Today is Rosh Chodesh Adar II. Traditionally, the month of Adar is the month in which joy should take over as our primary emotion (Adar I and Adar II in a leap year). It is hard to feel joy when watch human beings suffer. As we pray for peace – in Ukraine and in the world, we pray and hope for a day when joy will not only be easy but the most common emotion of every human being. This poem, written by Miriam Klimova in Ukrainian and Hebrew followed by an English translation by Rabbi Lior Nevo and Aharon N. Varady, not only asks for protection for all who are in danger but all expresses that hope for peace.

English Translation:

“Perhaps only migrating birds know –
Suspended between earth and sky –
The heartache of two homelands…” (From “Pine” (1955) by Leah Goldberg)

Our God,
bless our friends and relatives!
Lord of all creatures,
by your great mercy,
protect all the inhabitants of your world.
Spread over them a canopy of peace,
liberate them from all hatred and enmity,
and plant in the hearts of all people of this earth
love and fraternity,
friendship and peace.

And fulfill the vision of your prophet:
“Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4)
Amen.