Pray-for-Jerusalem
-hebraicstudies.net-
Please do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!
Re Tanakh versions:
Throughout
this site I may use any of three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF), three brilliant versions, However, the
JPS-1917 is my preferred version!
Colour coded
details of our beloved TaNaKh:
1. Torah =
History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical
books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot,
or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of
Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history
of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please Note: Some alterations
or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God), having been corrected like it once was pre
the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM
IT, that ye may keep the commandments of אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloleichem,
which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
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שַׁ֭אֲלוּ
שְׁלוֹם
יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם
יִשְׁלָ֗יוּ
אֹהֲבָֽיִךְ
“Pray for the (Shalom) of Yerushalayim
May they prosper who love you”
“Pray for the peace of Yerushalayim -
... may
they prosper who love you”.
Tehillim - Psalms 122: 6. (JPS).
With Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens,
PhD.
Below, I will place a verse from 1 Melachim - 1 Kings 8:16, below - first in Hebrew, followed by the English Translation:
מִן-הַיּוֹם, אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִי אֶת-עַמִּי אֶת-יִשְׂרָאֵל מִמִּצְרַיִם, לֹא-בָחַרְתִּי בְעִיר מִכֹּל שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, לִבְנוֹת בַּיִת לִהְיוֹת שְׁמִי שָׁם; וָאֶבְחַר בְּדָוִד, לִהְיוֹת עַל-עַמִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל
“Since the day that I brought
forth My people
We all know well that
Here is a breakdown of the reasons of its preference:
1. Divine Choice and Covenant:
Covenant with Abraham:
The city is linked to the covenant אֱלֹהִים - Elohim made with Abraham, a foundational
promise in our Hebraic tradition.
The
The
2. Religious Significance:
Hebraic City:
3. Symbolism and Prophecy:
Symbol of Peace:
The name “
Some believe
In essence,
Let’s break down the verse word‑for‑word. The verse
from Psalms 122:6 in Hebrew is:
שַׁ֭אֲלוּ שְׁלוֹם יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם יִשְׁלָ֗יוּ אֹהֲבָֽיִךְ
“Pray
for the peace of
A Few Nuances to Consider:
1. The Opening Command - שַׁאֲלוּ:
Although it literally means “ask,” in a liturgical or poetic context (like in Psalms) it is best understood as “pray” or “petition”. This is why many translations begin with “Pray for” rather than a more general “ask”.
2. שְׁלוֹם
יְרוּשָׁלִָם:
This phrase is very idiomatic. While a word‑for‑word
reading would be “peace
3. יִשְׁלָיוּ:
This term is a jussive form (or an imperfect with a jussive force) which means “let them prosper” or “may they be successful/secure.” Its form calls for a blessing or a desired state, which translators often render as “they shall prosper” or “may those who love you prosper.”
4. אֹהֲבָיִךְ:
The ending “יִךְ” shows that it is “your” (feminine
singular), referring back to
Putting it Together:
The most literal translation would be:
“Ask peace
Most English translations smooth this into a more natural command, for example:
“Pray for the peace of
This word-for-word check should give you confidence in the nuances of each term and help you decide, and which translation best fits your needs. I personally prefer JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh!
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Please Note: “hebraicstudies”
links are located down the page!
This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be
He, said the following through a number of our prophets...
“The More Torah,
the More Life”,
For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... “Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom =
Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD
of hosts, be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat,
as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue
saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before
food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Enter ...