Text of the Invocation

Invocation
City of Boston
Rabbi Dan Rodkin -
Jewish Russian Center, Brighton, MA

Good morning and thank you for inviting  me to share this prayer with you.

Almighty G‑d, Master of the Universe.

The members of this honorable Boston City Counsel, gather here to fulfill one of the seven commandments which You – G‑d first issued to Adam at the time of his creation, 5763 years ago, and then reissued to Noah and his sons after the great flood -the commandment to govern by just laws.

At the dawn of civilization, as related in Genesis and its sacred commentaries, You-G‑d issued the following seven laws, which came to be known as the Seven Noahide Laws:

One:    To worship you alone and not to serve idols;
Two:    Never to curse in Your Holy Name;
Three:  Not to murder;
Four:    Not to commit adultery
Five:     Not to steal, lie or cheat;
Six:       Not to be cruel to any living creature
Seven: That every society be governed by just laws, which are based on the recognition  and acknowledgment of you G‑d, as the single Ruler of all men and all nations.

We, the citizens of this historic and noble city of Boston, proudly proclaim this recognition of G‑d’s laws and our commitment to justice in our Pledge of Allegiance,  "One Nation under G‑d - with Liberty and Justice for All."

We are told there is nothing sweeter to G‑d’s ears than prayer issuing from the mouths of young children.

On behalf of the children we brought here today, we extend the following blessing to you:

Almighty G‑d, grant our Mayor, our counselors and all those assembled here, the ability to always be aware of Your presence, and conduct their work accordingly.

Bless them with good health, wisdom, compassion, good cheer and good fellowship.

May they constantly realize that in laboring for the enactment of just laws they are doing Your will.

Amen.