The Rabbi Has a Hole in Her Head

a) One who has crossed the ocean(an overseas flight travel, etc.)

b) One who has crossed the desert

c) One who recovered from a very serious illness

d) One who was released from Included in the category of desert are all other life threatening situations from which one is saved such as a wall collapsing upon him, a goring ox, robbers, car accidents, etc. As I open the ark, please rise as you are able and join me in a contemporary version of this prayer that you will find in your Shabbat bulletin. I’m sure that many of us can relate to these profound sentiments:

Preparing for Birkat Ha Gomeil- from Mishkan HaNefesh

A teaching of our Sages:

in the presence of the sacred scroll,

we give thanks for the blessings in our lives.


Rav Judah said in the name of Rav:

“Who should offer thanksgiving?

Those who have completed an arduous voyage,

those who have recovered from an illness or injury,

and prisoners who have been set free.”


In the midst of the congregation,

we honor those who have come through

times of challenge, difficulty, or danger.


Today we celebrate their survival.

Together we give thanks:

for the resilience of the body,

for the strength of the human spirit;

for the precious gift of life,

experienced with new intensity

when life has been at risk.