Meetings
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[Senator Philip Baruth (President Pro Tempore)]: Our Our devotional exercises will be conducted by the rabbi Ariel Yakov Dana of the Ohadi Zedek Synagogue in Burlington. Welcome.
[Rabbi Aria Jacob Dunat (Guest Chaplain)]: Thank you. Good afternoon, senators. Thank you for the honor of offering a brief word here today. I am rabbi Aria Jacob Dunat, they, them, if you please, and I'm the rabbi and spiritual leader of a synagogue in Burlington. This week in Jewish communities around the world, we will read the account of the giving of the 10 commandments, the Eserit Hadi brought. This moment of revelation of relationship is one of the most significant episodes not only the Jewish tradition, but also for Christianity and Islam. And as is the Jewish way, there is a debate as to what was communicated at Mount Sinai. Was it the whole of the 10 commandments? Maybe just the first one or two? Maybe that first word or even as some suggest just that first voiceless letter. It is further taught that everyone who stood at Sinai and heard of the voice God heard their own unique note. Each of us lives a life of unique experiences. Each of us sees the world through our unique perspective. And because of this, each of us has what only we can offer to the world. My teacher, doctor Miriam Feldman Kay teaches that revolution occurs each time in a new generation, and indeed, any person creates a new layer of meaning. Through our experiences and our identities, we reveal new truths to the world that only we can reveal, that can be real only through dialogue. We may never know what actually happened on that day, what was said, who was there, but for me, the point of the story of Sinai is one of relationship and dialogue. God sought to reveal themselves to us and we sought to be in relationship with them. If we approach our relationships through vulnerable, honest dialogue, through the humility that we are each created in the image of the living God, then we can find ways to grow and build, making our relationships all that much stronger and infinitely more meaningful. Thank you.
[Senator Philip Baruth (President Pro Tempore)]: So first, I'd like to start by saying was brought to my attention that my words yesterday made a senator and a person I consider a friend feel singled out. I never intended that. My hope is to maintain the decorum of this senate that this senate chamber is worthy of. If anyone ever has a problem with the way I run a meeting or thinks I've done something that is not, within the rules, I would ask them to come to me and we will work it out with the senate secretary. There have been some violations of the rules and my intention is to try to nip them in the bud so that we stay within the rules. That's my only intention. Are there any other announcements? Senator from Chittenden Southeast.
[Senator Thomas Chittenden]: So, mister president, I move that pending announcements to senate stand in adjournment until Friday, February 6 at 11:30AM.
[Senator Philip Baruth (President Pro Tempore)]: The senator from Chittenden Southeast has moved that the senate stand in adjournment until 11:30AM, Friday, 02/06/2026. Are there any announcements? Senator from Rutland. Thank you, mister president. Senate government operations will meet at 02:00. Are there any further announcements? Senator from Windham.
[Senator Thomas Chittenden]: Thank you, mister president. Senate institutions will meet at 01:30. Are
[Senator Philip Baruth (President Pro Tempore)]: there any further announcements? Senator from
[Senator Seth Bongartz]: Mister president.
[Senator Philip Baruth (President Pro Tempore)]: Bennington.
[Senator Seth Bongartz]: Mister president, the education committee will meet at 01:30.
[Senator Philip Baruth (President Pro Tempore)]: Are there any further announcements? Seeing Pat, the senator from Chittenden North. Thank you, mister president. Oh, no. Grand Isle.
[Senator Patrick "Pat" Brennan]: I'm sorry. Yeah. I hope I'm announcing that we're gonna meet in appropriations at 01:30. And, so I'll I'll leave it at that. I'm not sure, but show up.
[Senator Philip Baruth (President Pro Tempore)]: Are there any further announcements? Seeing none, the senator from Chittenden South East has moved that the senate stand in adjournment until 11:30AM, Friday, 02/06/2026. Are you ready for the question? If so, all in favor, aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. The ayes have it. We'll stand in adjournment until 11:30AM, Friday, 02/06/2026.