Rabbi
Yitzchok Gurevitz gave the invocation. Joining in the
ceremonies were Reverend Ivan Hewitt and Father Englebert
G. Michel. For the first time, representatives of three
major faiths participated in our
dinner.
Dear Friends,
I feel that it
is by Divine Providence that the Lincoln Day Dinner is
being held tonight, for tonight is the beginning of a
little-known Jewish holiday that I believe shares an
important message with us.
About a year
after the Jewish people left Egypt, they were commanded by
G-d to celebrate the first Passover with a special
offering, the Pascal lamb. There were a group of
people who were unable to participate in this celebration,
but instead of giving up, they turned to Moses and asked
for another opportunity to bring this offering.
In response to their persistence and perseverance,
G-d tells Moses that there will be a second Passover, a
month after the first, so that they too can bring the
Pascal offering.
It is this
second Passover that is celebrated tonight, teaching us
that when we stand up for what is right and for what is
important to us, ultimately, with G-d's help, we will
succeed.
The Lubavitcher
Rebbe, one of the great Jewish spiritual leaders of our
time, referred to the United States during the Reagan
presidency as a "malchut shel chesed", a nation of
kindness, a true kindness that respects the receiver and
enables him to achieve his true
potential.
Almighty
G-d:
Bless all who
gathered here today, each one of us doing our part to make
our country and world a better and kinder place for all
humankind.
May all their
endeavors on behalf of this state and nation, to advance
the just causes of humanity and freedom, succeed to the
benefit of this nation and all nations.
May their
efforts and the efforts of our leaders, defeat the evil
designs of terrorists who utterly reject the most basic of
all human and divine values.
And may their
efforts usher in a new era of peace and justice with its
blessings for all mankind.
May G-d bless
America and let us say, Amen.
