I am writing tonight on election night, November 3, 2020. The results are slowly coming in, yet I instead want to write to you.
I was recently invited to share my opinion as a Jewish rabbinical student about the 2020 presidential election. At first, I wanted to decline this request, yet I now elect to speak my voice. What I have to say might perhaps be unusual to some or many, yet I offer my words with an open mind and grateful heart.
A “Jewish” Answer
If you are wanting the Jewish answer to the question of our 2020 elections, I don’t have one. There is no one correct, “Jewish” answer. If you are wanting a Jewish answer to the question of the 2020 elections, I will not say. I cannot say!
I believe that politics and the pulpit do not mix well. Like mixing wool and linen together, speaking words from the bimah strung from threads of Blue or Red can create a tapestry of hurt and vilification.
Many in the larger Jewish community will gladly opine on the 2020 elections and offer a Blue or Red justification for their opinion using the same exact words written since over 3,000 years ago. That is just not me!
Neither “Blue” Nor “Red”
While the landmark 2013 Pew study on “A Portrait of Jewish Americans” reports that 70% of American Jews lean Democrat and 22% of American Jews lean Republican, whatever we call by the name God and hold holy and sacred is neither Democrat nor Republican, neither Blue nor Red.
I trust that each human being, each American Jew, each Democrat and Republican is created in the image of God.
Each single very one of us is imbued with a desire to do and be good. Each single very one of us is imbued with a desire to love ourselves, our neighbor, and the stranger.
Through what political action, legislation, or candidates you ought and ought not do so is not up to me and is definitely not for me to say.
Judaism in the 21st Century
Our contemporary 21st century lives are hard and challenging and stricken with ache, disease, and suffering of many kinds.
Hundreds of thousands of souls and counting are lost to the COVID pandemic, regional conflicts and wars cover our globe, and there are innumerable children and families who go without the safety and necessity of food, shelter, belonging, or the love and warm hand of a loved one.
Our contemporary 21st century lives are also filled with grace, kindness, and mercy found in both the most extraordinary and ordinary ways.
The world’s nations are working together to develop a COVID vaccine at breakneck speed, hundreds of thousands of toddlers are standing upright and putting one foot in front of the next for the very first time bringing millions of smiles an hour, and just today, I witnessed the miracle of an elderly couple crossing a busy street hand in hand followed by a gentle kiss after they both raised their legs onto the sidewalk safely.
Can You Hear “It”
We are all commanded to love ourselves and our neighbor, to love the stranger and even God. Can you hear it now?
Each moment—and each one of us—can experience and bring to ourselves and others moments of great terror and moments of great delight.
Please care well for yourself and care well for others. Please extend love to yourself, your neighbor, and to the stranger. We have no choice! Yet, please choose to do so!
Next Steps
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Adam Fogel
www.mindfuljudaism.com