July Torah Thoughts
In 1790, The Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island welcomed President George Washington to their community. The members presented him with a beautifully crafted letter, revealing their gratitude to Washington and to America for supporting religious freedom. Especially on July 4th weekend it is worth reading:
Permit the children of the stock of Abraham to approach you with the most cordial affection and esteem for your person and merits and to join with our fellow citizens in welcoming you to NewPort. With pleasure we reflect on those days ~~ those days of difficulty, and danger, when the God of Israel, who delivered David from the peril of the sword, ~~ shielded your head in the day of battle: ~~ and we rejoice to think, that the same Spirit, who rested in the Bosom of the greatly beloved Daniel enabling him to preside over the Provinces of the Babylonish Empire, rests and ever will rest, upon you, enabling you to discharge the arduous duties of Chief Magistrate in these States.
Deprived as we heretofore have been of the invaluable rights of free Citizens, we now with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty disposer of all events behold a Government, erected by the Majesty of the People ~~ a Government, which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance ~~ but generously affording to all Liberty of conscience, and immunities of Citizenship: ~~ deeming every one, of whatever Nation, tongue, or language equal parts of the great governmental Machine: ~~ This so ample and extensive Federal Union whose basis is Philanthropy, Mutual confidence and Public Virtue, we cannot but acknowledge to be the work of the Great God, who ruleth in the Armies of Heaven, and among the Inhabitants of the Earth, doing whatever seemeth him good. For all these Blessings of civil and religious liberty which we enjoy under an equal benign administration, we desire to send up our thanks to the Ancient of Days, the great preserver of Men ~~beseeching him, that the Angel who conducted our forefathers through the wilderness into the promised Land, may graciously conduct you through all the difficulties and dangers of this mortal life: ~~ And, when, like Joshua full of days and full of honour, you are gathered to your
Fathers, may you be admitted into the Heavenly Paradise to partake of the water of life, and the tree of immortality.
Done and Signed by order of the Hebrew Congregation in NewPort, Rhode Island August 17th 1790. Moses Seixas, Warden
Here is Washington’s response:
Gentlemen:
While I received with much satisfaction your address replete with expressions of esteem, I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you that I shall always retain grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced on my visit to Newport from all classes of citizens.
The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security.
If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good government, to become a great and happy people.
The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy - a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.
It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.
It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my administration and fervent wishes for my felicity.
May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants - while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.
May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.
G. Washington
Questions to ponder:
- The Newport Jews and Washington both emphasize common values of America and of Judaism. But when do American and Jewish values clash? How can we resolve the resulting dissonance?
- Are you a Jewish American, or an American Jew? What is the difference? Does it matter?
- Washington wrote about liberty and tolerance, yet slavery was very real. In which areas should we try to close the gap between the ideal and the real?
Happy July 4th, and Shabbat shalom!
Rabbi Pont
Recently I rented the film, “Gran Torino” starring Clint Eastwood, who plays a jaded Korean War veteran. He lives in a section of Detroit populated by the Mung, an ethnic group from Laos and Cambodia. Eastwood’s character, Walt Kowalski, is a tough minded soldier who stands up to a Mung gang in the neighborhood. He gets along with no one but begrudgingly befriends a Mung boy in his teens.
The situation comes to a head when the gang members terrorize the boy and his family. The boy, who is shy but gains confidence under Walt’s tutelage, wants a gun and revenge. Walt, who said he killed about a dozen men during the war, responds by locking the boy in his basement. The boy is furious and pleads for his release. Walt tells him that violence changes a man forever, and he won’t let his pupil go down the same path he traveled. Walt is correct – taking another human life alters most of us. This is one reason that many soldiers suffer psychologically and have trouble fully integrating back into society.
At the conclusion of last week’s Torah portion a zealot named Pinchas murdered two people who committed a grave sin. On the surface God seemed to approve, granting him briti shalom, “My Covenant of Peace.” (from this week’s parasha, Numbers 25:12) But is this a reward? In his commentary on the verse, The Netziv, Naphtali Tzvi Yehudah Berlin, wrote, “God blessed Pinchas with the attribute of Shalom, that he should not be quick tempered or angry. Since, as it was only natural that such a deed … should leave in his heart an intense emotional unrest afterward, the Divine blessing was designed to cope with this situation and promised inner peace and tranquility."
I think both The Netziv and Walt recognize that violence is self-destructive, leading one away from Godliness, or away from the path of peace. God gave brit shalom as a balm to Pinchas, just as Walt prevented the boy from acting on his murderous impulse in order to protect him.
QUESTIONS
- Did you see this award winning movie? What did you think?
- Do you agree with The Netziv, and with Walt? When might violence be necessary? How should we cope with the ensuing emotional trauma and other consequences?
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Pont
Another financial scandal? Yesterday, 44 were arrested including the mayors of Secaucus and Hoboken, and several rabbis. The money-laundering suspects were accused of moving “at least tens of millions of dollars through charitable, nonprofit entities controlled by rabbis in New York and New Jersey,” according to a release by acting U.S. Attorney Ralph Marra. For the full story, go to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency link: http://jta.org/news/article/2009/07/23/1006737/new-jersey-rabbis-arrested-as-part-of-corruption-probe
Biblical authors understood that public figures might be tempted to take advantage of their status. Consider this passage in Deuteronomy: “You shall appoint magistrates and officials for your tribes … and they shall govern the people with due justice. You shall not judge unfairly: you shall show no partiality; you shall not take bribes, for bribes blind the eyes of the discerning and upset the plea of the just. Justice, justice shall you pursue, that you may thrive and occupy the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (16:18-20, emphasis mine)
As the evidence looks damning, this is a sad day for the Jewish community and for the state. Nevertheless, I want to emphasize a principle about which I spoke last Shabbat: melamed l’chaf zichut or give a person the benefit of the doubt. Each individual charged deserves his day in court – innocent until proven guilty. Perhaps more importantly, this notion teaches us not to make assumptions. Although corruption is a major problem in New Jersey, I have faith in our public officials, and in our rabbis. What do you think?
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Pont
Tonight we begin the observance of Tisha B'Av. Tisha B'Av (the 9th day of the Hebrew month Av) is the saddest day of the Jewish year. We commemorate the destruction of both Jerusalem Temples, other tragedies in Jewish history, and the loss of life associated with these events. We observe a 24 hour fast, along with other practices of Yom Kippur.
Each year on Tisha B'Av we join our friends at Congregation Beth Ohr. We are invited this evening at 7:30 pm to Beth Ohr, 70 Route 516 in Old Bridge, for a light meal before the fast. A solemn ma'ariv service, including the chanting of Eichah (Lamentations) begins at 8:30 pm. Services continue on Thursday at Beth Ahm, at 8:00 am and at 7:30 pm.
One of my teachers, Rabbi Alan Lew z"l, wrote that this dark day is very personal. On it we should begin a process of contemplation that concludes during the holiday season in the fall. Just as the Temples were destroyed, we should knock down our psychological houses and examine the foundations. Are they sound? Could they be made more so through improved behaviors and fortified relationships? This period of rebuilding continues until Sukkot in October, when we literally erect a new structure - the Sukkah. For more on Rabbi Lew and this concept, go to http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Judaism/2003/10/Time-Of-Spiritual-Emergency.aspx
I hope to see you this evening and shalom,
Rabbi Pont |
