Prayer for Armed Forces in Combat, by Rabbi Dr. David de Sola Pool (1951)
Source Link: https://opensiddur.org/?p=44911
open_content_license: Creative Commons Zero (CC 0) Universal license a Public Domain dedication Date: 2022-06-08
Last Updated: 2022-06-09
Categories: Military Personnel & Veterans, War
Tags: 20th century C.E., 58th century A.M., Cold War (1947–1953), English vernacular prayer, paraliturgical elohai neshamah, United States in the Korean War
Excerpt: This prayer by Rabbi Dr. David de Sola Pool was included in the anthology, The Prayer Book of the Armed Forces (ed. Daniel A. Poling, 1951), pp. 72-73. . . .
Content:
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I am not alone, O God,
for Thou art with me
everywhere.
Therefore I can be strong
wherever I may be.
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And wherever I may be
I cannot be far from the beauty and inspiration of the life
that I knew when I was at home.
For Thou hast given me not only a body
but also a soul.
That spirit which Thou hast breathed into me
holds ever close within me
the conscience and the striving after beautiful living,
which gave so much light and loveliness
to my childhood and youth.
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I did not always choose the good
or always do the right,
but I did not stand alone,
for there were my loved ones at home,
my teachers,
my religious leaders,
my true friends,
and so many in the past who helped me
toward clean, upstanding, and fine living.
The blessing of their influence is still with me,
and it lives on in my soul
to uphold my own striving for betterment,
for moral strength
and for courage to do the right.
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So I pray Thee, O God,
now that I am physically far away from home,
help me to hold
ever in my mind,
in my heart,
and in my soul
the thought
of all those influences for better living,
the sense
of nearness to my loved ones,
and the feeling
that Thou art with me everywhere at all times.
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With Thee upholding me
I cannot be afraid.
With me hearkening to Thy voice
that speaks within my soul
I cannot fail.
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Amen.
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This prayer by Rabbi Dr. David de Sola Pool was included in the anthology, The Prayer Book of the Armed Forces (ed. Daniel A. Poling, 1951), pp. 72-73.
Source(s)
Contributor: Aharon N. Varady (editing/transcription)
Co-authors:
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Name: Aharon N. Varady (editing/transcription)
Bio: Aharon Varady (M.A.J.Ed./JTSA Davidson) is a volunteer transcriber for the Open Siddur Project. If you find any mistakes in his transcriptions, please let him know. Shgiyot mi yavin; Ministarot naqeni שְׁגִיאוֹת מִי־יָבִין; מִנִּסְתָּרוֹת נַקֵּנִי "Who can know all one's flaws? From hidden errors, correct me" (Psalms 19:13). If you'd like to directly support his work, please consider donating via his Patreon account. (Varady also translates prayers and contributes his own original work besides serving as the primary shammes of the Open Siddur Project and its website, opensiddur.org.)
Website: https://aharon.varady.net
Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/aharon-varady
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Name: David de Sola Pool
Bio: David de Sola Pool (דוד די סולה פול; 1885–1970) was the leading 20th-century Sephardic rabbi in the United States. A scholar, author, and civic leader, he was a world leader of Judaism. Born in London, England, de Sola Pool was descended from an old and renowned family of rabbis and scholars, de Sola, which traces its origins to medieval Spain. His great grandparents were Rabbi (R.) David Aaron de Sola and Rebecca Meldola, his great-great grandfather was Haham Raphael Meldola, a prominent English Rabbi. He was also related to R. Abraham de Sola, R. Henry Pereira Mendes and Dr. Frederick de Sola Mendes. He studied at the University of London. He held a doctorate in ancient languages, summa cum laude, from the University of Heidelberg. In 1907, de Sola Pool was invited to become the rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel — often called the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue — located in New York City, the oldest Jewish congregation in the United States. He served as its rabbi for 63 years.
Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_de_Sola_Pool
Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/david-de-sola-pool
Featured Image:
Title: prayer for us armed forces (David de Sola Pool 1951) – cropped
Caption: prayer for US Armed Forces (David de Sola Pool 1951) - cropped
