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Jewish World Review /Feb. 19, 1999 / 3 Adar, 5759
Dr. Laura
National Prayer Breakfast inspires public servants
(JWR) --- (http://www.jewishworldreview.com) I BELIEVE I AM THE FIRST "talk-show host" to read from the Holy Scriptures
at the National Prayer Breakfast, which takes place each year in Washington,
D.C. This year marked the 47th consecutive time this event has taken place. The
concept began almost half a century ago as a casual meeting of congressmen
laying down their political swords and picking up the Bible. The intent was to
refresh their minds and souls with respect to what was supposed to be their true
goal and true allegiance.
Their Bible study and prayer was to remind them that their ultimate goal is
righteousness, compassion and justice, and that their true allegiance is to G-d
and to G-d's expectations and commandments. The reason this concept worked and
grew (weekly congressional Bible study is led by a chaplain) is because there
was no micro-interpreting of biblical Scriptures or denominational declarations
of superiority. It's all about the basics, which are mutually understandable and
important to all who respect and honor G-d.
Especially because I am a formal convert to Judaism (although I have Jewish
blood through my father's side) after a virtual lifetime of religious ignorance
and abstention (actual atheism required more thought than I had given it), it
was a particular honor to me to stand and read from the Holy Scriptures in front
of more than 4,000 members of government, dignitaries, heads of state and
citizens throughout the whole world through C-SPAN.
It took me two months to decide on which Scriptures I would read in the
allotted three minutes of time. Friends and colleagues joked about what I could
possibly choose that wouldn't touch on the presidential scandals. Others hoped I
would use this opportunity as a hammer. However, the intent of these prayer
meetings is to cleanse souls of rancor and revenge. That is not to say that all
issues of accountability for wrongdoing are erased by the forgiving and
conciliatory tone of some Scripture readings. It is to say that we cannot be so
totally absorbed in anger and outrage that we lose our focus and our fairness.
It is also to say that in spite of the trials and tribulations of everyday life,
we must not become so enthralled with a crusade that we ignore our souls and our
other responsibilities in life.
I finally chose Deuteronomy 8 because I thought it so profoundly shook us
out of our often self-righteous arrogance as human beings who sometimes confuse
"walking with the L-rd" with becoming a G-d. G-d is speaking through Moses to
the people to clarify and remind them of their relationship to G-d. "He
subjected you to the hardship of hunger and then gave you manna to eat, which
neither you nor your fathers had ever known, in order to teach you that man does
not live on bread alone, but that man may live on anything that the L-rd
decrees."
The passage continues by describing the wonders of life and the Earth given
to us by G-d to enjoy and from which to create almost whatever man is capable of
dreaming. Then, there is the warning against each of us declaring that "My own
power and the might of my own hand have won this wealth for me." G-d reminds us
to "Remember that it is the L-rd your G-d who gives you the power to get wealth
."
This passage is about gratitude and respect. And how often do we contemplate
not only the blessings from G-d, but our blessings through the love, support,
trust, assistance and kindness we get from others? Not often enough.
So here I am at the president's 47th Annual Prayer Breakfast, this little
Jewish girl from Brooklyn, reading the words of G-d. It was a moment that choked
me up. It was a moment I will never forget. It was a moment that joined us all
at the heart. It was a moment that I hope moved hearts toward those qualities
that can bring peace to souls and countries.
Any complaints about me or others being there when the president had "done
naughties" or when there were world leaders of questionable character or past
evil actions, missed the point and intent of this event. It wasn't to erase
culpability or accountability or consequences. The point of this event was to
inspire the aspiring righteous, as well as the naughty and the evil, to connect
with the ultimate
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