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Guest Chaplain: Rabbi Levi Slonim, Chabad of Binghamton and Vestal, New York
Date of Prayer: 25 July 2024
Sponsor: Rep. Marcus Molinaro (R-NY)
Date of Prayer: 25 July 2024
Sponsor: Rep. Marcus Molinaro (R-NY)
Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, it is truly a high honor to have Rabbi Levi Slonim as our guest chaplain today.
Rabbi Slonim codirects Chabad Downtown in Binghamton, New York, alongside his wife, Hadasa, and is also the director of development at the Rohr Chabad Center for Jewish Student Life at Binghamton University.
His faith journey began as a child in Binghamton when his parents, guided by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, established a Chabad presence there in 1985. What started in a modest one-bedroom apartment has grown into a thriving hub that welcomes over 1,500 students each semester.
Rabbi Slonim’s work has also taken him across the globe, providing programming in the United States and communities across Europe.
Since returning to Binghamton in 2008, he has initiated impactful programs like the Binghamton JGC, the Listen Up mental health fellowship, and has led over 800 students on birthright trips to Israel.
We welcome Rabbi Levi Slonim and thank him for being here today. We thank him for his leadership. We thank him for his strong faith, and we thank him for being a light in a sometimes dark world. His dedication to faith, education, and community service is an inspiration to us all. We thank him for joining us this morning.
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| Contribute a translation | Source (English) |
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Master of the universe, in beseeching You for blessings, we act in kindness and charity.[1] Here, Rabbi Slonim places a folded up piece of US currency into a pushke for tsedaqah. | |
Bless these distinguished Members of Congress, chosen by so many, who fulfill one of the seven Noaḥide commandments You gave unto humanity;[2] Sanhedrin 56a; cf. Tosefta Avodah Zarah 8:4 and Genesis Rabbah 34:8. Six items were commanded to Adam: concerning idolatry, blasphemy, bloodshed, illicit sexuality, theft, and laws…God added to Noah, the law of not eating from the flesh of a live animal.” (Maimonides, Laws of Kings 9:1). The impetus behind sharing the sheva mitsvot in the context of ḤaBaD Lubavitch originates with the following teaching of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson: “We must do everything possible to ensure that the seven Noahide laws are observed. If this can be accomplished through force or through other kinder and more peaceful means through explaining to non-Jews that they should accept God’s wishes [we should do so]…Anyone who is able to influence a non-Jew in any way to keep the seven commandments is obligated to do so, since that is what God commanded Moses our teacher,” (“Sheva Mitzvot Shel Benai Noach,” Hapardes 59:9 7-11, 5745). namely, to govern by just laws. | |
In these unprecedented and challenging times for our Nation, we recall the timeless words of my revered leader, global spiritual leader and teacher, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson,[3] Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994), born in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, was known to adherents of the ḤaBaD-Lubavitch ḥassidic movement as the Lubavitcher Rebbe or simply the Rebbe, the most recent Rebbe of the Lubavitch Ḥasidic dynasty. He is considered one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century. of righteous memory, whose passing 30 years ago we commemorated earlier this month. | |
He taught: Difference need not lead to division. On the contrary, true unity comes from a synthesis of different, even opposite, thrusts. Differences between people are overshadowed by what is common to all of us. We are God’s creations. | |
Merciful Father, today we pray for a swift and safe return of the hostages being held in Gaza and an end to all conflict in Israel and throughout the world. | |
Almighty God, please bless the Congress so that they foster an environment of love and acceptance, a deeper appreciation that within each individual lies untapped potential. | |
In the words of Maimonides, each person must see themselves as though the entire world were held in balance and with a single deed they can tip the scales,[4] Maimonides Hilkhot Teshuva 3:4, after Kiddushin 40a.21-40b.2 ushering in the era of redemption as proclaimed by Isaiah when nation shall not lift a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.[5] Isaiah 2:4. Also find Micah 4:3. Amen. |
118th Congress, 2nd Session. C-SPAN. Congressional Record, Issue: Vol. 170, No. 121 — Daily Edition (House of Representatives – July 25, 2024)
Source(s)
Notes
| 1 | Here, Rabbi Slonim places a folded up piece of US currency into a pushke for tsedaqah. |
|---|---|
| 2 | Sanhedrin 56a; cf. Tosefta Avodah Zarah 8:4 and Genesis Rabbah 34:8. Six items were commanded to Adam: concerning idolatry, blasphemy, bloodshed, illicit sexuality, theft, and laws…God added to Noah, the law of not eating from the flesh of a live animal.” (Maimonides, Laws of Kings 9:1). The impetus behind sharing the sheva mitsvot in the context of ḤaBaD Lubavitch originates with the following teaching of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson: “We must do everything possible to ensure that the seven Noahide laws are observed. If this can be accomplished through force or through other kinder and more peaceful means through explaining to non-Jews that they should accept God’s wishes [we should do so]…Anyone who is able to influence a non-Jew in any way to keep the seven commandments is obligated to do so, since that is what God commanded Moses our teacher,” (“Sheva Mitzvot Shel Benai Noach,” Hapardes 59:9 7-11, 5745). |
| 3 | Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994), born in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, was known to adherents of the ḤaBaD-Lubavitch ḥassidic movement as the Lubavitcher Rebbe or simply the Rebbe, the most recent Rebbe of the Lubavitch Ḥasidic dynasty. He is considered one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century. |
| 4 | Maimonides Hilkhot Teshuva 3:4, after Kiddushin 40a.21-40b.2 |
| 5 | Isaiah 2:4. Also find Micah 4:3. |
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ויהי נעם אדני אלהינו עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננה עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננהו "May the pleasantness of אדֹני our elo’ah be upon us; may our handiwork be established for us — our handiwork, may it be established." –Psalms 90:17
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