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For When You Cannot Sleep

Silhouette of a person sitting in a dimly lit room, facing a window with soft, natural light coming in.

Berukhah at Yah
Ruakh ha’olam
Blessed Steady Breath,
It is the middle of the night and I am awake. 

My brain will not stop:
I fret, I plan, I pine.
So I read, I pee, I pet the cat
But nothing works. 
 
Tell me a story,
Something familiar and soothing,
Nothing real:
Comfort and stupefy me. 
 
Then make this night like Shabbat 
With no before or after
And nothing to worry about
Besides my blankets. 
 
I close my eyes for this holy conversation 
And ask that every breath becomes a soothing prayer
And ask for a quiet heart,
And imagine that I sleep. 
 
Amen. 

 

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The Reconstructionist Network

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A plain white background.
A blank white image with no visible elements or details.

Read & Rite

One-stop shop for progressive Jewish books and ritual objects

Placement Office

Placement resources for rabbis and congregations

Havaya Summer Programs

Overnight summer camp and teen Israel experience

Reconstructionist Educators of North America

Professional group for people leading schools in Reconstructionist congregations

Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

Professional association of Reconstructionist rabbis