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Mishkan R'fuah
2020 Moderator's Choices
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2020/4 Thoughts and Discussion on Mishkan R'fuah: Where Healing Resides--Mod's Choice
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I found this on Amazon after reading your recommendation. I generally like what CCAR publishes and I’ve put it on my “interesting books” list.
Mod
Thanks for checking it out, Susan. I don't think you'd be disappointed but would like to hear your reaction!
I am going to search it out. Not typically what I would read. But it appears to be what I need to read. Need trumps wants at this noo POP
I am going to check it out. Not typically what I would read but appears to be what i need
Mod
Rhonda, that's typical of the prayers in this book too -- what people need, not what they want. That's a major part of the appeal for me. Not to make events turn out as I want but to ask for the strength, patience, and trust I need, and to find the way to God.
Thank you for this uplifting and timely book suggestion!
Mod
And thanks for your comment since it reminded me to turn to it myself, which I needed. Yesterday I found a prayer for the health care providers, and couldn't readily find it again today, but instead found one called "When Fears Multiply." While this book wasn't designed for a national emergency, somehow it seems to apply anyway!
I'll happily pass this on to the folks at the CCAR. Imagine how gratified they will be by this update.
Mod
I'm glad they issued it. I don't know if there are other similar efforts.
There's a history of Jews being uncomfortable talking about God. Or even of atheism. I had a rabbi once who would reply that he, as well, didn't believe in the God they didn't believe in. In other words, that's not God. I think that's changing, and perhaps this book is one more sign.
Two other books that were important to me about 10 or 12 years ago: Finding God: Selected Responses and Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life. They're not prayer books though. You might find them in synagogue libraries.
Mod
https://www.ccarpress.org/shopping_pr..."
I had no idea. How long has this been around? Had to be at least a year or two?
"Necessity is the mother of invention. I believe this will be hot item this year.
So, for the Fifth Question....Ma nishtana
Who is going to eat the soup I just made for 50 people?
Not a happy camper. :)
Stacey wrote: "Barbara wrote: "The CCAR has a visual haggada for virtual sedarim.https://www.ccarpress.org/shopping_pr..."
I had no idea. How long has this been around? Had to be at least..."
Stacey, I'm sorry about your soup and for all of us whose s'darim will be either sparsely attended or virtual. I believe that this haggadah is several years old--so you're right!!
Mod
"Pandemic" by Lynn Ungar
What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath—
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.
Promise this world your love--
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.
🕯🕯
Mod
Love this.
So true!!!!
You can also buy the book directly from the publisher, CCAR: https://www.ccarpress.org/shopping_pr...
Mod
Thank you, Linda.
I don't think they'd mind if I typed in a prayer or two from the book--something I've been meaning to do.
Mod
When I panic, God, teach me patience. When I fear, teach me faith. When I doubt myself, teach me confidence. When I despair, teach me hope. When I lose perspective, show me the way--back to love, back to life, back to You.
From Mishkan R'fuah: Where Healing Resides, Part I,"Building a Tent of Healing"
Mod
New Chances
Modeh ani l'fanecha
I am so grateful to You,
Melech chai v'kayam
The Great One of life and time
Shehechezarta bi nishmati
That you return my soul each morning
Rabbah emunatecha
How great is your faithfulness to me.
From Mishkan R'fuah: Where Healing Resides, Part II, "Entering a Tent of Healing"
“Modeh ani” is the prayer one traditionally recites upon waking up in the morning. I like broadening the context in which we might use it. I received my copy of the book a few days ago, and, while I found most of the prayers relevant to clergy, there is enough that is generic or adaptable or relevant to private use, or as additional prayers in a service, I definitely think it’s money well spent.
Re: “Is there room for gratitude even in dire straits,” I say most definitely yes. In fact, there is a section in the Talmud, tractate Berachot, that tells us to bless not only the good that we see or receive, but also the bad or negative. This creates appreciation and learning from all things, allows us to drift away from whatever our path might be for awhile, return, be humble and accepting of whatever happens, and, most definitely find something to be grateful for in the most dire of straits.
Mod
I received my copy of the book a few days ago, and, whil..."
I can't believe I posted this without even looking into that, Susan. Shows my state of mind from our current situation with the pandemic and staying at home constantly. Thanks! That prayer simply felt right, and I wanted to get it up before Shabbat.
As to most of the prayers being primarily relevant to the clergy, it's possible some of the prayers are in the Mishkan T'filah, the Reform siddur. If so, then the new format helps -- the small velvety blue paperback. 💜
Mod
Blessed are You, Shaddai our God, in whom we seek relationship. Like Abraham who challenged You when he saw an injustice and Moses who gave voice to his frustration, I too now beseech You. I find myself in a place of alienation, distant from Your presence. Where are You? Are You in this place? O God, I seek answers, I seek healing, and I seek consolation. The sages called You HaMakom, The Place. I reach out to You, and invite You to enter my makom, my place. O God, move across this distance and join me. Bless this place, I pray, with Your other great and holy names: Redeemer, Merciful One, and Compassionate One. Amen. (p. 25)
I received my copy last week. It is very good to have something to reference and guide you in the difficult times we all face and to give you thoughts and words we often struggle with.
Mod
Is it still that same velvety paperback, Jonathan?
In one of the earlier comments, Susan spoke of using these prayers in a broader context. This book may have been designed for that, yet the fact the prayers can apply to our previously unimaginable situation speaks to their surprising flexibility!
No mine was a paperback colored in different shades of blue with a modern art design on bottom called Michelle’s Chuppah-by Iris Sonnenstein. This version is published by the Central Conference of Rabbis.
Mod
I think it's the same one! 😉 See picture at top.
Jewish Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Mishkan R'fuah: Where Healing Resides (other topics)Mishkan R'fuah: Where Healing Resides (other topics)
Finding God: Selected Responses (other topics)
Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life (other topics)
There are inexpensive used copies on Amazon Marketplace and even less expensive on AbeBooks. My paperback copy is one of those with a smooth, velvety feel.
I am opening the discussion thread early -- just one discussion in this case, since it's not the sort of book you must finish before discussing and is not vulnerable to spoilers -- so we can have a place to talk.
It was put out by the CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis), and if that doesn't suit, maybe there's an alternative you've found helpful.