This month is full of special, holy, awesome days. Instead of writing a column this month, I would simply like to share with you my translation of the following blessing, a part of the daily Amidah prayer as formulated in the version recited by Oriental Jewish communities. (Our prayerbook at Shomrei follows a different version, the European formula.) I hope that you will find it meaningful.
Shanah Tovah U-M’tuqah! A Sweet and Good Year to All!
Rabbi David Greenstein
Blessing for the Year
(from the Oriental Jewish Rite)
Eternal One,
Our Source of Strength!
Give this year to us in blessing,
so that all it produces will be for the Good.
Grant dew and rain for abundance
upon the surface of the entire Earth;
Saturate the whole world
so that it feels full from Your Goodness.
May our hands
be filled with Your blessings
and with the wealth of the gifts
of Your Hands.
Guard and save this year from every evil
and from all types of destruction and catastrophe.
Make it so that this year can sustain our hope for good
and for ultimate peace.
Have compassion and mercy upon her
and upon all her fruits and whatever she may bring forth.
And bless her with showers of love, benediction and generosity.
May she result in life, satiety and peace,
like all good years of blessing.
For You are the Good and Giving Force,
pouring out abundance year after year.
You abound in blessing, Eternal One,
Who blesses the ever-changing times.
Image by Thejaswi 
used with permission via Creative Commons: Attribution-ShareAlike License
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