Invoking the beauty and majesty of the celestial luminaries, Rabbi Milton Balkany prays that American governors will heed the will of the people since their wisdom comes from the strength of families, the foundation of our civilization.

Our Father In Heaven!

A host of lights brighten your creation: the radiant, life-sustaining sun, the luminous moon that glows at night - each beacon has its purpose and calling. We pause and give thanks to you for the brilliant radiance cast by the lamps that glowed closer to home in our state capitals. Through your providence and blessing, men and women of honor have been placed at the helm of each state, from the caverns in New Mexico through Louisiana’s mysterious bayou, across the snowy peaks of Idaho and up the dazzling heights of New York’s skyline; our governors are rudders against the tide of confusion, ever guiding us to brighter shores. For when our governors trust the wisdom of the people, they have put their faith into families, the bedrock of our civilization. We pray to you: fortify us with the strength, the will and the insight to restore the dignity of families everywhere. Oh G-d, be our beacon through the night. Help guide our ship of sound government to harbors of safety, prosperity and hope. Amen.

In the following lovely invocation Rabbi Milton Balkany compares the journey of politician Mel Martinez of Florida to the great biblical hero Joseph. Rabbi Balkany wishes for Mr. Martinez the success of Joseph, and to the United States the prosperity of Egypt.

Our father in heaven!

Your pillar of fire guided the Israelites through the desert to the Promised Land. Today our pillars through the wilderness of these modern times are the epic homilies of your scripture. As we gather here today in support of Mel Martinez, our beacon is the life story of Joseph, son of Jacob and his beloved wife Rachel. On a camel’s back, Joseph was taken far from his boyhood home to a strange new land. On the wings of “Operation Pedro Pan”, Mel Martinez was lifted from his home in sagua la grande [sa’gwa la gran’da] and set down within the heart of this blessed country. Far from home, Joseph began life anew in Egypt. With little more than a love of baseball and a small suitcase, Mel started his new life without a mother’s warm hug or a father’s firm hand to shield him. Never did Mel’s resolve flicker, because like Joseph, he was a dreamer and he dreamed American dreams. In the bible, mighty Pharaoh was moved to ask Joseph to mount the steps towards the throne and serve as viceroy. With hard work, perseverance and unswerving moral vision, Mel nurtured the spark of America’s promise until our president called upon him to enter the white house and share his good counsel. The parallel extends to our purpose today. Oh L-rd we beseech you. Be with Mel Martinez, his lovely wife Kitty, and his children and grandchildren like you were with Joseph. For when Joseph reigned, Egypt was granted seven years of abundance. With humility, we ask you to grant Mel Martinez victory in his senate race so that the great state of Florida and our nation may enjoy at least six years of blessing and prosperity. Amen.

Factors, Allard and Nichols Repients of Balkany Blessings

Below is a heartfelt praise of Mallory and Elizabeth Factor for their contribution to the future of leadership in America; and to Senators Nichols and Allard for their dedication to strengthening the American enterprise.

Our Father In Heaven!

Bless America for her sons and daughters are like no other. They breathe freedom and taste prosperity while remaining ever cognizant of their obligation; their cheerful duty to embrace the call of the hour. Shine your countenance upon Mallory and Elizabeth Factor who nurture the future of great men and women who hold the key to unlock the answers to tomorrow’s challenges and tomorrow’s hopes. In this critical hour when the most malevolent wish to dim the brilliance of our proud, open, American lifestyle, we pray to you, Oh L-rd, to fan the spark of the brightest minds of our nation. Shine your guiding light upon our friends Senator Don Nichols of Oklahoma and Senator Wayne Allard of Colorado so that they may see the path of righteousness among the brambles. Illuminate the way of moral clarity through the obstacles. We pray that we may count on your special providence so that we may continue to sing of our purple mountain majesties with one united voice. G-d Bless America. Amen.

Rabbi Balkany Endorses Guliani for Mayor of NYC

In the following short speech Rabbi Milton Balkany praises Rudolph Guliani, Republican candidate for mayor of New York City. We also learn the derivation of the word candidate, coming from the word white in Latin, as a reference to the white toga worn by all those aspiring for political office in ancient Rome.

