Dear Friends,

I’m sure you are well aware of the recent Israeli elections, the fifth in the past four years!

Without going into politics or discussing the craziness of so many elections in such a short period of time, I would like to share with you a feeling.

As an Israeli citizen I am entitled to vote in the elections, but have not had the opportunity to do so in the past 30 years that I have resided in Dallas. (Israel has a different law for absentee voting than the United States does).

This recent election I had the rare opportunity to be in Israel at just the right time, and therefore had the privilege of voting. This was very special for me on multiple levels.

By sitting in the room with so many Israelis, gathered together with a common purpose, it made me feel connected in a unique way. In a small way, I was contributing to the furthering of Israeli democracy and helping make it a better place.

Furthermore, through voting I was able to help make positive change, the details of which are not for this purview.

Most importantly, by voting I was fulfilling a key mandate by the Sages of Israel that it is a mitzvah to vote. That mitzvah is called Kiddush Hashem, the sanctification of the Name of G-d, by participating in the electing of G-d-fearing individuals who will ensure not only the physical safety and growth of the country, but also its spiritual growth.

This will be the first time in Israeli history that the majority of the Knesset will be Sabbath-observant! And I got to be a part of that miracle!

May Israel succeed and grow in its stability, both physically and spiritually, for many years to come!

Rabbi Yerachmiel Fried is dean of Dallas Area Torah Association.