Finding Unity After the Election

I chose to write this message on Tuesday after voting in person. The anticipation of the election fills the air. When you read these words, the results will likely already be known, and our nation will have taken another step on its democratic journey. Some among us may be celebrating, while others may be feeling disappointed or even fearful for what lies ahead. In this moment, it is crucial to remember that we are a community bound together by shared values and aspirations that transcend politics.

Parshat Lech Lecha, which we read this week, offers a meaningful lesson for times of change and uncertainty. God calls upon Abram to leave behind everything familiar and journey toward an unknown destination, promising, "I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you." This was no easy command. Abram faced uncertainty, fear of the unknown, and the challenge of placing his trust in God and in a vision that he could not yet see.

In many ways, elections represent a similar moment of transition. They remind us that, regardless of the outcome, we are all on a journey toward a shared vision of a better future. It is up to each of us to remain committed to the values of respect, decency, and unity that make our community strong, no matter where we stand politically.

Lech Lecha teaches us that our faith must guide us forward. Just as Abram could not yet see the fullness of the blessings promised to him, we cannot fully see what the coming days, months, or years will bring. But we are called to move forward together, working to build a society grounded in the principles of compassion and justice. We must continue to engage in respectful dialogue, to act with kindness, and to support one another, even when we disagree.

As we reflect on Abraham's, Sarah's, and our journeys this Shabbat, we pray for the wisdom to see beyond divisions and embrace our shared destiny. We can find comfort in our tradition, which teaches that even in moments of uncertainty, we can still be a source of strength for one another.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Bradley Tecktiel