This post is dedicated to the memory of Kulfi, the Wonder Dog, who passed away on May 26, 2026, aged 13 years, 7 months, and 9 days. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him.
On this last day of the Jewish Year 5786, I would like to share one of my favorite prayers. It is part of the Night Prayer. It exists in different versions, and not all Jews recite it. The version I like, the one shown below, is taken from Philip Birnbaum’s Daily Prayer Book, Ha-Siddur Ha-Shalem, Nusach Sefard published by Hebrew Publishing Company, New York, 1969.
Lord of the world, I forgive any person, who has provoked me or wronged me, whether physically or financially, or anyone who has offended me or mine, whether accidentally or willfully, erringly or maliciously, by speech or by deed, here or elsewhere; I forgive every human being, and let no human being undergo punishment because of me. May it be thy will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that I provoke thee no more, nor do what is evil in thy sight. In thy abundant mercy, do thou erase the sins I have committed against thee, but not by the infliction of suffering and severe illness. Nay the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing before thee, O Lord, my Stronghold and my Redeemer.
All the best,
Gershon
Gershon Ben-Avraham 