This prayer, originally published in 2008, was updated for the 2020 election and again in 2026. Download the PDF at the bottom of the page for the prayer in Hebrew, English and transliteration.
[In the U.S. or anywhere outside of Israel say:]
Behold I am intending
through my vote | my prayer
to seek peace for this land and country,
as it is written (Jer. 29:7):
“Seek the peace of the city
where I cause you to roam
and pray for her to YHVH (Hashem/Adonai/God),
for in her peace you all will have peace.”
הַרֵינִי מְכָוֵון בְּהַצְבָּעָתִי ׀ בִּתְּפִילָתִי
לִדְרֹש שָׁלוֹם בְּעַד הַמְדִינָה הַזֹאת כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב
וְדִרְשׁוּ אֶת שְׁלוֹם הָעִיר אֲשֶׁר הִגְלֵיתִי אֶתְכֶם שָׁמָּה
וְהִתְפַּלְלוּ בַעֲדָהּ אֶל ה’ כִּי בִשְׁלוֹמָהּ יִהְיֶה לָכֶם שָׁלוֹם
[In Israel say instead:]
Behold I am intending
through my vote | my prayer
to pursue justice
for all the inhabitants of the land
as it is written (Isa. 1:27):
“Zion will be redeemed through justice,
and her captives through righteousness.”
הַרֵינִי מְכָוֵון בְּהַצְבָּעָתִי ׀ בִּתְּפִילָתִי
לִרְדוֹף צֶדֶק בְּעַד כָּל יוֹשְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ
כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב: צִיּוֹן בְּמִשְׁפָּט תִּפָּדֶה וְשָׁבֶיהָ בִּצְדָקָה
May You give a listening heart to whomever we elect
and may it be good in Your eyes to raise for us a good government
that will bring healing, justice and peace to all living in this land
and to all the world, and upon Jerusalem,
a government that will honor the image of God
in all humanity and in Creation,
for rulership is Yours.
Just as I have participated / Just as I will participate in the election,
so may I merit to do good works and to repair the world
through all my efforts,
and through the act of… [add your pledge]… which I pledge to do
on behalf of all living creatures,
in remembrance of the covenant of Noah’s waters
to protect and to not destroy the earth and her plenitude.
** Give to all the peoples of this country the strength and the will to pursue righteousness and to seek peace as a unified force to uproot racism and violence and to make healing, good life and peace flourish here and throughout the world and fulfill for us the verse (Ps. 90:17): “May the pleasure of Adonai our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; make the work of our hands endure.”
This special paragraph was created for the 2020 election based on Birkat Haminim, which can be added at ** before “Give to all the peoples…”
Tear out tyranny and despotism, ruin those who cheat and deceive,
upend and overthrow those who oppress the vulnerable.
Make the reign of the arrogant disappear from the land,
and pulverize the plans of those who attack democracy.
Obstruct them, humble them, and bring on their downfall, soon, in our days.
