A Review of My Remarks in Shul Shabbat Shelach Lecha June 25 2022
For those who cherish democracy, freedom and justice, this past week was one of the more frightening weeks in the history of the United States. Earlier in the week, in testimony shared with the Jan 6 Congressional committee, then President Trump was quoted as saying to officials in the attorney general's office, "just say it [the election] was corrupt. I'll take care of the rest." That statement alone sent chills down my spine as our democratic institutions were threatened.
Then, later in the week, the Supreme Court ruled that a NY State Law that had been on the books for 100 years, has to be overturned. Now, the Supreme Court ruled, in a narrow reading of the 2nd Amendment, individuals have the right to carry a firearm in public. Instead of reducing the prevalence of guns in society this ruling instills fear in society. How can we trust people carrying guns? Do they have a license? Will public places be safe?
And then, yesterday (Friday June 24) SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) overturned the 49-year precedent of Roe v. Wade. Immediately laws went into effect (or will soon go into effect) in 26 states that severely limit or totally prohibit women from gaining access to an abortion. Women's health and safety is now in danger and women will have to search for money and access for reproductive health.
Rather than focus on the politics of these rulings and the alleged statement of then President Trump, I'd like to focus on the values underlying these events. They seem to stem from an ideological position of "I'm right and you're wrong; my values are better than your values; I know what's best for the country; (and worse) I know what the Founding Fathers intended all along." These sentiments are based on a narrow, black and white reading of the Constitution that doesn't allow for other interpretations.
But our Torah portion this week teaches us that a narrow reading of the Torah is wrong. The portion ends with the commandment to wear the tzitzit - the fringed tassel - that is to be attached to each of the 4 corners of our garments. These fringes are supposed to remind us not "to stray from the commandments" - to be focused on the path of Torah. However, it's not clear exactly what that path is! The path of Torah, living our lives according to the values and norms of our Jewish tradition, is not easy. The path isn't well marked. It's up to interpretation.
We saw that in last week's portion. As the people were preparing to celebrate Passover at Mt Sinai some people approached Moses and said that they were impure. Could they perhaps have another chance to celebrate Passover when they become ritually pure, they asked? Rather than saying no, that the Torah says we observe Passover on this date and tough luck if you can't, Moses instead consulted with God and God said yes - there can be an opportunity for a do-over. Clearly, the Torah isn't set in stone. It's meant to be grappled with, to be studied, to be interpreted in every generation. The basic values are there. It's up to us to apply those values as is fitting for every generation.
It is our job to continue to observe Jewish values and norms based on the underlying principle of "love your neighbor as you would be loved" (Leviticus 19). As Rabbi Hillel said 2,000 years ago, that principle is THE foundational principle of all of Jewish law. Our responsibility is to advocate to ensure that all people - no matter gender, religion, race, wealth, etc. - are treated fairly and equally under the law. We must understand that the path of Torah, though not clearly marked, though not black and white, is still there. The path is determined by using the GPS of our values and ethical and moral principles. Those always help us stay the course. Our job is to find the path and make sure everyone can find health and safety on that path through life.
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