Sunday, January 31, 2010

Israel?

So I left New York City. I came to Israel. It was Tu B'Shevat this weekend, also called new year for the trees. We have a seder and drink wine and are thankful for nature.

This was used in a seder I attended. I really like it.

Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlav's Prayer

Master of the universe, grant me the ability to be alone;
may it be my custom to go outdoors each day,
among the trees and grasses, among all growing things,
there to be alone and enter into prayer.

There may I express all that is in my heart,
talking with God to whom I belong.

And may all grasses, trees, and plants awake at my coming.

Send the power of their life into my prayer,
making whole my heart and my speech
through the life and spirit of growing things,
made whole by their transcendent Source.

O that they would enter into my prayer!
Then would I fully open my heart in prayer, supplication, and holy speech;
then, O God, would I pour out the words of my heart before Your presence.


Rabbi Nachman was a pretty cool dude.