In October of 2016, Rabbi David Zvi Kalman composed a prayer for voting—to be read alongside the Prayer for the United States in synagogues the Shabbat before Election Day. By his explanation, he wanted the prayer to serve four functions, two of which I found deeply compelling:
It connects the grand notion of “government” with the people in the room, thereby empowering them—and uniting them, albeit briefly, across their political differences.
Like the rabbinic prayer before entering a study hall, it sets a non-partisan intention: Voting should be understood as a weighty and holy responsibility.
Along with his prayer, found here, I offer a collection of other prayers written by contemporary Jews for this moment—which is indeed weighty and, I pray, holy.
This weekend, Rabbi Josh Feigelson will be joining us, teaching on Friday night during and after services and on Saturday morning in our Spirit of Shabbat learning. His organization, the Institute of Jewish Spirituality, put together these intentions for voting.
And, written even more recently by Rachie Lewis, this prayer speaks of our shared hopes and shared responsibility.
Amen.
—Rabbi Sari Laufer