Mark Zuckerberg Used A Hebrew Prayer To Inspire Graduating Harvard Students
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg gives the commencement speech at Harvard, May 25, 2017. Image by Getty
(JTA) — Mark Zuckerberg’s commencement speech at Harvard on Thursday was so, well, Zuckerbergish.
Self-deprecating references to not having completed Harvard? Check.
A rousing call to the students to commit social justice? Check.
A recitation of the Mi Shebeirach prayer? Ch–
Wait, what?
Zuckerberg closed the commencement by saying that he draws strength from the Jewish prayer traditionally used as a plea for healing. He appeared to cite the translation by the late composer Debbie Friedman.
“As we sit here in front of Memorial Church I’m reminded of a prayer, Mi Shebeirach, that I say whenever I face a big challenge, that I sing to my daughter thinking of her future when I tuck her in at night,” he said. “And it goes, ‘May the source of strength, who’s blessed the ones before us, help us find the courage to make our lives a blessing.’ I hope you find the courage to make your life a blessing.”
Zuckerberg also joked about his nebbishy beginnings (ignored because he turned up to his first Harvard class with a t-shirt inside out and backwards) and his meet-cute first encounter with his wife, Priscilla Chen (whom he described as “the most important person in my life”).
He called out his parents for not, perhaps, taking enough pride in his post-college career. “I swear getting into Harvard is the thing my parents are most proud of me for,” he said and looked to the audience. “My mom is nodding!”
And he encouraged students to pursue a “higher purpose,” to “take on big, meaningful projects,” citing as examples combating climate change, addressing education disparities, curing disease and defending democracy.
“Every generation expands the circle of people we consider part of us, and in our generation that includes the whole world,” he said.
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