Hashkiveinu for Standing Rock

We hear and answer the call to support Standing Rock with our bodies, resources, and prayers. We have been invited to root into our own traditions, to pray our own prayers, and to offer these prayers in solidarity, as spiritual accomplices in the struggle for clean water and land rights. We offer this prayer collectively: just as on Yom KippurThe holiest day of the Jewish year and the culmination of a season of self-reflection. Jews fast, abstain from other worldly pleasures, and gather in prayers that last throughout the day. Following Ne'ilah, the final prayers, during which Jews envision the Gates of Repentance closing, the shofar is sounded in one long blast to conclude the holy day. It is customary to begin building one's sukkah as soon as the day ends. we offer prayers of confession collectively to cover the range of transgressions, Hashkiveinu asks for protection to cover the range of things that we fear might harm us. Those of us not on the front lines at Standing Rock right now, who are not faced with the imminent threats present there, offer this prayer collectively. We know what the Water Protectors at Standing Rock face, and we pray, tonight and always, that we might all be free from militarized aggression.

We have been invited to pray in our language as Jews, and we offer this prayer knowing that Jews are of many languages and many cultures. We see and support Native American Jews who are praying in multiple languages today, as well as non-indigenous Jews supporting this historic Native-led movement. Here is one way to pray. May this prayer be part of healing the wounds that separate us from our own traditions, and claim our spiritual communities as sources for liberation.

Traditional:

הַשְׁכִּיבֵנוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ לְשָׁלוֹם וְהַעֲמִידֵנוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ לְחַיִּים.

וּפְרוֹשׂ עָלֵינוּ סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמֶךָ וְתַקְּנֵנוּ בְּעֵצָה טוֹבָה מִלְּפָנֶיךָ וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ לְמַעַן שְׁמֶךָ. וְהָגֵן בַּעֲדֵנוּ וְהָסֵר מֵעָלֵינוּ אוֹיֵב, דֶּבֶר וְחֶרֶב וְרָעָב וְיָגוֹן וְהָסֵר שָׂטָן מִלְּפָנֵינוּ וּמֵאַחֲרֵינוּ, וּבְצֵל כְּנָפֶיךָ תַּסְתִּירֵנוּ כִּי אֵל שׁוֹמְרֵנוּ וּמַצִּלֵינוּ אָתָּה, כִּי אֵל מֶלֶךְ חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם אָתָּה. וּשְׁמֹר צֵאתֵנוּ וּבוֹאֵנוּ לְחַיִּים וּלְשָׁלוֹם מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם.

וּפְרוֹשׂ עָלֵינוּ סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמֶךָ, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ הַפּוֹרֵשׂ סֻכַּת שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל הַעוֹלָם.

Transliteration:

Hashkiveinu, Adonai Eloheinu l’shalom v’ha’amideinu malkeinu l’chai’im. Ufros aleinuPrayer proclaiming God’s kingship, said near the conclusion of the prayer service. sukat shlomeicha, v’tak’neinu b’eitzah tovah milfaneicha v’hoshienu l’ma’an shmeicha v’hagen b’adeinu. V’haser me’aleinu oi’ev dever v’cherev v’ra’av v’yagon v’haser satan milfaneinu u’mei’achareinu, uv’tzel k’nafeicha tastireinu ki el shomreinu ul’shalom me’atah v’ad olam.

U’fros aleinu sukat shlomeicha, baruch atah Adonai, hapores sukat shalom aleinu v’al kol ha’olam.

Translation:

Help us lie down, Holy One, our God, in peace, and rise up to life. Spread over us Your shelter of peace. Direct us with Your good counsel, and save us for the sake of Your name. Shield us and remove from us every enemy, plague, sword, famine, and sorrow. Remove the adversary from before and behind us. Shelter us in the shadow of Your wings, for You, God, are our Guardian and Deliverer; You, God, are gracious and compassionate.

Guard our going out and our coming in, for life and peace, from now and forever. Spread over us Your canopy of peace. Blessed are You, God, who spreads a canopy of peace over us, and over all the world.

Hashkivenu for Standing Rock

Let us rest, our God, in peace. And let us getA writ of divorce. Traditionally, only a man can grant his wife a get. Liberal Jews have amended this tradition, making divorce more egalitarian. up to life. Awaken us to another day of action, of solidarity and support. Lift us out of slumber with a resounding affirmation of life and those who protect the living earth.

Spread out over us a sukkahLit. hut or booth A temporary hut constructed outdoors for use during Sukkot, the autumn harvest festival. Many Jews observe the mitzvah of living in the Sukkah for the week of Sukkot, including taking their meals and sleeping in the Sukkah. of peace, and give us good guidance. Save us for the sake of your name, one name, that unites all living things. Shield us from foe, plague, sword, famine, and anguish. Shield us from sound cannons, tear gas, militarized police.

Save us from greed and corporate interest that drive oil pipeline development at the expense of Native sovereignty, our water sources, and our increasingly fragile climate. God of peace, may we always feel your protection, for you are our Guard and our Guide. Guard our going forth each day to fight for the health of people, rivers, birds, and fish. Guard all sacred burial grounds. Guard those who gather prayerfully, peacefully, unarmed. Send guidance to those who have been so disconnected from the living earth that they favor poisoning the water supply for profit. Send guidance and healing to the police whose actions have been violent and who carry this wound now on their hearts. Gather us all under your wings in refuge.

Spread out your wings over Standing Rock, over the Water Protectors and over all who work to preserve the sanctity of your creation. Blessed are you, Shielding One, who protects your creation with peace and justice.

Resources for Learning and Action: