Milton Balkany

In a beautiful reference to the timeless image of Jonathan, beloved and loyal friend of King David and the bow and arrow which signaled to David a life-saving message, Rabbi Milton Balkany eloquently honors the honorable John Spencer, Mayor of Yonkers, New York from 1996 until 2003.

In the Book of Samuel, when G-d’s servant David sought a sign from his dearest friend Jonathan, the bow and arrow were chosen to bear the message, and they saved the life of young King David.  Today, as we seek your blessing, we consider the archer. How does an archer meet the mark? With bowstring tightened, sightings set; those familiar with the ancient art know the success lies with the holding oneself straight and true. Just as in fields of war, as in the heat of the hunt, so too are the challenge of reaching life’s goals. Holding on to one’s own convictions, no matter how far afield the battle must be fought, or how rough the terrain, maintaining an unflinching posture of conscience and character determines the true victors. As we muster strength for the challenges ahead, we pray that you bless us, Oh Lord, and grant strength to those like John Spencer whose inner knowledge, whose wisdom of self, have uplifted him from builder of homes to architect of a new day for Americans as Mayor of Yonkers and beyond. In this and all our worthy endeavors, we beseech You, bless us- bless John Spencer, his children Jennifer, John, Kaitlyn, Patrick, James and his wife Kathy- for we, like young King David, call unto You for You are our light and our salvation.

In the warm and inspiring style of Rabbi Milton blessings are bestowed upon Mayor John Spencer and his family.

On Saturday January 9th Jewish congregations all over the world began the second book of the five books of the Bible, known in English as the Book of Exodus, or in Hebrew Sefer Shemot. This book famously tells the story of the beginning of the enslavement of the Children of Israel in Egypt and the birth of Moses, his flight from Egypt and refuge in Midian. In Midian he saves the seven daughters of Jethro from abuse at the communal well and ends up marrying Zippora, one of the daughters of Jethro. While working for his father-in-law as a shepherd, Moses experiences his vision of G-d at the burning bush, and is enlisted to be the one to save the Children of Israel from their servitude and lead them through the desert to receive the Torah and continue on to the Promised Land of Israel.

Although Moses is pre-eminently a teacher and in Jewish tradition is called “Moses Our Teacher,” he is certainly also a great leader who always showed initiative and moral integrity at the first sign of evil and/or immorality. His exile to Midian was due to the fact that he felt compelled to see with his own eyes the plight of his people, and then took action to help them when he killed the Egyptian who was beating a slave.

He then prevents injustice at the well when he takes the initiative and saves the seven girls despite the fact that he is a stranger and could easily turn the other way and not get involved. He is compelled to get involved by his personality and upbringing, a sign of a great, natural leader.

Finally, Moses learns to watch over and protect the vulnerable sheep that he is responsible for in preparation for the day he will be the great shepherd of the Children of Israel.

As a Rabbi steeped in the symbols, beliefs and history of the Jewish people, Rabbi Milton Balkany can recoginize leadership qualities in the political and government leaders in today’s world. When Rabbi Balkany blesses, praises and encourages our modern day leaders he surely has the example and great role model of Moses in mind.

Many of the inspirational speeches of Rabbi Milton Balkany have said “Thank-you” to the dedicated and hardworking public servants that lead the nation of the United States of America. The concept of saying thank you is rooted in the philosophy of the ancient wisdom of Judaism.

The Hebrew term for saying thank you or showing gratitude is “Hakarat HaTov.” The literal translation of those words is “recognizing the good.” More than anything else, being able to always recognize the good is an attitude which encourages a positive outlook and a grateful disposition. When we see the good in the things that happen to us, and express gratitude to those who improve our lives and dedicate their own lives to improving society at large, we contribute the improvement and positive nature of our world.

