What is prayer for idf soldiers in hebrew?

The traditional Hebrew prayer for IDF soldiers is called תְּפִלַּת הַחַיָּל (Tefillat HaChayal — "Prayer of the Soldier") or more commonly known by its opening words. The most widely recited version is the Prayer for the Welfare of IDF Soldiers (Mi She'berach style), officially endorsed by the Israeli Rabbinate.

Key Takeaways

• The official prayer for IDF soldiers was composed by the Israeli Chief Rabbinate and is recited in synagogues across Israel and the Diaspora.
• It draws on the biblical theme from Psalms and Deuteronomy of God watching over and protecting His people.
• The prayer asks God to protect soldiers, grant them strength, and bring them home in peace.
• It is traditionally recited on Shabbat after the Torah reading, alongside other communal prayers.
• Many communities add special Mi She'berach prayers for specific soldiers by name.

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The Official Prayer for IDF Soldiers (Hebrew & Translation)

Hebrew Text:

מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ אֲבוֹתֵינוּ אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב, הוּא יְבָרֵךְ אֶת חַיָּלֵי צְבָא הֲגַנָּה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, הָעוֹמְדִים עַל מִשְׁמַר אַרְצֵנוּ וְעָרֵי אֱלֹהֵינוּ, מִגְּבוּל הַלְּבָנוֹן וְעַד מִדְבַּר מִצְרַיִם, וּמִן הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל עַד לְבוֹא הָעֲרָבָה, בַּיַּבָּשָׁה בָּאֲוִיר וּבַיָּם.

יִתֵּן ה׳ אֶת אוֹיְבֵינוּ הַקָּמִים עָלֵינוּ נִגָּפִים לִפְנֵיהֶם. הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יִשְׁמֹר וְיַצִּיל אֶת חַיָּלֵינוּ מִכׇּל צָרָה וְצוּקָה וּמִכׇּל נֶגַע וּמַחֲלָה, וְיִשְׁלַח בְּרָכָה וְהַצְלָחָה בְּכׇל מַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵיהֶם.

יַדְבֵּר שׂוֹנְאֵינוּ תַּחְתֵּיהֶם, וִיעַטְּרֵם בְּכֶתֶר יְשׁוּעָה וּבַעֲטֶרֶת נִצָּחוֹן. וִיקֻיַּם בָּהֶם הַכָּתוּב: "כִּי ה׳ אֱלֹהֵיכֶם הַהֹלֵךְ עִמָּכֶם לְהִלָּחֵם לָכֶם עִם אֹיְבֵיכֶם לְהוֹשִׁיעַ אֶתְכֶם." וְנֹאמַר אָמֵן.

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English Translation:

"May He who blessed our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob — bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Forces, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our God, from the border of Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea to the approach of the Arabah, on land, in the air, and at sea.

May Hashem cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our soldiers from every trouble and distress, from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor.

May He cause our enemies to submit before them and may He crown them with salvation and with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: 'For it is Hashem your God, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you, to save you.' And let us say: Amen."

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Biblical Foundations of the Prayer

The prayer's closing verse — "כִּי ה׳ אֱלֹהֵיכֶם הַהֹלֵךְ עִמָּכֶם" — comes from Deuteronomy 20:4, the passage in which a kohen (priest) addresses Israelite soldiers before battle, assuring them of Divine accompaniment.

This reflects the foundational biblical idea that God watches over the Land and its defenders, as expressed in [Deuteronomy 11:12]: "אֶרֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ דֹּרֵשׁ אֹתָהּ תָּמִיד" — "A land which Hashem your God seeks out continually; the eyes of Hashem your God are always upon it."

The spirit of personal supplication in the prayer also echoes [Psalms 69:14]: "וַאֲנִי תְפִלָּתִי־לְךָ ה׳ עֵת רָצוֹן" — "As for me, my prayer is to You, Hashem, at an עֵת רָצוֹן (et ratzon — an auspicious time of favor)."

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Additional Prayer Elements

Many communities also add:

• Psalms 91 (Yoshev B'Seter — "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High"), traditionally said as protection for those in danger
• Psalms 121 (Shir LaMa'alot — "A Song of Ascents"), asking God to be a guardian who "neither slumbers nor sleeps"
• Personal Mi She'berach prayers calling out soldiers' Hebrew names

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For personal guidance on communal prayer customs and which version to use in your synagogue, consult your local rabbi or posek.