Opening Prayer
To view a prayer from a previous day of House proceedings, please select a month and year from the search menu on the left.
07/25/2024
Rabbi Levi Slonim
Master of the universe, in beseeching You for blessings, we act in kindness and charity. Bless these distinguished Members of Congress, chosen by so many, who fulfill one of the seven Noah high commandments
You gave unto humanity; namely, to govern by just laws.
In these unprecedented and challenging times for our Nation, we recall the timeless words of my revered leader, global spiritual leader and teacher, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, whose passing 30 years ago we commemorated earlier this month.
He taught: Difference need not lead to division. On the contrary, true unity comes from a synthesis of different, even opposite, thrusts. Differences between people are overshadowed by what is common to all of
us. We are God's creations.
Merciful Father, today we pray for a swift and safe return of the hostages being held in Gaza and an end to all conflict in Israel and throughout the world.
Almighty God, please bless the Congress so that they foster an environment of love and acceptance, a deeper appreciation that within each individual lies untapped potential.
In the words of Maimonides, each person must see themselves as though the entire world were held in balance and with a single deed they can tip the scales, ushering in the era of redemption as proclaimed by Isaiah when nation shall not lift a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. Amen.