If Fiddler on the Roof granted us perhaps the most well-known prayer for the government, the first one dates back to the prophet Jeremiah in the 6th century. A prophet of the exile, he writes from Babylonia, saying: “And seek the welfare of the city to which I have exiled you and pray to the LORD in its behalf; for in its prosperity you shall prosper.” (Jeremiah 29:7) As my colleague, Rabbi Rachel Isaacs, explains:
“Since the destruction of the first Temple in 586 B.C.E., the Jewish community has recognized how our fate is inextricably tied to the welfare of the states in which we live and the quality of their governance.”
Over the summer, while writing the Deuteronomy commentaries for the Union for Reform Judaism, I reflected on Parashat Shoftim, in which God and Moses set forth some ideas about guidelines around leadership. While I was not thinking particularly about November 2024, it was a reminder that, from Biblical times until today, our texts and traditions give a lot of thought—and credit—to leaders and models of leadership. Again, Rabbi Isaacs reflects on this:
“While there may be tribulations with certain governments or authorities over time, the idea of government more broadly is embraced by the rabbis as a necessary instrument for preserving life, law, and order.”
This article traces some of the history of Jewish prayers for the government, but ends with this idea—a good one to keep in mind on this, the day before Election Day:
“With rare exception, Jewish communities offer prayers for the government regardless of which political party is in power or who leads the government. We pray for the good of our neighbors and for wisdom and compassion to guide the decisions of those in power.”
—Rabbi Sari Laufer