Rabbi Lewis John Eron, Ph.D.

 

Torah Service

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אֵין כָּמֽוֹךָ בָאֱלֹהִים, יְיָ, וְאֵין כְּמַעֲשֶֽׂיךָ.

מַלְכוּתְךָ מַלְכוּת כָּל עֹלָמִים, וּמֶמְשַׁלְתְּךָ בְּכָל דֹּר וָדֹר.

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Ein kamocha va-elohim, Adonai, v'ein k'ma-asecha.

Malchut'cha malchut kol olamim, umemshalt'cha b'chol dor vador.

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There is none like You, Dear God, and no works can compare to Your own.  (Psalm 86:8)

Your dominion encompasses all worlds and Your sovereignty extends throughout the generations.  (Psalm 145:13)

 

יְיָ מֶֽלֶךְ, יְיָ מָלָךְ, יְיָ יִמְלֹךְ לְעֹלָם וָעֶד. יְיָ עֹז לְעַמּוֹ יִתֵּן, יְיָ יְבָרֵךְ אֶת עַמּוֹ בַשָּׁלוֹם

 

Adonai melech, Adonai malach, Adonai yimloch l'olam va-ed.  Adonai oz l'amo yitein, Adonai y'vareich et amo vashalom

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The Eternal One rules now, then and forever.  The Eternal One blesses His people with Shalom, “Peace.” (Psalm 29:11)

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אַב הָרַחֲמִים, הֵיטִֽיבָה בִרְצֽוֹנְךָ אֶת צִיּוֹן, תִּבְנֶה חוֹמוֹת יְרוּשָׁלָֽיִם. כִּי בְךָ לְבַד בָּטָֽחְנוּ, מֶֽלֶךְ אֵל רָם וְנִשָּׂא, אֲדוֹן עוֹלָמִים.

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Av harachamim, heitivah virtzon'cha et tziyon, tivneh chomot y'rushalayim.  Ki v'cha l'vad batach'nu, melech eil ram v'nisa, adon olamim.

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May the Source of Compassion, who showers Zion with goodness, fortify Jerusalem, because we have placed our trust only in You, the high and exalted Sovereign One, Ruler of All Worlds.

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וַיְהִי בִּנְסֹֽעַ הָאָרֹן וַיֹּֽאמֶר משֶׁה: קוּמָה יְיָ, וְיָפֻֽצוּ אֹיְבֶֽיךָ, וְיָנֻֽסוּ מְשַׂנְאֶֽיךָ מִפָּנֶֽיךָ:

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Vay'hi binsoa ha-aron vayomer mosheh, kumah, Adonai, v'yafutzu oy'vecha, v'yanusu m'sanecha mipanecha.

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And it was when the Holy Ark set forth, Moses declared:
“Rise up, Almighty God, and disperse Your enemies;
May all who hate You flee from Your presence.” (Numbers 10:35)

כִּי מִצִּיּוֹן תֵּצֵא תוֹרָה , וּדְבַר יְיָ מִירוּשָלָֽיִם:  בָּרוּךְ שֶׁנָּתַן תּוֹרָה לְעַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּקְדֻשָּׁתוֹ:

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Ki mitziyon teitzei torah, ud'var Adonai mirushalayim. Baruch shenatan torah l'amo yisra-eil bikdushato.

 

Torah will come forth out of Zion, and the Eternal One’s word from Jerusalem, Your holy city.  (Isaiah 2:3) Blessed is the One who, as a manifestation of His holiness, gave the Torah to His people Israel.

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שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, יְיָ אֶחָד.

Sh'ma yisra-eil, Adonai eloheinu, Adonai echad.

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Listen well, people of Israel, the Eternal is our God, 
the Eternal One Alone!  (Deuteronomy 6:4)

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אֶחָד אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, גָּדוֹל אֲדוֹנֵֽנוּ, קָדוֹשׁ וְנוֹרָא שְׁמוֹ.

Echad  eloheinu, gadol adoneinu, kadosh v'nora sh'mo.

One is Our God, Great is our Sovereign, 
Holy and Revered is God’s name!

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גַּדְּלוּ לַיָי אִתִּי, וּנְרוֹמְמָה שְׁמוֹ יַחְדָּו:

Gad'lu l’Adonai iti, un'rom'mah sh'mo yachdav.

