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Rabbi Arthur Segal: Talmudic Discourse: When Adar Enters We Increase Our Joy
Shalom:
A glorious "Amen" to the below blessing to G!D on our right to vote and for what we vote.
" God of all generations, thank you for bringing me to this time and place wherein I can
participate fully in true democracy. Guide me in choosing leaders who will
bring us to peace and prosperity. May my vote be followed with further
actions of civic involvement. Blessed are you, who gave us life, who
sustained us and who brought us to this time.'' (Rabbi J. Abrams)
participate fully in true democracy. Guide me in choosing leaders who will
bring us to peace and prosperity. May my vote be followed with further
actions of civic involvement. Blessed are you, who gave us life, who
sustained us and who brought us to this time.'' (Rabbi J. Abrams)
The fact that Super Tuesday also falls the day before the month of Adar has not escaped me.
We are told "Ke Sheneechnas Adar Marbin Be'Simcha - When Adar Enters We Increase Our Joy". (Talmud Bavli Taanit 29a).
Current events are not obviously joyful. My brachah when I vote will be that: "May we soon be blessed to fix this world, via Tikun Olam, in such a way that true joy and justice will be the inheritance of all humankind."
For American Jews, our biggest miracle is the one of religious freedom. President George Washington wrote to the Jews of Newport, R.I., in 1790: "Happily the Government of the United States ... gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance. ... May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while everyone shall sit under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid."
As Jews. the various mitzvoth of working towards tsaddakah (justice) falls upon us each day and not just when we vote. "If your brother becomes poor, and his means of support fail, you must uphold him." (Lev. 25:25).
While the Talmud teaches us that ''all Jews are responsible for one another,'' (kol Yisrael areivin zeh ba-zeh), (Tractate Bavli Shavuot 39a), the universality of G!D certainly tells Jews that we are indeed responsible ''for being a light to all nations''. (Isa. 49:6) and our responsibilities do not stop at the synagogue doorway.
As we have learned, our sages didn't just define 'poor', as having not enough to eat. Being without religious or political freedom, and the universal need and right for these, is a theme of many of our celebrated holidays.
Lastly, while our Mishna wisely teaches: "Pray for the welfare of the government, since but for fear of it men would swallow each other alive," (Perkei Avot 3:2), Rabbi Gamliel, the son of Rabbi Judah ha Nasi (the Prince) who redacted the Mishna, added a 19th prayer to our Amidah prayer, which asks G!D to " uproot the arrogant government speedily...and Blessed are You, L-rd our G!D Who humbles the arrogant, machnia zeidim." (Talmud Bavli Tractate Berachot 28a- 29b).
Shalom and vote early and often, :=)
Rabbi Arthur Segal
" God of all generations, thank you for bringing me to this time and place wherein I can
participate fully in true democracy. Guide me in choosing leaders who will
bring us to peace and prosperity. May my vote be followed with further
actions of civic involvement. Blessed are you, who gave us life, who
sustained us and who brought us to this time.''
participate fully in true democracy. Guide me in choosing leaders who will
bring us to peace and prosperity. May my vote be followed with further
actions of civic involvement. Blessed are you, who gave us life, who
sustained us and who brought us to this time.''
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