They Were Boys: A Yizkor Prayer

The wait, over. The worst, confirmed. Gilad Shaar, Naftali Frenkel, and Eyal Yifrach, three kidnapped Israeli teens who disappeared on June 12, were found dead today. Baruch Dayan Emet, may their names be for a blessing. May their families find comfort among the mourners of Zion and Israel. Tonight we mourn together - and we will for days and weeks to come.

They Were Boys: A Yizkor Prayer
They were boys.
Stolen from their families,
Stolen from their people,
Stolen from life itself.
Boys.

God of Israel,
Grant a perfect rest under Your tabernacle of peace
To Gilad Shaar, Naftali Frenkel and Eyal Yifrach
Whose lives were cut off by violence
In acts of witless anger and hatred.
Guiltless. Blameless. Boys.

Yikum purkan min shemiaya…
May deliverance arise from heaven
Blessing their families with consolation and strength,
Even as they’ve shown us their fortitude and their love.
Grant them endurance to survive,
Faith to mourn,
Willingness to heal,
And devotion to each other.
Bless their classmates, teachers and friends
With comfort and relief.
Bless the whole house of Israel
As we mourn together.

Rock of Jacob,
In this hour of grief,
Remember Gilad, Naftali and Eyal.
May their memories provide solace and courage
To our nation and our people.
Let them find peace in the cradle of heaven
And a home in the world to come.
May their souls be bound up in the bond of life,
A living blessing in our midst.

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