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I was recently elected to the board of my synagogue and I wanted to add a small prayer or invocation for success at the beginning of the meetings. Does anyone know something appropriate? I was thinking perhaps the end of Ps. 90?

Thanks and Regards

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After the communal Torah reading on sabbath mornings, most Ashkenazic congregations recite this prayer:

He who blessed our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, should bless this entire holy congregation, along with all other holy congregations, them, their wives, children, and all that is their. Those who designate synagogues for prayer; those who pray in them; those who donate lamps for light, wine for kidush and havdala, bread for guests, and charity for the indigent; those who work in public affairs with faith — may the Holy One pay their reward, remove all ailment from them, heal their entire bodies, forgive all their sin, and send blessing and success to all their handiwork, along with all of Israel their brethren.

This asks for a blessing for the entire congregation. It also asks for "blessing and success to all their handiwork" for "those who work in public affairs with faith", which includes, hopefully, the board meeting. Thus, it seems to me a very appropriate prayer for a synagogue board meeting.

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  • Very good. I didn't think of that. Now, perhaps, if I can get my shul rabbi to encourage saying this before the various ritual committee meetings that he joins? BTW, you may be taking a somewhat loose translation of the term "tzibbur", here. "Public affairs" could be taken to me in secular areas. I don't think that's what is intended in this prayer.
    – DanF
    Jul 11, 2016 at 21:54
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In the "Siddur Vilna" immediately preceding Mincha they print what's entitled "Prayer Before Doing Business".

It's not clear where this prayer comes from, but I'm not sure how much that matters (רחמנא ליבא בעי).

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  • This is nice. Thanks for the scan. If there is a link, please edit the answer. I assume that since you scanned this, the answer is no.
    – DanF
    Jul 11, 2016 at 19:26
  • This reads like a prayer for success in making a living. I'm guessing the board position is unpaid.
    – msh210 ♦
    Jul 11, 2016 at 20:23
  • Can you possibly give me a rough english translation. I can read it phonetically but I cannot translate it. I do not know Hebrew.
    – user12928
    Jul 11, 2016 at 22:46
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  • There is an "addition" for Parnasa that is printed in the Art Scroll and can be inserted into the prayer Shema Koleinu.

  • The prayer in the Amidah that begins "Barech Aleinu" is generally intended for agricultural success in the land, but not individual parnasa as such.

  • There are other prayers for Parnasa that appear in many siddurim and are intended to be recited after Shacharit, which includes reciting the entire chapter of the Manna.

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  • This sounds like it's for success in making a living. I'm guessing the board position is unpaid.
    – msh210 ♦
    Jul 11, 2016 at 20:24

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