{"id":45202,"date":"2026-11-04T07:43:06","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T07:43:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?p=45202"},"modified":"2026-11-04T07:43:06","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T07:43:06","slug":"article-20106-en","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?p=45202&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Prayer and strength in times of fear \u2014 faith, unity and protecting life"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.es-site{--ink:#483320;--paper:#fbf8f2;--gold:#a78349;background:var(--paper);color:var(--ink);font:18px\/1.85 Arial,sans-serif;overflow-wrap:break-word}\n.es-site *{box-sizing:border-box}.es-site a{color:#6b5036;text-underline-offset:4px}.es-site h1,.es-site h2,.es-site h3{color:#483320;line-height:1.35;font-weight:600}.es-site h1{font-size:clamp(36px,5vw,64px);margin:12px 0}.es-site h2{font-size:clamp(28px,3vw,40px);margin:0 0 24px}.es-site h3{font-size:23px;margin:0 0 16px}.es-site p{margin:0 0 24px}.es-wrap{max-width:1160px;margin:auto;padding:64px 28px}.es-header{background:#e7dbcd;border-bottom:1px solid #d1bd9d}.es-headrow{max-width:1240px;margin:auto;padding:16px 28px;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:24px;justify-content:space-between;flex-wrap:wrap}.es-brand{display:flex;gap:14px;align-items:center;text-decoration:none}.es-brand img{width:88px;height:88px;object-fit:contain}.es-brand strong{font-size:24px}.es-langs{display:flex;gap:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;font-size:16px;direction:ltr}.es-langs a[aria-current]{font-weight:bold;border-bottom:2px solid #8a683c}.es-nav{max-width:1160px;margin:auto;padding:10px 28px 20px;display:flex;gap:24px;flex-wrap:wrap;font-size:16px}.es-nav a{text-decoration:none}.es-hero{background:#19140f;display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;min-height:620px}.es-hero-image{background:url('https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/PhotoshopPreview_Image-2-1536x1023.png') center center\/cover;min-height:620px}.es-hero-copy{padding:64px 44px;align-self:center;color:#fff8ec}.es-hero h1{color:#fff8ec}.es-kicker{color:#b99459;font-size:16px;letter-spacing:.04em}.es-subtitle{font-size:25px;color:#d4b675}.es-btn{display:inline-block;background:#6b5036!important;color:#fff9ef!important;border:1px solid #6b5036;padding:12px 22px;text-decoration:none!important;border-radius:3px;font-weight:600;margin:0 8px 8px 0;max-width:100%}.es-btn:hover{background:#483320!important}.es-hero .es-btn{background:#dcc298!important;border-color:#dcc298;color:#241b12!important}.es-lead{font-size:22px}.es-reading{max-width:850px}.es-reading h3{margin-top:36px}.es-band{background:#efe5d5}.es-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(2,minmax(0,1fr));gap:24px}.es-card{border:1px solid #cfba98;padding:26px;background:#fbf8f2;border-radius:3px}.es-fields{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,minmax(0,1fr));gap:14px;list-style:none;padding:0;margin:28px 0 0}.es-fields li{border:1px solid #cfba98;padding:14px;background:#fbf8f2}.es-video-frame{max-width:340px;aspect-ratio:9\/16;margin:20px auto;background:#e7dbcd}.es-video-frame iframe{display:block;width:100%;height:100%;border:0}.es-note{font-size:14px;line-height:1.8}.es-library{border:1px solid #cfba98;padding:38px;background:#efe5d5}.es-footer{background:#e7dbcd;text-align:center;padding:32px 24px}.es-phone{direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:isolate;white-space:nowrap}.es-site[dir=rtl]{font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif}.es-site[dir=rtl] .es-hero-image{order:2}\n@media(max-width:767px){.es-wrap{padding:42px 20px}.es-hero{display:flex;flex-direction:column}.es-hero-image,.es-site[dir=rtl] .es-hero-image{min-height:400px;order:0}.es-hero-copy{padding:32px 24px;text-align:center}.es-grid,.es-fields{grid-template-columns:1fr}.es-headrow{padding:14px 18px;gap:14px;justify-content:center}.es-brand strong{font-size:21px}.es-brand img{width:68px;height:68px}.es-nav{justify-content:center;gap:12px 20px;padding:12px 20px;font-size:15px}.es-langs{justify-content:center;width:100%}.es-library{padding:26px}.es-site h1{font-size:36px}.es-lead{font-size:20px}}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"es-site\" lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\n<div class=\"es-headrow\"><a class=\"es-brand\" href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=1052&#038;lang=en\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/tiferet-malchut-shlomo-kabbalah-logo-v4.png\" alt=\"Rabbi Emanuel Shahar\" width=\"88\" height=\"88\"><strong>Rabbi Emanuel Shahar<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<nav class=\"es-langs\" aria-label=\"Language\"><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=22&#038;lang=he\" hreflang=\"he\" lang=\"he\">\u05e2\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9\u05ea<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=1052&#038;lang=en\" hreflang=\"en\" lang=\"en\" aria-current=\"page\">English<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=1053&#038;lang=fr\" hreflang=\"fr\" lang=\"fr\">Fran\u00e7ais<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=1054&#038;lang=ar\" hreflang=\"ar\" lang=\"ar\">\u0627\u0644\u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a\u0629<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=20074&#038;lang=es\" hreflang=\"es\" lang=\"es\">Espa\u00f1ol<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=20369&#038;lang=fa\" hreflang=\"fa\" lang=\"fa\">\u0641\u0627\u0631\u0633\u06cc<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=20374&#038;lang=tr\" hreflang=\"tr\" lang=\"tr\">T\u00fcrk\u00e7e<\/a><\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"es-nav\"><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=1052&#038;lang=en#about\">About