Invocation by Rabbi Schneur Z Oirechman of Chabad Lubavitch of the Panhandle-Tallahassee.
April 18, 2013 - Click here for video
Almighty G‑d, Light of the Universe:
Bestow Your favor upon the members of this august body as they gather here to devise just laws, with firm knowledge that You are the ultimate Ruler of all.
Bless the honorable members of the House of Representatives, and its honorable Speaker, Will Weatherford who are entrusted by the people to make laws that will benefit our beloved sunshine state.
This coming Wednesday is the 14th day of the month of Iyar on the Jewish Calendar, which is the biblical holiday of the “Second Passover”.
When the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, this day served as a "second chance" for those who were unable to bring the Passover offering on the eve of the "first" Passover, one month earlier.
My personal mentor, Rabbi Menachem Schneersohn, the renowned Lubavitcher Rebbe, a spiritual leader for Jews and gentiles, explained the eternal significance of the Second Passover:
If we have not yet succeeded, G‑d arranges another chance for us to do better.
Even if a person fails, that person is not a failure if he or she takes full advantage of the second chance.
Almighty G‑d, we gather here to work to make Your world a better place ,improving the lives of the citizens of our state.
In the spirit of the Second Passover, the Festival of Freedom, grant us all a “Second Chance” to pass over and overcome all stumbling blocks, and be all that we can be.
Make us strong so we can stand up to personal and political challenges and make this world a better place.
May we merit the coming of The redemption, true peace, prosperity and security by increasing our acts of goodness and kindness and let us say Amen.
