Rabbi Sam Trief
During most B’nei Mitzvah services at Temple Sinai, the B’nei Mitzvah family has the opportunity to honor loved ones by inviting them to participate in the service. One of those honors is the Prayer for Our Country, found in our siddur, Mishkan T’filah.
The prayer begins:
“O Guardian of life and liberty, may our nation always merit Your protection. Teach us to give thanks for what we have by sharing it with those who are in need…”
It continues by asking God to inspire us to pursue peace, care for the earth, honor those who have sacrificed in defense of our ideals, grant wisdom and compassion to our leaders, and help us appreciate one another and the many ways we serve God.
In fact, we hold this prayer in such high regard that we invite the congregation to rise as we recite it, honoring both our nation and the sacred responsibilities that come with citizenship.
This Shabbat, as we celebrate the Fourth of July and mark the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, these words feel especially meaningful.
There is no denying that we are living through a challenging moment. We worry about the future of our country and our world. And yet, anniversaries and birthdays, invite us not only to reflect on what still needs repair, but also to give thanks for the blessings we too often take for granted.
This Shabbat, let us celebrate the freedoms we enjoy, the opportunities we have to build meaningful lives, and the countless people who have worked, and continue to work, to make this country a place where hope can flourish. Loving our country does not require believing it is perfect. Rather, it calls us to help it become the nation it aspires to be.
In a time when it can be easy to focus on what divides us, this prayer reminds us of the values that can unite us. I hope that this Independence Day can inspire us to be worthy of the freedoms we have inherited and courageous enough to leave an even stronger nation for those who come after us.
Shabbat Shalom, and may God bless America.
Rabbi Sam Trief
