Rabbi Benny Zippel, the Salt Lake City-based executive director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Utah, delivered the opening invocation for America’s Freedom Festival in Provo.
In his address at Brigham Young University’s Marriott Center, Zippel referred to the Seven Noahide Laws recorded in the Torah and incumbent upon all human beings.
“In recognizing you, O G-d, as the sovereign creator and ruler of the universe,” he said, “we are fulfilling the first of seven commandments which you, O G-d, gave to Noah and his family … the command to worship you and you alone.”
Zippel also took the opportunity to note that the 14th anniversary of the passing of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, would be observed a few days later.
“The Rebbe was a great patriot, always extolling the virtue of patriotism to his constituents,” said Zippel. “May his memory be for a blessing, and his for a shield for our government and our country.” Occurring just days before Independence Day, the June 29 celebration drew a record attendance of more than 17,000 people. …
