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| Praised are Your O Lord Shield
of Abraham. |
Barukh ata adonai magen avraham. |
Page 286 in Siddur Sim Shalom
This is the first bracha of the Amidah. We have
already discussed other brachot found in the Amidah. (Brachot
numbers 3, 5, 30, and 35) The other brachot though written in
the plural, that is, they speak for the community, it is clear
the individual recites it with themselves in mind. Somehow the
distance created by using the plural form of the bracha allows
the individual the space to truly understand the issue within.
By saying, "this bracha must be referring to someone else," we
are able see ourselves within its message.
This bracha is a significant bracha in its national
and personal application. As a people we have developed an over
active sense of paranoia. Because the centuries of persecution
we have come to believe much of the world is against us. Because
of the violence that is perpetrated against us throughout the
world, we are not without reason for concern. This bracha acknowledges
there was a time in when the "founder of ethical monotheism,"
as Yehezkial Kaufman referred to Abraham, faced significant opposition
because of his beliefs.
Like Abraham there are people who despise us because
of what we believe, even if that faith system in no way infringes
upon them. In those times and in those places we need protection.
And it is to God we must turn. We can develop a sophisticated
defense, whether it be the Israeli Defense Forces or a strong
Jewish American Lobby, but we still need God.
On a personal level. We all wage battles in our
lives. There are struggles for physical and emotional health.
There are difficulties in work and in our families and there are
the pressures we find from the environment of our communities
and neighborhoods. It is at those times we must remember God is
with us, supporting us. There are times when all of us feel vulnerable.
Even the strongest most independent people have moments of anxiety
on which the circumstances of our lives seem too difficult to
sustain. It is then we must reach deep inside and recognize God's
role in our existence.
Copyright © 2001 Rabbi
Yohanan Stein. All rights reserved.
New Jersey Region United Synagogue
of Conservative Judaism
PO Box 390; 1025 St. Georges
Ave
Linden, NJ 07036-0390
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Copyright © 2000 -
2003 New Jersey USCJ. All rights reserved.
Last Updated: July 2003
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