New Florida Judge Takes The Bench With Jewish Prayer For Wisdom
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
After Robert Luck was named to the Florida Supreme Court on Monday, he closed his speech, in which he posited he was the first Jewish member in 20 years, with a blessing from the Amidah, a prayer recited throughout services while standing.
“You grace humans with wisdom and teach humanity perception,” Luck said, according to Politico Florida reporter Marc Caputo. “Bestow upon us Your knowledge, insight and understanding. Blessed are you the grantor of wisdom.”
Judge Luck closes with the blessing known as Ata Chonen from the Jewish prayer, Amidah: “You grace humans with wisdom and teach humanity perception. Bestow upon us Your knowledge, insight and understanding. Blessed are you the grantor of wisdom.”
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) January 14, 2019
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Circuit Judge Luck to the Court on Monday morning, according to the Miami Herald. Caputo reported that DeSantis said Luck, who served less than two years on the Third District Court of Appeal, was a “man for all seasons.”
Luck shared the praise, applauding DeSantis for his support of “Israel and, by extension, the Jewish community.” He also guessed that he was the first Jewish member of the Florida Supreme Court in 20 years.
After Luck closed his speech with the Admiah, which is said thrice daily to give praise, petitions and thanks, DeSantis promised to soon give an announcement concerning Israel and Florida.
DeSantis promises an announcement concerning Israel and Florida soon, says he’ll be back soon
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) January 14, 2019
Alyssa Fisher is a news writer at the Forward. Email her at [email protected], or follow her on Twitter at @alyssalfisher
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