the Rabbi<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=1052&#038;lang=en#practice\">Fields of practice<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=1052&#038;lang=en#articles\">Articles<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=1052&#038;lang=en#videos\">Videos<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=1052&#038;lang=en#amulets\">Amulets<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=1052&#038;lang=en#contact\">Contact the office<\/a><\/nav>\n<style>.es-site img{max-width:100%;height:auto}.es-site iframe{max-width:100%}.es-site .es-archive-body{max-width:1100px}.es-site .es-archive-body h1{font-size:clamp(28px,4vw,44px)}.es-site .es-archive-body table{max-width:100%;overflow-wrap:anywhere}<\/style>\n<p><main class=\"es-wrap es-archive-body\"><\/p>\n<h1>Prayer and strength in times of fear \u2014 faith, unity and protecting life<\/h1>\n<figure style=\"margin:0 0 28px\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/prayer-safe-journey.webp\" alt=\"A road through the Jerusalem hills at sunrise \u2014 faith and protection\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"emanuel-editorial\" dir=\"ltr\">\n<p>In fear, a person seeks something to hold on to: a word of prayer, another person\u2019s closeness and a way to regain calm. Jewish tradition offers not only texts to recite but also practices of accompaniment, kindness and mutual responsibility.<\/p>\n<h2>Do not leave someone alone<\/h2>\n<p>Tractate Sotah discusses the value of accompanying someone setting out on a journey. Beyond the details of the custom lies a deeper principle: a blessing from afar is not enough when presence, attention and practical help are possible. Caring for another person\u2019s safety is part of serving God.<\/p>\n<p>Today too, this idea can take simple forms: checking that someone arrived safely, helping someone who is struggling and listening to a person in distress. Unity sometimes begins with a small, well-directed act.<\/p>\n<h2>Prayer and reciting the Shema<\/h2>\n<p>Rabbinic sources mention reciting the Shema in connection with fear. The reading directs the heart toward faith in God\u2019s oneness. Some also say \u2018Elaha de-Meir aneni\u2019 \u2014 \u2018God of Meir, answer me\u2019 \u2014 in distress, based on the account in tractate Avodah Zarah 18a.<\/p>\n<p>There is no need to find a long text to open the heart. A few sincere words in familiar language can be enough. Prayer is not a test of ability; someone struggling to concentrate should not be made more afraid.<\/p>\n<h2>Protecting life is part of responsibility<\/h2>\n<p>Reciting verses or practicing segulot does not promise immunity from harm. In danger, follow emergency authorities\u2019 instructions and seek the help needed. Prayer accompanies practical effort; it does not replace it.<\/p>\n<p>Do not attribute someone\u2019s injury to a lack of faith or failure to recite a particular formula. Our role is to help, strengthen and show more compassion. This preserves the proper connection between prayer, human dignity and the protection of life.<\/p>\n<p><small>Sources for study: Sotah 46b; Megillah 3a; Avodah Zarah 18a.<\/small><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/main><\/p>\n<footer class=\"es-footer\">\n<p>Rabbi Emanuel Shahar \u00b7 Tiferet Malchut Shlomo<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=20352&#038;lang=en\">About the Rabbi<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=50002&#038;lang=en\">Terms of use<\/a><\/p>\n<nav class=\"es-langs\" aria-label=\"Language\"><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=22&#038;lang=he\" hreflang=\"he\" lang=\"he\">\u05e2\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9\u05ea<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=1052&#038;lang=en\" hreflang=\"en\" lang=\"en\" aria-current=\"page\">English<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=1053&#038;lang=fr\" hreflang=\"fr\" lang=\"fr\">Fran\u00e7ais<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=1054&#038;lang=ar\" hreflang=\"ar\" lang=\"ar\">\u0627\u0644\u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a\u0629<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=20074&#038;lang=es\" hreflang=\"es\" lang=\"es\">Espa\u00f1ol<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=20369&#038;lang=fa\" hreflang=\"fa\" lang=\"fa\">\u0641\u0627\u0631\u0633\u06cc<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=20374&#038;lang=tr\" hreflang=\"tr\" lang=\"tr\">T\u00fcrk\u00e7e<\/a><\/nav>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In fear, a person seeks something to hold on to: a word of prayer, another person\u2019s closeness and a way to regain calm. Jewish tradition offers not only texts to recite but also practices of accompaniment, kindness and\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20117,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_canvas","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45202","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45202","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=45202"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45202\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50477,"href":"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45202\/revisions\/50477"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20117"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=45202"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=45202"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=45202"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}