The latest episode of Tuesday Night Live focused on the concept of Jewish leadership, a fitting topic on the heels of the latest general election in the Holy Land.
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Even the inauguration of US President Barack Obama was cited, by co-host Jeremy Gimpel during the show's opening monologue. "The entire world was watching the inauguration of Barack Obama," he recalled. "And then a pastor got up before the ceremony and said, 'Let us pray.' Why is it that America is allowed to pray, but in Israel - never will you see a [government] ceremony start with a prayer."
Gimpel recalled being floored by the quotation from the Torah that the evangelical pastor chose to invoke. "All of the sudden this Christian pastor stands up: 'Hear O Israel, the Lord is G-d, the Lord is one.' What does that even mean? 'Hear O Israel?' It is the American inauguration," Gimpel marveled.
Gimpel promised then and there that if he ever led a ceremony in Israel he would start it with a prayer.
Almost immediately, he received a phone call asking him to introduce former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe 'Boogie' Yaalon at this year's Jerusalem Conference. And so he did, saying the following:
"May HaShem, the G-d of Israel, Creator of Heaven and Earth, bless us this evening as we are entering into uncharted territories with challenges that seem impossible to overcome.
"Be with us as you have been with us for thousands of years. Grant the leaders of Israel wisdom and a courageous heart to deal with all that faces us today.
"We have gathered here tonight to discuss the future of our Jewish State, the future of our people and the Jewish dream that burns as bright as it did thousands of years ago."
Be sure to keep up with all the latest episodes of Tuesday Night Live. To be a part of the live audience in Jerusalem for an upcoming show (Tuesday March 3, 2009, Monday April 13, 2009 - Passover special, Tuesday May 12, 2009), email tabitha@thelandofisrael.com.