*Originally posted on Facebook by Daniel Warshawsky*
The holiday season can be difficult for those who are struggling.
Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Years Eve can be points of deep pain for those with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and so much more.
Prayer can be incredibly powerful. It has the ability to connect us to something greater than ourselves. We sing together with our communities and pray. We pray for change, for healing, and for life. We pray in thanks, we pray in hope, and we pray in pain.
תקווה (Tikvah, Hope)
Prayer can also be deeply personal. In those moments of pain when we may lack faith, we often look to Jewish liturgy for words of healing.
The last few years I’ve been on a journey, and I’ve been searching for words in my own faith to describe some of what I’ve felt and what those close to me have felt. I’ve seen מי שברך prayers for healing the body, for protecting soldiers, for someone who’s read torah, for someone who’s given birth recently, and so many more.
Something I didn’t see was a prayer for healing our souls. For giving hope when there is none. For finding light in darkness. I was inspired by my brother, Josh Warshawsky‘s music and the meaning behind it. It helped me start writing, and this is what came from it.
I wrote this prayer for them.
I wrote this prayer for me.
I wrote this prayer for you.
Daniel Warshawsky is the CHUSY Assistant Director for Regional Teen Engagement. Daniel is also a ChiTribe volunteer and active in No Shame on U and other efforts to help fight the stigma against mental health. Thank you for your beautiful words.