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Exalt the Eternal with me!  Together let us glorify God’s name! (Psalm 34:4) 

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לְךָ יְיָ הַגְּדֻלָּה וְהַגְּבוּרָה וְהַתִּפְאֶֽרֶת וְהַנֵּֽצַח וְהַהוֹד, כִּי כֹל בַּשָׁמַֽיִם וּבָאָֽרֶץ:

לְךָ יְיָ הַמַּמְלָכָה וְהַמִּתְנַשֵּׂא לכֹל לְרֹאשׁ:

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L'cha Adonai hag'dulah v'hag'vurah v'hatiferet ki chol bashamayim uva-aretz, v'haneitzach v'hahod, 

L'cha Adonai hamamlachah, v'hamitnasei l'chol l'rosh.

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To You, Dear God, belong greatness, might, glory, triumph, and splendor, because throughout heaven and earth all dominion is Yours and You are exalted above all creatures.  (1 Chronicles 29:11)

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רוֹמְמוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לַהֲדֹם רַגְלָיו קָדוֹשׁ הוּא:

 

Rom'mu Adonai eloheinu, v'hishtachavu lahadom raglav, kadosh hu.

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רוֹמְמוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, וְהִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְהַר קָדְשׁוֹ, כִּי קָדוֹשׁ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ:

 

Rom'mu Adonai eloheinu, v'hishtachavu l'har kad'sho, ki kadosh Adonai eloheinu.

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Exalt our Eternal God.  Bow down before God’s footstool.  Holy is our God!  Exalt our Eternal God.  Bow down before God’s holy mountain, for holy is our Eternal God. (Psalm 99:5,9)

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Torah Blessings

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(Those who receive an aliyah to the Torah say the following blessing.)

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בָּרְכוּ אֶת יְיָ הַמְּבֹרָךְ:

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Bar'chu et Adonai hamvorach

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בָּרוּךְ יְיָ הַמְּבֹרָךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד:

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Baruch Adonai hamvorach l'olam va-ed.

 

Bless the Blessed Eternal God!
The Blessed Eternal God is blessed now and forever!

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בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר בָּֽחַר בָּֽנוּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים וְנָֽתַן לָֽנוּ אֶת תּוֹרָתוֹ: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, נוֹתֵן הַתּוֹרָה:

 

Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher bachar banu mikol ha-amim v'natan lanu et torato.  Baruch atah Adonai, notein hatorah.

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We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, Ruler of All, who has chosen us by giving us Your Torah.  We extol and adore You, Dear God, who gives us the Torah. 

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(After the section of the Torah is read, those who receive an aliyah recite the following blessing.)

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בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר נָֽתַן לָֽנוּ תּוֹרַת אֱמֶת, וְחַיֵּי עוֹלָם נָטַע בְּתוֹכֵֽנוּ: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, נוֹתֵן הַתּוֹרָה:

 

Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher natan lanu torat emet, v'chayei olam nata b'tocheinu.  Baruch atah Adonai, notein hatorah.

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We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, Ruler of All, who by giving us the Torah of Truth has planted  eternal life in our midst.  We extol and adore You, Dear God, the One who gives us the Torah.

 

A Prayer for Healing

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מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ אֲבוֹתֵינוּ וְאִמּוֹתֵנוּ, אַבְרָהָם, יִצְחָק, וְיַעֲקֹב, 
שָׂרָה, רִבְקָה, רָחֵל, וְלֵאַה, הוּא יְבָרֵךְ אֶת הַחוֹלִים . . .

 

May the One who was the source of blessings for our ancestors – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah – be a reservoir of comfort and support for our loved ones and friends who are ill and in need of courage, hope, and strength.  

 

May they experience God’s sustaining presence in the care they receive from doctors, nurses, therapists, and all helping people, and in the best wishes and prayers they receive from family, neighbors, and friends.  May all our sick be blessed with a strengthening of body, spirit, heart, and soul, so that they can find purpose, meaning, direction, and love in their lives forever.  Amen. (Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

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Lifting and Binding the Torah Scroll

וְזֹאת הַתּוֹרָה אֲשֶׁר שָׂם מֹשֶה לִפְנֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל פִּי יְיָ בְּיַד משֶׁה:

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V'zot hatorah asher sam mosheh lifnei b'nei yisra-eil, al pi Adonai b'yad mosheh.

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This is the Torah, which Moses presented by his own hand to the Children of Israel upon God’s command.  (Deuteronomy 4:44; Numbers 9:13)

 

Haftara Blessings

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(Blessing Recited Before Reading the Haftara)

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בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר בִּנְבִיאִים טוֹבִים, וְרָצָה בְדִבְרֵיהֶם הַנֶאֱמָרִים בֶּאֱמֶת, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, הַבּוֹחֵר בַּתּוֹרָה וּבְמֹשֶׁה עַבְדּוֹ, וּבְיִשְׂרָאֵל עַמּוֹ, וּבִנְבִיאֵי הָאֱמֶת וָצֶֽדֶק.

