My Voting Prayer « Rejewvenate!

My Voting Prayer

November 4, 2008 at 10:16 am | In culture, halacha, politics | 1 Comment

Recently, some of the blogs I visit have been posting this prayer, written by Rabbi David Seidenberg, founder of NeoHasid.org. Personally, I’m not so into it. For one, I have a strong preference for re-purposing existing prayers over composing new ones. Here’s my suggestion. When you come to the polling place, and prepare to cast your vote, say the following bracha: Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, She-chalak Mi-Kvodo Li-Bnei Adam – Blessed are you, God, King of the World, Who has given a portion of His honor to mankind.

This bracha is the one you say when you see a king, and it is meant to be an acknowledgment that kingship stems from God and is reflected in mankind. In a democratic country, that blessing is appropriate for meeting the President. But on election day we are al kings. We vote and make the decision of who will rule over us, and in my opinion there is no greater Kiddush Hashem in secular society than Election Day. Seeing people freely choosing their government and peacefully transferring enormous power is a reflection of God’s honor as well. Each of us, each of us who votes, is a king, and a reflection of God’s glory in this world.

Now go out and vote!

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(Apologies for the late post, but I just noticed the blog)

Voting (at the presidential level) makes me think of the Unetannah Tokef, especially in years where I vote for a major candidate instead of voting third party. Why? Because my decision, the possibility that I could put someone in office who is as likely as not to make incredibly destructive decisions either by commission or omission, fills me with dread.

I may think one candidate is a little less dreadful in the short run than the other- but I am still aware how likely it is that I could be wrong, or even that the election of my non-dreadful choice somehow leads to a chain of events ultimately leading to something dreadful.

Comment by woodrow/conservadox — December 29, 2008 #

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