Temple Gates of Prayer- Rabbi Thaler's Message

FOR ZION'S SAKE I WILL NOT BE SILENT

FOR JERUSALEM'S SAKE I WILL NOT BE STILL- ISAIAH 62:1

From the Rabbi's Desk..

     It is Thursday, February 19 in what is known as Presidents week. I am at my desk thinking about the two Presidents whose birthdays are the reason for this holiday period. Presidents Washington and Lincoln both had unique connections to the Jewish community in America. Those connections are worth noting and remembering.
     When George Washington became President, the Jews of Newport, Rhode Island sent him a letter of congratulations. He responded with words which captured the promise of America:
     “The citizens of the United States 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 was by 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 assistances, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens giving it on all occasions their effectual support.”
     Never before had any Jewish community heard words such as these from a head of government. Throughout European history, Jews were either used, tolerated or at best, given grudging permission to live in a particular country. Here was the President of the United States acknowledging them as equal citizens requiring only that they bear the responsibilities of citizenship. How welcome were these words. Washington’s contribution to American political thought helped fashion a society within which the small Jewish community in America ultimately grew and prospered in a historically unprecedented manner.
     When President Lincoln was assassinated, the Jewish community in America reacted as though a prophet had died. They saw a man, who by the depth of his insight and the universality of his compassion brought a divine message to his fellow human beings. The Jews in America at the time felt they had lost one of their own and spoke of him as, “Father Abraham.” Lincoln was one of the truly great spiritual giants in American history. “With malice towards none and charity for all,” he asked his countrymen to banish all thoughts of vengeance and hatred against those who had embroiled them in a four year civil war which almost destroyed and fragmented the United States. How memorable were his words spoken at Gettysburg.
     “We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth.”
     Some of his decisions were profoundly important in addressing matters of concern to the Jewish community. For example, he made it possible for rabbis to serve as military chaplains along side Protestant ministers and Catholic priests. This was a major step in the Americanization of the Jewish religion.
     Though not an Orthodox believer, Lincoln was a devoutly religious man who understood that the degradation of any segment of mankind was an assault upon the freedom of all men. He had an unfaltering faith in the dignity of every individual - a dignity which is inalienable - a dignity which government has no right to assail or reduce. Like Washington, Lincoln made possible the rise of the largest single Jewish community in history.
     Just one month ago, Barack Obama was inaugurated as our forty fourth President. His candidacy was supported by a very large majority of American Jews because his campaign oratory struck responsive chords. We wish him much success and pray that the record of his Presidency will equal the promise of his campaign and the hope he engendered.

               Rabbi Albert Thaler

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