 

Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher bachar binviim tovim, v'ratzah v'divreihem hane-emarim be-emet. Baruch atah Adonai, habocheir batorah uv'mosheh avdo, uv'yisra-eil amo, uvinvi-ei ha-emet vatzedek.

 

We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, Ruler of All, who has selected good prophets and has favored their words that were spoken in truth.  We extol and exalt You, Dear God, for choosing the Torah, Your servant Moses, Your people Israel, and Your prophets of truth and righteousness.

(Blessings Recited After Reading the Haftara)

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בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, צוּר כָּל הָעוֹלָמִים, צַדִּיק בְּכָל הַדּוֹרוֹת, הָאֵל הַנֶּאֱמָן הָאוֹמֵר וְעֹשֶׂה, הַמְדַבֵּר וּמְקַיֵּם, שֶׁכָּל דְּבָרָיו אֶמֶת וָצֶֽדֶק.

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Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, tzur kol ha-olamim, tzadik b'chol hadorot, ha-eil hane-eman ha-omeir v'oseh, hamdabeir um'kayeim, shekol d'varav emet vatzedek.

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We bless and praise You, our Eternal God, Ruler of All.  You are the Rock of all Worlds, the Righteous One throughout the generations, and the faithful God who creates by speaking and establishes all by proclamation. All Your words are true and righteous.

עַל הַתּוֹרָה, וְעַל הָעֲבוֹדָה, וְעַל הַנְּבִיאִים, (וְעַל יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת הַזֶּה,) וְעַל יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים הַזֶּה, שֶׁנָתַֽתָּ לָֽנוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, (לִקְדֻשָּׁה וְלִמְנוּחָה,) לְכָבוֹד וּלְתִפְאַָֽרֶת.

Al hatorah, v'al ha-avodah, v'al han'viim, (v'al yom hashabat hazeh), v'al yom hakipurim hazeh, shenatata lanu, Adonai eloheinu, (likdushah v'limnuchah), l'chavod ul'tifaret.

עַל הַכֹּל יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, אֲנַֽחְנוּ מוֹדִים לָךְ, וּמְבָרְכִים אוֹתָךְ, יִתְבָּרַךְ שִׁמְךָ בְּפִי כָּל חַי תָּמִיד לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד וּדְבָרְךָ אֱמֶת וְקַיָּם לָעַד. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מֶֽלֶךְ מוֹחֵל וְסוֹלֵחַ לַעֲוֹנוֹתֵֽינוּ וְלַעֲוֹנוֹת עַמּוֹ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, וּמַעֲבִיר אַשְׁמוֹתֵֽינוּ בְּכָל שָׁנָה וְשָׁנָה, מֶֽלֶךְ עַל כָּל הָאָֽרֶץ  מְקַדֵּשׁ (הַשַּׁבָּת וְ) יִשְׂרָאֵל וְיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים.

 

Al hakol, Adonai eloheinu, anachnu modim lach, um'var'chim otach, yitbarach shimcha b'fi kol chai tamid l'olam va-ed. ud'var'cha emet v'kayam la-ad. Baruch atah Adonai, melech mocheil v'solei-ach la-avonoteinu v'la-avonot amo beit yisra-eil, uma-avir ashmoteinu b'chol shanah v'shanah, melech al kol ha-aretz, m'kadeish (hashabat v') yisra-eil v'yom hakipurim.

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For the Torah and for the privilege of worship, and for the prophets (and for the Shabbat day) and for this Day of Atonement that You, Eternal One, our God, has given us (for holiness and rest, and) for honor and glory, we thank and bless You.  May Your name always be blessed by all living things forever because Your word is true and endures eternally.  We bless and praise You, Eternal One, who pardons and forgives our sins and the sins of Your people, the House of Israel, and makes our transgressions pass away year after year.  We honor and extol You, Eternal One, for You have sanctified (the Shabbat,) the Jewish people and the Day of Atonement.

Yizkor

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Memory brings us together.  It ties our present to our past and gives direction to our future.  It helps us learn from our mistakes and draw strength from our successes.

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We gather today to share our memories: memories of those who have been a part of our lives and who have now gone to their eternal home.  They touched our hearts, souls and minds; over the years they shared their lives with us, and we still feel their absence.

