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Meira E. Schneider-Atik
marching to the beat of my own drummer

Brachot for Our Hostages

One of the things that I’ve been working on as a zechut for our hostages is to say brachot more deliberately and consciously. It’s not always easy- I’m so used to saying many brachot that I say them by force of habit. True, this habit is a good one. But I’m trying to make it better. And sometimes ideas come up that make it easier. 

Here are the ideas that came into my head when I was saying the Birchot HaShachar this morning:

SheNatan LaSechvi Binah Le’Havchin Bein Yom U’Bein Laylah- Who gave the heart understanding to distinguish between day and night- I can see daylight and nighttime by just looking out. Our hostages are trapped in tunnels where they have no way of knowing day vs. night. 

Shelo Asani Goya- Who didn’t make me a gentile- G-d made me part of His chosen people. BH, I know who I am and that I stand for light, life, and hope. And I hope that our hostages are holding on to that and wouldn’t trade places with those who stand for death and terror.  

Shelo Asani Aved/Shifchah- Who didn’t make me a slave- I can serve only Hashem but our hostages are forced to serve their captors as human shields and sometimes as literal servants. And they’re the leverage that protects Hamas.

Shelo Asani Isha- Who didn’t make me a woman- Of course I don’t say this one. But I don’t take offense at this. I’m sure that most men are thankful to not be women either. I’m thankful that Hashem doesn’t see me as inferior and I hope that our men and women, including the ones held hostages, don’t see themselves as inferior. It’s just too bad that the terror leaders need women (as slaves and/or human shields) to feel superior. 

SheAsani Kirtzono- Who made me according to His will- Hashem made me the way he needs me to be. I’m not forced to conform to the will of terrorists for the sake of survival. I hope that our hostages can find ways to remember who they are and stay strong.  

Pokeach Ivrim- Who gives sight to the blind- I have light to see by. Our hostages don’t get to see daylight much, if at all. 

Malbish Arumim- Who clothes the naked- I have good clothes of my own choosing and I can dress with dignity. Our hostages are lucky if they have anything clean. Some are forced to wear super-small doll clothes. No matter what, they’re not treated with any human dignity. 

Mattir Assurim- Who released the bound/imprisoned- This is the obvious one that makes me cry. I’m not trapped the way our hostages are. 

Zokef Kefufim- Who straightens the bent- I can stand as tall as I am. Our hostages are in tunnels where at least some of them have to duck down. 

Roka HaAretz Al HaMayim- Who spreads out the earth upon the waters- I can stand on firm footing. Our hostages are on shaky ground- there’s no safety or security. 

She’Asa Li Kol Tzarki- Who has provided me my every need- I have what I need. Our hostages don’t even have food or water or medical care. I’m just hoping that they don’t lose hope.  

HaMeichin Mitzadei Gaver- Who firms man’s footsteps- I can walk deliberately. Our hostages are dragged around by force. 

Ozer Yisrael B’Gvurah- Who girds Israel with strength- Hashem gives us strength and I hope He’s giving our hostages strength and hope.

Oter Yisrael B’Tifarah- Who crowns Israel with splendor- Literally, I can wash my hair and wear it any way I want and cover it any way I want. Literally, our hostages can’t stay clean properly. Figuratively, I can hold my head high and not be ashamed of who I am. Figuratively, our hostages have to keep their heads down for the sake of survival.  

HaNoten LaYa’ef Koach- Who gives strength to the weary- I’m tired of waiting and hoping and our hostages are even more tired and weak. 

Hashem, please allow these brachot to happen for our hostages. Please give them strength and hope and bring them home. 

About the Author
Meira E. Schneider-Atik is a wardrobe stylist, personal shopper, and writer/blogger. Her goal is to help women feel good about themselves and to dispel the myths about tzniut and dressing well. Her heart is in Eretz Yisrael, but for now, she and her family live in Queens, NY.