In the spirit of Mordecai Kaplan's commitment to living in two civilizations these two blessings were composed to be recited immediately preceding the first punch of the voting card. May the causes of justice and fairness be advanced by the action we all take on Tuesday!

Rabbi Steve Segar   October 25, 2004

Blessing Upon Voting - 1

An adaptation by Rabbi Jeffrey Schein of wording by Rabbi Arthur Green.

The great Creator has put us into this world and called up each of us to respond to the world by creating something of value within it by making wise decisions. Blessed is the One who confronts us, addresses us, and privileges us with the capacity to make critical decisions.

Blessing Upon Voting - 2

I wrote this a couple of years ago around election time.

May it be your will, Adonai our God and God of our ancestors to imbue within us the laws of life, that our hearts may attain understanding and wisdom, and that we may help to bring about a world of love and integrity envisioned in our Torah.

Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheynu chey ha-oalmim
Blessed are you Adonai, Life of all worlds, who has commanded us to choose life, to pursue justice and to do our part to repair the world.