Gather Us: An Interpretive Galuyot

This prayer is part of the daily AmidahLit. Standing One of the central prayers of the Jewish prayer service, recited silently while standing., and traditionally, the prayer is a request for an “ingathering of exiles.” Jews living outside of IsraelLit. ''the one who struggles with God.'' Israel means many things. It is first used with reference to Jacob, whose name is changed to Israel (Genesis 32:29), the one who struggles with God. Jacob's children, the Jewish people, become B'nai Israel, the children of Israel. The name also refers to the land of Israel and the State of Israel. are considered to be in exile, and the prayer asks God to bring us to Israel so that we are not in exile any longer.

Sound the great shofarA ram's horn that is blown on the High Holidays to "wake us up" and call Jews to repentance. It is also said that its blast will herald the coming of the messiah. for our freedom

Raise a banner to gather us 

Community is the difference 

between home and homeland,

exile and diaspora

between longing for home

and building a home.

HaMakom, help us build homes

that become our homelands

help us discover holiness 

in every homeland we encounter.

We are passengers and pilgrims,

seeking community and creating it

in all four corners of the earth.

Blessed are You, Holy One, who gathers us in community with others