"We gather together today to support Rudolph Guliani, the candidate from our party for the office of mayor of New York City.
The word candidate is derived from the word “candidus”, meaning white, and referring to the white robes or toga which roman office-seekers were obliged to wear for one year before the elections.
Rudolph Guliani wore the mantle of integrity, honesty, sincerity, obligation, courage and service for many years. We now pray for his success to adorn the office of mayor of our great metropolis with these great traits."

Milton Balkany Praises George Bush

In the following invocation Rabbi Milton Balkany blesses and praises President George Bush. Rabbi Balkany describes the presidency as the most important office not only in the United States, but even the entire free world.

"With hearts and hands and voices let us give thanks for all our many blessings. First we give thanks that we are a free people living under G-d in a land filled with bounty and equal opportunity for all who strive. For these blessings of liberty, peace and plenty, we give thanks to our heavenly father.

We pray on behalf of our President, George Bush and his family. He is a man of sagacity and love, prudence and gentleness and a demonstrated nobleness.

The American Presidency is not only the most important office in our country, but it is surely the most important leadership position in the free world. President Bush is the model of American ideals and power, as well as the symbol of a way of life.

President Bush has shown that although we may tinker with economic international associations and social programs, we will get nowhere until we experience a moral revolution reaching into every area of our national life; touching the springs of private thinking.

It is a reformation that must start with the moral greatness of our nation. But our nation depends on the ethical dedication of its people.

A new age began when the first man-made satellite orbited around the earth. It was the beginning of the space-age, which we are still in. But there is a more important concern, the conquest of our inner-space, which, just like the conquest of outer space, calls for our utmost discipline and persistent purpose.

We pray for the well-being of our beloved president. Wrap Your healing hand around his finger and uphold him in all his endeavors."

Rabbi Milton Balkany emphasizes in the above invocation that it is necessary more than ever for people to uphold ethical and moral traits and behavior as the highest of all possible goals.

Prayer for the Future of Freedom

The following invocation was pronounced by Rabbi Milton Balkany at the inauguration of the President and Vice President of the United States. It is a heartfelt prayer that emerging third world countries mature to statehood without resorting to unnecessary bloodshed, and that the United States, great in its position as a mature, free country, help these younger countries attain this worthy goal.

"Our Father in Heaven, we are assembled in your presence, as we welcome the president and vice -president of these blessed United States. We pray that on the wings of so valiant an election victory, they may soar even higher into the most valued vistas of respect and peace.

As we are on a threshold of a new era, we feel certain that they shall be leaders who make an indelible imprint on lives and history. For they execute their duties with a dedication that may be compared to burning lenses that intensely concentrate all elements of being into one fiery purpose. Marching to a goal and assuming a purpose may not free from struggle, but it kindles a dynamic tempo which motivates the march toward self fulfillment. We pray for the entire world which is in turmoil; plagued by terrorism, hatred and bloodshed.

Many countries are experiencing growing pains. We must prevent their tumbling into self-destruction before they even have a chance to mature. We must stop their stumbling into oblivion just as they approach the edge of understanding. For they
are at a critical age; having attained the freedom that comes with self knowledge; but has not escaped the danger of half-knowledge; of reckless use of power; of selfish, unchecked proliferation of conflict. Education, relief and discipline can still win the race against catastrophe.

We pray that we may recognize and teach that freedom is not the right to do what you choose; but rather the responsibility to choose to do what is right. May we appreciate and teach that happiness is not a pleasure preserved in the pantry of the past, nor a promise packaged in the freezer for the future. It is today; it is both an attitude and an attainment. It is a blend of gratitude, and contentment. It is your smile upon us Oh, G-d amen."

These poetic words of Rabbi Milton Balkany express the hopes and concerns of the American people at a time of uncertainty and fear about the future of peace and prosperity in our times.

Rabbi Milton Yehoshua Balkany Bestowing Blessings

Rabbi Milton Yehoshua Balkany is a highly active community leader, best known for his endearing practice of bestowing blessings (brachot) upon senior politicians publicly. Born in 1946, Rabbi Balkany has Orthodox ordination and is an active educator and Jewish community leader. Since the early 1980s Rabbi Balkany has been unswerving in his support for Republican candidates for office, fund-raising and publically speaking on their behalf. In addition, Rabbi Balkany has not been shy about lobbying for issues and causes of concern to the Jewish community.
The United States House of Representatives invited Rabbi Balkany to open the session in June 2003.