Rabbi Milton Balkany has inspired many Presidents with his words or praise, encouragement and wisdom. Here is an example of an address he gave during the tenure of President Bill Clinton:

We pray that President Clinton with his statesman’s velvet composure will teach the world that freedom is not the right to do what you choose- but rather the responsibility to choose to do what is right. May the community of nations appreciate that happiness is not a pleasure preserved in the pantry of the past- or a promise packaged in the freezer of the future. It is today- it is both an attitude and an attainment. It is a blend of gratitude, and commitment. It is your smile upon us, O G-d. Amen. The words of Rabbi Balkany are a perfect example of the saying, “Words that come straight from the heart go straight to the heart.”

During a dangerous and painful time in history, Rabbi Milton Balkany prays that humanity should strive for peace through better understanding and not necessarily relying on weapons to attain out goals.

Swords to Plowshares

Our father in heaven!

We are gathered at a time when ominous clouds of war hover; when the world is like the swiftly shifting scenes of a panorama; when the world is in turmoil and confusion, perplexed and frustrated and Israel is suffering. Teach us not to rely on our sheer power and military superiority. In order to survive in a nuclear age we must have a greater knowledge and understanding of people and nations. We must know their views, motivations, culture and history. The greatest threat to peace is not in the vast arsenals, but in our ignorance and unwillingness to hear the truth. May we recognize that peace is not a flower that springs forth spontaneously from dry earth. We must, therefore, not reserve for war the finest human qualities. Peace, no less than war, requires idealism, self-sacrifice and a righteous and dynamic faith. We Jews of America and the yishuv in Israel and in the entire world turn to you, our Redeemer, with hope, faith and trust. We believe that your prophecy shall be fulfilled “and the throne of David shall be established forever.” Soon the streets of Jerusalem shall again be filled with children playing with happiness, security and peace. And all shall stand before the temple mount with joyous song of thanksgiving.

Rabbi Balkany lifted his eyes to the lofty heights and saw Alfonse D’Amato looking within himself to guide New York with kindness and a giving heart. Also included in his praise Caroline Petrie.

Our Father In Heaven!

Our leaders stand as mountains on the horizon. We lift our eyes to their summits for guidance. We measure our progress against their lofty heights, and we hope that they are worthy of our trusting gaze. The renaissance physicist and astronomer Galileo Galilee told us, “You cannot teach a man anything, you can only help him find it within himself.” New York knows that years ago, Senator D’Amato looked deep within himself and saw unfurled before him a banner of courageous red, truthful white and faithful, loyal blue. To Senator D’Amato, every New Yorker is a star and every one of his achievements on their behalf is a stripe. He has reinvigorated Old Glory with new glorious accomplishments. All born of his desire to stand before all New Yorkers as a solid, granite peak of compassion and action. We are also privileged to look to Caroline Petrie who signifies the heights that can be reached when kindness is paired with a giving heart. Oh G-d, bless Senator D’Amato with success for his triumph will be a victory for all of New York.  Amen!

Rabbi Milton Balkany lavishes praise on New York politicians Bruce Blakeman, mayor Rudolph Giuliani and governor George Pataki on the opening of the newly renovated Hewlett House as a headquarters for breast cancer education and for their support of this worthy cause.

Our Father In Heaven!

A gentle symphony sounds as You send rain to nourish the earth’s blanket of lush greenery. When raindrops satisfy the thirsty earth and later ascend to become rain once more not a single drop is wasted. Emulating the wisdom of Your creation, Bruce Blakeman’s credo is to carefully and fully utilize the treasures already in our possession. He, together with our friend Senator Alphonse D’Amato, revitalized Hewlett House, a 240 year old farmstead, which had long ago seen crops flourish in its fields.  They caused it to bear fruit once more as an educational headquarters central to the battle against the cancer which has robbed so many of our sisters, mothers, our daughters and wives. Though there is little glory in sifting through sheaves of legislative paper to root out that which is superfluous, Bruce Blakeman has searched and found and cut. It is a lesson he has learned well from our esteemed Governor George Pataki and our dear Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Oh G-d, may this symphony of sincere intent and good will reach a soaring crescendo with the blessings of health, success and victory. Amen.

