BS'D

Dearest Friends,

This beautiful prayer (below) for Ahavas Yisrael was found hanging above the bed of Yoav Fogel, z’l, the 11 year old boy who was brutally murdered by terrorists together with his parents and 2 siblings in Itamar last Shabbos. This prayer is a message to all of us.

It is not by chance that this prayer came to light as we prepare for Purim which celebrates our miraculous salvation from destruction. The Nesivos Shalom (Purim 3) says that Purim's Avodah is to willingly accept the Torah by means of Ahavas Hashem and that Ahavas Yisrael brings us to Ahavas Hashem. The mitzvos of Mishloach Manos, the Purim Seudah and Gifts to the Poor help us renew our commitment to increasing our Ahavas Yisrael and building Jewish unity.

This Purim, let's beseech Hashem with these beautiful words of prayer and hopefully build merit towards redemption for all Klal Yisrael and the world. As we can see from the devastating events of this past week, our strengthened prayers and acts of love are required now more than ever.

Please pass this message on. Purim Samayach.

With love and blessings,

The Jerusalem Ahavas Yisrael Core Group
Leah Greenman, Tzipora Harris and Shuli Kleinman

May it be Your will, L-rd G-d and G-d of our forefathers,

That I love every one of Israel as myself, and

To graciously perform the positive commandment of loving your neighbor as yourself.

And may it also be Your will, Lord G-d and G-d of my forefathers,

That you cause the hearts of my friends and neighbors to love me fervently, and

That I be accepted and desirable to everyone, and

That I be loving and pleasant, and

That I be gracious and merciful in the eyes of all who see me.

As water reflects face to face, so the heart of man is to man.

And all for the sake of Heaven, to do Your will,

Amen.


There is also a beautiful song dedicated to the Fogels http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rqYIGbzXtE

יהי רצון מלפניך ה אלוקי ואלוקי אבותי שתזכה אותי לאהוב כל אחד מישראל כנפשי ומאודי ולקיים בהידור מצוות ואהבת לרעיך כמוך

וכן יהי רצון מלפניך ה אלוקי ואלוקי אבותי שתתן בלב חברי ורעי לאהוב אותי אהבה עזה ואהיה מקובל ו רצוי אצל כולם ואהיה אהוב ונחמד, ואעשה חן ו חסד לפני כל רואי

כמים פנים לפנים כן לב אדם לאדם. והכל לשם שמים, לקיים רצונך אמן