(RNS) — When President Joe Biden finished his speech before the Democratic National Convention on Monday night (Aug. 19), most major television news networks quickly cut to pundit analysis of the man who unexpectedly bowed out of the race for the White House less than a month before.But back in the convention hall in Chicago, thousands of Democratic delegates paused to listen to one more bit of business to close out the night: a pair of benediction prayers.
One of those prayers was offered by Rabbi Michael Beals of Temple Beth El in Newark, Delaware, a Conservative rabbi by training whom Biden refers to as “my rabbi.” Speaking in English and Hebrew, Beals blessed all three of the major Democratic figures at the heart of this year’s presidential contest: Biden, Democratic vice presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
Prayers at party conventions have been common throughout U.S. history, but the experience is typically an unusual one for the religious leaders who offer them. Speaking to RNS on Tuesday via phone as he rode with a group packed into an Uber headed to the convention hall for the second night of the DNC, Beals reflected on the challenge presented by a convention prayer, his thoughts on the state of American politics and his relationship with the president.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
So, how did you end up delivering a benediction Monday night?
I got all we …
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One of those prayers was offered by Rabbi Michael Beals of Temple Beth El in Newark, Delaware, a Conservative rabbi by training whom Biden refers to as “my rabbi.” Speaking in English and Hebrew, Beals blessed all three of the major Democratic figures at the heart of this year’s presidential contest: Biden, Democratic vice presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
Prayers at party conventions have been common throughout U.S. history, but the experience is typically an unusual one for the religious leaders who offer them. Speaking to RNS on Tuesday via phone as he rode with a group packed into an Uber headed to the convention hall for the second night of the DNC, Beals reflected on the challenge presented by a convention prayer, his thoughts on the state of American politics and his relationship with the president.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
So, how did you end up delivering a benediction Monday night?
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