Rabbi Milton Balkany gave the following invocation in the presence of President Ronald Reagan and the First Lady Nancy Reagan. The Rabbi praises while at the same time supports and exalts the President’s policies as leading the free world to a better future for all.

“We have gathered to pay tribute to our beloved President Ronald Reagan, and to thank the Almighty for His gift to our blessed country and nation. We are grateful for the inspired leadership of such a gracious and heroic figure of historic stature.

As our President he has been the architect of a foreign policy which is endowed with strength, endurance and of progress. With his insight and instruction President Reagan has masterfully minded the construction of an epoch in history that towers above the events and accomplishments of the past. This has been an era that has been designed into eternity as a powerhouse furthering the cause of freedom.

The President has created conduits of communications and commerce with the world and he has opened windows which have forged frontiers of friendship. With his natural resourcefulness President Reagan has earned international respect.

With deep gratitude and thankfulness upon the dedication of this magnificently awesome structure we implore Your protection, love and blessings upon Ronald Reagan and his supportive wife Nancy as well as upon these United States of America and all the world.

You recognize and accept a thought as a perfect prayer. Amen.”

With much love and respect Rabbi Milton Balkany delivered this inspiring speech with honor and praise for President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy.

The following speech was delivered as an invocation and a prayer by Rabbi Milton Balkany in support of President George Bush’s endeavor into the Middle East, with Vice President Dan Quayle.

“Almighty Father in Heaven, in these trying and turbulent days we turn to you in prayer.
Wars are won, as history has made abundantly clear, by leaders, generals and soldiers, but only if You, G-d wills it.

We therefore beseech you to be with our proud courageous and patriotic sons and daughters in the desert, on the seas and in the air. Protect and guide them so that they obliterate the enemy’s capability to resist.  You can not destroy a tree by merely plucking away its leaves. It is necessary to extract the tree by the roots, and so too the power of the ruthless and vicious tyrant Sadaam Hussein and his cohorts.

We applaud the administration for the preparedness in developing the strategic defense initiative.

Bless the President of the United States and our guest the Vice President Dan Quayle for their heroic conduct and their inspiration which rallied the nations to support our endeavors. They have demonstrated the true meaning of freedom. Freedom does not mean the right to do whatever you may choose. It is rather the responsibility to do what is right.

Bless them and all those who are engaged in this mighty struggle, including the one and only citadel of democracy in the Middle East, the State of Israel.”

Rabbi Milton Balkany, in a truly inspired invocation, blesses and praises all those involved in furthering the cause of peace and freedom in the Middle East and the rest of the world.

Rabbi Milton Balkany continues to inspire, praise and bless those nations and leaders willing to take a courageous stand in order to do what is right. In the following invocation Rabbi Balkany makes it clear that it is impossible for a free state to remain free if it is ready to submit to aggression.

“Beloved friends, it is clear to all those students of history that although a nation may have an ideal, without the courage to fight for that ideal the ideal remains just an idea without the life breath of existence.

The glorious record of American History etched on the rock of time and the souls of generations attests to that truth. It is almost an Americanism to say that freedom is incompatible with cowardly submission to aggression.

Dear G-d, strengthen our faith so that we may tap into the boundless spiritual energy that flows like a broad crystal stream from Your heart. Let us turn to tomorrow to help us over the tragic realities of today. Let us take the longer view; that tranquility and security shall be the shores and the boundaries of our blessed country. Let us envision the transformation of despair into victory, darkness into light. Let that light never cease, whether on land, on the sea, in the air, or in the desert.

Peace shall come to Zion and to the world. At that time all shall recognize and salute our President, Vice President, and our brave and dear sons and daughters who are our representative in this struggle. All shall then sing to You, our G-d. Amen.”

Rabbi Milton Balkany continues to encourage the leaders and citizens of the United States to remain steadfast and courageous in the face of difficult times we are going through.