Posts Tagged ‘confession near death’

 

Tender End of Life Vidui

Posted on: May 21st, 2018 by Alden

A confessional prayer at the end of life, from This Grateful Heart: Psalms and Prayers for a New Day. Here are more memorial and yizkor prayers, including meditations near the end of life.

Tender End of Life Vidui
I did the best I could,
At least some of the time,
And more often as I got wiser.
My best got better,
And my shortfalls became more obvious.
This I ask of You, my G-d,
And of you, my friends and family,
And of any creatures or persons whom I’ve harmed:
Forgive me.
Release me from guilt.
Release me from my transgression.
Release my from my mistakes.
In forgiving me,
You help me forgive myself,
So I may pass from this world
With a greater measure of comfort and reassurance.
It is too late for me to do more,
And I ask with a heart of sincerity.

G-d of our mothers and fathers,
G-d of generations,
M’kor chayim
Source of life,
May it be Your will that my passing be in peace.

!שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ יי אֶחָד
Sh’ma Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad!
Hear, O Israel! Adonai is our God! Adonai is One!

© 2017 CCAR Press from This Grateful Heart: Psalms and Prayers for a New Day

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Postscript: Vidui means ‘confession.’

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Photo Source: WikiMedia Commons

Near the End: A Meditation (Clergy Version)

Posted on: July 14th, 2013 by tobendlight

Lake_mapourika_NZ_jpegThis is meditation to prepare for the journey of death, rewritten for use by clergy with those in need. It moves gently to a place for the individual to speak to G-d, where the prayer includes an allusion to the death bed Vidui, the confessional. The prayer closes with a reading in unison, allowing the clergy member to support the individual. It is based on “Near The End: A Meditation,” which appears in my book, Jewish Prayers of Hope and Healing.

Near the End: A Meditation (Clergy Version)
For use by clergy with an individual near the end of life.

Clergy:
When our days fade,
And our eyes dim,
When darkness settles,
And the veil is lifted…

Together:
Remove my fear
My doubt,
My shame.
Remove my hesitation and longings,
So I may go gracefully into
The unknown,
The unknowable,
The secret tomorrow of my soul.

Clergy:
Ancient One,
Foundation and Shelter,
Cradle of life,
You wait for our return.

Individual:
Holy One,
Companion and Guide
Guardian of spirit,
I confess my weaknesses and mistakes,
My errors of judgment and
My lapses of conscience,
So that I may return to you in joyous surrender.

Together:
Source of life
Holy and exalted
You have called us to service on this earth.
You will call us back to You,
As You call all Your children,
To return from this life,
This journey,
This place of sea and sky,
Of happiness and heartbreak.
Let me go in peace.
Let me go in peace.

© 2013 Alden Solovy and tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

Postscript: Other prayers with a similar theme include: “Things Break” and a prayer to be said “Upon Entering Hospice.”

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Photo Source: WikiMedia Commons

Near the End: A Meditation

Posted on: February 20th, 2011 by tobendlight

Since death is certain, and the date of death is uncertain, what do I do to prepare? Here’s a meditation on the journey home. Listen along by clicking on the triangle in the bar below. The text follows. This appears in my book, Jewish Prayers of Hope and Healing.

 

Near the End: A Meditation
When my days fade,
When my eyes dim,
When darkness settles,
And the veil is lifted,
Remove my fear
My doubt,
My shame.
Remove my hesitation and longings,
So I may go gracefully into
The unknown,
The unknowable,
The secret tomorrow of my soul.

Ancient One,
Foundation and Shelter,
Companion and Guide,
Cradle of life,
Guardian of spirit,
I confess my weaknesses and mistakes,
My errors of judgment and
My lapses of conscience,
So that I may return to You in joyous surrender.

Source of my life
Holy and exalted
You have called me to service on this earth,
You will call me back to You
As You call all Your children
To return from this life,
This journey,
This place of sea and sky,
Of happiness and heartbreak.
Let me go in peace.
Let me go in peace.

© 2011 Alden Solovy and tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

Postscript: If you liked this, try “Remember” and “Come Walk,” another prayer/poem in the voice of the spiritual traveler.

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