Note: Prayer by Rabbi David Fairman, Beth Israel Synagogue, Waterville: Today may I offer on your behalf and mine a prayer composed by the great tenth century rabbi, philosopher and physician, Moses Mimondidies. Though it was composed as a physician's prayer, it can also apply well to myself and to yourself in our respective professions. Almighty God, you have chosen me to watch over the bfe and health of your creatures. I am now about to apply myself to the duties of my profession. Support me, Almighty God, in these great labors, that they may benefit mankind, for without your help not even the least thing will succeed. Inspire me with love for my art and for your creatures. Do not allow thirst for profit, ambition for renown and admiration to interfere with my profession, for these are the enemies of truth and love for mankind and they can lead me astray in the great task of attending to the welfare of your creatures. Preserve the strength of my body and of my soul, that they ever be ready to cheerfully help and support rich and poor, good and bad, enemy as well as friend. In the sufferer let me see only the human being. Illumine my mind, that it recognizes what presents itself and that it may comprehend the absent or hidden. Let it not fail to see what is visible but do not permit it to see what it cannot see. Should those who are wiser wish to improve and instruct me, let me gratefully follow their guidance, for vast is the extent of our art. Let me be contented in everything except in the great science of my profession. Never allow the thoul;{ht to arise in me that I have attained sufficient knowledge. Give me the strength, the leisure and the am bition ever to extend my knowledge. Almighty God, you have chosen me in your mercy to watch over the life and death of your creatures. As I now apply myself to my profession, support me in this great task so that it may be of benefit to mankind, for without your help not even the least thing will succeed.