De-naming Ceremony – Dream On

In the name of all who have sailed aboard this ship in the past, and in the name of all who may sail aboard her in the future, we invoke the Holy One Blessed be She and the ancient gods and goddesses of the wind and the sea to favor us with their blessing today.
We offer you our thanks for the protection you have afforded this vessel in the past. We voice our gratitude that she has always found shelter from tempest and storm and enjoyed safe passage to port.

ואִלוּ פִינוּ מָלֵא שִירָה כַיָּם, וּלְשוֹנֵנוּ רִנָּה

כַּהֲמוֹן גַּלָּיו, וְשִׂפְתוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁבַח כְּמֶרְחֲבֵי רָקִיעַ, וְעֵינֵינוּ מְאִירוֹת כַּשֶּׁמֶשׁ וְכַיָּרֵחַ, וְיָדֵינו פְרוּשׂוֹת כְּנִשְׁרֵי שָׁמַיִם, וְרַגְלֵינוּ קַלּוֹת כָּאַיָּלוֹת, אֵין אֲנַחְנוּ מַסְפִּיקִים לְהוֹדוֹת לְךָ

Even if our mouths were as full with song as the sea,
and joy would move our tongue like countless waves,
If our lips were full of praise like the expanse of heaven,
and our eyes could fill with light like the sun and moon,
if our arms were outstretched like eagles of the sky,
and our feet as swift as gazelles’,
still we could not thank You enough.

With every ending comes a new beginning.

Now, therefore, Dream On, be removed from your records.

In consequence and in good faith, we seal this pact with a libation offered according to the hallowed ritual of the sea. Toast! L’Chayim!

Re-naming and Blessings – Bat HaYam (Daughter of the Sea)

With every ending comes a new beginning.

We name this ship “Bat HaYam” and may she bring fair winds and good fortune to all who sail on her.

Affixing Mezuza – to make sure that everyone who enters or leaves the boat is wrapped in Your blessing and protection.

Tefilat HaDerech

Adopted from Rabbi David Seidenberg

May the holy desire come from You,
YHVH, our Source and our ancestors’ Source,
that You will lead us toward peace
and make our passage, a path of peace.
May You help us reach the true target of our desire:
life, joy, and peace.
Rescue us from all enmity and ambush and theft and predation,
from all impulses to harm that confront us on this path,
and from any dangerous complications that may arise
from the passions that come into the world.
Bless our actions and handiwork
and grant us grace, love, and compassion
in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who behold us,
for You are the one who is listening to hear the prayer
of every mouth of every creature.
Blessed be You who listens for prayer.

And if we ascend up into heavens, You are there. If we dwell in the sea, You are there. May it be Your will our Source, that you guard us from storm and tempest and grief. May You bring forth appropriate winds to carry our boat and may You sustain those who sail on it, and may we reach our destination alive, happy and well.

Blessed be You who listens for prayer.