Tu B'Shvat Prayer from RHR-Israel's Tree Planting Ceremony 2011/5771
May it be Your will, O God, who has made us responsible for the deeds of our hands, that this tree will live and grow and bear fruit in peace; may this tree, which was planted in Your holy land, by the hands of those who desire life by demanding peace and pursuing peace in Your great and holy name. (Psalms 34)
Remind us to keep the words of Your holy Torah concerning trees: Even in time of war “you must not destroy the [fruit] trees by wielding an axe against them; for you may eat of them, but you must not cut them down; are the trees of the field human beings, (able) to come against you in a siege?” (Devarim 20:19)
For the Torah itself is “a tree of life to them that hold it tightly…Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace.” (Proverbs 3)
As this tree spreads its branches, may You spread Your blessings over this Land, helping us ensure that justice and human rights abound for all her inhabitants as we fulfill the Zionist dream of creating a State of Israel that “will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; [A nation] based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel…” (Israel Declaration of Independence)
May You guide us in the paths of peace and give us the insight to see Your Image in every human being, whether Jew, Muslim or Christian, whether Israeli or Palestinian. Help us realize that "We were not brought into this world for conflict and dissension, nor for hatred, jealousy, harassment or bloodshed. Rather, we were brought into this world in order to recognize You, may You be blessed forever." (R. Nahman of Bratzlav)
Email sign up
Stay Connected to Rabbis for Human Rights-North America.
