Washington (special) -- Watching the inauguration of President George W. Bush on television, I couldn't help but wince at the invocation and the benediction by Christian ministers who both concluded their prayers in the name of Jesus. 

Later, I received a fax from HERITAGE reader Judith S. Rubenstein of El Cajon, who voiced similar feelings: "Bush claimed throughout his campaign that he wants to include all Americans," she wrote. "How does this beginning include all?"

Whether intentionally, or simply as a result of insensitivity, the decisions of Rev. William Franklin Graham and Pastor Kirbyjon H. Caldwell to utilize Jesus as the medium for voicing the nation's prayers to God sent a message of exclusion to Jews and other people who either believe in no intermediary at all or in different intermediaries.

This builds on the concern earlier voiced by David A. Harris, deputy executive director of the National Jewish Democratic Council, over the fact that not a single Jew had been tapped to serve in Bush's Cabinet -- in marked contrast to the way President Clinton had sought out members of our community for top posts, among them Robert Rubin at the Treasury Department, Robert Reich at the Labor Department, Dan Glickman at the Agriculture Department, and U.S. Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer.

Elliott Abrams, who had been an assistant secretary of state during Ronald Reagan's administration, makes light of such concerns. In a recent column he responded that "we Jews are only 2 percent, maybe 3, of the population. If by that standard, Jews deserve a Cabinet seat, so do Muslims and Buddhists and Hindus, I guess."

Nevertheless, the exclusion of Jews, be it from prayers or from top government spots (with the exception thus far of White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer) seemed in apparent contradiction to the pledge the President made in his inaugural address to "work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity." 

Bush suggested that such a goal "is within our reach, because we are guided by a power larger than ourselves, Who creates us equal in His image." 

"Government has great responsibilities, for public safety and public health, for civil rights and common schools," the nation's 43rd President went on to say. "Yet compassion is the work of a nation, not just a government. And some needs and hurts are so deep they will only respond to a mentor's touch or a pastor's prayer. Church and charity, synagogue and mosque, lend our communities their humanity, and they will have an honored place in our plans and our laws."

Mentioning "synagogue and mosque" in the same sentence as "church" is almost obligatory in modern-day political rhetoric. But further on in his speech, Bush made it clear his own source of inspiration is Christian Scripture.

"Many in our country do not know the pain of poverty. But we can listen to those who do. And I can pledge our nation to a goal." he said. "When we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side."

The President's allusion was to the story about the Good Samaritan which Jesus related to a lawyer. It may be found in the Book of Luke 10: 30-35 

30. A certain lawyer man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed leaving him half dead. 31. And by chance, there came down, a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32. And likewise a Levite, when he was as the place, came out and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. 34. And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him: and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee...."

Historically, some religious commentators have interpreted the Good Samaritan story as a rebuke to "legalistic" Judaism, as represented by "a certain priest" and the "Levite." 

Could Bush have intended this passage as a subtle message to the Jewish community that it is being too "legalistic" when it raises constitutional, separation-of-church-and-state objections to his plans to create a government agency to foster cooperation with various faith groups?

As cold as the new administration's attitude appears to be toward Jews, perhaps we can take some solace that we have endured leaders that were far worse. Coincidentally, the Torah portion which was read on Saturday, Jan. 20, the very day of Bush's inauguration, told of one such leader. As was recounted in Exodus 5:6-7:

6. And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying. 7. Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.

Perhaps in Bush the younger, we have the potential for tsuris, but let's keep it in perspective.