Great Books and Prayers for Israel and the IDF

I am ‘holier than no one’ and rather secularized but educated Jewishly like most Jewish Israeli citizens.  My old rabbi in Toronto wanted me to go to rabbi school, but I prefer to be more of a freelance Jewish scholar and advocate, always trying to find the balance between Torah and Derech Eretz.

I honestly believe that one cannot develop a proud and empowered Jewish identity or participate meaningfully in any community without knowing something of its history and literature and values.

Here are some wonderful resources and books to help us regain our sanity and do something spiritually helpful in these challenging times.

As we learn in the Book of Proverbs, and also in Pirkei Avot, if we have it in our hands to do good to someone, we should, and never wait to delay a mitzvah.  Much of my public career has been in serving the public interest, in a nonprofit capacity.

I do believe that as part of our Jewish heritage we are commanded to study to the extent of our ability and to believe in G-d and to act accordingly. I hope this post is helpful.  It helps me to think I am doing SOMETHING constructive in these difficult times.  I send my love to my friends in Israel.   There are no atheists in foxholes or times of concern, especially in Israel.

I hope you might find these resources helpful too and take a moment now and then to remember to pray for our brothers and sisters in Israel and especially for the IDF.  I am watching the news with concern, as I know they are too.

Here are some links.

1. Jewish Virtual Library – Prayers for Israel and the IDF:

https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/prayer-for-the-state-of-israel

2.  Jewish Virtual Library – Prayer for the Israel Defense Forces

https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/prayer-for-the-well-being-of-the-israel-defense-forces

3. It has often been the practice to read Psalms in times of national challenge for the Jewish people and Israel and this was recommended to me.  I even carried a Book of Psalms to the Supreme Court and Parliament of Canada and to every press conference.  It didn’t hurt! Many people carry mini books of Psalms on their keychains, and I even put one in my Dad’s old car for his long drives to Florida and back.  I keep one in mine too.

Recommended Tehillim (Psalms) for Israel, Protection, & More

4.  For those who prefer book versions there are many editions of Tehillim / Psalms available on Judaica websites.  Artscroll and Kehot (Chabad) versions are popular, and the Koren Talpiot editions from Israel are also very popular with IDF soldiers and often issued to them in their army kits.

I especially like this accessible recent compilation by Rabbi Yonah Bookstein, Prayers for Israel:  New and Ancient Prayers Based On Psalms, Sacred Writings, and Teachings of the Hasidic Masters. (Los Angeles, Stone Oak Publishing, 2012).  Here is the link to Amazon Canada.  You may find it at other bookstores.  I recommend it highly!

5.  I have recently picked up a lovely and concise accessible introduction to Jewish and Israeli history that might help underscore your connections to Israel and commitment to it.  It was authored by a blogger here at the Times of Israel, Jared Stone, who explained why he wrote it and why it was so needed now.  I have found it enlightening and inclusive (especially of women in Jewish history) and it has made me want to learn further about some of the historical figures he mentions.   The title is:  A Brief History of Israel and the Jewish People:  From Abraham to October 7 - and a Nation Reawakened (New York:  Wicked Son Books, 2025).

Here is the link.  You can find the book online at Amazon and major booksellers.

https://www.jewishpockethistory.com/

6.  If you are wondering what the Prayer for Israel sounds like as arranged by Sol Zim, here is a lovely recording.  Play it as you read, and may it soothe your soul. This is Cantor Chaim Stern with the Jewish Amsterdam Chamber Ensemble.

(The Canadian Supreme Court says this is NOT an infringement of copyright for educational purposes. Your mileage may vary.)

Trust me, this helps.  Take some time every day to develop your soul and take a few breaths and a few moments to center yourself and offer up some prayers and good wishes for Israel, its resilient and strong people, its government leaders, and its brave defense forces.

Am Yisrael Chai.  Stay well and strong.

With love from your Canadian cousins.