Beware of those in [positions of political] power, for they only bring a person close to them for their own needs. They appear as friends when it benefits them, but they aren’t there for the person when he is in trouble.
When will we ever learn. Thanks for the reminder that we are a nation apart (and yet also part of the world)
the rabbis have so much wisdom on politics - I remember learning as a child the different approaches that different sages took to dealing with the authorities, but all retained an element of skepticism. Thank you for sharing !
You are right. I am an independent for that reason. Christians need to heed your warning as well. History has taught us that things can change on a dime so we need to think soberly with a birdseye view of what is happening around us.
I actually think being a religious person should come with being independent (or at least not dogmatic about partisanship). God is above it all and political parties or candidates can become idolatry.
How is it, Mijal, that every week you write an essay about the topic I've been debating for the previous week?
This month has felt particularly fraught, our president finding a way to free the last living American hostage, and then accepting excessive and outrageous gifts from those who bankrolled his very captivity. All somehow tied back to greed, to a "look at me, I'm your savior" type of leadership.
We must not look to others for leadership, we must vote our own morals and values. We must question to system laid out in front of us, not on its terms but on our own.
Thank you so much, Ann!! I probably wrote about a topic that moved you because I've been thinking about it too :) Reading the news is keeping me up at night and making me wonder again and again how we are meant to react to this moment. Agreed 100% - question the system on our terms.
Well written and to the point. What is a person’s obligation in regard to political voting? If we are pragmatic about party politics is it really possible to be absolutely loyal to one political party? The politics of the party will not always align with Jewish values, and the loyalties will reveal what the person puts first. Your party or your Judaism?
I had been studying about Jerusalem this week. The idea that anything - a city, a burial site or a mountain - can never be more sacred in our focus than what G-d asks of us in our daily focus and behavior reflects for me here. It is hard to be a Jew in the obligations of our path toward holiness and a holy world shaped by our thoughts and actions. As you are so perfectly saying we have to free ourselves of the limitations that bind us and become greater than any commitment or belief constructed within a political system that restricts our responsibility to bring Light into this world. We are a nation of priests not democrats and republicans.
Beautifully written. I have always been fascinated by Shmitta. It is a concept that seems so foreign in today's world. And yet, so much can be learned by our willingness to stop and let things regrow, to give back with no strings attached. A very Jewish idea - for a not so Jewish time.
Same. Literally a Sabbatical. I am not sure how we manage it, but it seems like this is a good time to consider this in many different areas of our lives and also in policy.
We live in New Hampshire where we signed up to be Independent voters. Im grateful we live in a state we can do this. I feel politics is very important but I have never felt comfortable declaring a party. It feels like camp color war especially these days with all the nastiness abounding. I'm interested in groups, whoever they are, working together for the common good while we bring our beautiful diverse contributions to any political table. And table שולחן, is an accurate image for shmitta, as a mitzvah which elevates any political discussion.
Fully agree with this take! This is how I've been thinking over the past year and a half. I vote for the best candidate. I do not think of myself as one or the other. I do not believe the world belongs to us...we know mother nature can overpower anything. Thanks for the article and your insights!
Pirkei Avot 2:3
Beware of those in [positions of political] power, for they only bring a person close to them for their own needs. They appear as friends when it benefits them, but they aren’t there for the person when he is in trouble.
When will we ever learn. Thanks for the reminder that we are a nation apart (and yet also part of the world)
the rabbis have so much wisdom on politics - I remember learning as a child the different approaches that different sages took to dealing with the authorities, but all retained an element of skepticism. Thank you for sharing !
You are right. I am an independent for that reason. Christians need to heed your warning as well. History has taught us that things can change on a dime so we need to think soberly with a birdseye view of what is happening around us.
I actually think being a religious person should come with being independent (or at least not dogmatic about partisanship). God is above it all and political parties or candidates can become idolatry.
How is it, Mijal, that every week you write an essay about the topic I've been debating for the previous week?
