III The Family of Israel We are one small part of the family of Israel; together with all other holy communities we turn to God in whom we trust. You are the righteousness our prophets proclaimed and the wisdom our rabbis sought. You are the truth and glory of our history, our strength in all the changes of the world. You led our ancestors to greatness. May You guide us and our children in the days that lie ahead. We bow to You alone, and stand upright before all peoples. By serving You we are free to serve all humanity. Your righteousness unites the family of Israel scattered throughout the world. It speaks to us in every tongue, in every place, to make us the instruments of Your peace. The Guardian of Israel never slumbers and never sleeps. May the One who makes peace and harmony in the highest, bring this peace upon us, and through this people Israel to all the world. IV Tradition May my life be one link in a chain of goodness. As I say the prayers of past generations, help me to remember their devotion and faithfulness, their joy and suffering, which are in every word. Holiness is my heritage, may I be worthy of it. May this tradition live in me and pass from me to generations I shall never know, enriched by the truth that I have found and the good deeds I have done. So may I fulfil my task on earth and receive my blessing. And when the service ends and the prayers have ceased, help me to bring their spirit into the world in which I live. May I love God above all, and my neighbour as myself, and be a living witness to the truth that never changes. V Life and Death God, a mystery surrounds my life. What comes before it and what lies after it are hidden from me. My life is very short, and Your universe is vast. But in the darkness is Your presence, and in the mystery, Your love. My ancestors put their trust in You, and You put goodness in their hearts and peace within their minds. May I be like them and may my reward be like theirs. In every place, at every time, Your voice speaks within me. It leads me in the way of honesty and charity. It shows me truth and goodness. There are times when it is hard to hear You, and times when it is hard to follow You; and I know this is my loss. In the quietness of this Shabbat I turn my thoughts to You. Help me to hear Your voice, to find Your image in my soul, and to be at peace.
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