The possibility of growth -Daily Minyan Reading - November 18, 2024

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The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

Original reading (remembering my Bar Mitzvah) 

November 18, 2024

Merciful Creator, 

Author of Freedom,

As we move along the journey of our lives, 

We make choices that bring us

The possibility of growth 

And the specter of challenge. 

We don’t always know 

What the consequences of our actions will be. 

Yet, when we recognize the amazing order within nature

And the miracles that sustain our own existence, 

Our resulting gratitude should lead us in a direction

Established by the wisdom of our heritage

That has been passed down to us 

A tradition that encourages 

Nurturing our souls

Expanding our minds 

Valuing truth, 

Practicing respect, trust and decency

And demonstrating love for humanity

That reflects Your great love,

Which encompasses every one of us

Within Your guiding presence,

Longing to make us One. 

The touch of Your spirit - Daily Minyan Reading - November 5, 2024

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The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

Original reading

November 5, 2024

Creator of the Universe, 

Source of wisdom, reservoir of strength,

How do You want us to see one another? 

If it is with Your sight, 

It must be that we should recognize

That a touch of Your spirit resides in each of us

And, because of that, we must act as if 

We are Your partners in preserving this world. 

It must be that we should acknowledge Your presence 

In the eyes and souls of other people,

Whether neighbor or stranger, 

So that we would know that if we denigrate anyone, 

We are diminishing You, 

And so that if we support our neighbors on this planet

 with respect, with compassion, and with love, 

We are raising You up through raising them up. 

Because You have fashioned us in Your image, 

Every day, may we speak as if our voice is Yours.

May we reach out as if our hands are Yours.

May we bask in the light of Your Oneness 

So that we will truly experience 

fulfillment, joy and peace

Which all comes from You. 

The blessing of Your light - Daily Minyan Reading - November 12, 2024

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The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

Original reading

November 12, 2024

Soul of the Universe, 

Source of insight,

We turn to You to experience

The blessing of Your light

Which warms our hearts 

and raises us up to the heights

Of ideals and teachings 

Embedded in our heritage: 

Welcoming the strangers 

who come into our midst;

Engaging in dialogue that can bring people 

to a deeper, mutual understanding; 

Working in common cause 

To lift up neighbors in need

To greater well-being, increased subsistence, 

And more reasons for hope; 

And discovering new ways 

to turn conflict into cooperation, and even peace. 

Sustain us with the faith that Your Oneness,

Which binds us all together,

Will lead us and inspire us to become one

In ways that will enable us 

to offer our own gifts and blessings

To one another, to this world, and back to You, Eternal One.