Invitation: Choose Life

“Modeh Ani,” “I give thanks” – with these words, Jews have begun their day, each day, for generations, opening their eyes and giving thanks for the gift of Life. An ancient custom from the land of Israel dictates that a person should say the words “Modeh Ani,” “I give thanks” three times a day so that in each third of the day they can give thanks for having reached that moment. For the morning recital, the custom records a slightly different version of the text from the one with which we are familiar: “I give thanks before You, the Lord my God and the God of My Ancestors, for bringing me out of darkness and into the light.” In the land of Israel today, enshrouded in a deep darkness which makes it hard to celebrate, joining the Jewish and Israeli covenant of Life is both a great privilege and a great responsibility. In the spirit of this land’s ancient custom, we invite you to utter seven blessings of gratitude for our shared path from darkness to light. May these seven expressions of gratitude invite all of us to simultaneously both acknowledge the pain and wish each other joy.

 

We recommend playing Meir Ariel’s song “Modeh Ani” softly in the background.

 

1. Life

I give thanks for life. Amidst all the destruction, I give thanks for the pain and the joy, for the sorrow and the love, for our choice—as individuals, as a nation, and as a society—to affirm life. Even in these hard times, we believe in the good days yet to come. May the strength of our faith fill our beloved land and people with Life.

 

2. Family

I give thanks for a loving family and for human kindness, for the joy of the simple things—hugs, support, and love—which give us the gentle, trembling ability to go on. May all the families of the land, with all their losses, find some comfort in simple human kindness and grace.

 

3. An Israeli Home

I give thanks for the ability to live in this time and place, in the State of Israel which is our home. It’s not perfect, but it is our beloved, shared home. I give thanks for the Israel Defense Forces and its soldiers, our brave brothers and sisters, who risk their lives in order to protect ours. May their efforts enable us together to build a safe and lasting peace and may every last hostage be brought home.

 

4. Mutual Responsibility

I give thanks for the spirit of mutual responsibility which fills the streets of our Israeli home, for the volunteers from across Israel and from across the seas who all fill these painful days with meaning through their support and concern. May we remember the light of this generous spirit forever, and may it light our way.

 

5. The Land of Israel

I give thanks for this wonderful, expansive land, the land of yearnings and prayers, a land which needs all our goodness and morality so that we may plant here anew the Trees of Life. May the wheat fields sprout once again, the tree branches grow heavy under the weight of their sweet, sweet fruits, and the sounds of children playing ring out in the streets.

 

6. Rebirth

I give thanks for the people and for the whole of Israeli society, who hope to rise from the dust of this catastrophe and walk together into a better life, toward a new Israeli horizon. May we stand alongside one another, take care of one another, accept one another and live long lives of peace and rebirth.

 

7. The Courage to Celebrate

I give thanks for the ability to see Life as it is, for the courage to celebrate out of a deep faith in our nation and society, in human spirit, in the good we see before us. May our celebration of Life today be a prayer for Life and joy for our beloved people and all who live in this beloved land. May it bear the promise of long, healthy lives, lives of peace and blessing forever and for all. Am Yisrael Chai! (The People of Israel Lives!)

---

Written by the Ritual Center Team: Rivki Rosner, Hagit Bartuv, Raba Tamar Elad Applbaum.
Translation: Levi Morrow