March 19, 2005
LIBERTY FOR OTHERS AND SECURITY AT HOME.
I've mentioned previously that our temple is considering changing the "Prayer for our Country", said during Shabbat and Festival services. Two new versions have now been circulated:
Version I:
God, who commanded all nations to create just governments, may You preserve and protect our democracy. Bless the officials of the government of the United States with wisdom and compassion. Place in their hearts devotion to justice, truth and equality. Let their actions reflect mercy for the poor, the defenseless, and the needy among us and throughout the world.May it be Your will that people of different faiths and nationalities dwell together in peace and freedom, and let us say: Amen.
Version II:
We pray for all who hold positions of leadership and responsibility in our national life. Let your blessing rest upon them, and make them responsive to your will, so that our nation may be to the world an example of justice and compassion. Deepen our love for our country and our desire to serve it. Strengthen our power of self-sacrifice for our nation's welfare. Teach us to uphold its good name by our own right conduct. Cause us to see clearly that the well-being of our nation is in the hands of all its citizens; imbue us with zeal for the cause of liberty in our own land and in all lands; and help us always to keep our homes safe from affliction, strife, and war. Amen.I am surprised at how little objection I have to either, though I prefer Version II. I assume that I am interpreting it differently from my fellows but, to me "Cause us to see clearly that the well-being of our nation is in the hands of all its citizens; imbue us with zeal for the cause of liberty in our own land and in all lands; and help us always to keep our homes safe from affliction, strife, and war" is a clear endorsement of the justness of the Iraqi war. Posted by David Cohen at March 19, 2005 12:15 PM
I'd vote for II as well.
Posted by: Bret at March 19, 2005 1:42 PMWhere's the part about the bike path?
Posted by: jeff at March 19, 2005 2:44 PMIn all seriousness, I prefer II as well but could easily live with I.
Posted by: jeff at March 19, 2005 2:46 PMI just prayed each out loud...yes, I seriously did...and II prays better in MHO. The first one is a bit more political and seems aimed more at gaining the affirmation of left-leaning worshippers than at being a sweet offering of one's hopes and aspirations for the nation to The Lord. I vote for II.
Posted by: Dave W. at March 21, 2005 1:16 PMWhere did God command that?
Posted by: Harry Eagar at March 21, 2005 11:53 PMWhere did G-d command what?
Posted by: David Cohen at March 22, 2005 7:33 AMAll nations to create just governments
Posted by: Harry Eagar at March 22, 2005 5:58 PMIt's one of the seven Noahnic Laws.
Posted by: David Cohen at March 22, 2005 7:05 PMHarry:
Deuteronomy 16:18. Government is a gift from God (whether or not you believe it to be so), and God expects that the people we put in power will render just decisions.