From resurgent neo-fascist movements to religious extremist attacks, hate crimes are on the rise all over the world right now. At times like this many people live in fear – fear of being attacked or maligned, physical, mental or emotional. Hatred is not new to the Jewish people, but traditionally it was considered “just the way it is.” As Americans, we should believe better. The midrash (Devarim Rabbah 5:10) says that hateful speech kills three – the speaker, the listener, and the subject. This Mi Sheberakh was written as a prayer for all those of every people and nation that are affected by hatred and bigotry.

Through use of repeated threefold lists (three traditionally being a number reflecting completeness), this prayer reflects the universal hope of peace and tranquility. Jerusalem, as a city whose very name is peace, yet that has experienced far too much war, serves as a microcosm of the world (a continuation of the Biblical idea of praying for the peace of Jerusalem – see Psalms 122:6).