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We gather today to acknowledge our loss, to share our hurt, and to offer thanksgiving for the opportunities we had to learn from them and grow with them.  They still live on in our lives and in the lives of all whom they touched along the pathways of their years.

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At times when our sense of loss and separation seems to overwhelm us, when sorrow and grief seek to engulf us, we reach out to each other and to the Divine spark within us for love, support and meaning.  We seek the light of God that illumines our eyes and brightens our souls.

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Dear God, in times of sorrow and grief, as in times of celebration and rejoicing, may we never be far from Your guiding beacon.  Grant us the strength to feel Your presence within and without us as we go about our daily tasks.  May we be graced with the power to see Your glow in the souls of all we meet, and may their memory light our way on our path to You.  (Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

A Yizkor Prayer

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God above, at this sacred hour, we remember with love and reverence those no longer with us.

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We recall family members and dear friends whose souls are with You.

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We also remember those who, throughout our history, gave their lives for the sanctification of Your name – those who perished so that Judaism might survive.

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We remember the innocent victims of ruthless pogroms.  We recall the six million who were slaughtered during the Holocaust.

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We also remember the heroes who fought and died to give life to the State of Israel and to guarantee its continued existence.

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And we remember the countless good people of all nations and faiths who dedicated their lives to the betterment of humanity and our world, those who struggled to promote freedom, liberty, and a better, safer, healthier life for all.

May their repose be in paradise.  May their memory be a blessing. 
(Rabbi Howard Kahn, Congregation Beth El from JGH Shabbat Shalom Prayer Booklet adapted)

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Dear God, I thank You for the precious gift of memory, as I remember the many people who were a source of  love and blessing for me during the days, months, and years we spent together.  May their memory be a source of strength for me.  May I always remember the joy and blessings they  brought into my life.  As I cherish the best wishes and dreams they had for me, may I also have the strength to forgive them for their shortcomings.  May I continue to be inspired by their highest values, and help me live in such a way as to make those values real in my life and in the lives of those I touch.  (Rabbi Lewis John Eron)

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Eil Maleh Rachamim

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אֵל מָלֵא רַחֲמִים שׁוֹכֵן בַּמְּרוֹמִים. הַמְצֵא מְנוּחָה נְכוֹנָה עַל כַּנְפֵי הַשְּׁכִינָה. בְּמַעֲלוֹת קְדוֹשִׁים וּטְהוֹרִים כְּזֹֽהַר הָרָקִֽיעַ מַזְהִירִים אֶת נְשָׁמוֹת קְרוֹבֵינוּ וְאַהוּבֵינוּ  שֶׁהָלְכוּ לְעוֹלָמָם, בְּגַן עֵֽדֶן תְּהֵא מְנוּחֳתָם. לָכֵן בַּֽעַל הָרַחֲמִים  יַסְתִּירֵֽהֶם בְּסֵֽתֶר כְּנָפָיו לְעוֹלָמִים. וְיִצְרוֹר בִּצְרוֹר הַחַיִּים אֶת נִשְׁמוֹתָם. יְיָ הוּא נַחֲלוֹתָם: וְיָנֽוּחוּ בְּשָׁלוֹם עַל מִשְׁכָּבוֹתָם. וְנֹאמַר אָמֵן:

 

Eternal God, Fountain of Compassion, help me find blessings in the memory of those I love, as today I remember all those close and dear to me – my dear: 
father / mother / sister / brother / child
grandchild / grandparents / aunts / uncles / cousins 
husband/ wife/ partner / neighbors / co-workers / comrades 
teachers / friends 
 
May their memory be a source of strength and encouragement for me today and every day, and let me say, “Amen.”

A Psalm of David:    
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
    He leadeth me beside the still waters. 
He restoreth my soul; 
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 
    Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of     death, 
    I will fear no evil;
    for Thou art with me; 
    Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. 
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; 
Thou anointest my head with oil; 
my cup runneth over. 
    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; 
    and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  (Psalm 23)

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Mourners’ Kaddish

יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא. בְּעָלְמָא דִּי בְרָא כִרְעוּתֵהּ, וְיַמְלִיךְ מַלְכוּתֵהּ בְּחַיֵּיכוֹן וּבְיוֹמֵיכוֹן וּבְחַיֵּי דְכָל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל. בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:

 

Yitgadal v'yitkadash sh'meih raba. B'al'ma di v'ra chiruteih, v'yamlich malchuteih b'chayeichon uv'yomeichon uv'chayei d'chol beit yisra-eil, ba-agala uvizman  kariv, v'imru amein.

