Overview

“Ana b’Koach” is a significant and potent prayer recited at critical junctures, emphasizing a spiritual ascent. Perfect for the start of a new year, this prayer is deeply entwined with Kabbalistic meanings and offers a divine plea for protection, healing, and blessings.

Why it matters

As we enter a new year, invoking “Ana b’Koach” connects us to the creation’s primordial energies and God’s kindness. The prayer and its intricate structure provide not just spiritual remedy but also a compass guiding us through the challenges ahead, invoking divine mercy and justice.

The Essence of ‘Ana B’Koach’

“Ana b’Koach” traces back to the first century and is a staple in Jewish prayer cycles, from morning and afternoon prayers to the start of Shabbat. It rolls together profound meanings, with each line composed of six words whose initials spell out divine names that tie back to Genesis’s creation story. This setup is viewed as a spiritual tool lifting us towards holiness.

The Power of Art

Capturing this prayer’s essence, Yoram Raanan’s painting “Ana b’Koach” emerges from his deep contemplation and flashes of divine inspiration. The painting, with vertical lines symbolizing rising joy, encapsulates the energies of creation enhanced by hues of blue that evoke a spiritual calmness aligned with the prayer’s themes.

Conclusion

May we imbibe the tranquility and energy embedded in “Ana b’Koach” as we pray for God’s blessings. Let it guide us towards a year filled with justice, peace, and liberation from life’s entanglements.

About the Authors

Meira Raanan, author and Jewish meditation teacher, and Esther Cameron, a Jerusalem-based poet and scholar, bring deep insights into this powerful prayer and the artistic rendition accompanying it.

This story was first published on jpost.com.