Rabbi’s Message – Oct 30, 2024
Dear TEE community,
When I was a child, my parents always took me with them when they went to vote. I remember a feeling I can only describe as awe when they pulled the curtain that surrounded the voting machine. It was clear that this was a very important and very personal moment. Although we no longer use the machines that created such private space, I still carry that sense of the sacred with me when fill out my ballot.
Voting is a fundamental civic duty and a vital expression of democratic values, particularly for Reform Jews who emphasize social justice, equality, and community responsibility. Engaging in the electoral process empowers individuals to influence policies that align with Jewish ethical teachings and communal needs. In a time when many face disenfranchisement, the act of voting becomes a vital statement of resilience and hope, affirming the belief that every voice matters in shaping a just society.
Jewish tradition views civic engagement as an essential responsibility. The prophet Jeremiah instructed us to “seek the wellbeing of the place in which you live” and later rabbis interpreted that as needing to support governmental policies which benefitted everyone. Having been denied citizenship for so long, many Jews are especially appreciative of their ability to vote. In the early 20th century, a noted Orthodox scholar, Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz had a follower who told him he would not be able to vote in upcoming elections because he did not have enough money to pay his taxes. The rabbi told him, “You should sell your tefillin and pay the taxes… tefillin, you can borrow from another, but the right to vote you cannot get from someone else.”
For Reform Jews, voting is not just about selecting representatives; it’s about advocating for issues which resonate with Jewish values. A strong voter turnout among Reform Jews can help ensure that policies promoting inclusivity and tolerance are prioritized. This year such a policy is on the ballot in New York State in the form of Proposal One, which will guarantee equal rights for all residents of the state.
Recognizing the sacred nature of voting, Jewish organizations have created new prayers for the occasion. T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights has a meditation for reflection prior to voting:
May it be Your will, at this season of our election, to guide us towards peace.
By voting, we commit to being full members of society, to accepting our individual responsibility for the good of the whole.
May we place over ourselves officials in all our gates…who will judge the people with righteousness (Deut. 16:18), and may we all merit to be counted among those who work faithfully for the public good.
Open our eyes to see the image of God in all candidates and elected officials, and may they see the image of God in all citizens of the earth.
Grant us the courage to fulfill the mitzvah of loving our neighbors as ourselves, and place in our hearts the wisdom to understand those who do not share our views.
As we pray on the High Holidays, “May we become a united society, fulfilling the divine purpose with a whole heart.”
And as the Psalmist sang, “May there be shalom within your walls, peace in your strongholds. For the sake of my brothers and sisters and friends, I will speak peace to you.” (Ps. 122:7-8)
The Union for Reform Judaism offers this prayer to be said at the time of voting:
ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם שמצפה מאיתנו לעסוק בעבודת אזרחות המדינה
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech haolam,
she–me׳tzapeh me’itanu l’asok b’avodat ezrachut ha’medina.
Blessed are you, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe,
who expects us to engage as citizens in our country.
However you mark the occasion, may this season of voting be meaningful and may we all fulfill this sacred obligation of citizenship.
Rabbi Drorah Setel
To learn more about Rabbi Setel, click here: Meet Our Rabbi.