T’filah for the Month of Av

This Shabbat we bless the coming new month of Av, which begins on Monday.  During this month, while we take one day (Tisha B’Av -- 9th of Av) to fast in commemoration of some major tragedies of our past, we just as surely take all the other days to be consoled, to appreciate our miraculous ongoing survivals, and to celebrate our remarkable continuing triumphs!  We also take one day (Tu B’Av -- 15th of Av) to revel in the beauty and vitality of the Jewish values of love and family.

While the onslaught against us is seemingly never-ending with threats ongoing in every generation, of ever-greater import and impact is our eternal steadfast resolve, strength, faith, and vision for achieving victory and peace.  We offer this t’fillah now with great hope and confidence, with deep ahavat Yisrael, and with emunah shleima in God, in our people, and in the unequivocal rightness and justness of our cause. 

יְהִי רְצוֹן יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ, שֶׁהַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה וְהֶחֳדָשִׁים הַבָּאִים יָבִיאוּ לא"י -- לְאֶזְרָחֶיהָ וּלְתוֹשָׁבֶיהָ הַנֶּאֱמָנִים, לְחַיָּלֶיהָ וּלְכָל מָגִנֶּיהָ, וּלְכֹל עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל -- נֶחָמָה, רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה בַּגּוּף וּבַנֶּפֶשׁ הַפְּרָטִי וְהַקְּהִלָּתִי, וְנִצָּחוֹן מָלֵא שֶׁיָּבִיא עִמּוֹ שַׁלְוָה, בְּרָכָה, אַהֲבָה וַחֲבֵרוּת אַמִּיצָה בֵּין אִישׁ וְאִשָּׁה לְרֵעֵהוּ, שִׂמְחַת עוֹלָם, וְעֵת שָׁלוֹם. אָמֵן.

May it be Your will Adonai, our God and God of our ancestors, that this month and the coming months bring to Eretz Yisrael -- her citizens and faithful inhabitants, her soldiers and all her defenders, and to Am Yisrael --  comfort and consolation, complete healing to body and soul both personal and communal, and total victory that will bring with it tranquility, blessing, strong love and camaraderie between each of us and our compatriots, everlasting joy, and a time of peace.   Amein.