rabbis, judges, and intellectuals, and grace them with Your good counsel.
The prayer joyously concludes with several final, optimistic requests and thanks.
Our Father in Heaven, prevent uprooting from you estate and needless hatred from your sons, grant wisdom to your leftists and responsibility to your settlers (in some synagogues this shall be recited the other way around,) as well as dignity, and fraternity, and consideration, and understanding among all Your believers and heretics, as is written in the Torah: "Even if your outcasts are at the ends of the world, from there the Lord your God will gather you, from there He will fetch you."
Manifest yourself in the splendor of Your boldness before the eyes of all inhabitants of Your world, and may everyone endowed with a soul affirm: What a state! What a state! What a state, special and unique. Amen forevermore.
Amen for eternity.