This month has felt particularly fraught, our president finding a way to free the last living American hostage, and then accepting excessive and outrageous gifts from those who bankrolled his very captivity. All somehow tied back to greed, to a "look at me, I'm your savior" type of leadership.
We must not look to others for leadership, we must vote our own morals and values. We must question to system laid out in front of us, not on its terms but on our own.
Thank you so much, Ann!! I probably wrote about a topic that moved you because I've been thinking about it too :) Reading the news is keeping me up at night and making me wonder again and again how we are meant to react to this moment. Agreed 100% - question the system on our terms.
Proverbs—“a bribe blinds the eyes.”
Well written and to the point. What is a person’s obligation in regard to political voting? If we are pragmatic about party politics is it really possible to be absolutely loyal to one political party? The politics of the party will not always align with Jewish values, and the loyalties will reveal what the person puts first. Your party or your Judaism?
Yes and the danger is we'll remake Judaism in our party's image.
I had been studying about Jerusalem this week. The idea that anything - a city, a burial site or a mountain - can never be more sacred in our focus than what G-d asks of us in our daily focus and behavior reflects for me here. It is hard to be a Jew in the obligations of our path toward holiness and a holy world shaped by our thoughts and actions. As you are so perfectly saying we have to free ourselves of the limitations that bind us and become greater than any commitment or belief constructed within a political system that restricts our responsibility to bring Light into this world. We are a nation of priests not democrats and republicans.
I love this line so much: "We are a nation of priests not democrats and republicans."
Hope you have a very special time learning in Jerusalem. I miss it -
שבת שלום
Thank you for saying exactly what I have been thinking! Much appreciated. Looking forward to listening to the interview!
Thank you, Beverly! Hope you enjoy the pod - R' Alex is such a wonderful teacher!
Yes! Fabulously written! A great Mitzvah sooo overlooked.
Thank you!
Beautifully written. I have always been fascinated by Shmitta. It is a concept that seems so foreign in today's world. And yet, so much can be learned by our willingness to stop and let things regrow, to give back with no strings attached. A very Jewish idea - for a not so Jewish time.
Thank you.
Thank you, Danielle. Yes - 100%. I feel like I'm thirsty for a Shmitta where we can pause in a deep and serious way..
Same. Literally a Sabbatical. I am not sure how we manage it, but it seems like this is a good time to consider this in many different areas of our lives and also in policy.
We live in New Hampshire where we signed up to be Independent voters. Im grateful we live in a state we can do this. I feel politics is very important but I have never felt comfortable declaring a party. It feels like camp color war especially these days with all the nastiness abounding. I'm interested in groups, whoever they are, working together for the common good while we bring our beautiful diverse contributions to any political table. And table שולחן, is an accurate image for shmitta, as a mitzvah which elevates any political discussion.
I love how you tie this together
Thank you, Amy! Have you read R' Sacks' book on Morality? it reminds me of how you are framing the common good.
Ok then, I will read it next at your suggestion. Thanks!
You articulate so crisp,y and clearly how we Jews should deal with politics
That you grounded it in this week’s parsha should not surprise , and yet it did- it is so obvious once you lay it out that way.
How can thinking people disagree ?
Good question :)
I think when Judaism becomes just a matter of values and not obligation, it becomes easier to meld it in the image of other commitments we have..
I have become a big fan of your Divrei Torah since finding you.
I forward your weekly post to many people. I have accepted many thank yous for spreading your wisdom.I pass the הכרת הטוב to you.
חזק חזק ונתחזק
Thank you for taking the time to respond to me . I feel like I know you .
Thank you so much, Disa - means a lot!!! I love getting to connect with so many over words of Torah :)
שכיח!
thank you!
Definitely the way my parents voted. Never by party allegiance. Their identity was Jewish; didn't need any other. Vote the best candidate at the time.
Fully agree with this take! This is how I've been thinking over the past year and a half. I vote for the best candidate. I do not think of myself as one or the other. I do not believe the world belongs to us...we know mother nature can overpower anything. Thanks for the article and your insights!