 

יְהֵא שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ לְעָלַם וּלְעָלְמֵי עָלְמַיָּא:

Y'hei sh'meih raba m'varach l'alam ul'al'mei al'maya.

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יִתְבָּרַךְ וְיִשְׁתַּבַּח, וְיִתְפָּאַר וְיִתְרוֹמַם וְיִתְנַשֵּׂא וְיִתְהַדָּר וְיִתְעַלֶּה וְיִתְהַלָּל שְׁמֵהּ דְּקֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לְעֵֽלָּא וּלְעֵלָּא מִן כָּל בִּרְכָתָא וְשִׁירָתָא, תֻּשְׁבְּחָתָא וְנֶחֱמָתָא, דַּאֲמִירָן בְּעָלְמָא, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:

Yitbarach v'yishtabach v'yitpa-ar v'yitromam v'yitnasei v'yithadar v'yitaleh v'yithalal sh'meih d'kudsha b'rich hu,’eila ul’eila min kol birchata v'shirata tushb'chata v'nechemata, da-amiran b'al'ma, v'imru amein.

 

יְהֵא שְׁלָמָא רַבָּא מִן שְׁמַיָּא וְחַיִּים עָלֵֽינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:

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Y'hei sh'lama raba min sh'maya, v'chayim aleinu  v'al kol yisra-eil, v'imru amein.

עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו, הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם, עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַל כָּל יוֹשְׁבֵי תֵבֵל, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:

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Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya-aseh shalom aleinu v'al kol yisra-eil, v'imru  amein.

 

May God’s name be made great and holy in the world, which God created according to His will.

 

May God’s dominion become real in your lives and throughout your days and in the life of all Israel, and may this happen speedily and soon, and let us say, “Amen!”

 

May God’s exalted name be blessed in this and in all worlds forever!

 

May the Blessed One’s holy name be blessed, praised, glorified, exalted, proclaimed, glorified, elevated, and lauded well beyond all the words of blessing, song, praise and consolation that we can utter in this world, and let us say, “Amen!”

 

May there be abounding peace and life from heaven for us and for all Israel, and let us say, “Amen!”

 

May the One who creates peace in the heavens above, grant peace to us, to all Israel and to all who share this world, and let us say, “Amen!”

Returning the Torah Scroll to the Aron Kodesh / the Holy Ark

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יְהַלְלוּ אֶת שֵׁם יְיָ, כִּי נִשְׂגָּב שְׁמוֹ לְבַדּוֹ:

Y'hal'lu et sheim Adonai, ki nisgav sh'mo l'vado. 

 

Praise the Eternal’s name, for it alone is supreme.

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הוֹדוֹ עַל אֶֽרֶץ וְשָׁמָֽיִם. וַיָּֽרֶם קֶֽרֶן לְעַמּוֹ,
תְּהִלָּה לְכָל חֲסִידָיו, לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עַם קְרוֹבוֹ, הַלְלוּיָהּ.

 

Hodo al eretz v'shamayim. Vayarem keren l'amo, t'hilah l'chol chasidav, 
livnei yisra-eil am k'rovo, hal'luyah.

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God’s majesty abides on the earth and in the heavens.  God has lifted up our people’s strength.  Praise to all God’s loyal ones.  To the children of Israel, a people close to God.  Hallelujah!  (Psalm 148:13-14)

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(We place the Torah scroll back into the Aron Kodesh / the Holy Ark.)

 

עֵץ חַיִּים הִיא לַמַּחֲזִיקִים בָּהּ, וְתֹמְכֶֽיהָ מְאֻשָׁר.

דְּרָכֶֽיהָ דַרְכֵי נֹֽעַם, וְכָל נְתִיבוֹתֶֽיהָ שָׁלוֹם.

הֲשִׁיבֵֽנוּ יְיָ, אֵלֶֽיךָ וְנָשֽׁוּבָה, חַדֵּשׁ יָמֵֽינוּ כְּקֶֽדֶם.

Eitz chayim hi lamachazikim bah, v'tom'cheha m'ushar.

D'racheha darchei noam, v'chol n'tivoteha shalom.

Hashiveinu Adonai eilecha v'nashuvah, chadeish yameinu k'kedem.
    

It is a tree of life to those who hold fast to it, and its supporters are happy.  Its ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are paths of peace.  (Proverbs 3:18,17)  Return us to You, Dear God, and we will return.  Renew our days as of old. (Lamentations 5:21)