As we reach the end of this long and tumultuous election season, I wanted to share with you this prayer from the Rabbinical Assembly that reminds us of the awesome power of voting and asks God for guidance and insight as we make the weighty decisions before us.
אַתָּה חוֹנֵן לָאָדָם דַּעַת וּמְלַמֵּד לֶאֱנוֹשׁ בִּינָה
Adonai, You grant us knowledge, and teach us understanding
Help us to recognize the gift of our vibrant and open democracy and the responsibility to nurture it.
Strengthen us to take our duties as citizens seriously, to hold in our minds and our hearts all that is at stake in this election and to fulfill our obligations with integrity
May we discern Your Divine presence and amplify Your teachings through our actions and commitments.
Remind us of the goodness and diversity of the United States of America.
May we strive to care about those with whom we disagree as dearly as we care about our own ideals.
Guide our hands to reach out to one another, certain in the truth
that what unites us is greater than anything that divides us.
חָנֵּנוּ מֵאִתָּך דֵּעָה בִינָה וְהַשְכֵּל
May you grace us with knowledge, understanding and discernment