Inaugural Benediction

I just finished watching the Obama inauguration.

If, as Mordecai Kaplan said, "God is the Power that makes for salvation": God is that which gives meaning to our lives, that gives us hope for the future, and a belief in the ideal - then the traditional Jewish blessing on seeing a king or head of state is indeed appropriate:

Blessed art Thou the Lord our God, Sovereign of the universe, who gives from His glory to flesh and blood.

Obama, has not shied away from a big agenda of tikun olam. He is attempting to wipe away cynicism, and restore peoples belief that large and postive change, based on our better natures, is possible. In that sense, he is already doing "God's work."

In the long run, of course, he will can only succeed by delivering the goods. May we all wish him well in that endeavor.

May we all, in whatever way we can, help fix the world.