Dear Rabbi Simon,
I hope you are well. I’ve been asked to say the prayer for the State of Israel at a bar mitzvah.
Do you have a copy of the most appropriate prayer to say at the moment? Or do I use the version in the Koren siddur (strong on Israel)?
Thanks
Yisrael
Thank you for your question, Yisrael.
Koren version is fine. My recommendation is to amend the text slightly, by adding the word she-tehei before reshit tzemihat ge’ulatenu, ie, “may it be the beginning of the flowering of our redemption.” This phrase is then an expression of hope rather than an assertion of fact.
But of course, you can use the formula as widely printed if you like.
Enjoy the bar mitzvah and may all our prayers be answered.
Rabbi Rashi Simon