Hakaras HaTov

Lior – How are you including members of the security forces in your tefilos? As you may know, there’s an inyan to be as specific as possible when Davening for someone – that’s why we use an exact name and a mother’s name when Davening for a Choleh.

There’s also a Medrash on this where it discusses one of the battles Bnei Yisrael had in the Midbar, where one nation (I can’t recall right now which) dressed up as another when attacking Bnei Yisrael so as to make the Tefilos ineffective. They still spoke their native language, though, so B”Y realized something was up – and davened simply to overcome “this enemy”. The question that is asked then is, why not always use this formulation? The answer is that the more specific the Tefila, the better.

As to the Nussach of the Mi Sheberach – I can understand your discomfort with using a new Tefila, and have no issue with this (though there are multiple examples of new liturgy being added to the more traditional – see Kinnos re: the Holocaust, for example). However, why not use some other, more traditional, formulation of a Tefila, while specifically mentioning Israel’s security forces?

an Israeli Yid

BTW, another few examples of changes that were made to Davening:

A specific Mi Sheberach that was added – there’s a Mi Sheberach that the Shach added after Ta”ch v’Ta”t re: those who are Makpid not to speak durring Davening. It’s not said by most Kehilos, but it does appear in the Sidur Tefilas Kol Peh.

Dropping Selichos from most Tefilos on Yom Kippur – most now only say them at Ma’ariv and Ne’ila, and not in Shachris and Mincha.

Saying Kabolas Shabbos – only added in the last couple of hundred years.

Change to the Nusach of Kadish (!) by Teimanim in the time of the Rambam – they were so appreciative of what he did with the Moreh Nevuchim, that they added his name (b’chayecon,u’vyomeichon, u’vchayei d’Rav Moshe ben Maimon) to Kadish.

So, there are examples of changes and “new” tefilos being added.

an Israeli Yid

DY – “Imo Anochi bTzara” has nothing to do with Hakaras HaTov – we Daven for those who are ill, after all, even though their illness has nothing to do with us. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Davening for those who live in Eretz Yisrael in general – and in fact, there’s a whole lot right about doing so.

My original question was specifically with respect to those who put themselves on the line to defend the Am Hashem haYoshev b’Tzion – do we have an additional obligation to have Hakaras HaTov toward them, including Davening specifically for their success and well-being. This would not be the general requirement that we are responsible for all Jews under “Kol Yisrael Avevim Zeh laZeh”, but a more specific requirement that we recognize and acknowledge the good that has specifically been done for us – all Jews who live in or visit Israel. As we have personally benefited from the sacrifices of these individuals, what are our obligations toward them – a general feeling of thanks, or something stronger, such as specifically Davening for them?

an Israeli Yid (currently in the CHU”L, where it’s not yet Shabbos)

DY – No, I’m differentiating a “general” Tefila for a Yeshua for Am Yisrael (or those living in E”Y) on account of Imo Anochi with a specific Tefila for security forces as they go about their duties defending the lives of their fellow Jews living in (or visiting) E”Y. One poster mentioned that there is daily Davening for their success, and I questioned whether he was Davening specifically for the security forces, or a more general Tefila for all Jews in difficult situation.

As to expressing Hakaras HaTov to Tzahal vs. Hashkafic considerations – I am specifically not asking about Davening for the State of Israel, since as you note, there are significant Hashkafic issues that many have – and this thread is not the place to opine on them. Davening for the welfare and success of the security forces, on the other hand, would seem (to me, at least) to be much less of an issue. And if someone is uncomfortable with the Nusach of the Mi Sheberach for Tzahal that is printed in D”L Sidurim, that’s fine – I’d not think most would object to some other formulation of Tefila on behalf of the security forces.

an Israeli Yid (currently in the CHU”L, where it’s not yet Shabbos)

DY – If there’s a Halachic obligation to express Hakaras HaTov, that would seem to necessitate coming up with a way to overcome the Hashkaficly thorny issue – and there would seem to be clear ways to do so.

And please – let’s keep this civil. There’s no need to insinuate that I’m neglecting my obligation to be Dan Le’kaf Zechus on this front – I’m asking for explanations, not accusing anyone.

an Israeli Yid