El Malei Rekhemim – God Full of Wombs, shokheyn bamromim – whose presence hovers over us, like a Mother Bird.
Please, watch over my child(ren) _______; gather them close to Your heart, and keep them safe beneath the shelter of Your wings. May they find comfort in the softness of Your nest, drifting to sleep to the sweet sounds of Your lullabies.
It is said that a child who dies in its first month is still a bride or bridegroom in their parents’ eyes. To you, our child(ren), we say: In our hearts, we can still see so clearly the future that you never were able to meet. May you always know that you are loved, deeply and fully. Even though our time together was short, it was precious to us. We miss you more than we can say.
ShekhinahThe feminine name of God, expounded upon in the rabbinic era and then by the Kabbalists in extensive literature on the feminine attributes of the divine. – Divine Presence, may You comfort us, as You comforted our Mother RachelLavan's younger daughter and Jacob's beloved wife second wife (after he is initially tricked into marrying her older sister, Leah). Rachel grieves throughout her life that she is barren while Leah is so fertile. Ultimately, Rachel gives birth to Joseph and dies in childbirth with Benjamin. Rachel is remembered as compassionate (she is said to still weep for her children), and infertile women often invoke Rachel as a kind of intercessor and visit her tomb on the road to Bethlehem., when she cried out for her lost children. May You help us to hope for the future, even in the midst of our grief. May we, and all others who grieve, find healing, bimeheyra beyameinu, soon, soon in our time.
And let us say, “Amen.”
